Breaking down the Calgary Flames’ backup goalie battle

To no real surprise, Dan Vladar left the Calgary Flames this offseason for the Philadelphia Flyers. Vladar left searching for a starting role somewhere else. As for adding players, the Flames didn’t do much this free agency, bringing in defenceman Nick Cicek and goaltender Ivan Prosvetov. Cicek brings in-depth on the backend, and Prosvetov will battle Devin Cooley for the backup spot behind superstar Dustin Wolf.

Today, we’re going to look at the battle between the two for the backup spot.

Devin Cooley

Devin Cooley just played his first season in the Flames organization, playing for the Calgary Wranlgers. Just like Dustin Wolf, Cooley is from California, and in his short time with the Wranglers, he impressed. He played 46 games and had a 2.94 goals-against average, with a 0.905 save percentage to boot. In the first half of the season, Cooley was lights out. With much talk about whether or not Vladar should be moved out, many were comfortable with the idea, knowing Cooley was next up.

The second half saw a dip in his play a little bit, still producing great numbers, just not to his earlier play. Due to this, more skepticism arose as to whether or not he is a proper backup. While the Wranglers made the Calder Cup Playoffs, Cooley ended the season on a low note, losing to the San Jose Barracuda. Four goals allowed on 12 shots, Cooley ended the season not at all where he would’ve liked. That prompted the Flames to go out and acquire some competition for him this offseason.

Ivan Prosvetov

On Canada Day in 2025, Calgary signed 6’5″ Russian goaltender Ivan Prosvetov. Prosvetov most recently took a one-year sabbatical from the NHL, playing for CSKA Moscow in the KHL. In the regular season, he posted a record of 20–16–2 along with a 0.920 save percentage and a 2.32 goals-against-average. Come playoff time, he kept up the dominant play with a 2.90 goals-against-average and a .918 save percentage. However, they went 2–3–0, getting knocked out relatively early.

In the NHL, Prosvetov never found his feet. In his four NHL stints, he never posted a 0.900 or higher save percentage. The AHL was a different story, however. Consistently posted average numbers, with his final stint with the Colorado Eagles being superb. A 0.921 save percentage and a 2.33 goals-against-average through 21 games, Prosvetov has shown he can be capable at a high level. After a year back home in Russia, the 26-year-old is on a mission to prove himself in the NHL.

Camp battle

The camp battles most are looking towards are whether the prospects can take the veterans’ jobs. Instead, the battle for the backup job may truly be the most intriguing. Two netminders with a lot to prove and a chip on their shoulder, they will leave it all on the ice during training camp.

Goalies take longer to develop than skaters; that is a universally known fact. Add the fact that the two of them have had very small sample sizes, and things could change this fall. Prosvetov never got a proper chance in the NHL, and when he did, it was on a lacklustre team. The same goes for Cooley. Playing only six NHL games on what is arguably one of the worst NHL teams of all time. The Flames are hoping that they can get one of Cooley or Prosvetov to their full potential.

While you could say that Cooley has the advantage of having spent a year in the Flames organization, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Currently on the depth chart, Prosvetov is listed as the backup with Cooley slated to start the season with the Wranglers. However, it all comes down to their performances during training camp and preseason, which could change that.