The goaltending scene as the NHL trade deadline nears

The crowd at SAP Center became hushed last Thursday when the Calgary Flames’ Karri Ramo had difficulty getting up. After colliding with San Jose Sharks’ Joonas Donskoi, the starting goaltender remained sprawled across the crease in visible pain, prompting the training staff to spring into action. Ramo eventually got up but had to be helped into the dressing room, only putting weight on one of his skates.

Just a little under a week later, Calgary announced that Ramo suffered a torn ACL and damage to the meniscus in his left knee, and will miss the remainder of the season.

Without Ramo, the Flames could be in the market for another netminder — adding them to an interesting mix as the NHL trade deadline nears.

Here are a couple odds and ends on the trading front regarding goalies.

For starters, did Cam Ward’s recent injury affect his trade value? Luke DeCock of The News & Observer admits that the left leg injury “complicates” Ward’s trade status, although he still believes the netminder will be part of a large sell at the trade deadline that also involves center Eric Staal. DeCock stresses that Canes GM Ron Francis can’t let this veteran cluster walk away after the season without getting something in return, and selling at the trade deadline wouldn’t necessarily hinder Carolina’s chances at a playoff push:

Even if some veterans do depart, it doesn’t mean the younger players will be deprived of the experience of fighting for a playoff spot. It may even intensify as they assume bigger roles. 

There would certainly be some issues with the power play, with how the Hurricanes match up at center and with Eddie Lack’s inconsistency in goal, but the Hurricanes could potentially lose some talented veteran players and still remain postseason contenders.

Carolina currently sits two points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second Wild Card spot in the East, with two games in hand.

In the Central, the Predators are expected to be quite active at the deadline, and there is potential that they could be looking at goaltenders. It’s no secret that veteran Pekka Rinne is having a subpar season and that backup Carter Hutton, while having just earned back-to-back-starts, probably isn’t the long-term solution.

Adam Vingan of The Tennessean gave credit to an earlier report by Elliotte Friedman of SportsNet that Nashville should consider bringing in a more experienced backup “to stoke Rinne’s competitive fire,” which could in turn help the Preds out down the stretch. Vingan reported, however, that he thinks Nashville will wait until the offseason to evaluate the backup situation instead of making a move by February 29.

Speaking of veterans having down seasons, there has been speculation that Jimmy Howard could be on the move from Detroit. Petr Mrazek has all but taken over the starting role for the Red Wings, and ESPN points out that “moving Howard for some forward depth would help the Red Wings earn a 25th consecutive trip to the playoffs.”

Howard is, however, under contract through the 2018-19 season with a no-movement clause and a $5.29 million annual cap hit. That being said, a team like Calgary could benefit from having a guy like Howard between the pipes, as would the Buffalo Sabres.

Speaking of Buffalo, will the Sabres adjust their goalie situation at the trade deadline? Michael Straw of The Hockey Writers believes that Buffalo will be active at the deadline, however he sees the Sabres simply trading pending unrestricted free agent goalie Chad Johnson and recalling Linus Ullmark to back up the injury-riddled Robin Lehner down the stretch.

And with mention of injured veteran netminders, we come back to Calgary and what Karri Ramo’s status means for the club at the trade deadline. Do the Flames ride the Jonas Hiller-Joni Ortio tandem through the end of the Flames’ down season? GM Brad Treliving told the Calgary Herald:

“With any injury, it creates opportunity for others… We’re continually looking at ways to help our team—whether that’s now or in the future—that won’t change. It’s going to continue.

“Jonas and Joni are here, (Kevin) Poulin is down in the American League, and we continue to see if we can help ourselves for now or the future.”

That doesn’t give up a whole lot as to what the Flames might do come Feb. 29. But with both Ramo and Hiller being pending UFAs, the channel looks open should they feel the need to bring someone in sooner rather than later.