Calgary Flames Activate Hiller Off Injured Reserve
By Luke Ryan
The Calgary Flames have activated goaltender Jonas Hiller off injured reserve, ahead of their game against the Arizona Coyotes on Friday night.
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Hiller has been on the injured reserve for the whole of November up until his re-activation, but his return will unlikely see him step straight back into the Calgary Flames line-up.
In his absence, Karri Ramo has stepped up (as much as any Flames goaltender has this year, anyhow) and laid claim to the starting spot between the pipes.
Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun pointed out Hiller’s imminent return the moment Joni Ortio was placed on waivers:
#Flames weren't willing to risk this earlier, but he needs to play. Also means Jonas Hiller must be ready. https://t.co/XYnXEGrGWu
— Randy Sportak (@RandySportak) November 25, 2015
The return of Hiller, last year’s clear number one goaltender for the Calgary Flames, doesn’t necessarily solve all of the team’s goaltending problems.
RELATED: Goaltending Dilemma
A log jam of talent is still very clear between the pipes with Karri Ramo’s form not allowing him to be re-assigned, Jonas Hiller’s contract meaning the team expect him to be with the Flames, Joni Ortio‘s lack of playing time meaning Stockton is the best place for him and Jon Gillies certainly not forgotten in any discussions.
As noted by Yahoo Sports, Hiller had been rather dreadful in the net for the Calgary Flames prior to his hip injury:
Goalies: Worst save pct (6+ GP)
— Yahoo Sports NHL (@YahooSportsNHL) November 26, 2015
Hiller .861
Lack .875
Varlamov .890
Talbot .890
Bernier .895
Stalock .896
Ramo .898
Elliott .898
Rask .900
Maybe it should’ve been the Swiss man that was placed on waivers and not one of the team’s prospects, Joni Ortio?
With that said, Ortio needs game time and Hiller can probably warm the bench for a period whilst getting back to peak fitness.
The key is that the Calgary Flames don’t push Jonas straight back into the line-up purely based on him having the larger contract. Ramo has deserved the starting spot and has built up some confidence and a decent run of form.
Whether Bob Hartley does the right thing and resists pushing Hiller back onto the ice, in the hope of him recapturing last year’s fantastic .918 save percentage and 2.36 goals against average numbers, will ultimately determine whether the Calgary Flames can remain even a long shot at the play-offs.
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How long before Jonas Hiller should be starting again for the Calgary Flames? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.