The Calgary Flames had a decent goaltending situation for much of last season. Starter Mike Smith began the season well. And after Eddie Lack was pretty lousy early on, general manager Brad Treliving wasted no time punting him to the American Hockey League and promoting Stockton Heat starter David Rittich to back up Smith. It worked out really well for several months, until Smith was injured and Rittich had to be the starter for the better part of a month.
With Smith being 36 years old and coming off a fairly substantial injury, the Flames will need to have a backup goaltender that they’re comfortable with being the starter if Smith goes down again.