Joni Ortio

Ortio is the dark horse of the three goalies set to contend for starting duties with the Flames in 2015-16. He’s spent the offseason with one goal in mind -- to leapfrog incumbents Jonas Hiller and Karri Ramo and become Calgary's top twinetender. It’s a stretch to think he’ll do it right away, but Ortio did make an impression in his limited run of starts in 2014-15. He bricked up the net in his first start last season and rode that momentum to four straight victories. In that span, he beat Vancouver, San Jose, and Los Angeles, so he wasn't exactly feasting on cupcakes, either. He was then picked apart by Anaheim before getting shipped back to the AHL. It’ll be hard for Ortio to even earn the backup job, but his one-way deal with the Flames makes him a name worth remembering. To clear up their logjam in the net, there’s a decent chance the Flames will flip one of Jonas Hiller or Karri Ramo at some point, and that’s when Ortio will have a clearer path to seeing duty. Even in spot starts, he’ll be a decent activation behind an improved Calgary defense.

Ortio will be the unquestioned No. 1 for the Flames' AHL affiliate after putting up a 4-4 record with the Flames and playing well in the minors in 2013-14. If Karri Ramo or Jonas Hiller start to struggle, Ortio may make a push to finish the upcoming campaign in Calgary.