Is Mike Smith the new Brian Elliot and is James Neal the new Troy Brouwer?

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

It's on BT for putting the team in the situation as well. He's proven incapable at evaluating and/or acquiring goaltending talent and it will cost him his job, despite being great in other areas (signings, trades, recent drafts and so on) if Smith cannot figure it out soon or Rittich is not up to task of taking over.

I have been beating this drum for a long time, but the middling returns on Treliving's goaltending upgrade-attempts must be taken within their appropriate context. Every one of the alternatives to date would arguably have cost the team elsewhere in ways that we likely would not find palatable. Treliving has been juggling upgrades to an entire roster over his tenure—not just in goal.

[Zulu29]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

It's on BT for putting the team in the situation as well. He's proven incapable at evaluating and/or acquiring goaltending talent and it will cost him his job, despite being great in other areas (signings, trades, recent drafts and so on) if Smith cannot figure it out soon or Rittich is not up to task of taking over.

Lose his job because of that? I sure hope not, because he’s the best GM we’ve had in years. The trade with the ‘Canes is looking pretty good right now, Hamonic is looking like an entirely different player with a new coach, same with several other players like Brodie and Bennett.

Treliving has been on every quality goalie that has come available that I can think of. Would you trade any of those goalies for Tkachuk? One thing you cannot accuse Treliving of is sitting on his hands. I’d bet money that he’s looking into improving the goaltending situation, but he’s not gonna create a hole to fill another.

We’re playing very well in spite of lacklustre goaltending. Patience my friend.

[Bingo]

I can remember the calls for Cliff Fletcher's head in the early to mid 80s.

Canadian market ... someone always wants to off the GM and coach.

[Mitt31]

BT has been making a ton of trades to make this team better and i believe he has been successful in that. He weighs everything before making a deal but will not sell the farm on a gamble.

Right now this team is in a position to win every night, and that is BT as he has acquired the personnel and players. The day he starts meddling with the coaches role will be the day he should be fired.

It is on GM to get the players and the Coach to choose who starts in what position or line.

BT is doing his job... If you would prefer to watch the team we had before he got here then re-watch the tapes. Or i guess you could always watch a few Oiler games and decide if you still hate BT.

[Dan403]

Terribad thread is terribad.

[simonsays]

I think it would be for the best if Tre hired a seperate executive to handle goalie operations from here on out. I like most of his asset management but I don't think he really understands how to evaluate goaltending talent. Not that I can or anything.


But bring in someone who has experience evaluating the ins and outs of the position to help evaluate the talent we have (players/coaches) and the pro level talent that we could possibly acquire. I think Tre is aware of our goalie issues but IMO he needs someone to help evaluate the possible solutions.


Even if a survey of all the available talent results in Smith and Rittich in goal with Sigalet coaching, at least there would then be 2 people who had faith in this set-up.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by simonsays

I think it would be for the best if Tre hired a seperate executive to handle goalie operations from here on out. I like most of his asset management but I don't think he really understands how to evaluate goaltending talent. Not that I can or anything.


But bring in someone who has experience evaluating the ins and outs of the position to help evaluate the talent we have (players/coaches) and the pro level talent that we could possibly acquire. I think Tre is aware of our goalie issues but IMO he needs someone to help evaluate the possible solutions.


Even if a survey of all the available talent results in Smith and Rittich in goal with Sigalet coaching, at least there would then be 2 people who had faith in this set-up.

Bring in Sean Burke as an assistant GM. He wants to transition into more management and he obviously knows a thing or two about goalies

[redforever]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Bring in Sean Burke as an assistant GM. He wants to transition into more management and he obviously knows a thing or two about goalies

I like this idea.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by simonsays

I think it would be for the best if Tre hired a seperate executive to handle goalie operations from here on out. I like most of his asset management but I don't think he really understands how to evaluate goaltending talent. Not that I can or anything.


But bring in someone who has experience evaluating the ins and outs of the position to help evaluate the talent we have (players/coaches) and the pro level talent that we could possibly acquire. I think Tre is aware of our goalie issues but IMO he needs someone to help evaluate the possible solutions.


Even if a survey of all the available talent results in Smith and Rittich in goal with Sigalet coaching, at least there would then be 2 people who had faith in this set-up.

Over the course of the past four years Treliving has been in on Talbot, Jones, Bishop, Andersson, Fleury and Raanta in addition to the goalies he has actually acquired. The problem is not a matter of his ability to properly evaluate talent. It is rather all about which players were available and what he is willing to pay for them.

[jonkaupp]

Give Rittich starts and keep an eye on how Schneider plays coming off the surgery. If he looks like he’s anything close to his prior self then I think he’s a good option that you should be able to acquire dirt cheap because of the remaining years on his deal. You can have a 1A/B situation. 60/40 split or even more even if Rittich plays well. Unlike Smith, Schneider was a legitimate top tier goalie in this league. 32 years old so not as old as others have intimated by saying he’d be the same as Smith. If Parsons develops then the timing for the transition works nice.

[jonkaupp]

I do love the idea of Bobrovsky but ya, free agent and all.

[mrdonkey]

Bump.

Both comparisons are looking a little close for comfort...

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

Bump.

Both comparisons are looking a little close for comfort...

Lol

[TheoFleury]

At this point I wish Smith was the new Elliott, despite last night's decent start. It would also be nice if Neal could be as productive as Brouwer at least.

[Rando]

Smith did make that one highlight save. Yay?

[cam_wmh]

Ya know, I fear knowing the cumulative spend on goaltenders since Treliving arrived. And the opportunity costs, to failed acquisitions.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Rando

Smith did make that one highlight save. Yay?

At least 2, maybe three.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

At least 2, maybe three.

Yes, and he made sure everyone knew. Statue of Liberty! Hail the cab!
Needy bugger.

(I know you are fine with it, I don’t like it. I wish Smith would just shut up and win)

[Strange Brew]

Well I don’t think it’s controveeisal to say:

Smith was brought in to replace and be better than Elliott
Neal to replace and be better than Brouwer
Ryan to replace and be better than Stajan

Kind of a mixed bag really. This team’s improvement has come from the coaching change and the Carolina trade IMO.

[Mr.Coffee]

Calgary is in a playoff spot. They actually look pretty good this far IMO.

Taking a risk to try and shore up goaltending through a trade seems like a large risk and unnecessary all things considered. I think the best thing this team can do moving forward is start to transition Rittich in more. If duties are more evenly split or even Rittich starts more often than not- team will be just fine.

Then over time hopefully Smith can regain confidence, which is I think all he lacks. I think he still has the speed and athleticism, he just needs to regain confidence. If he can regain his form to what he was first half 2017/2018 right around March or so we will win the Cup haha. He was dominant.

Meanwhile if things start to go off the rails then consider it or maybe make a deadline move to pick up a goalie. I just think it's incredibly risky to trade a decent asset for another goalie who will flake out.

Problem with goaltending is it's such a confidence / mental position. When things are going well, you're unbeatable and when things aren't, you should be in the AHL. It never really seems like you ever get "average" goaltending.