Report: Flames facing goaltending dilemma

It’s no secret that Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving has been uncovering every rock in the NHL in an attempt to acquire an starting goaltender. Having struck out twice on acquiring former Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop, Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun/Herald posits that Treliving could have difficulty improving the all important position this offseason.

That’s not to say that the Flames won’t have options in goal, it’s just that the options aren’t exactly surefire bets to improve on last season’s tandem of Brian Elliott and Chad Johnson. In his article, Francis points to Pittsburgh Penguins playoff hero Marc-Andre Fleury as a possible option. Except, Fleury carries a $5.25 million cap hit for the next two seasons and his current playoff run is only increasing his cost of acquisition. Then there’s free-agent options like Jonathan Bernier and Steve Mason. Do they provide any more certainty than Elliott? 

How about bringing back Elliott and Johnson? Can Flames fans stomach more up and down play from the pair? Treliving hasn’t ruled out the possibility, saying, “We’ve talked to both guys to get a sense of where they are at. We were really comfortable with how our goaltending shaped up this year. We went from 30th to 14th. Do we think the goaltending played up to its potential in the playoffs? Probably not. But let’s not forget, without those guys, we end the year a little earlier.”

One thing’s for sure, Treliving will have options this offseason. It’s just a matter of deciding which one is most palatable.