Flames hoping new goalie department brings long-term stability in net

One might think that doling out $36 million for Jacob Markstrom would sufficiently address the Flames goaltending situation moving forward.

However, two months after signing the Vezina-caliber netminder to a six-year deal, Flames GM Brad Treliving announced he’ll be throwing even more resources at his goaltending department.

As part of significant restructuring that employs three men to oversee the process of identifying, drafting, developing, procuring and coaching its puck stoppers, it appears Treliving has considered every angle of what is emerging as an NHL trend.

Everything except a fancy title, like the one Florida unveiled last week, dubbing the Panthers new setup the Goaltending Department of Excellence.

“I don’t care what you call it — all I want is the puck to hit them,” chuckled Treliving. “Let’s call it the ‘Get in the Way of It Department.’”

Catchy.

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The restructuring involves bumping former Flames goalie coach Jordan Sigalet to Director of Goaltending, in charge of overseeing the trio.

Jason LaBarbera, who spent part of his 16-year playing career minding nets for Treliving in Phoenix, takes over as Flames goalie coach after four years with the Calgary Hitmen and several stints with Canada’s national teams. The six-foot-three, 232-pound Burnaby native knows a thing or two about being a big goalie, making him a good fit for the six-foot-six Markstrom.

Thomas Speer will continue to serve in his role as development goalie coach with Calgary’s AHL affiliate in Stockton, as well as nurturing Flames goalie prospects throughout the system. He’s already been working with reigning Canadian Hockey League goalie of the year Dustin Wolf, a seventh-round pick of the Flames who will play for the U.S. at the upcoming world juniors.

So, with Wolf, Markstrom and NHL all-star David Rittich in their ranks, why pour even more resources into a department the Flames seem set in?

“Yes, we signed Jacob, but you have to continue to accrue and develop players at that position,” said Treliving, who has been contemplating the move for over a year.

“It’s a long path and we want to continue to make sure we’re signing, drafting, procuring and preparing them. When we looked at all the facets to it, everyone agreed it’s a unique position, different from skaters. How do we become the best?”

They put three experts together who can work in tandem to bolster the most important position in the game.

The Panthers preceded the Flames announcement by a week, adding goalie guru Francois Allaire and Roberto Luongo as consultants to a duo of existing goalie coaches. Luongo predicted that in five to 10 years every team will have a similar setup.

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It’s a more structured approach to stocking their organizations with lottery picks, which goaltenders so often amount to.

Just a few years ago, the Flames goaltending prospects were considered one of their strengths. Draft picks like Jon Gillies had won an NCAA Championship and Tyler Parsons won a Memorial Cup and world juniors gold.

Well, the Flames allowed Gillies’ contract to expire at season’s end after years of sub-par results, and Parsons’ future is up in the air with ankle and concussion issues following time spent largely in the ECHL.

“So, that’s why you never know,” said Treliving.

“Do a study of goaltenders. It’s a long path. Look how many goalies hit it on their second team. The better you can understand it and put the right resources toward it the better off you should be.”

It’s no secret most GMs and coaches know very little about the position.

For many years, teams around the NHL employed little more than a goalie coach, who sometimes had the assistance of a consultant.

The Washington Capitals unveiled a goalie department in the fall of 2017 by promoting Mitch Korn to director while elevating Scott Murray to goalie coach. By season’s end, they were Stanley Cup champs, prompting many to take notice of the bolstered approach.

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Korn moved with Barry Trotz to the Islanders, where he has successfully overseen a similar setup, prompting a few other teams to start adopting the model.

“I don’t think it’s revolutionary — we just wanted more structure to it,” said Treliving, who has long been searching to add stable netminding to replace Miikka Kiprusoff, who departed in 2013.

“Whether people say they have a goalie department, they have people doing different things. I think teams are paying attention, and you’ll see more and more resources put into it and structuring it.”

There’s a good chance the Flames will need a backup next season, as Rittich is in the final year of a contract paying him $2.75 million. Will the 28-year-old pending unrestricted free agent want to remain a backup in Calgary or test the open market?

Would either AHL farmhand, Artyom Zagidulin or Louis Domingue, be ready to step in if Rittich and the Flames part ways?

Those are decisions for the Get in the Way of It Department to sort through.