Meh ....I think there's only a handful of goalies who are guys who truly make a difference ...the rest can look better or worse depending on who they play for ....I don't think smith is this great goalie but I'd like to see any of your top 15-20 play in Arizona and see if they still look that good
- Redmile247

I completely agree. Only a few are true difference makers and most of them are still only like that for a short period or even just random seasons. So no reason to think Smith or even Lack cant get hot with the right team and motivation and be that difference maker for a year.

I certainly agree his injury history is the biggest concern and question mark. Really, only two of the last six seasons he's played less then 55 games. That's not terrible. I think most fans would have preferred a younger guy like Raanta, grubauer, or darling, but i wouldn't consider them better than Smith at this point. None of them have had nearly the work load of a starter. Darling had 32 games last year, which was the most of the three I mentioned.
- dr_soiledpants

I agree that neither of those guys are as proven as Smith, I just think that where your team is at it made sense to go after a good young goalie to hopefully be part of your young core. Obviously Smith isn't in the Flames long term plans so next year or the year after you will be on the hunt again. Now some of those young goalie options found new homes as potential starters and won't be moving. Though next year Grubauer will be and RFA and the Capitals could look to trade him depending on their cap situation.

Smith looked great last year. Stole lots of games that his garbage team had absolutely no business winning.

I didn't like his game for most of his career either. He changed my mind last season.

If we're grading on a curve, Flames get an A+. No one else improved their team more than the Flames did while giving up next to nothing. Maybe the Stars made better moves, but they took bigger risks. Lightning had a pretty good summer too.

Smith is good enough, and that's really all they could hope for. Bishop was too expensive and maybe too old, Fleury isn't a good goalie, Elliott couldn't come back, Mason is worse than Elliott, and the rest were too big a gamble. Smith is basically the same as Elliott, but they'll be better everywhere else, and I maintain that Elliott was good enough to win a Cup.

Smith looked great last year. Stole lots of games that his garbage team had absolutely no business winning.

I didn't like his game for most of his career either. He changed my mind last season.
- fry

He was their best player last year. Its a bit of a gamble but I am sure the fact the guy is excited to play.

Like people say, he does not have to be great, just consistent.

The hockey gods know we are due for some luck on the backend. But in the end we will go as far as he can take us. Which makes me a little nervous.