Flames’ depth chart analysis, Part 4 — Goalies

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What you’re reading is not a first draft.

The plan was always to conclude our position-by-position glimpse at the Calgary Flames with an assessment of their options between the pipes.

And then the Flames traded Jacob Markstrom, their starter for the past four seasons, to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for blue-liner Kevin Bahl and a first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. After Wednesday’s swap, a substantial rewrite was required.

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In his second crack at this final instalment of a four-part series, Postmedia’s Wes Gilbertson examines the Flames’ depth chart in net …

CHART TOPPER

Delete, delete, delete. Let’s start this do-over by skipping straight to the next topic. You’ll understand why.

WHAT’S LACKING?

With Markstrom now en route to New Jersey, what’s lacking is a proven workhorse. If training camp opened tomorrow, Dan Vladar and Dustin Wolf would be vying for the opening-night nod. Could the Flames add an experienced puck-stopper over the summer? Sure. But in the midst of a retool, why not get a good read on your in-house options? Vladar and Wolf have combined for 82 career starts at the NHL level. The Flames might need them to split 82 during the coming campaign. While they don’t have the same crease credentials as Markstrom, an established No. 1 and a past Vezina Trophy finalist, this is an opportunity for one of Calgary’s goaltender-of-the-future candidates to cement their status as the goaltender-of-right-now.  

ON THE CUSP

Wolf is a two-time winner of the Aldege ‘Baz’ Bastien Memorial Award, the AHL’s equivalent of the Vezina Trophy. He was also MVP of the minor-league circuit in 2022-23. Just in case you needed further proof that the Flames’ prized prospect is ready for primetime, he capped his end-of-season call-up with four consecutive victories. Markstrom’s departure clears the way for Wolf, who turned 23 in April, to become a full-timer for the Flames. The naysayers will continue to point at his measurements — at 6-foot-nothing, he is among the NHL’s smallest netminders — but this rising star has so far silenced the doubters at every other level. 

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ON THE MEND 

When the Flames announced in late March that Vladar would be shut down for hip surgery, they assured the timeline should allow for a full recovery before the start of the 2024-25 campaign. During his exit interview, Vladar told reporters that this nagging injury had been bothering him for “over a year” and “got to the point where it was hurting for me every single day.” That could explain his ugly stat-line this past season, which included a 3.62 goals-against average and .882 save percentage. The Flames have long believed that Vladar, who turns 27 in August, has the talent and tools required for the go-to gig. Can a repaired hip help him reach that potential?     

IN THE PIPELINE

The latest addition is Waltteri Ignatjew, who hails from Finland and was saluted as the top twine-minder in Sweden’s second pro division before inking a two-way contract in Cowtown. The Flames are keen on the calm and consistency in his game, but the 24-year-old Ignatjew will need to prove himself with the Wranglers. You’ve probably noticed that Russia has been producing a lot of star puck-stoppers, and maybe one of Calgary’s recent late-round selections can eventually join the list. At 21, Arsenii Sergeev has transferred to Penn State after a pair of college campaigns at UConn, while 18-year-old Yegor Yegorov will spend another winter in the junior ranks back home.

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POTENTIAL TARGETS

It depends on exactly what the Flames are shopping for. A potential starter? A veteran mentor for Wolf? A third-string insurance policy? The marquee name on the free-agent market is Cam Talbot, who wouldn’t require a tour of the Saddledome. Perhaps there’d be some interest in Alex Nedeljkovic — at 28, he could bring a nice blend of experience and upside — or Laurent Brossoit. A Stanley Cup champion last summer in Las Vegas and the backup this winter in Winnipeg, Brossoit was drafted by the Flames in 2011 and might be wooed back with an opportunity to compete for the starting role. 

BURNING QUESTION

Is there any concern about how Wolf might fare behind a retooling team? It’s not so much about wins and losses, but you don’t want to shatter his confidence, especially with such a bright future ahead.  

wgilbertson@postmedia.com

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