Todd Cordell: Calgary Flames: Joni Ortio Clears Waivers

and Granlund recalled

This organization (albeit under different management) has given up on more than a few young players that have gone on to have successful careers. I would have hated to see that with Ortio as he was considered to be one of our future starters, particularly before Gilles star shine so bright.

He's cleared so no harm, no foul and now he'll get to play a poop load of minutes and thats good. I just would have liked to see him with the big club ans his play was no worse than Hillers (or Ramo's until recently).

I've like most of what BT has done (yes even Hamilton) but this goalie debacle was sheer lunacy...

Oh and thanks Todd for the regular content!

Bang on Todd. Everyone has their own version of Ortio & hope that they will be the next Price or Rinne. Too much drama yesterday over nothing. This is where Ortio belongs, with both Poulin & Gilles out, Stockton badly needed Ortio. Hope the kid can get his act together & be lights out down there. Chances are one of Ramo or hiller will probably be moved at the trade deadline.

Sounding like Hudler was a healthy scratch in Anaheim, is there a deal brewing?

^

Heard Hudler was recovering from the flu/Hartley liked Raymonds game enough against Chicago to give him another chance against Anaheim while they wait for Hudler to be 100% again.

Flames fans seem to have unbelievably high unwarranted expectations for their goalie prospect and seem to base their opinions on what Flame's management tells them. Neither Ortio or Gilles are amazing can't miss prospects and both of them are projected to be average NHL goalies at best.

With Poulin injured...I think...Ortio's going to get every game I would think. Man the Flames are thin at Goal. I have to believe BT is working the phones for a goalie.

Flames fans seem to have unbelievably high unwarranted expectations for their goalie prospect and seem to base their opinions on what Flame's management tells them. Neither Ortio or Gilles are amazing can't miss prospects and both of them are projected to be average NHL goalies at best.
- Hunkulese

I think everyone knows how thin this organization is at Goal. Nobody thinks Ortio or GIllies are amazing can't miss prospects. Gillies might turn into something but he's a long way away.

I'm very glad he cleared and will now get some playing time. I still maintain that Ortio has all the tools to be a good goalie in this league. If we didn't have that tremendous season last year, or his injury, he likely would have had a ton of games and may have established himself as at least a good back up.

^

Heard Hudler was recovering from the flu/Hartley liked Raymonds game enough against Chicago to give him another chance against Anaheim while they wait for Hudler to be 100% again.
- Saskabush

Pretty suspicious though. After missing games and practices over the weekend, he comes back to practise on the Mon., not playing on any particular line, then sits again Tue. Hartley may have just been resting him further, but maybe he's tired of his play and sat him and saved him the annoyance and embarrassed of being publicly sat.

Flames fans seem to have unbelievably high unwarranted expectations for their goalie prospect and seem to base their opinions on what Flame's management tells them. Neither Ortio or Gilles are amazing can't miss prospects and both of them are projected to be average NHL goalies at best.
- Hunkulese

As usual your negativity and anti-Flame comments shine through. Where do you get that Gillies is projected as avg.? Everything I've read has him projected as a starter with a high ceiling. What else? You have Bennett projected as a 4th line tweeter?

You're right....all Gillies did was win the Frozen Four MVP last year. He must suck!

Todd Cordell: Calgary Flames: Joni Ortio Clears Waivers
- ToddCordellCGY

Phew

Flames fans seem to have unbelievably high unwarranted expectations for their goalie prospect and seem to base their opinions on what Flame's management tells them. Neither Ortio or Gilles are amazing can't miss prospects and both of them are projected to be average NHL goalies at best.
- Hunkulese

On Gillies:

http://www.hockeysfuture....om/prospects/jon_gillies/

Gillies will make his pro hockey debut in 2015-16 after signing an entry-level contract with the Flames in April; foregoing his senior season at Providence. With veterans Jonas Hiller and Karri Ramo as well as prospect Joni Ortio competing for two roster spots with the Flames, it appears Gillies will start the year with new AHL affiliate Stockton. The Thunder are one of five California-based teams that will comprise the league's Pacific Division. Long-term Gillies' size, athleticism and productivity level suggests that he can be a solid NHL starter one day.

http://forecaster.thehock...ws/hockey/player.php?9353

Assets: A huge goalkeeper who can cover up a lot of the net with his body, he is also as cool as a cucumber under pressure (and displays the ideal mentality for the goaltending position).
Flaws: Needs to learn professional shooters' tendencies and prove he can handle a heavy workload at the highest level in order to maximize his vast potential in the National Hockey League.
Career Potential: Huge, talented goaltender with big upside.

On Ortio

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/joni_ortio/

Ortio has good reflexes, rebound control and quick lateral movement while playing with great composure and poise under pressure. The young netminder can at times show flashes of brilliance and has the mental strength to excel on breakaways or shootouts. He will have to continue improving his overall strength and learn to play a more aggressive style against the shooter in order to play in North America.

http://forecaster.thehock...ws/hockey/player.php?7581

Assets: Is supremely talented with enough size for the National Hockey League, and he has already displayed the durability and stamina needed to be a No. 1 goaltender.
Flaws: Must continue to learn North American shooters' tendencies, as well as continue to make adjustments away from the Finnish Liiga. Also needs to play with more consistency.
Career Potential: Talented goaltender with good upside.

Bang on Todd. Everyone has their own version of Ortio & hope that they will be the next Price or Rinne. Too much drama yesterday over nothing. This is where Ortio belongs, with both Poulin & Gilles out, Stockton badly needed Ortio. Hope the kid can get his act together & be lights out down there. Chances are one of Ramo or hiller will probably be moved at the trade deadline.

Sounding like Hudler was a healthy scratch in Anaheim, is there a deal brewing?
- Kevin R

Yes, drama over nothing in the end as he was not claimed, but, again the question has to be asked, what is the direction of this team? We are clearly not developing Ortio at the NHL level, and neither Ramo nor Hiller (or Ortio for that matter) have a contract next season.

In the end, the Flames gambled and won, and regardless of whether Ortio is a career backup, a starter or an elite goalie, taking a risk of losing a young, controllable player in favour of hanging onto a veteran who has played just as poorly, if not worse than Ortio this year was bigger than just sending back a backup goalie. The Flames don't know what he is at this point, and the way they have managed the goalies this year did not provide a fair opportunity for anyone in the cage. They have done Ortio a massive disservice this year and the likelihood of him returning next year is slim.

May not be a big deal in the end, may bite them in the butt, but from beginning to end, this has been horribly managed

Flames fans seem to have unbelievably high unwarranted expectations for their goalie prospect and seem to base their opinions on what Flame's management tells them. Neither Ortio or Gilles are amazing can't miss prospects and both of them are projected to be average NHL goalies at best.
- Hunkulese

I replied to your post yesterday with a good explanation of why Flames fans think higher of Ortio and you simply didn't read it.

On Gillies:

http://www.hockeysfuture....om/prospects/jon_gillies/

Gillies will make his pro hockey debut in 2015-16 after signing an entry-level contract with the Flames in April; foregoing his senior season at Providence. With veterans Jonas Hiller and Karri Ramo as well as prospect Joni Ortio competing for two roster spots with the Flames, it appears Gillies will start the year with new AHL affiliate Stockton. The Thunder are one of five California-based teams that will comprise the league's Pacific Division. Long-term Gillies' size, athleticism and productivity level suggests that he can be a solid NHL starter one day.

http://forecaster.thehock...ws/hockey/player.php?9353

Assets: A huge goalkeeper who can cover up a lot of the net with his body, he is also as cool as a cucumber under pressure (and displays the ideal mentality for the goaltending position).
Flaws: Needs to learn professional shooters' tendencies and prove he can handle a heavy workload at the highest level in order to maximize his vast potential in the National Hockey League.
Career Potential: Huge, talented goaltender with big upside.

On Ortio

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/joni_ortio/

Ortio has good reflexes, rebound control and quick lateral movement while playing with great composure and poise under pressure. The young netminder can at times show flashes of brilliance and has the mental strength to excel on breakaways or shootouts. He will have to continue improving his overall strength and learn to play a more aggressive style against the shooter in order to play in North America.

http://forecaster.thehock...ws/hockey/player.php?7581

Assets: Is supremely talented with enough size for the National Hockey League, and he has already displayed the durability and stamina needed to be a No. 1 goaltender.
Flaws: Must continue to learn North American shooters' tendencies, as well as continue to make adjustments away from the Finnish Liiga. Also needs to play with more consistency.
Career Potential: Talented goaltender with good upside.
- rmull905

Yes, drama over nothing in the end as he was not claimed, but, again the question has to be asked, what is the direction of this team? We are clearly not developing Ortio at the NHL level, and neither Ramo nor Hiller (or Ortio for that matter) have a contract next season.

In the end, the Flames gambled and won, and regardless of whether Ortio is a career backup, a starter or an elite goalie, taking a risk of losing a young, controllable player in favour of hanging onto a veteran who has played just as poorly, if not worse than Ortio this year was bigger than just sending back a backup goalie. The Flames don't know what he is at this point, and the way they have managed the goalies this year did not provide a fair opportunity for anyone in the cage. They have done Ortio a massive disservice this year and the likelihood of him returning next year is slim.

May not be a big deal in the end, may bite them in the butt, but from beginning to end, this has been horribly managed
- rmull905

Really wouldn't get too concerned. Ortio will probably get offered something if he can get his level of play back up to the teams expectations. For the big team, I would bet money BT pulls off a trade for a #1 goalie at the draft or during the summer. There are going to be a few goalies available as well, who knows, BT kicked tires on Talbot at the draft, he may try to give him a 1 or 2 year deal in Calgary.

Personally, I don't think it's out of the question he acquires Bernier with either Ramo or Hiller going back to the Leafs along with a good prospect like Granlund & a mid pick. The beauty of Bernier is his struggles have really driven down the price. Now that Ortio is in Stockton, I see a deal like this lining up.

As usual your negativity and anti-Flame comments shine through. Where do you get that Gillies is projected as avg.? Everything I've read has him projected as a starter with a high ceiling. What else? You have Bennett projected as a 4th line tweeter?
- TandA4Flames

Nothing I've said is anti-Flame. I fully support the Flames and have been a huge fan for over 25 years now. I also think their rebuild is on the right track. That doesn't mean I need to ignore the current reality that they're a bad team right now and saying as much doesn't mean I hate the Flames.

On Gillies:

http://www.hockeysfuture....om/prospects/jon_gillies/

Gillies will make his pro hockey debut in 2015-16 after signing an entry-level contract with the Flames in April; foregoing his senior season at Providence. With veterans Jonas Hiller and Karri Ramo as well as prospect Joni Ortio competing for two roster spots with the Flames, it appears Gillies will start the year with new AHL affiliate Stockton. The Thunder are one of five California-based teams that will comprise the league's Pacific Division. Long-term Gillies' size, athleticism and productivity level suggests that he can be a solid NHL starter one day.

http://forecaster.thehock...ws/hockey/player.php?9353

Assets: A huge goalkeeper who can cover up a lot of the net with his body, he is also as cool as a cucumber under pressure (and displays the ideal mentality for the goaltending position).
Flaws: Needs to learn professional shooters' tendencies and prove he can handle a heavy workload at the highest level in order to maximize his vast potential in the National Hockey League.
Career Potential: Huge, talented goaltender with big upside.

On Ortio

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/joni_ortio/

Ortio has good reflexes, rebound control and quick lateral movement while playing with great composure and poise under pressure. The young netminder can at times show flashes of brilliance and has the mental strength to excel on breakaways or shootouts. He will have to continue improving his overall strength and learn to play a more aggressive style against the shooter in order to play in North America.

http://forecaster.thehock...ws/hockey/player.php?7581

Assets: Is supremely talented with enough size for the National Hockey League, and he has already displayed the durability and stamina needed to be a No. 1 goaltender.
Flaws: Must continue to learn North American shooters' tendencies, as well as continue to make adjustments away from the Finnish Liiga. Also needs to play with more consistency.
Career Potential: Talented goaltender with good upside.
- rmull905

So one of the sites you're using to refute my argument that both Gilles and Ortio are projected to be average NHL goalies has them projected to be journeymen number 1 starters?

I never said they weren't talented goalies. I never said they didn't have potential. I'm just trying to tamper expectations. A lot of you on here seem to think that they're both elite level prospects that are going to come in and save the Flames.

Nothing I've said is anti-Flame. I fully support the Flames and have been a huge fan for over 25 years now. I also think their rebuild is on the right track. That doesn't mean I need to ignore the current reality that they're a bad team right now and saying as much doesn't mean I hate the Flames.
- Hunkulese

We look pretty good in the last few weeks. I think it would be unrealistic as a Flames fan to say that we're bad because we started out poorly.

And the Flames fans on here think highly of Ramo because he played a string of great hockey last year for the Flames. He he gave the coaching staff no other choice but to keep playing him.

You said he had a bad season in the AHL last year when he was chosen for the All Star game. He went 21-13-1 and you call it a bad season.

Give your head a shake.

I replied to your post yesterday with a good explanation of why Flames fans think higher of Ortio and you simply didn't read it.
- fry

it would help if he COULD read!

Todd Cordell: Calgary Flames: Joni Ortio Clears Waivers
- ToddCordellCGY

Very little interest in the Amazing Ortio? I'm shocked.

Just about as much as Benny!