.Heading into the 2024-2025 season a big question for the Calgary Flames was their goaltending. They started the season with a relatively unproven career backup in Daniel Vladar, a promising, but undersized rookie in Dustin Wolf, and an unproven free-agent with just six NHL games of experience in Devin Cooley. A quarter of the way into the season, they’ve gone from unproven to a position of strength.
Flames Goaltending This Season
Dustin Wolf (7-2-1)
Dustin Wolf has started his season with the Flames doing what he’s done his whole career, proving the doubters wrong. Wolf entered this season with hopes from fans he could be the Flames franchise goaltender of the future. At every level on his way to the NHL, he’s proven he has what it takes. He’s been named CHL goalie of the year, two-time AHL goalie of the year, and an AHL MVP. If it weren’t for the fact he is he’s just 6 feet tall, he would have been an highly touted prospect.
So far this season Wolf has proved he has what it takes. He currently has a 2.36 Goals Against Average, the 7th-best in the NHL for goalies who’ve played 7 or more games. He also has a 0.925 save percentage, which is good for the 3rf best in the league for goalies with 7 or more games played. To start the season Wolf has been given the easier matchups to his running mate Dan Vladar, but still, he’s managed to be the better of the two. His statics have him looking like a top ten goaltender. Wolf recorded his first shutout of his career this month and has looked every bit like a true NHL starter. His play now has him in the conversation for the Calder Trophy as the best rookie this season.
Daniel Vladar (3-4-2)
Vladar entered this season coming off hip surgery a year ago. Pairing that with the fact he had only played 75 NHL games to that point, this was going to be a season where Vladar would need to prove if he could be more than a backup. During his previous three seasons in Calgary, he’s shown flashes he could be an NHL starter. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to sustain his best play and has traditionally fallen back to average NHL goaltending. This has kept him from taking the reigns as a starter at any point in his professional career.
To start this season Vladar has been solid in his 9 games. He has a 2.65 GAA which is good for 17th in the league. Along with a 0.906 save percentage which is good for 18th in the league. Although these numbers are below that of Wolf, the eye test suggests he’s been a bit closer in play getting a slighly tougher assignment to start the year.
Devin Cooley (9-2-0 AHL)
The X factor in the Flames goaltending discussion is Devin Cooley. A free-agent signing this past summer, Flames fans didn’t have many expectations for the career AHL goaltender. Cooley had yet to make an impression in his professional career. The Sharks didn’t see enough from him last season. They were willing to let him walk to the Flames in free agency.
However, something appears to have clicked for Cooley. He had a strong training camp and that play has continued to start the season. Cooley currently has a league-best 0.953 save percentage along with 3 shutouts already this season. His sparkling numbers have him well-positioned to earn some playing time in the NHL. This depth signing by Calgary could end up being a massive advantage as the Flames season continues.
Picture Moving Forward
Right now the Calgary Flames goaltending situation is a bright spot for the team. It’s a major factor in what’s gotten the Calgary Flames into a wildcard spot. Having three reliable goaltenders puts the team in a great spot as most likely at least one of the goaltenders may deal with injuries this season. However, if the Flames want to take advantage of their assets, a trade could be on the horizon.
If Dustin Wolf can continue his strong play and Devin Cooley continues to look strong in the AHL, the possibility of trading Dan Vladar becomes very real. Vladar is set to become a free agent at the end of the season. It’s too early in the season to move Vladar, and the Flames will want to see a bit more of Wolf before anointing him the clear number one. However, if the early season trends continue Vladar could become a valuable asset. Playoffs teams with unsure goaltending situations could be motivated to add a proven backup who’s shown he can provide above-average net minding.
A perfect situation for Calgary would be seeing Wolf continue to become the clear number one. Pairing that with Vladar providing solid goaltending in slightly fewer games. The Flames could then look to move Vladar for a modest return. If the Flames feel they need to add veteran help to support Wolf outside of Cooley, they could add a veteran free agent without having to give up assets.
This situation will be a fun one to watch as the season continues and we get closer to the trade deadline.
Main Photo: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
