Todd Cordell: Could James Reimer be an option for the Calgary Flames?

Yup, at half cost, I'd be just fine with it. Fairly deep FA market for 1B type goalies this year too, so FLA is going to HAVE to eat cost or buy him out if they want to get rid of him.

Todd Cordell: Could James Reimer be an option for the Calgary Flames?
- ToddCordellCGY

No

Reimer probably is the worst option the Flames have. He makes way too much, even at half off, for what he can offer. There are a bunch of similar goalies out there that could be had for less than what Reimer's going to make. Reimer's gotten worse every year for the past three years

If they're going to spend way too much for a backup, they can overpay McElhinney, or bring back Smith. At least when Smith isn't stopping pucks, he's helping the team with his puck handling.

Reimer probably is the worst option the Flames have. He makes way too much, even at half off, for what he can offer. There are a bunch of similar goalies out there that could be had for less than what Reimer's going to make. Reimer's gotten worse every year for the past three years

If they're going to spend way too much for a backup, they can overpay McElhinney, or bring back Smith. At least when Smith isn't stopping pucks, he's helping the team with his puck handling.
- Hunkulese

That's a little hyperbole there Hunk, plenty of worse options out there... Reimer, if salary is retained, is just fine. He's played as well or better than a lot of the backup options available and if he was playing for $1.7M, who's going to complain?

https://www.capfriendly.c...s/2020/caphit/all/goalies

Out of the guys on this list, who do you think is coming here to play for less than $2M and has proven they can play 40+ games a year?

Todd Cordell: Could James Reimer be an option for the Calgary Flames?
- ToddCordellCGY

You would be better off trying anyone else. Reimer is done, and has not shown he belongs in the NHL for about 3 seasons. I would sooner take a chance on a guy like Oscar Dansk, who has fantastic NHL numbers, but keeps getting burried in Vegas' system. Guys like Dansk, and other young goalies just never seem to get a chance, as goalies like Reimer/Elliot/Mrazek just keep getting moved into starting roles, knowing full well they have already hit their ceiling and are playing over their head.

I would take a chance on any star goalie from the SHL/AHL/KHL before going with an injury riddled 31 year old goalie who's numbers have been declining for each of the last 4 seasons. and 3.4M for a sub-par backup is just ridicules.

If the Flames are doing another reclamation, I'd rather they roll the dice on Talbot. Stuck behind that Edm D for the last 5 years, I think he's better than his stats show...although Calgary isn't exactly defense first either.

Todd Cordell: Could James Reimer be an option for the Calgary Flames?
- ToddCordellCGY

According to Ek we’re getting Talbot.

That's a little hyperbole there Hunk, plenty of worse options out there... Reimer, if salary is retained, is just fine. He's played as well or better than a lot of the backup options available and if he was playing for $1.7M, who's going to complain?

https://www.capfriendly.c...s/2020/caphit/all/goalies

Out of the guys on this list, who do you think is coming here to play for less than $2M and has proven they can play 40+ games a year?
- rmull905

Pretty much everyone except Bobrovsky, Varlamov, and Lehner.

Neal for Reimer, straight up, Flames retain $1M per year.

Neal for Reimer, straight up, Flames retain $1M per year.
- Smells Like Jagr

Then they have Reimer as a goalie. No thanks.

Neal for Reimer, straight up, Flames retain $1M per year.
- Smells Like Jagr

At minimum no salary retained. Neal "could" bounce back there and become a 20 goal scorer again (and yes...I believe in Santa), Reimer has shown an obvious decline so we would almost be overpaying for him if the deal was straight across one for one.

Then they have Reimer as a goalie. No thanks.
- Hunkulese

If it's for Neal & Florida eat 1/2 the salary, that would be well worth it. We can see how Reimer plays next year & then push come to shove buy him out at a fraction of the cost that it would cost to buy out Neal if Neal has a repeat of last year. Would then save us 4.0 mill in cap space, which has a significant value in itself.

Sorry we cant afford to give Bobrovski, Lehner or even what Varlamov would want & give Rittch a raise as well. This is kind of a pivotal year for Flames where we may need to bandaid the goalie position for 1 more year, not only for cap reasons but we need to see if Rittch is truly the goalie he was in the first half of last year prior to his injury in the New Years Eve game. We desperately need to see one of our young guys or that Russian goalie rise up in the AHL & force us to send Reimer to Stockton (which is another option as well if he isnt rebounding enough). At 1.7 mill cap hit, Reimer gives us the most cap options & allows us to move a bad tasting contract that could go toxic in Neal. JM humble O.

According to Ek we’re getting Talbot.
- Clyde334

Hey Bro
Havent seen you mixing it up lately! Hope you're doing good & getting a lot of golfing in!

If the Flames are doing another reclamation, I'd rather they roll the dice on Talbot. Stuck behind that Edm D for the last 5 years, I think he's better than his stats show...although Calgary isn't exactly defense first either.
- tincup

Yeah I dont mind Talbot that much as long as he's motivated to stick it to the Oilers lol. I think he would be better than Reimer but as long as the cost keeps our combined goalie tandem under 5.0 mill.

The ideal situation would be to bring back Smith for 2 years at 2.5M per year and sign Rittich for 2 years at 2M. Tell Smith he'll be the 1A and get 45-50 starts as long as he's playing like 1A. I can't see him getting a better offer or opportunity from anyone else.

It gives the Flames some stability in net, which they haven't had in forever, and another year or two to try and figure out what Rittich is.

Of course, it's all dependant on what the relationship between Smith and Rittich actually is and Smith willing to accept he's going to be losing the job to Rittich when he's ready.

Everyone seems ready to make Rittich the undisputed number one guy but seem to be forgetting the fact that he was pretty awful after the all-star break last year.

Pretty much everyone except Bobrovsky, Varlamov, and Lehner.
- Hunkulese

Not sure if you pull a list of 30+ GP goalies, you're going to like the results much more once you eliminate the top 3 up there:

Smith, Kinkaid, Talbot, Mrazek, Ward, McElhinney, Ullmark

Reimer's numbers are not far out of alignment with the above, and if/when Mrazek/McElhinney get re-signed in Carolina, I think your most likely option is to either bring Smitty back or get Talbot/Reimer, all of whom carry similar numbers. If Reimer is the cheapest cap option, I'd be at least considering that given the other moves needed just to fit in our guys this off-season.

One of the central issues is that Edmonton's signing of Koskinen has created a compensation expectation/problem for other UFA/RFA goalies this year. Chiarelli set a stupid bar for goalie salary, so even a mid line goalie might expect $2-3M this year if they have any kind of track record. A goalie with 2 years of control at a reduced cap hit might just be Tre's ticket out of the cap pinch the Flames are in at the moment.

The ideal situation would be to bring back Smith for 2 years at 2.5M per year and sign Rittich for 2 years at 2M. Tell Smith he'll be the 1A and get 45-50 starts as long as he's playing like 1A. I can't see him getting a better offer or opportunity from anyone else.

It gives the Flames some stability in net, which they haven't had in forever, and another year or two to try and figure out what Rittich is.

Of course, it's all dependant on what the relationship between Smith and Rittich actually is and Smith willing to accept he's going to be losing the job to Rittich when he's ready.

Everyone seems ready to make Rittich the undisputed number one guy but seem to be forgetting the fact that he was pretty awful after the all-star break last year.
- Hunkulese

Yup, he (Rittich) was pretty mediocre from November onwards, I think he's just the default because of how terrible Smitty was for much of the year and possibly Smitty's salary/playing time expectations.

Personally, in a world where the cap wasn't an issue, I would think the near ideal target would be Mrazek. The guy really wasn't a bad goalie last year, is still relatively young and has proven capable of handling 30-40 games a year. Not a bad tandem option, I just think his salary will price him out of Cowtown.

Hey Todd,



Tell we what you think


To Calgary: Kadri + Conner Brown + Zaitsev (4.50 x 5 yrs)

To Toronto: Hamonic + Jankowski + Neal (5.75 x 4 yrs)

Each team gets/give up a Center, Winger , & Defenseman - any picks or sweeteners?

Hey Todd,



Tell we what you think


To Calgary: Kadri + Conner Brown + Zaitsev (4.50 x 5 yrs)

To Toronto: Hamonic + Jankowski + Neal (5.75 x 4 yrs)

Each team gets/give up a Center, Winger , & Defenseman - any picks or sweeteners?
- paulozz

Switch Hamonic for Brodie & Flames eat a $1.0 mill of Brodies contract it could be doable.

Switch Hamonic for Brodie & Flames eat a $1.0 mill of Brodies contract it could be doable.

Doesn't work - Toronto needs the right handed def.

Maybe Leafs throw in a 2020 2nd OR 3rd to make it work?

Switch Hamonic for Brodie & Flames eat a $1.0 mill of Brodies contract it could be doable.

Doesn't work - Toronto needs the right handed def.

Maybe Leafs throw in a 2020 2nd OR 3rd to make it work?
- paulozz

The ole Babcock system... Do they need RH shot defencemen, or defencemen that play the right side? Brodie is the latter, and plays better on his off side than on LD.

There won't be many better options than James Reimer at 1.7-2.5 per on the market. We don't need just a backup. We need a guy capable of handling around 40 games without imploding. Those don't come at the minimum wage.

I'd be happy with a Smith-Rittich tandem for 2.5 per each. But I think Smith will be able to get more than than on a 1 year deal somewhere.

If Smith just retires (which is not probable but possible), I'd like to keep him onboard as a development coach. Work on that stickhandling with all the tenders in the system.

I'd be happy with a Smith-Rittich tandem for 2.5 per each. But I think Smith will be able to get more than than on a 1 year deal somewhere.

- redseerpf

Who's out there that's going to pay Smith more than 2.5M and offer him more than a 1A role? Unless Smith doesn't get along with the dressing room or hates living in Calgary, I don't see how he's getting a better opportunity someone else.

Who's out there that's going to pay Smith more than 2.5M and offer him more than a 1A role? Unless Smith doesn't get along with the dressing room or hates living in Calgary, I don't see how he's getting a better opportunity someone else.
- Hunkulese

Colorado, Philly, Columbus, Carolina, Islanders....

All teams with plenty of cap space than will be looking for a 1A/1B and will likely overpay a bit since they're all way below the cap floor (I know that won't necessarily be the case on opening night, just saying).

I have a hunch Philly will be interested. He kinda "fits" with the organization. And since Hart is on minimum wage, they can likely pitch him around 3.5 on a 1 year, or even 2 year deal.