Calgary Flames Goaltending Requires a Short-Term Solution Until Jon Gillies/or Mason McDonald is NHL Ready

Calgary Flames goaltending effort in 2015-16 was atrocious. Give Karri Ramo some credit, as he eventually took hold of the starter role – too little, too late though.

Both Karri Ramo and Jonas Hiller are set to become unrestricted free agents this summer, and it seems the Flames have zero interest in retaining either (no surprise).

Heading into the offseason, several organizations are searching for an upgrade between the pipes. However, the Calgary Flames goaltending situation differs from most other clubs. The Flames still have a 25-year-old (RFA) Joni Ortio who is just entering that age window when goalies tend to find their game.

A richer prospect pool than most (for netminders), Jon Gillies, 22, was a standout college star. Calgary also has Mason McDonald, 20, who has been one of the CHL’s premier goalies in recent years.

The key to success in today’s NHL is draft and develop. Calgary has a luxury with three potential options that could take hold of the starter’s role at any point over the next few years.

What does this mean for GM Brad Treliving and the Flames? It means Calgary doesn’t have to tussle with other organizations to acquire young talent such as Frederik Andersen, Calvin Pickard, or Matt Murray (just to name a few).

Instead, the Flames have the flexibility to bring in a veteran netminder with some age who can man the crease for anywhere between one to three years.

Some may argue that it doesn’t make sense, or how can this old veteran carry them through the playoffs?

Fans are already setting themselves up for disaster if they believe this team can contend for a Stanley Cup in the immediate future.

Until these young goalies develop, and Calgary addresses its lack of star power up front beyond a few players, there’s zero point in worrying about a Stanley Cup.

Calgary Flames Goaltending: Top 10 Options

10. Jimmy Howard, Detroit Red Wings

($5.29 million dollar cap hit through 2018-19 – No Trade Clause)

Stole the starter role back from Petr Mrazek late in the season. There’s still more in the tank for this 32-year-old vet. Given his no-trade clause, age, and lucrative cap hit, this is more of a fallback option.

9. Semyon Varlamov, Colorado Avalanche

($5.9 million dollar cap hit through 2018-19)

Calvin Pickard had a breakout season for the Avs. It’s unclear whether Colorado plans to move either, but the Avs need defense, and Calgary has an abundance of them. It’s an expensive contract to take on over the next three years, but at 28-years-old, there’s future trade value when one of the young netminders emerge.

8. Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins

($5.75 million dollar cap hit through 2018-19 – Full No Movement Clause)

Fleury might rank higher if he didn’t own a full NMC. Matt Murray’s emergence aside, Marc-Andre Fleury is still playing at an elite level. If Pitt decides to move their veteran goaltender, he might be the highest quality player on this list. However, that’s a lot of money for someone who is now labeled a concussion-risk.

7. Cam Ward, Unrestricted Free Agent

No, he can’t seem to stay healthy and never earned his lucrative cap hit in Carolina. It’s been somewhat downhill since his rookie emergence capturing the Conn Smythe en route to a Stanley Cup. Ward is expected to take a major pay cut this summer, and for the right price, he might be a decent Calgary Flames goaltending option. This only works if Joni Ortio can help carry the load in 2016-17.

6. James Reimer, Unrestricted Free Agent

We saw what Reimer did with a poor Maple Leafs team in front of him. Then we saw what happens playing behind a true contender. Imagine James Reimer playing behind one of the NHL’s premier defensive groups. He will never be a guy who can play 60+ games in a season, but he can excel in a tandem situation.

5. Jaroslav Halak, New York Islanders

($4.5 million dollar cap hit through 2017-18)

An injury-riddled season is virtually pushing Halak out of Brooklyn after Thomas Greiss took hold of the starter role. Health is the only concern here, but Jaroslav Halak has proven himself a quality netminder in the NHL.

4. Antti Niemi, Dallas Stars

($4.5 million dollar cap hit through 2017-18)

There’s no guarantees that Dallas breaks up the NHL’s most expensive tandem, but Kari Lehtonen was a letdown in game seven for the Stars. If Jim Nill decides to move one, Niemi’s contract will be much easier to move, and draw more interest. Why not take a two-year risk on a former Cup winner?

3. Andrew Hammond, Ottawa Senators

($1.35 million dollar cap hit through 2017-18)

Given his age and affordable cap hit, Hammond ranks high on our list of options. He may be the most unproven of the 10 options, but for $1.35 million dollars/year, it’s a low-risk roll of the dice.

2. Jonathan Bernier, Toronto Maple Leafs

($4.15 million dollar cap hit through 2016-17)

Most fans in Leafs nation have given up hope on Jonathan Bernier. After a terrible start to 2015-16, which resulted in an AHL loan, Bernier played much better down the final stretch. He ranks 2nd because there’s only one year remaining on his deal, he’s still young, and his trade value took a major hit over the past season – potential cheap acquisition.

1. Ondrej Pavelec, Winnipeg Jets

($3.9 million dollar cap hit through 16-17)

Winnipeg has a goaltending crisis on their hands. Between Ondrej Pavelec, Michael Hutchinson, Connor Hellebuyck, and Eric Comrie, the Jets have some difficult decisions to make this offseason. Considering Winnipeg is regarded as a budget team, it makes sense to shed Pavelec’s $3.9 million dollar cap hit. A free agent in 2017, it gives Jon Gillies another year to develop; if he’s unable to step in at that point, options for Calgary Flames goaltending might be better next summer.