NHL Free Agency 2018: Calgary Flames sign Jon Gillies

The Calgary Flames have re-signed goaltender Jon Gillies to a two-year deal worth $1.5 million in NHL free agency

The Calgary Flames made their second re-signing in two days in NHL free agency when they signed goaltender Jon Gillies to a two-year deal, with a $750,000 cap hit. He has spent most of his time in the AHL but secured a chance to play 11 games in the NHL in 2017-18.

Gillies originally played for Providence College, where he looked very impressive. Appearing in a total of 108 games with his college team, he finished with a .931 save percentage. Gillies was drafted in 2012 by the Calgary Flames with the 75th overall pick.

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He spent his next two seasons with the Flames’ AHL affiliate Stockton Heat. In Gillies’ first season there, he posted a .912 save percentage through 46 games. Considering how long it often takes goalies to develop, this is actually quite impressive.

This season, Gillies really started to excel. He makes up one of the seven goalies Stockton used this season. In 39 games, he put up a save percentage of .917. Gillies also got his first real taste of NHL hockey. In 11 games with the Flames, he had a .896 save percentage.

This is not quite an NHL level save percentage yet, but Gillies is only 24 years old. He has lots of time to develop as a goaltender. His path to the NHL, however, will not be without challenge.

Gillies has David Rittich to compete with. He did not perform anywhere near as well as Gillies in the AHL but surpassed him in the NHL. In 2017-18, Rittich recorded a .904 NHL save percentage, in 21 games with the Flames. Unless something changes, Gillies and Rittich are going to be in a fight for the backup position behind Mike Smith.

Thoughts on the signing

This may appear to be a minor re-signing, but I see it as a lot more. Smith, the incumbent Flames starting goalie, is 36 years old. There’s no knowing how long he can stay an NHL starter. But it likely won’t be for much longer. It’s great that he has had this sort of run, but it will end eventually. The Flames are going to need a future replacement.

Is Gillies that guy? Well, probably not. The Flames might have to go goalie shopping in the future. However, being able to have goaltender depth from the inside is never a bad thing. And if he can be developed to his full potential, maybe he is that future replacement.

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Even if Gillies isn’t that guy, he’ll probably still be a serviceable NHL backup. This two-year signing may be the beginning of good things to come.