I'm not going to share my opinions on Korpisalo, but there is no way the Blue Jackets move him since they have gambled so heavily on him being the goalie of the future.
As for your question, I don't think Treliving is any more worried about Smith than he was going into last year. Only difference is, he might be more willing, or able (due to having assets now), to make a move if Smith does go down again. Also, SMith may be a year older, but so are Gillies and Rittich and last season despite them struggling when Smith was out, gained some very valuable experience in the NHL, so they will be better prepared this season. I think expecting them to come back the same and not show some improvement, is unfair to them.
I also think that Rittich will get more games this year, to keep Smith rested. That was a mistake Gulutzan made last year IMO, he never gave Rittich (or Lack) a chance to keep Smith rested. Perhaps if Gully had given Lack a shot, he may not have flamed out (no pun intended) as quickly as he did. Lack never got his first start until the 10th game of the season and didn't get his 2nd until the 18th. Smith was hurt at the end of the 56th game and we had only started our backup 7 times (Rittich got 5 starts, Lack 2). Despite missing 13 games due to injury, Smith was still 16th in minutes played, which is way too many minutes.
I think the Flames need to sit Smith once every 5 games or so and 1 of every back to back this coming season and if they do that, it will help his durability. I would even implement a plan to start the backups on specific dates allowing him maximum rest (while taking opponents into account).
If it were up to me, what I would do is the following (in brackets are notes regarding B2Bs and how many days off Smith gets without playing a game):
Game 1: Smith
Game 2 ( v. VAN): Rittich (5 days off) - I think this is good early because of China
Games 3-8: Smith
Game 9 (@ MTL): Rittich (3 days off)
Games 10-12: Smith
Game 13 (@ BUF): Rittich (2nd of B2Bs, 2 days off)
Games 14-17: Smith
Game 18 (@ SJS): Rittich (2nd of B2Bs, 5 days off) - 1st on B2B is LAK
Games 19-23: Smith
Game 24 (@ ARZ): Rittich (4 days off)
Games 25-29: Smith
Game 30 (v. NSH): Rittich (1st of B2Bs, 2 days off) - 2nd of B2Bs is EDM
Games 31-32: Smith
Game 33 (@ MIN): Rittich (1st of B2Bs, 3 days off) - 2nd of B2Bs is STL
Games 34-37: Smith
Christmas Break - 4 days off
Games 38-40: Smith
Game 41 (@ DET): Rittich (1st of B2Bs, 2 days off) - 2nd of B2Bs is BOS
Games 42-48: Smith
Game 49 (v. DET): Rittich (2 days off, 1st of B2Bs) - 2nd of B2Bs is EDM
Games 50-51: Smith
All-Star Break & Mandatory 5 day break - 9 days off
Games 52-54: Smith
Game 55 (@ VAN): Rittich (4 days off) - 1st game of 4 game road trip, other 3 games on east coast
Games 56-63: Smith
Game 64 (@ NJD): Rittich (2nd of B2Bs, 3 days off) - 1st of B2Bs is NYI
Games 65-67: Smith
Game 68 (@ ARZ): Rittich (2nd of B2Bs, 3 days off) - 1st of B2Bs is VGK
Games 69-70: Smith
Game 71 (v. NYR): Rittich (1st of B2Bs, 3 days off) - 2nd of B2Bs is WPG
Games 72-74: Smith
Game 75 (@ VAN): Rittich (3 days off) - Smith could play, depending on playoff race
Games 76-80: Smith (this includes a SJS/LAK road B2B) - Rittich could play, depending on playoff race
Game 81 (@ AHM): Rittich (4 days off) - Smith could play, depending on playoff race
Game 82: Depends on playoff race.
Even this would see Smith play 65-69 games, so ideally I would need to find another 5 games or so to get Rittich some starts.
