Flames' Treliving: Goaltending must be solidified next season
After watching his team finish the year with the most goals allowed in the NHL, Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving admits the goalie position needs to be solidified next season, but the poor defensive play doesn't sit solely on their netminders.
"You can't be 30th in goals against, and that's not just hanging out the goaltenders. That's a team stat," Treliving said Monday, per Postmedia's Wes Gilbertson.
The general manager said veteran goaltenders Jonas Hiller and Niklas Backstrom will not be back in Calgary next season. Meanwhile, the other two goalies who appeared for the Flames - Karri Ramo and Joni Ortio - will also become free agents in the offseason.
While Ortio's RFA status makes him likely to return, there's no guarantee the 24-year-old will be the starter in October. James Reimer and Jhonas Enroth will both hit free agency in the summer while goalies such as Michal Neuvirth, Frederik Andersen, and Jimmy Howard could be available on the trade market.
Treliving added he has not yet considered a coaching change, as discussions and evaluations are just beginning.
HEADLINES
- Predators' O'Reilly exits with cut near eye, expected to be OK
- Wild acquire McCarron from Predators for 2nd-round pick
- 6 teams that will determine if trade deadline week is wild or mild
- Report: Thomas trade talks between Sabres, Blues heating up
- Kaprizov breaks Wild's all-time goals record in win over Lightning