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Calgary Flames Monday Roundtable: Goaltending Edition

By Ramina Shlah

Apr 19, 2017; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames goalie Brian Elliott (1) replaced by Calgary Flames goalie Chad Johnson (31) during the first period against the Anaheim Ducks in game four of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2017; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames goalie Brian Elliott (1) replaced by Calgary Flames goalie Chad Johnson (31) during the first period against the Anaheim Ducks in game four of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Welcome to our first edition of Monday Roundtable! Our new segment every Monday where we here at Flame for Thought discuss different Calgary Flames topics. Today, it’ll be all about the goaltending.

During the off-season, every Monday we’ll have something called the Monday Roundtable. It’s where I ask the other writers here at Flame for Thought different questions concerning the Calgary Flames and surrounding a different topic every week.

Today, it’ll be all about the goaltending. Every season, the Flames goaltending is always a hot topic of discussion. And this season is no different. I asked the other writers some questions pertaining the goaltending and what moves would best suit the Flames for next season. Here is how it unfolded:

Mar 31, 2017; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames goalie Brian Elliott (1) guards his net against the San Jose Sharks during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2017; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames goalie Brian Elliott (1) guards his net against the San Jose Sharks during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

Question 1: Brian Elliott – Should he stay or should he go?

Jonathan Boulanger

I think that the Elliott we saw in Round 1 isn’t what he really is as a goaltender, but that being said I doubt the Flames would be able to get him for cheap so I don’t think he is worth keeping. I believe they can upgrade.

Alex Hoegler

Go. Elliott’s first half with the Flames was a disaster, and then he completely no-showed in the playoffs. Obviously, the entire Flames team was porous in the first round against the Anaheim Ducks. But Elliott didn’t do his part in giving Calgary a winning chance. There are plenty of goalies available this offseason, and they can easily find an upgrade.

Dan Raicevich

Brian Elliott should be allowed to test the free agent market. Guy is of great character, which is key but his inconsistencies are hindering him from getting that next contract with the Flames. This was the guy who has supposed to solidify the #1 job in Calgary, right? Especially with the saturated goalie market, let Elliott walk.

Ramina Shlah

It seems that the general consensus here is to let him go. As much as I’d like to agree with them, I think I might still like to see him stay. Now, does this mean he’s staying? Probably not. However, we know it took him time to get situation in Calgary. But now he’s found his groove with the Calgary Flames. And I think he can be the Elliott we saw in the second half of the season right off the bat this time. I mean, before this season, he didn’t have the second best save-percentage of all goaltenders in the league over the last six seasons for nothing (min. 50 games/season).

But at the same time, I think there are definitely other options for the Flames to look into that may be a better fit with the team than Elliott.

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