Flames GM Brad Treliving has been a very bus man this off-season but there is still work to be done.
On top of re-signing restricted free agent Michael Ferland - the two sides seem to be making progress - and attempting to extend the contract of captain Mark Giordano, Treliving has to make some decisions in goal.
"Ramo and Hiller proved to be a capable twine-minding tandem last season, but Ortio also impressed during his six-game stint with the big club and the Flames brass would be crazy to risk losing the 24-year-old on waivers by trying to assign him to the AHL’s Stockton Heat prior to the Oct. 7 opener.There are not a lot of NHL squads shopping for a backup, but Treliving is likely trying to find a taker for one of his goaltenders. If all three arrive at the Saddledome in mid-September, it will undoubtedly be the most intriguing positional battle of the exhibition season."
He's performed well in the AHL over the last couple seasons so it's not exactly a safe bet to waive him and assume he'll clear.
I don't think Treliving plans on dealing the 24-year-old, either, which means either Jonas Hiller or Karri Ramo will have to be shipped out.
Ramo signed an extension with the team just before free agency opened up and was given a raise to do so. I could be wrong but that leads me to believe he's probably not going anywhere.
The Flames seem to have soured on Jonas Hiller despite his .918 save percentage in 2014-15 so I'd guess that he'll be the one to go.
Whether that's the case or not remains to be seen but someone has to go.
We'll find out who that someone is soon enough.
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