After Vernon and Kipper, who's the third-best goalie in Flames history?

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

I still remember those crazy durashoft pads that Lemelin debuted around 86 where the rebounds would kick out to center ice. Just around the time where goaltenders were moving away from the old Brown Leather ones to white leather pads.

They looked goofy as hell, but those pads completely revitalized his career. They were significantly lighter than the old ones, which made it a lot easier on his knees and hips.

[neo45]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Had the flames had a Kyrou or Formenton level prospect aside from Valimaki, the flames probably complete a deal on deadline day.

Death by 1000 cuts is right.

Could have had DeBrincat. Can’t even call him a prospect, he’s a star player already.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Had the flames had a Kyrou or Formenton level prospect aside from Valimaki, the flames probably complete a deal on deadline day.

Death by 1000 cuts is right.

The 2014 2nd and 3rd round is the one that hurts me.

Flames took McDonald, Smith, and Hickey.

Instead of say Demko/Nedeljkovic (two goalies taken after McDonald that look better), Montour/Donato (taken the two picks after Smith), and Point (local kid that a lot of local hockey fans were clamoring for the Flames to take).

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Hockey Fan #751

If you're old enough then surely you remember how the Flames were completely owned by the Oilers pre-Vernon and almost instantly went to owning the Oilers.

Flames were 15-40-6 against the Oilers from the time they joined the league until 1985-86, including 0-6-0 in their first six meetings of 85-86. Then Vernon joined the team and they tied 4-4 and then won 9-3 to close out the year. Then actually beat the Oilers in the 86 playoffs (Vernon played hurt in that series, too).

From that time forward until Vernon left the Flames, they were 41-25-7 against Edmonton. Complete reversal of fortunes.

Lemelin was 4-17-2 against the Oilers in his Calgary days, counting playoffs (where 2 of the wins came from). He also won his first two meetings against the Oilers in 80-81 if you can believe it.

I am old enough to have watched the Original 6 play, as well as all of Flames hockey once they came to Calgary.

Mike Vernon was the best Flames goalie at that time and went on to success with the Red Wings as well....but he is not the only reason the Flames started to win against the Oilers.

The Flames were starting to build a good team at that time and players like Otto, MacInnis, Suter, Roberts, Loob, and Nieuwendyk had either just joined the Flames around that time or did so a year or so after.

The Flames as a whole were dominant starting about 85, not just one player.

And while Vernon played a good series in the run to the Cup, I maintain that the fear that MacInnis put into Roy had just as much impact.

I have always liked Mikey and he was great for his era but having watched both Mikey and Kipper play, hands down I think Kipper was the more elite goalie.

[Manhattanboy]

Some may not recall but Vernon would also periodically wander from the net and get caught.

I would rank Reggie Lemelin as third best.

[Rick M.]

Lemelin gets my vote.

[CsInMyBlood]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Probably Curtis Joseph. Cujo was a good one.

Or wait did you mean players that have actually suited up for the Flanes?

Uhhh. Curtis Joseph did actually suit up for the Flames.

[Buff]

I think the worst in Flames history has to be Grant Fuhr.

[t0rrent98]

vesa toskala!!!!!!!!

[Hoop27]

Lemelin

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by getbak

They looked goofy as hell, but those pads completely revitalized his career. They were significantly lighter than the old ones, which made it a lot easier on his knees and hips.

This cant be overstated enough.

Those old horse hair stuffed leathers would weigh about 20 lbs each after they got damp/wet.

Just brutal on the joints at times.

[mikephoen]

People like to talk about Vernon's heroics in overtime in game 7 against the Canucks, but they always forget that the series should have never gone 7 games. He had a brutal implosion in the 2nd period of game 6 and cost the Flames that game. He was also bad earlier in the series as well.

The Flames were 43! points better in the regular season. That series should have been a sweep.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

Uhhh. Curtis Joseph did actually suit up for the Flames.

He has a playoff victory for the Flames.

[Jiggy_12]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

He has a playoff victory for the Flames.

If I'm not mistaken, that was the same game as the Sarich hit on Marleau too.

A great win!

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by neo45

Karri Rammo did his job here. He could be #5 sadly. He didn’t play that much less than Kidd or Turek and definitely had way less bad games.

Noodles gets consideration for his well timed slash

Ramo probably deserved to have another shot after the following year. However, with his injury, recovery time, and contract status, the Flames couldn’t possibly give that shot to him.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

If I'm not mistaken, that was the same game as the Sarich hit on Marleau too.

A great win!

Correct.

[Matty81]

I liked Fred Brathwaite a lot. I didn't see Lemelin play and Bouchard was well before my time, but Freddie was for me the best goalie the flames had in the dark ages, while there were a lot of bad goalies during that era, he was a guy to rally around for a few years. Short stint though he's the third best I've watched, save percentage doesn't tell the whole tale, those were terrible teams and he used to get shelled.

I think Tabaracci, Turek and Kidd all showed glimmers as well but to even have them in discussion tells you all you need to know about how bad the flames have been at acquiring starting goaltending.

Hard to believe they let Giguere, Roloson and Craig Anderson all walk away for little or nothing. Passed on Demko in the draft for McDonald, the Brodeur/Kidd decision....

Crazy how an organization can be so consistently bad at assessing one position across multiple eras. On the plus side they seem to be great at picking up productive forwards late in the draft and via free agency over the years!

[Lanny'sDaMan]

Reggie, then Vernon imo.I will say though, Noodles and his broken sternum will always have a place in my heart.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Lanny'sDaMan

Reggie, then Vernon imo.I will say though, Noodles and his broken sternum will always have a place in my heart.

Also the chop on Franzen.

[Le Golie]

Originally Posted by Lanny'sDaMan

Reggie, then Vernon imo.I will say though, Noodles and his broken sternum will always have a place in my heart.

Thank you for mentioning Jamie Mcclennan. While he did not play enough games to be our third best goalie in history, he did a very admirable job. As I recall he came in and held the fort when Kiprusoff and Turek both got injured, so the ‘04 finals run probably never happens without him.