Calgary Flames Goaltending: Top 10 Short-Term Answers

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.

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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)

Apr 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard (35) during the first period in game one of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

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)

Mar 28, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov (1) makes a save during the first period against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

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)

May 18, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) warms up during the pre game skate before game three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

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

Feb 25, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward (30) during a break in the action against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

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

Apr 5, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer (34) makes a save against the Minnesota Wild during the third period at Xcel Energy Center. The Sharks won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports /

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)

Mar 8, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders goaltender Jaroslav Halak (41) defends his net against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /

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)

May 3, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Dallas Stars goalie Antti Niemi (31) makes a gloves save against the St. Louis Blues during the second period in game three of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

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)

Apr 2, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators goalie Andrew Hammond (30) makes a save during the third period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

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)

Apr 7, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier (45) makes a save against the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

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.

Next: Calgary Flames End of Year Review, Grades

1. Ondrej Pavelec, Winnipeg Jets
($3.9 million dollar cap hit through 16-17)

Apr 7, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Winnipeg Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec (31) defends goal against a shot by the San Jose Sharks in the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Winnipeg won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /

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.

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