[Signing] Flames sign Gillies (2 yrs, 1st year 2 way, 2nd year 1 way, $750k AAV at NHL level)

[ForeverFlameFan]

With this kind of deal, don't be shocked to see Rittich get a 1 year deal. Whether it's one or two way, I don't know, but I think Rittich will be given the opportunity to prove himself worthy of the backup spot.

[JurassicTunga12]

Interesting deal. Hopefully he can emerge as a legit guy.

[Fire]

I think Rittich gets a 2 year deal as well. It would be way too risky to have both Smith and Rittich being UFAs after this season.

[getbak]

CapFriendly has his AHL salary for next season as $200,000. If true, that's a solid bump from the $95,000 he was making last year in Stockton.

[Iggy_12]

Is he waiver eligible in that first year?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Iggy_12

Is he waiver eligible in that first year?

Nope.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by getbak

CapFriendly has his AHL salary for next season as $200,000. If true, that's a solid bump from the $95,000 he was making last year in Stockton.

It's showing $250,000 this morning.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

It's showing $250,000 this morning.

Last night it was showing as unconfirmed, so they must have received confirmation overnight.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by bigrangy

During the second year, he'll be waiver eligible. Giving him a 1 way for that season will minimize the chance of him getting claimed if he does need to go back to the AHL then.

However, hopefully he's in the NHL full time and this won't be an issue.

Getting claimed on waivers means he gets paid at the NHL level for the rest of the year.... or goes back on waivers.

Waiver pick ups have to stay on the NHL roster of the claiming team.

[sureLoss]

Now official

https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/flam...?tid=282300716

[djsFlames]

Gillies' play was interesting when he got time this past season. Would stop everything for a 30 or 40 minute stretch but start or finish with a complete stinker or lose track of a puck on a seemingly innocent play.

When noticeable blips happen like that you wonder if it's nerves or lapses in focus. The ability is there, but like so many Flames goalie prospects have failed to do, can he take another step from farm starter and really belong in that back year of the contract?

[sketchyt]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Gillies' play was interesting when he got time this past season. Would stop everything for a 30 or 40 minute stretch but start or finish with a complete stinker or lose track of a puck on a seemingly innocent play.

When noticeable blips happen like that you wonder if it's nerves or lapses in focus. The ability is there, but like so many Flames goalie prospects have failed to do, can he take another step from farm starter and really belong in that back year of the contract?

My beer league / armchair goalie coach opinion:

• He's lost a lot of lateral mobility after his hip surgery. Pekka Rinne and a host of other goalies with similar surgeries typically needed a full season before returning to form.
• He's still trying to find his comfort zone in terms of depth in the crease. I noticed he does try to challenge shots aggresively but it's spotty. This is one of the single biggest adjustments to the NHL game, IMO. Adjusting to this will lead to confusion with decision making with save selection.
• Which means in many cases, he plays deep in his net. He's also huge so he's gotten away with it. When you play deep, your margin of error is so slim... hence the noticeable blips. Make a tiny mistake before the shot, red light goes on.
• Poor puck handler... but there are many of that type of goalie at all levels.
• Plays a very upright game in his stance... doesn't seem to get his feet set quick enough, which also leads to those blips.

I think he's still got potential to be a decent NHL'er but there's a lot of work there. This is the season to see if he's fully recovered from surgery... I think if he doesn't show a decent progression in the AHL/NHL, his ceiling will be Curtis McElhinney territory.

[tvp2003]

I still like Rittich to start the season (older, has proven more at the NHL level by coming in an winning games) but I think Gillies is still on track and could play in this league. Last year was only his second full year of pro hockey but it looks like he's still progressing. If he can work on his overall consistency hopefully that will give him the confidence needed to play well in the NHL, whenever that opportunity presents itself.

[gamesaver]

Originally Posted by sketchyt

My beer league / armchair goalie coach opinion:

• He's lost a lot of lateral mobility after his hip surgery. Pekka Rinne and a host of other goalies with similar surgeries typically needed a full season before returning to form.
• He's still trying to find his comfort zone in terms of depth in the crease. I noticed he does try to challenge shots aggresively but it's spotty. This is one of the single biggest adjustments to the NHL game, IMO. Adjusting to this will lead to confusion with decision making with save selection.
• Which means in many cases, he plays deep in his net. He's also huge so he's gotten away with it. When you play deep, your margin of error is so slim... hence the noticeable blips. Make a tiny mistake before the shot, red light goes on.
• Poor puck handler... but there are many of that type of goalie at all levels.
• Plays a very upright game in his stance... doesn't seem to get his feet set quick enough, which also leads to those blips.

I think he's still got potential to be a decent NHL'er but there's a lot of work there. This is the season to see if he's fully recovered from surgery... I think if he doesn't show a decent progression in the AHL/NHL, his ceiling will be Curtis McElhinney territory.

Kind of agree, I would add that he seems to be struggling to control his giant body and sometimes seems a bit out of place. He has all those tools, but lacks a toolbox yet. Hard to say what would be the best for his development, but the organisation probably thinks he could use 1 more year as a starter in Stockton and then maybe he could break out in the league. Rittich contract will tell us more about how our staff see the future in the crease. I guess they look for 2 year deal and Rittich would like that deal to be 1 way. Will be interesting to see how this plays out.

[CliffFletcher]

Too early to give up on Gillies. A lot of NHL starters spent 120-180 games in the AHL. Gillies has only 85.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Too early to give up on Gillies. A lot of NHL starters spent 120-180 games in the AHL. Gillies has only 85.

I hear this a lot but what are the stats? Starting goalies seem to start a lot younger these days (Bob, Hellebuyck, Murray, Quick, Gibson...).

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I hear this a lot but what are the stats? Starting goalies seem to start a lot younger these days (Bob, Hellebuyck, Murray, Quick, Gibson...).

I don’t know the stats, but for games played last year look at this link and compare to age. Most are 27+.

https://www.quanthockey.com/nhl/seas...ies-stats.html

I think goalies who become starters before the age of 23 are rare.

[sketchyt]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I hear this a lot but what are the stats? Starting goalies seem to start a lot younger these days (Bob, Hellebuyck, Murray, Quick, Gibson...).

I've actually seen a chart for this (but can't seem to find it). It was specifically about goalies coming out of college programs having spent 3+ years there... such as Jimmy Howard, who unfortunately is the only name I remember from that article.