Looking at the Flames’ organizational depth for goaltenders

We’re continuing our series by examining the depth of each position within the Calgary Flames’ organization. Today, we’re looking at goaltending, a position where the Flames have a bright future in.

Rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf nearly dragged this team into the postseason, a position many didn’t even predict the Flames would be close to reaching. However, they defied the odds, as goaltending was a major storyline and will be a strength for this team for years to come.

Dustin Wolf’s Calder-worthy season

Wolf’s tremendous rookie season made him a Calder Trophy finalist, which was well deserved. He finished the season playing 53 games, recording a 29-16-8 record with a 0.910 save percentage and three shutouts. Wolf put all the uncertainty about his size and play at the NHL level to rest as he’s going to be an elite presence in the net for the Flames. He’ll be eligible for a contract extension on July 1st, and locking him up on a long-term deal is the obvious move.

With Wolf’s play likely only to get better, where do the Flames go from here? They’re right at the beginning of a rebuild, but has Wolf accelerated the process? The answer is a clear no.

The Flames’ goaltending was the only reason why the team was so close to squeezing in. They still struggled to score, and their defence wasn’t anything to admire. Wolf shouldn’t be a reason to rush the process, as goaltending alone won’t take you anywhere unless you have the talent to pair with it.

Dan Vladar

Being the Flames’ backup this season, Dan Vladar’s play was filled with ups and downs. He finished this season playing 30 games, sporting a 12-11-6 record and a 0.898 save percentage, in addition to two shutouts.

Vladar is set to become a UFA this summer and likely won’t return to the Flames. He’ll want to test the free agent market to find a change in scenery or potentially a bigger role elsewhere. Regardless, Vladar has had some great moments in Calgary and was a fan favourite throughout his time here. There’s a chance the Flames potentially extend him, but he’ll likely test the market first.

Devin Cooley

The Flames signed Devin Cooley to a two-year deal last summer, and he’s been playing all of this season in the AHL, acting as the Wranglers’ starter. It’s notable that next season, Cooley’s deal converts to a one-way contract, meaning that the team likely sees him being a strong contender to back up Wolf.

Cooley was a late bloomer in the NHL, playing only six games for the San Jose Sharks last year. The Flames saw something in him, and he’s been a solid replacement in net for the Wranglers. He played 46 games, putting up a 21-17-5 record and a 0.905 save percentage. While Cooley cooled down towards the end of the season, he started the year dominating for the Wranglers.

I’m surprised that the Flames didn’t give him any NHL games. We likely see him play for the Flames next season as the full-time backup, unless management has other ideas.

Connor Murphy

26-year-old Connor Murphy has mostly been a mainstay in the ECHL. He appeared in four games for the Wranglers this season, recording a 2-2 record and a measly 0.881 save percentage.

At this point, Murphy is likely going to remain in the ECHL. His contract is expiring this summer, and it’s unlikely the Flames will extend him, unless they see a place for him in the AHL full-time.

Owen Say

Playing for the University of Notre Dame this season, the Flames decided to sign Owen Say to a two-way contract, which starts next season. He had a great season, putting up a solid 0.920 save percentage in 27 games played.

Say will likely be a mainstay for the Wranglers next season, mostly in a backup role. The Flames are giving another kid from college a chance to prove themselves in professional hockey, and you can’t go wrong with that.

Arsenii Sergeev

A former seventh-round pick in 2021, Arsenii Sergeev signed his entry-level contract with the Flames last month. He’s been playing for Pennsylvania State University, where the 22-year-old has put up promising numbers, including a 0.919 save percentage in 33 games.

Sergeev will be another potential option for the Wranglers, with him now being signed. He’s shown skill at the college level, but now it’s bout translating his game into the pros.

The unsigned bunch

The following goaltenders remain unsigned by the Flames: Waltteri Ignatjew, Kirill Zarubin, Yegor Yegorov and Danill Chechelev.

Zarubin will get a contract as he’s only 19 and has put up strong numbers in Russia. As for the others, it’s unlikely. Ignatjew committed himself to a Swedish league team, so it’s likely the rest of these players are destined for Europe.