The netminding situation in Calgary just got more clear, as veterans Karri Ramo and Jonas Hiller appear to have successfully defended their jobs by playing well (Ramo) and getting injured (Hiller). The waiving of third-stringer Joni Ortio has both clarified Calgary’s situation and further muddled an already bizarre situation in Stockton, home of the Flames’ American Hockey League affiliate.
Per the Calgary Sun‘s Randy Sportak:
Hip surgery would put Gillies out for awhile, Poulin’s likely out until January-ish, and Ortio could be claimed off waivers tomorrow. That could result in the Flames having zero contracted goaltenders in the AHL as a fall-back plan – which is precisely the kind of wacky circumstances that resulted in Danny Taylor getting an NHL contract way back when.
Case in point:
Through 12 games, here are the different combinations of goalies dressed for the Heat
  • Jon Gillies & Kent Simpson
  • Jon Gillies & Karri Ramo
  • Kent Simpson & Eric Hartzell
  • Kevin Poulin & Kent Simpson
Considering that the relocation of the farm team to California was supposed to be good for development, getting some stability in goal would go a long way towards calming the whole team down. For at least another day or two, though, the Heat will have to keep dealing with uncertainty.