Will the Flames ever find a reliable backup goalie? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Easeback · 02-22-2018, 12:46 AM

I do hope Rittich can bounce back in the next few starts, currently his GAA has dropped to 3.03 (0.902 SV%).

Gillies still an enigma and may not live up to the hype 4-5 years ago nor amount to anything more than a career AHL starter.

Mason McDonald is pretty much a writeoff. We have seen the likes of Irving, Ortio, etc careers vanished.

I can still see the Flames re-sign Rittich next season. But if his plays continue to be like tonight going forward. What can happen?

GullFoss · 02-22-2018, 12:50 AM

Where will this thread place in the "worst 10 threads of all time?"

Discuss...

jg13 · 02-22-2018, 12:52 AM

The guy has a winning record I personally don't ask for much more from a backup goalie.

Delthefunky · 02-22-2018, 12:56 AM

This is a stretch. Rittich has been our best backup since Curtis Joseph that I can remember.

SeanCharles · 02-22-2018, 12:56 AM

I think he needs to get used to playing a little more regularly.

Even in Stockton he didn't play nearly as much as Gillies.

I think the mental aspect of needing to be sharp every game as a starter is something he will need to work on.

Don't give up on the guy, especially as a reliable backup, yet.

Come on now. Smith is a world class goalie, there was sure to be a drop off to Rittich who is a rookie.

He's struggled in some of the games but don't overreact too much. When he had a backup goalies workload he was lights out.

dino7c · 02-22-2018, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

I think he needs to get used to playing a little more regularly.

Even in Stockton he didn't play nearly as much as Gillies.

I think the mental aspect of needing to be sharp every game as a starter is something he will need to work on.

Don't give up on the guy, especially as a reliable backup, yet.

Come on now. Smith is a world class goalie, there was sure to be a drop off to Rittich who is a rookie.

He's struggled in some of the games but don't overreact too much. When he had a backup goalies workload he was lights out.

seems like the more he is used the worse he plays

Wolfman · 02-22-2018, 12:59 AM

Don't think this deserves a thread. Overreaction. Do yourself a favour and Easeback.

N-E-B · 02-22-2018, 01:50 AM

We have one. He's clearly not ready to handle the duties of a starting goaltender but he's more than a serviceable backup.

combustiblefuel · 02-22-2018, 01:58 AM

Booooooo this man!!!!

djsFlames · 02-22-2018, 02:04 AM

Rittich is an awesome backup.

Mental circumstances change when you're told it's up to you to run the show.

Cali Panthers Fan · 02-22-2018, 05:06 AM

You mean a rookie back up goalie who was thrust into a starter's role isn't doing as well as we hoped? Color me shocked.

Such weird expectations we have sometimes. I still think Rittich is a quality back up who has potential as a starter in a couple of years.

combustiblefuel · 02-22-2018, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

You mean a rookie back up goalie who was thrust into a starter's role isn't doing as well as we hoped? Color me shocked.

Such weird expectations we have sometimes. I still think Rittich is a quality back up who has potential as a starter in a couple of years.

I think you have been gone from Canada a little to long. It is affecting your ability to spell words correctly.

GranteedEV · 02-22-2018, 05:56 AM

Rittich has cost us at most two games and was a big reason why we came out with points vs BOS and NSH.

Truth is his team has needed all world goaltending the way that it has played. Smith didn't give us all world goaltending at home which is why we suck at home. Smith gave us better-than-Vezina goaltending on the road which was the only reason we were a bubble team.

Fix the skater group and you fix the team.

Cali Panthers Fan · 02-22-2018, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

I think you have been gone from Canada a little to long. It is affecting your ability to spell words correctly.

LOL, it's autocorrect on my keyboard. I have to override it every time, and I just gave up after a while.

Otto-matic · 02-22-2018, 07:35 AM

This is the first time in a loooooong time since we've probably had an actual goalie duo that can win games and you're not expecting a loss.

Huntingwhale · 02-22-2018, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delthefunky

This is a stretch. Rittich has been our best backup since Curtis Joseph that I can remember.

Probably since before that. Turek? Cujo IMO was overrated his entire time here, outside of that crazy 4-3 comeback win. He let in more then his fair share of stinkers.

Rittich has had a couple of rough outings. But he's also had some excellent ones. Not too sure what the OP is expecting. The guy is a rookie goaltender and is supposed to win every game?

It's probably Gulutzan's fault somehow...

Kipper_3434 · 02-22-2018, 03:41 PM

I think Ortio was a damn good backup goalie. Unfortunate that we didn't have a good starter.

Strange Brew · 02-22-2018, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kipper_3434

I think Ortio was a damn good backup goalie. Unfortunate that we didn't have a good starter.

In what league?

I like Rittich and hope he is learning from this. The backup’s job is more than just an occasional start. It is very likely they will see action while starter is injured and that’s something they need to be able to handle.

rain_e · 02-22-2018, 04:07 PM

Rittich will be a starter for the Flames IMO if he is around another year or two.

If Gillies has any value ship him out now, but I don't think there is much value there.

EVERLAST · 02-22-2018, 04:16 PM

Rittich is playing behind the most mentally fragile roster I've seen in 25 plus years

Rittich and Smith have been the best part of the season thus far. Let's leave it at that.

When the rest of this team decides there is more to hockey than collecting a paycheque and actually showing up mentally and physically we'll be winners.

Until then we can just beat dead horses with threads like this.