Though Brad Treliving and his Calgary Flames brass have potentially franchise-defining contracts to broker with restricted free agents Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan, the club's priority this summer is to unearth a bona fide No. 1 starter.
"No ifs, ands, or buts," Treliving confirmed to Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun.
"We will leave no stone unturned and see where we go. It's obviously a critical position and we'll cast a wide net."
The Flames are the only team stopping pucks at a sub-.900 rate this season, and own the fifth-worst team save percentage in the two seasons since longtime starter Miikka Kiprusoff sprung for retirement.
Jonas Hiller and Karri Ramo, both pending unrestricted free agents unlikely to be retained, have essentially split duties over that span, each having failed to nail down the starter's role. Joni Ortio, meanwhile, who's made the Flames' last four starts, is a restricted free agent after this season. He could return in a backup role, but owns a sub-.900 save clip for his career himself.
Frederik Andersen of the Anaheim Ducks might be the most attractive option available through trade, while the likes of James Reimer and Cam Ward will be free to choose their destination this summer.
