Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
My reason for optimism begins with Calgary’s improved goaltending situation.
The free agent signing of Jonas Hiller, in combination with the fact that incumbent Karri Ramo does not have to shake off four years of NHL rust (remember Ramo spent 4 years in the KHL before signing with our Flames) already should make Calgary Flames fans smile.
As previously mentioned in the Jonas Hiller re-introduction article, Jonas Hiller’s career numbers are very similar to the last goaltending superstar the Calgary Flames had in Miikka Kiprusoff:
"From the 2003-04 season through the 2012-13 season, Calgary Flames fans were treated to the goaltending services of Miikka Kiprusoff. Kipper finished his 12 year career with a 2.49 goals against average and a .912 save percentage. Through 7 years in the NHL, Jonas Hiller has posted a career 2.51 goals against average and a .916 save percentage."
Simply playing to his career stat line, Jonas Hiller would finish top 10 in goals against average for goalies playing 40+ games.
If a goaltender (or any player for that matter) tends to play above his stat line, it’s usually during their “contract year”. Go get’em Mr. Ramo!