Flames goaltending 2019-20 - Page 6 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

dammage79 · 06-23-2019, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

With what cap space? I think each guy will get a minimum of 5m

We have Gillies and Parsons signed. You make the space for a goalie. Dont pretend like that isn't priority #1, even over Tkachuk.

Fire of the Phoenix · 06-23-2019, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dammage79

We have Gillies and Parsons signed. You make the space for a goalie. Dont pretend like that isn't priority #1, even over Tkachuk.

I just think Lehner will for sure be too expensive, though he is who I would like too if the cap space could be figured out. Varlamov is okay but I definately like Lehner better. At the end of the day I think Talbot on a 2 year 2.5-3m deal or somewhere there abouts will be what happens. We simply can't afford a 5m+ goalie thanks to Neal and Stone.

oldschoolcalgary · 06-23-2019, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sureLoss

It is not for cost certainty. Sparks was so shaky that by the end of the season they gave him 10 days just to work with coaches to get his game back.

https://nationalpost.com/sports/hock...0-94cdc6b9301d

Leafs ideally want a $750k cap hit goalie as a backup with their cap issues. They are shopping him because they aren't sure they can rely on him again.

interesting... didn't realize he had those issues.

i wonder if he'll be able to regain his form...my original thinking was that he could be a young guy to back up Rittich who could eventually challenge for starts.

the other approach is to get a solid veteran backup to help mentor Rittich...

I don't know if calgary will try to pursue one of the top goalies on the market simply due to cost...if Rittich lands say 3m...i don't know if Calgary can afford another goalie at 5...

we'll see i guess

Textcritic · 06-23-2019, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by btimbit

I'm higher on Gillies than most here, I thought he looked better than Rittich in the pre-season...

Gillies did look better than Rittich in the pre-season, but history shows that Training Camp and exhibition games are virtually worthless for evaluating goalies.

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btimbit · 06-23-2019, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Gillies did look better than Rittich in the pre-season, but history shows that Training Camp and exhibition games are virtually worthless for evaluating goalies.

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Yeah I'm not for a second suggesting that he's better than Rittich or even NHL ready, just that he's better than what he's been able to show in the AHL.

boogerz · 06-23-2019, 11:47 AM

Assuming that Smith is willing to re-sign for cheap (e.g. one year @ $2-3M), Rittich as 1A and Smith as the 1B should be fine. If there are goalie issues, the Flames could always make a trade in spring.

I'm torn on Gillies though. He's turning 26 years old this upcoming season... it might be time to accept that he is what he is, and cut him loose to ensure that Parsons and Zagidulin get playing time on the Heat

Textcritic · 06-23-2019, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

interesting... didn't realize he had those issues.

i wonder if he'll be able to regain his form...my original thinking was that he could be a young guy to back up Rittich who could eventually challenge for starts...

I don’t think there is any chance the Flames enter the season with Rittich and a rookie goaltender. I believe Rittich will probably split starts with another more proven NHL goalie like Cam Talbot, Michal Neuvirth or Keith Kinkaid—hell, I would be unsurprised to see Mike Smith back. The situation will be very similar to last year, and ideally Rittich will start 50 games.

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David Struch · 06-23-2019, 11:50 AM

Gillies also had a better last half season than Rittich did although one was in the AHL and the other was in the NHL. It would've been nice to see Gillies rewarded with a couple of starts to close out the regular season.

Textcritic · 06-23-2019, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Struch

Gillies also had a better last half season than Rittich did although one was in the AHL and the other was in the NHL. It would've been nice to see Gillies rewarded with a couple of starts to close out the regular season.

Rittich was nursing a nagging injury suffered in the New Year’s Eve game. This coincides almost precisely with his sudden decline in play in January, and there is some realistic hope that this was the root of his second half struggles.

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Classic_Sniper · 06-23-2019, 11:58 AM

With the cap space the Flames have right now I think Curtis McElhinney might be the best option. A UFA that won’t cost any assets or big time $$$/term.

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Textcritic · 06-23-2019, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

With the cap space the Flames have right now I think Curtis McElhinney might be the best option. A UFA that won’t cost any assets or big time $$$/term.

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I would agree, but there has been some speculation that McElhinney has no interest in returning to Calgary. He’s going to get multiple offers, and given the scuttlebutt I am fairly certain he will sign elsewhere.

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Strange Brew · 06-23-2019, 12:15 PM

Fans have a history of wanting to find an injury reason whenever a player doesn't play up to their expectations. Remember Brouwer's finger injury or whatever it was?

Lots of talk about Rittich's lingering injury last year but I'm hopeful Flames management aren't putting much stock in that and that whatever goalie option the team goes with isn't dependent on Rittich playing at a level that he has yet been able to sustain.

I'm sure Rittich will be part of the solution, but I suppose there is at least a possibility a new #1 comes in for next year if Treliving starts shedding salary.

kyuss275 · 06-23-2019, 12:17 PM

For me the most interesting part of the goalie situation, is that we have no idea which direction the flames are thinking of going. Are they going to get a new 1b goalie to battle with Ritch? re-sign smith for the 1b position? Go out and get a more proven 1a option and have rich be the back-up? while very unlikely, go and get 2 new goalies?

I really have no idea which way they are thinking.

Toonage · 06-23-2019, 12:20 PM

Treliving had a few chats with Doug Armstrong on the draft floor. The Blues probably don't want to pay 2 goalies close to $5M so its possible the Flames are looking at Allen.

Sorry.

TheScorpion · 06-23-2019, 12:20 PM

The complete radio silence we've heard from the Flames' brass so far this summer, apart from the usual say-nothing interviews, is really very jarring. The only things we've heard are that Brodie might be available, but that they don't want to move him.

On the goaltending front... absolutely nothing.

mrdonkey · 06-23-2019, 12:21 PM

I have a really bad feeling about James Reimer with salary retention being the goalie we end up with.

Classic_Sniper · 06-23-2019, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I would agree, but there has been some speculation that McElhinney has no interest in returning to Calgary. He’s going to get multiple offers, and given the scuttlebutt I am fairly certain he will sign elsewhere.

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If that’s the case then I guess Cam Talbot at 1 yr wouldn’t be terrible. I also doubt Mike Smith will want to come back. There aren’t a ton of quality options available, so I guess we’ll see what’s available.

I could actually see the Flames being a destination team for a lot of goaltenders. An open 1A-1B position with a team that can score and suppress shots. If I’m a goaltender, I’d be all over the Flames with the idea of striking it rich after a solid year.

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TheScorpion · 06-23-2019, 12:28 PM

I think Smith would love to come back. He's still in town.

Classic_Sniper · 06-23-2019, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

I have a really bad feeling about James Reimer with salary retention being the goalie we end up with.

I’d prefer Reimer over Allen at this point. Jake Allen might be one of the worst goaltenders in the league with what Binnington did this season. A career AHLer goes on to win the Stanley Cup with the Blues while Allen finds a way to plunge that same team into the league’s basement.

I get Brian Elliott vibes from Allen and that’s a scary thought as he has 2 years left on his deal.

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Strange Brew · 06-23-2019, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyuss275

For me the most interesting part of the goalie situation, is that we have no idea which direction the flames are thinking of going. Are they going to get a new 1b goalie to battle with Ritch? re-sign smith for the 1b position? Go out and get a more proven 1a option and have rich be the back-up? while very unlikely, go and get 2 new goalies?

I really have no idea which way they are thinking.

The one thing we do know is that they have very little money to play with and that a big splash may mean taking a less than favorable deal in moving more salary out.