Flames GM Reveals Plans For Goaltending Logjam

The Calgary Flames have a goaltending problem. Mind you, it's a good problem to have. Three presumably NHL-quality netminders, but only two spots on the squad.

Dan Vladar and Jacob Markstrom are the incumbents. But Dustin Wolf has been forcing the Flames' hand the past couple of years (AHL MVP, 2-time AHL Goalie of the Year, 42–10–2 record with a .932 save percentage plus 7 shutouts with the Calgary Wranglers last season. And this, for emphasis, just two days ago: 

This save by Dustin Wolf from last night was ridiculous🔥😍

pic.twitter.com/WZ41cxhVjV

— Everything Hockey (@EHClothing) September 28, 2023

New GM Craig Conroy would like to trade one of the incumbents (with Vladar being by far the most likely due to his affordable $2.2M cap hit), but failing that, he's got a decision to make. And it sounds like he's made it: Without a trade, Wolf is headed back to the AHL. He's waivers exempt, so it seems like that's working against the 22-year-old. 

“The one thing about having a young goaltender, you still want him to play,” Conroy told Frank Servalli of Daily Faceoff. “He needs to play and not just sit on the bench and watch practice. It’s a learning experience, but you also need to get that game time.

“I think the two guys that were here in the years’ past are really dialled in. I mean, they look sharp,” Conroy said. “So it’s tough to say we’re going to change something. But, you know, things happen. There’s injuries for other teams and you’re always looking at all your options.”

Ah yes... Injuries for other teams. It just so happens that the Tampa Bay Lightning have just learned that they'll be without Andrei Vasilevskiy for 8-10 weeks. And the Colorado Avalanche are without Pavel Francouz to start the season. 

It's likely that Conroy's phone has already been ringing. 

Photo: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports