Ahead of Friday night’s matchup between the Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs, Flames head coach Ryan Huska addressed the media regarding the absence of Jacob Markstrom from morning skate, Huska said Makrstrom is considered “day-to-day.”
Backup goaltender Dan Vladar, who has posted a 4.00 goals-against average and .844 save percentage in three games will get the nod between the pipes while rookie prodigy Dustin Wolf will serve as the backup goaltender.
Markstrom has posted a .896 save percentage and 2.91 goals against average in nine starts while posting a terrible 2-6-1 record to begin the season. The Flames goaltending is by far one of the worst league-wide, the Flames are ranked 28th or worse in save percentage for medium-danger and low-danger shots and that has resulted in an overall team save percentage that ranks 30th in the NHL.
With Vladar getting the nod, Wolf will now serve as backup and it is possible Flames fans will see Wolf get his second NHL start and first start of the 2023-24 campaign on Saturday against the Ottawa Senators. The Flames recalled Wolf from the Calgary Wranglers of the American Hockey League (AHL) yesterday.
During the 2022-23 season, the 2019 seventh-round draft pick put together a 42-10-2 record and a .932 save percentage in 55 appearances in the AHL. He led the AHL in wins, shutouts, GAA and save percentage. His stellar performance earned him the AHL Best Goaltender Award for a second consecutive season and the AHL Most Valuable Player Award. Wolf led all AHL goalies in wins, save percentage, goals-against average and seven shutouts. With back-to-back seasons dominating the AHL, it’s about time for Wolf to shine.
While with the Everett Silvertips in the WHL, Wolf captured the CHL Goaltender of the Year Award and the WHL Top Goaltender Award in 2019-20 after posting a .935 save percentage. The following season, he once again was named the WHL Top Goaltender and helped Team USA capture a gold medal at the World Juniors. Wolf made his NHL debut last season on April 12th, making 23 saves in a 3-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks.
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