The Calgary Flames need to upgrade their goaltending. Here are five available options this offseason.
The Calgary Flames goaltending has let them down at the worst time the past few seasons. Cam Talbot and David Rittich gave them solid goaltending all season, but when the team was facing elimination against the Dallas Stars, they were at their worst.
Mike Smith and Rittich were good enough a year ago to help the Flames finish first in the Western Conference standings. But again, when the team was against the ropes against the Colorado Avalanche, Smith allowed five on 32 shots and the season was over.
It is not like the Flames goaltending has been awful over the past few seasons, but it certainly hasn’t been exceptional either. Rittich played 48 games this season and had a GAA of 2.97 and a SV% of .907. Talbot had a 2.63 GAA and a .919 SV% in 26 games.
With Rittich entering the final year of his contract in 2020-21 and Talbot slated to hit free agency on October 9th, it is time for the franchise to find a major upgrade in goal. Luckily for them, there are a plethora of options going to be available. The Flames won’t be the only team looking for a goalie, but there is a huge opportunity to add a potential Vezina candidate this offseason.
Whether it be via trade or through free agency, there are a number of goalies that are going to change teams in the next couple of weeks. If the Flames play their cards right, they could be acquiring a star to stand in the crease.
With so many options available, let’s break down the five best goaltenders that the Flames should be looking to acquire this offseason.