Looking at backup goalie options for the Flames

Acquiring a goalie is going to have to happen via trade. Dustin Wolf, Cooley, and Prosvetov are all on one way contracts. The Flames also have Arsenii Sergeev and Owen Say who need playing time at the pro level this season. Adding a sixth goalie to the mix, and a fourth goalie on a one way contract doesn’t make sense. One of Cooley or Prosvetov will have to be included in the deal.

Who could the Flames acquire as their next backup goalie? Do they want to bring in a veteran to be a steady voice in the dressing room with Wolf? Or do they want to bring in a younger goalie who hasn’t got a full time opportunity to play in the NHL? Both options are available to them.

Here are four goalies who the Flames might have interest in.

Ville Husso – Anaheim Ducks – 30 years old – $2.2 million cap hit – UFA in 2027 

Picking up a guy like Husso would make a lot of sense if you’re the Flames. The 30 year old goaltender has played in 145 games at the NHL level with the St Louis Blues, Detroit Red Wings, and Anaheim Ducks.

Husso found success earlier in his NHL career, posting a .919 save percentage and 2.56 goals against average in 40 games with the St. Louis Blues in 2021-22. The Finnish netminder started his Red Wings account off well, but tailed off in the second half of the season and hasn’t been able to regain his form.

Husso finished strong last season with the Ducks. He only played in four games, but he put up an 0.925 save percentage. It showed that he can still keep up at the NHL level.

Cam Talbot – Detroit Red Wings – 38 years old – $2.5 million cap hit – UFA in 2026 

Flames fans will know Cam Talbot well from his time in Calgary during the 2019-20 season. Talbot is the ideal fit to be Dustin Wolf’s backup. A veteran goalie who has seen it all throughout his NHL career. Not only could Talbot be a good fit on the ice, but it’s the off ice mentorship he could offer Wolf that would provide a lot of value to this Flames team.

I am not sure if the Red Wings would be willing to move their veteran goaltender. It all depends on whether or not they think Sebastian Cossa is ready to play in the NHL. If he is, then the Wings could clear cap space in a Talbot trade and bring up their 2021 first round pick.

Kaapo Kahkonen – Montreal Canadiens – 29 years old – $1.150,000 cap hit – UFA in 2026

Kahkonen appeared in 56 AHL games last season with the Colorado Eagles, Manitoba Moose and Charlotte Checkers, posting a 14-20-1 record. He also suited up in 18 playoff contests with the Checkers, earning a 12-6 record, a .906 SV% and a 2.18 GAA.

Over the course of his career, Kahkonen has played 140 NHL games with the Minnesota Wild, San Jose Sharks, New Jersey Devils and Colorado Avalanche, posting a 49-68-15 record, a .898 SV%, a 3.34 GAA as well as four shutouts.

I’m not sure if Kahkonen is a big enough upgrade on what the Flames already have. But it might be a worthwhile gamble as he is a pending UFA this summer. If it doesn’t work out you can always move on from him.

Michael DiPietro – Boston Bruins – 26 years old – $812,500 cap hit – UFA in 2027 

DiPietro is the one goalie on this list who has yet to establish himself as a full time NHL goalie. But he certainly has shown potential based on his play at the AHL level. That is highlighted last season when he put up a 0.927 SV% and a 2.05 GAA. Those numbers led him to winning the Aldege “Baz” Bastien Memorial Award, given to the best goalie in the AHL.

The Flames went down the inexperienced backup goalie road with Cooley and Prosvetov. Do they want to do that again with DiPietro? It’s something the Flames goaltending department has to be considering.

But if there is one guy to take a chance on for the right price, it might be DiPietro.

What backup goalie do you want the Flames to pursue? Sound off in the comments!