The Calgary Flames got in on the free agent frenzy early, at least according to TSN hockey insider, Pierre Lebrun. The Flames have re-signed goaltender Karri Ramo who was set to become an unrestricted free agent just over an hour after this announcement was made.
The Flames were rumoured to be involved in trying to upgrade their goaltending by trading for Robin Lehner, Cal Talbot or Martin Jones, but all three of them went elsewhere which left the Flames on the outside looking in at upgrading their goaltending.
Ramo has played the past two seasons with the Flames, after returning to North America from a three year stint with Omsk Avangard of the KHL. He posted solid numbers last season in Calgary, with a 15-9-3 record, a 2.60 goals against average and a .912 save percentage. He also took over the Flames goaltending duties in the second round of the postseason, before falling to Anaheim Ducks in a five game series.
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The Flames now have a three headed monster in the crease with Jonas Hiller returning for the final year of a two year deal at a $4.5 million cap hit, and Joni Ortio now eligible for waivers and would have to passed over by all other teams before he could be assigned to the American Hockey League next season.
It will be interesting to see what happens with 33 year old Hiller as it appears there is not room for all three goaltenders in the organization this season. He was also solid last year, posting a 26-19-4 record as well as a 2.36 GAA and .918 SV%. In my opinion, it would have made more sense to go with Hiller and Ortio next season, but we will have to wait and see what the next move out of Flames camp is before we can make our final judgement on their goaltending situation.
Accoridng to Elliotte Friedman, the Ramo contract is just a one year deal and according to Chris Johnston, also of Sportnet, the one year deal is worth $3.9 million.
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