Shantz Signs in Manitoba
Kent Wilson
July 12 2010 12:20PM
According to Rob Kerr, AHL puckstopper David Shantz has signed with the Manitoba Moose. A free agent signing by the Heat last year, Shantz started the season in the ECHL, but ended up as the Heat's starter at the end of year and into the playoffs owing the struggles of Leland Irving and Matt Keetley.
I was asked several times in comments and in emails why Shantz didn't appear in any of my prospect profiles back in March and June. The truth is, Shantz was never truly a Flames prospect. His one year contract with the organization was "AHL only", meaning the Flames couldn't have called him up even if they had wanted to.
I'm guessing Sutter declined to re-sign him this off-season in order to allow more development space Irving and Keetley. The trade for Kenrik Karlsson also further limited Shantz's opportunities in the org.
Goalies tend to develop slowly, but Irving has really struggled at the AHL level, so the Heat (pun intended) is really on this kid to prove that he is a #1 goalie,at least in the AHL. You have to think that this is really a make it or break it season for the kid. By not resigning Shantz, the Flames are giving Irving the opportunity to prove he deserves a spot in the organization. Hopefully, he does not go the way of Krahn, who the Flames selected 9th overall in 2000.
After seeing Shantz in action during the Heat post season, he's honestly not much different than Keetley or Irving. They're all of comparable skill levels and the only edge at the time was the other two were in a slump. This is the first move Sutter has made that was purely a no-brainer, for me. Although I admit I like the Tanguay signing.
Yeah, Shantz ended up as the starter to end the year, but his overall stats are no better than the rest of the Heat's goalies.
This loss doesn't bother me at all. Might as well give that at-bats to Irving.
@Graham
Leland struggled last season for the Heat, but the year before for Quad City, he stole the number 1 job from Matt Keetley. This past season, though being a step back for Irving, doesnt make me really nervous about the Flames future #1 goalie. The Flames have Kipper signed for another 4 years. I will, however, agree with you that the 2011 season will be huge for Irving. If he has a good year, the Flames might be inclined to give him the back up job for 2012. If he fails, he could be shipped out for a draft pick. i.e ( Kevin Lalande)
Lelande ended up having a fairly good season after the Flames traded him, did he not?
Maybe Irving needs a change of scenery?
Yeah he did and was the starter for the CBJ AHL affiliate last year. He's a FA now though.
Meh, nothing to see here. Move along.
i thought for sure the next update on this site would be kent laughing at how bad the sharks just effed the hawks haha
haha, I've been doing that on Twitter all day. Not really Flames specific, so I didn't think it'd be worthy of an update on the site.
It was a really savvy move by Wilson I think. Hawks are in big trouble now.
lets trade reggie for sharp!! eh??? ps kent read my post in previous blog and give it your two cents
sorry i dunno much about the ECHL, or any minors , other than the WHL. i kinda put this akin to the iron league from SLAP SHOT
Gives one the feeling that there won't be a lot of trades between the two teams in the near future, though. Haha
keetley got hitched on saturday. add those to the pix i'm not supposed to have.
congrats, keets !!!