UFA Decisions: David Shantz
by Hayley on May 19, 2010 11:13 AM PDT
9 comments
Upon my review of the Flames' AHL prospects and their respective contract statuses for next season, I realized that I left out what could be one of the more important decisions the team makes this summer in twenty-four-year-old netminder David Shantz, who was signed after being invited to training camp last summer and will be a UFA heading into the off season.
After nearly giving up on his hockey career altogether, Shantz emerged as the closest thing the Heat had to a #1 goaltender down the stretch and into the post-season. After spending twenty eight games with the Victoria Salmon Kings of the ECHL--during which he was named the ECHL goaltender of the week twice, going 18-5-4 with a 910 save percentage, and two shutouts--Shantz was re-called by the Heat on January 28th and Irving was demoted as Playfair, frustrated with the inconsistency of his goaltenders, implemented a shake-up.
Shantz appeared in thirty-two games for the Heat in the regular season, going 15-10-4 with one shutout and a .908 save percentage--not extremely impressive numbers, but after struggling to start the post-season as Abbotsford was out-scored 18-6 in three consecutive losses, Shantz rebounded nicely, allowing only one goal in his next two games as the Heat came back from a 3-1 series deficit to defeat the Rochester Americans. In thirteen playoff games, Shantz started all but one, going 6-6, making 301 saves, and registering one shut-out in game seven of the North Divison Semi-Finals.
Shantz' name has popped up a few times as a potential replacement for Vesa Toskala in backing up Miikka Kiprusoff next season. At twenty-four years old and with some pro experience under his belt, Shantz certainly isn't the worst option out there, plus he would come cheap on an AHL contract. Of course, there are several more established goalie options on the free agent market this summer, including Jose Theodore, Antero Niittymaki Dan Ellis, Martin Biron, Alex Auld, and Chris Mason, but if Kent's theory on the general interchangeability of the majority of NHL goaltenders expressed in his Kiprusoff piece also applies to the position of back-up netminder, it shouldn't really matter who the Flames sign to fill that role. We've been down this road before with numerous back-up goalies in the past--whether it were Brian Boucher, Curtis McElhinney, or Vesa Toskala, something about their performance has always left fans, and apparently management, wanting more--but can you really argue that any one of those guys were better or worse than the next? That is an important distinction to make when allocating cap space to a goaltender, and as we all know too well, more money doesn't necessarily buy a better player in today's NHL.
Shantz's future in the AHL largely depends on that of Matt Keetley, who is an RFA this summer. If the Flames choose to re-sign him, that opens up the possibility of Shantz moving up to the big club; however, if Keetley and Irving both struggle again next season, the Heat would be out a quality AHL 'tender. If the Flames choose to go after another UFA goalie to fill the void and choose to re-sign Shantz, the crowded crease will reign again in Abbotsford, barring demotions or trades, which can't exactly be beneficial to the development of Irving and/or Keetley.
What do you think? Should the Flames re-sign Shantz and is he a good back-up option, or would you rather see them dip into the UFA market?
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Maybe this is a good problem?
Shantz, Keetley and Irving are all under the age of 25 and to me none of them would be ready to back up Kiprusoff just yet.
Irving has hit a bump in his development but what young goalie hasn’t had problems well trying to establish themselves in the pros, Keetley inconsistent during his time in the AHL and didn’t do a very good job well he was playing with the Salmon Kings in the ECHL this year either, Now David Shantz who has shown some upside but I’d still feel comfortable to see him spend the next couple of season’s in the minors with Calgary or not doesn’t really matter.
All three are still years away from cracking the big club in my eyes so either resign Toskala for 2 million or less or find a stable backup who can be relied on this season.
And then there is the Trading Kiprusoff route which I’m not 100% opposed to if the return is good of course and we can grab ourselves a Carey Price, Marty Turco, Dan Ellis, Chris Mason and maybe Evgeni Nabokov.
Wheaties and Hitmen.......... The Dub rules over Canada.
I don’t see any of the kids being NHL ready quite frankly. However, assuming the Flames keep Kipper (they will) it’ll basically come down to whoever is willing to sign with the club. Being relegated to a 10-game/year benchwarmer isn’t all the attractive an option to just about any goalie, aside from the Andrew Raycrofts of the world who are re-signed to their fate (and also are no better than a replacement level goalie anyways).
It wouldn’t surprise me to see the org retain Shantz, but I doubt it’ll be for the big club.
I’d like to see the Flames re-sign him, and there’s probably a pretty good chance that he would be willing to play the role of “benchwarmer” for cheap, but I suppose it depends on how many games the coaching staff would (ideally) like to have Kiprusoff play next season, knowing that he likely won’t put up the kind of numbers he did last season. If the answer is again “less” they may target a more established guy or attempt to re-sign Toskala.
Then again, predicting the activities of this organization these days is a crapshoot.
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What to do ?
Shantz moved to the front of the pack this year. Is that because of his progress, or a lack of progress by the other two guys. I think it is clear that before you would make any of them a Flame – they have to show significant progress from where they were at this season. Will prospect camp show that out, or will management need to make a decision on a free agent before then ?
Again, it all hinges on what direction the team heads in the offseason. Kiprusoff’s outstanding play this past year was unfortunately wasted. The team has at least 3 unloadable contracts, making the quick retool through free agency improbable for this offseason. Spending up to $2m for a backup to Kipper would be wasted too. I still say targeted trading of veterans in favor of prospects and picks is the way to go – I don’t think the goalies or forwards in the system ( save Backlund and Sutter) are ready to contribute.
it shouldn’t really matter who the Flames sign to fill that role.
Uhh, Curtis McElhinney, anyone?
Toskala for 2 millionJESUS KILL IT WITH FIRE
There has to be a point where you cut your losses with prospects. Irving and Keetley are better prospects and should be given a fair chance to develop at a high level. Kipper can’t keep playing more then 65-68 games a season if the Flames want to have success in the playoffs (assuming they even get there) and Shantz can’t play those 15-17 games. For me, all signs point towards Biron or Auld. They will be cheap, and they can reliably play those games.
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Well I did follow it up with “or less” haha.
Wheaties and Hitmen.......... The Dub rules over Canada.
If there was no other options, a million would be fine with me.
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by Justin Azevedo on May 19, 2010 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Toskala for a mill is decent and I could definitely handle that. 2? Crazy talk :)
Would even be a good idea to give Kipper more of a rest than usual so he is ready for playoffs…or well rested for the golf course.
Why cut a guy loose when he is becoming better and better? Shouldn’t we cut guys (or not re-sigh) when they stink or on a downward trend? Perhaps this is the organizational philosophy, wait till they show promise and THEN cut them loose. Why wait to be disappointed (sarcasm intended)?
Why cut a guy loose when he is becoming better and better?
There are a lot of people who want to “sell high”. Personally, I see a lot of flaws in that plan (eg. partly rebuilding every year), so I agree.
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by Justin Azevedo on May 22, 2010 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions
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