Flames Goaltending
Flames Options for Replacing Smith
December 27th, 2018 The 2018-19 Calgary Flames are a terrific scoring team whose most likely fatal weakness remains in net. Namely, they need a more reliable backup or "1B" goalie than 36-year-old Mike Smith. In a 3-1 loss on Dec. 22 against the St. Louis Blues, Smith proved his doubters...
Smith's Return to Form a Welcome Sight for Flames
December 12th, 2018 While fans of the Calgary Flames certainly had a right to be quite concerned about the early season struggles of No. 1 goaltender Mike Smith, the good news is that it appears as though the 36-year-old veteran has turned the corner in a major way. Smith, who...
Flames Still Searching for a Good Starter
December 5th, 2018 On Sunday, Calgary Flames goalie Mike Smith helped lead his team to a 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, his third straight win. However, there is still little reason to think Smith should reclaim the job of the number one goalie. That Smith got another...
Smith's Struggles Open Door for Rittich
November 19th, 2018 The Calgary Flames made a lot of moves during the 2018 off-season, touching upon nearly every area of their roster. They raised a few eyebrows when they didn't address their goaltending, as backup netminder David Rittich was considered something of a question...
Controversy in the Calgary Crease?
November 7th, 2018 Is there a goalie controversy brewing in Calgary? If not, should there be? The question wasn't relevant when the season started, with Calgary Flames goaltender Mike Smith as the clear-cut number one and David Rittich sliding into the backup role after a less...
Flames Season Hinges on Defensive Zone Success
October 29th, 2018 There's an old joke in hockey: "Goaltending is 50% of the game unless you don't get it, then it's 90% of the game." Since the retirement of Miikka Kiprusoff in 2013, you could make an argument that goaltending has occupied the minds of Calgary Flames hockey...
Flames Need Net Depth for Season Success
September 17th, 2018 The Calgary Flames missed the postseason in 2017-18 and did so due to the conflation of several smaller challenges that snowballed on them. While no one factor caused their season to unravel, the single largest factor was their goaltending. While Mike Smith was...
Projecting Flames 2018-19 Opening Night Roster: Goalies & Defense
August 27th, 2018 The Calgary Flames had high hopes for the 2017-18 season after loading up the prior summer with high-price talent. Unfortunately their season disappointed, and that disappointment has led to another busy summer for general manager Brad Treliving. Expectations remain...
The Importance of Mike Smith
January 29th, 2018 On June 17, 2017, Mike Smith was acquired by the Calgary Flames from the Arizona Coyotes for goaltender Chad Johnson, defense prospect Brandon Hickey and a conditional third-round pick. At the time, many were skeptical about the deal wondering what they were getting in a...
Smith Earns the Last Laugh Against Coyotes
December 1st, 2017 Thursday's game at the Scotiabank Saddledome was a significant one for both the Arizona Coyotes and the Calgary Flames. It marked the first matchup between the two Pacific Division opponents since the Coyotes traded long-time goaltender Mike Smith to the Flames on June 17....
The Rise and Fall of Eddie Lack
November 29th, 2017 Ever since Miikka Kiprusoff hung up his pads, the Calgary Flames have struggled to find goaltending consistency. While Mike Smith has emerged as the dependable starting goalie the team has desperately needed, backup goaltender Eddie Lack has struggled mightily. The Flames...
Flames Future Bright Between the Pipes
October 20th, 2017 The long, tedious process of finding a consistent number-one goaltender ended for the Calgary Flames when they acquired Mike Smith from the Arizona Coyotes. Although Smith has been nothing short of spectacular so far, he's 35 years old and likely won't be re-signed when...
Six Thoughts Through Six Flames Games
October 17th, 2017 The Calgary Flames have shown a little bit of everything to start the 2017-18 season. After opening the campaign with a 3-0 shutout loss to the Edmonton Oilers, the Flames bounced back with a six-goal outburst in their home opener, which kickstarted a three-game winning...
