Flames facing important decisions with crowded crease, too many forwards
Over the weekend, the Calgary Flames made a handful of moves.
Not one of them involved a goaltender.
Yes, the three- way dilemma involving Jonas Hiller, Karri Ramo, and Joni Ortio is still something the team has to deal with in the upcoming weeks.
To recap — in case you need a reminder — all three gentlemen are on one- way contracts and competing for two jobs.
Ortio has looked splendid in the pre- season, allowing one goal and putting together a 0.67 goals against average and .979 save percentage ( 48 shots against) in 90 minutes of action ( two games).
Hiller has played two exhibition games ( 89 minutes) and has a 1.35 goals against average and 0.952 save percentage while Ramo has a 2.35 goals against average in 102 minutes with four goals allowed (. 938 save percentage).
Hiller and Ramo, of course, have the biggest resume with the Flames as the 1A and 1B men in 2014- 15. Ortio, however, represents the future and needs playing time.
But, because of their contracts, all three goalies will be exposed to the waiver wire in order to be sent down to the AHL ( which is a doubtful option in Hiller and Ramo’s cases). The only other solution would be to deal a netminder.
The Flames have some decisions to make because they aren’t likely to keep three goalies when the season starts.
DOWN TO 18 FORWARDS
Up front, the Flames dispatched Kenny Agostino, Bill Arnold, Morgan Klimchuk, Emile Poirier, Blair Riley, and Bryce Van Brabant to the Stockton Heat.
They also placed forwards Turner Elson and Derek Grant on waivers and, if they clear by 10 a. m. on Monday, they’ll also head to Calgary’s American Hockey League affiliate.
That means there are 18 forwards left at camp — about three or four too many.
However, as the Flames know too well, injuries can happen early and often. Which means that in the upcoming days, the coaching staff will be evaluating which forwards will be worthy candidates for callups. Currently on the bubble: Drew Shore, Markus Granlund, and Garnet Hathaway.
Calgary has three pre- season dates left on the docket — Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche and Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets before wrapping up the exhibition season Saturday at Winnipeg.