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

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by mile

The improvements to the team isn't so much getting out of the top 3 as it is giving our current young players some talent to play with, and ensuring that they want to be here long term. Development is just as important as where we are picking.

Definitely agree. That's why I like having Backlund, Hudler, Stajan, Raymond and Glencross around to play with the rookies. They might themselves not be top players, but they are serviceable guys for Sven, Mono, Gaudreau and Bennett to learn from.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

I'm not saying that the Flames should not give a good effort and they should try to lose. I think they should not try to vastly improve the team for no reason just to get themselves out of the opportunity to pick in the top 3. It might suck next year, but it'll be rewarded by allowing us to be just that much better beyond.

I wouldn't worry too much about this. We still play in the Pacific division, our first line is Glencross-Backlund-Hudler, and our second D-pairing has one or both of Kris Russell, Dennis Wideman and Ladislav Smid. We're going to try hard, and we're going to lose a lot.

[Gaskal]

2014-2015: Hiller/Ramo
2015-2016: Hiller/Ortio
2016-2017: Ortio/UFA veteran backup

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

I wouldn't worry too much about this. We still play in the Pacific division, our first line is Glencross-Backlund-Hudler, and our second D-pairing has one or both of Kris Russell, Dennis Wideman and Ladislav Smid. We're going to try hard, and we're going to lose a lot.

It's why I love the Hiller signing so much, and to a lesser degree, the Raymond signing. Hiller will keep us in games, but won't win us games. We're going to compete and battle our assess off all season - and get rewarded with a franchise-making top 5 pick.

The arms race in the West is astonishing. It's a good thing we're in a rebuild, because competing with the high end teams in the west is impossible right now.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Won't be surprised if Ramo is done as a flame after this season. Could see next year Hiller mentoring Ortio.

You are reading this signing in a wrong way. Treliving and Burke wants to get Ortio some playing time in the AHL and playing Ramo in the NHL with a backup or playing 1A or 1B goalie. I think Brad, Brian and Bob don't want to overplay Ramo and break down at the end of the season. The signing with Hillier is short term and that should be enough to get Ortio and Ramo ready to platoon the duties when Hillier's contract is over.

[Canuck-Hater]

Very nice indeed! Good signings by the Flames today.

[tvp2003]

People seem to be discounting Ramo -- I think he has as good a chance as Ortio of becoming a long term solution here.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Man i miss a lot when i'm asleep. Great signing.

[djsFlames]

Maybe Jonas helps us break the Honda Center curse??? Old team, familiar building..

We must play him in Anaheim.

[shogged]

I don't think the dollar value will dictate how many games he plays. His contract helps our salary cap situation and the term means we can afford it while we have all this space and the young roster. Ramo should only be upset that the guy playing behind him is making more money this season. Still a good pick up, he's a big upgrade over macdonald

[MuscleOnTheBlvd]

Good signing by the Flames, happy to have Jonas Hiller here.

[Neeper]

This is a great signing. We have 2 good options in net now. Term and $ is great to. I have always hated how we've had such weak backups for so long. Finally we have 2 good reliable goalies.

[Jacks]

Little late to the party but this is a great signing.

- perfect term
- gets us to the cap floor
- solidifies our goaltending situation.

Me likey

[handgroen]

love this friggin signing!
i may be in the minority here, but i want the team to win as many games as they possibly can next year, draft pick be damned! and this goalie wins games, plain and simple.
the thing everyone forgets about, when we talk about tanking for mcdavid etc. is that when you have a winning organization all your assets appreciate that much more. winning is really an important way to show the rest of the league the value of your players.

[Psytic]

Yep I called this one a few months back and people were saying it would be a waste of time.

[bluejays]

Very good signing by the Flames. So far one of the better ones today. Fair for both sides. Surprised more teams (Winnipeg) didn't take a chance on a guy who's showed he can be solid.

[Chaparraljam]

Personally I hope he struggles. After watching 'Playing to Lose' on TSN detailing Pittsburgh's tactics to get Lemieux I was hoping they'd get someone like McElhinney to start all the road games. BUF, FLA, EDM have all seemed to improve. Don't mess up the 'Tank it for McDavid'.

[bubbsy]

Love everything about this deal. Best move by the flames today.

[doctajones428]

Yes! I was hoping for months and months that we would sign him!

[Calgary4LIfe]

Solid signing. Ramo and Hillier will push one another. Hopefully they don't steal too many games, but it is huge for confidence when you are throwing out youth when they feel if they make a mistake Ramo or Hillier can make up for it. Having shaky goalies can rattle the entire team, so this is a very good move.