Leyland Irving - Is he the future in Goal?

[NHLFreak]

Always liked him. Seemed to get a little derailed in his development along the way(But hey growing pains?). Never saw his games in NHL last year.

What did you think? And any thoughts about his future?

[MarkGio]

We'll find out this year. Based on his contract, I'd say yes. If he plays 23 games, we can keep him as an RFA, otherwise he hits the free market.

[tmurfin]

I put so much in this kids basket.. For me, he is the future, I don't think he hit any snags in development, just bring brought along slowly. He's going to continue opening eyes this year I think

[Devilspuppet666]

i think brossoit will be better i know its early, ive watched him all year though and thats what i think

[tfong]

Bro might be better, Irving's Everett team was quite defensively stacked as I recall.

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by Devilspuppet666

i think brossoit will be better i know its early, ive watched him all year though and thats what i think

I'm with Tmurfin in that Irving is our future, but even if we're wrong we still have a very good plan B in Brossoit.

[Qubax]

I don't think so, but that Leland kid has a good chance.

[Stewie Griffin]

Originally Posted by Qubax

I don't think so, but that Leland kid has a good chance.

I'm with you. That Leyland kid is a bust.

[thrillhouse99]

It's so tough to say with goalies. Macillenney (sp?) played very well in the AHL but wasn't great in the NHL. Then again Irving was a first round pick for a reason.

[TheHudlinator]

Originally Posted by Devilspuppet666

i think brossoit will be better i know its early, ive watched him all year though and thats what i think

I never saw Irving in the CHL but I can tell you that Brossoit had a good year but is being over hyped due to having the best defense in the whl imo.

[SickHandsNoShot]

Originally Posted by TheGleninator

I never say Irving in the CHL but I can tell you that Brossoit had a good year but is being over hyped due to having the best defense in the whl imo.

Ya, I was going to post the same thing. Edmonton wasn't exactly a run and gun team either.

Even Irving's worst year in the WHL was better statistically speaking, than Brossoit's best.

[I Hate Chris Butler]

Irving looked good in the few games he played. He looked calm and composed. I haven't seen a new guy come in like that since Kipper usurped Turek. Not saying he'll take over, but he looks promising. Maybe I'm just surprised after seeing McBackup and Karlsson.

[Flamesjustwin]

I think Ramo will be the future in goal.

[CGYPUKSUX]

Irving should be the guy. Similar development path as Schneider in Vancouver and putting up numbers as good on a greatly inferior AHL squad. Irving has all the tools and has greatly improved in the areas identified as his weaknesses. His positioning and ability to close down the holes has really improved. Add in his athleticism and he's got a very bright future, if the Flames give him a chance. Ramo and Irving will make a very good tandem moving forward. Brossoit is a wild card. There is a reason he was picked so low. We'll see how he develops in the ECHL and AHL before calling him the future. Right now that future revolves around Irving and Ramo, and to a lesser extent, Ortio.

[GototheFlamestotheGo]

At this point, it could be Irving. It could be Ramo. It could be Bro or Ortio. If we are working simply within the confines of the Flames system of players, then all four of those players have a good chance with Ramo leading the way due to his experience.

It is important to keep in mind that it is very likely that none of these players will become anything more than a 1A/1B type goalie. The chance of finding a workhorse amongst these players, like we have had in Kipper right now, is pretty slim.

I can see the possibility of a Ramo/Irving tandem next season if the team crashes and burns and Feaster starts making substantial changes. But at this point, I don't see any of them being sure fire starters, let alone workhorses capable of playing 60-70 consistent games.