[Signing] Flames sign Jonas Hiller (2yrs, $4.5mil AAV)

[djsFlames]

With Jonas in net and the Gaudfather coming in, I'm not ruling anything out from happening next year..

[Red John]

Flames paying a lot of money for goaltending this year ($7.25M). Luckily Ramo comes off the books for next year.

For a team in the Flames position, they have lots of $ to spend but shouldn't give up term. So far they've done a fine job in that regard. 2 years for Hiller, 3 for Raymond both at high but not unreasonable money.

[trackercowe]

Just wondering, did Burke help find Hiller while he was with the Ducks?

It looks like he was the manager when he was signed, so maybe there was a connection there.

Ducks general manager at the time, Brian Burke, felt that Hiller was ready to become full-time backup to Jean-Sébastien Giguère, and placed Ilya Bryzgalov on waivers, where he was claimed off waivers by the Phoenix Coyotes. Hiller went on to record a 2.06 goals against average (GAA) and .926 save percentage in 23 games in his first NHL season.

off wikipedia

[Ashasx]

We're still about $4M short of the floor yes?

[djsFlames]

2.65 GAA for Ramo. But yeah, comparable.

Hiller has had better seasons recently, can probably get back there.

[Split98]

Has anyone started to consider that the Flames brass would like to win games this year and aren't as sold on the 'we'll be good in 5 years' as the fan base is?

We added a great starting goaltender and a solid winger with tons of speed today. I like what the roster looks like this year.

[MisterJoji]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Hiller hasn't been very good ever since his vertigo problems, so he's probably in the same ballpark as Ramo. At least with this, we get closer to the floor while not vastly improving the team. Hedging is probably the best thing we can do. If we can get one of McDavid or Eichel next year, that is vastly more important than getting a good UFA this year.

So sick of this garbage. Try to build a competitive team and let the chips fall. Even the worst team in the league has a less than 20% chance of getting 1st. We should not be emulating the Oilers in any way whatsoever.

[BlackWallStreet]

[dustygoon]

While in Anaheim, Burke promised Hiller that he would make room for him when they signed him. Led to Burke trying to trade Bryzgalov and ultimately waiving him for nothing in order to keep that promise. Hiller probably trusts Burke.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

We're still about $4M short of the floor yes?

Yup. Still need Colborne and Bouma to accept their qualifying offers so we're about 2M short while still needing 2 more defenseman and another forward.

[Drury18]

I like this signing.

I also like the prospect that I could finally buy some NHL used goalie equipment that is of some use to me. I'm calling the trapper now!

[Chill Cosby]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

With Jonas in net and the Gaudfather coming in, I'm not ruling anything out from happening next year..

If Flames add a solid defenceman it's game on for anything IMO.

[shermanator]

I think 4.5 is a little high but with a 2 year term and needing to spend to hit the cap floor that really takes money out of the equation.

Calgary is probably the best place where Hiller can prove he's a #1 goalie in the NHL again. A 1A/1B situation with Ramo and Hiller is great, and it gives Ortio another 2 years to play 60-70 games in the AHL.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

We're still about $4M short of the floor yes?

With 6 holes to fill, including raises to Colborne and Bouma, plus 2 more forwards and 2 more d-men.

Shouldn't be a problem.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

We're still about $4M short of the floor yes?

About that. But that'll be easy to make up with the RFAs having yet to be signed.

[The Eliminator]

Very good move. Hiller was fantastic at the Olympics for Switzerland

[Viking Whale]

I wonder if with Ramo being in his last year under contract here is management hoping for another lucrative goalie market at the trade deadline? He could be very expendable by then depending on how Ortio does.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Chill Cosby

If Flames add a solid defenceman it's game on for anything IMO.

Agreed, they just need to grab a decent shutdown guy and it's defs game on.

Vrbata on the wing really wouldn't hurt, either.

[GreenLantern]

I think between the term on this deal and the Raymond deal we are getting a good look into where Flames management thinks this team is at competition wise. Glad to see that it lines up with the fans... not that we know better than them, but always nice to be on the same page.