Quote:
Originally Posted by bax
The best thing for Wolf right now is to play as many games as possible. Nobody is saying the return for Vladar is more important than Wolf’s development. You don’t just throwaway one of Markstrom or Vladar for the opportunity to sit Wolf on the bench of 55 games.
There is perfectly clear path that allows you to do the following:
1) Have Wolf play a starter’s workload that includes games in both the AHL and the NHL. If you trade Vladar before camp then Wolf won’t be playing a starter’s workload this season.
2) Buys evaluation time for all three goalies. The organization can see where each guy is at mentally and physically. You say Markstrom and Vladar aren’t great, but Markstrom is 1 season removed from being a Vezina finalist and Vladar is only 4 years older for Wolf. Still young for a goalie.
3) Gives Conroy some time to make a trade. Teams will run into injuries and eventually someone will meet his asking price on Vladar. Who knows, maybe even one our 3 goalies could get hurt. If the goal is to compete this season (and it is) why would you give away the depth? Conroy needs to build a reputation as GM that won’t accept less than his asking price, other wise he will get walked all over.
I don’t think anybody expects the Flames to roll with 3 goalies all season, but for a month or two while they see how it plays out? I don’t think it’s a problem at all.
Also your insistence that Wolf will be offended or jaded by this plan is a bit silly to me. I would think a professional athlete (especially one of his caliber) has a much greater mental fortitude than that.
If Wolf blows the doors off camp and is head and shoulders better than Vladar by all means make a trade, but there is no reason to force one before camp has even started.
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Meant to grab this post too but forgot....
About the bolded, that is where I disagree. While playing time is important, it shouldn't be the only factor. And honestly that playing time can be counter productive. He has gotten over 100 games in the AHL. He is seasoned. He is ready. Sure I don't think anyone wants him getting the McElhinney treatment where he only gets to play once a month, but I think the expectation should already be him as a 1b. Unless Markstrom has a huge rebound year, I think he should be the 1a this year which allows Wolf to ease in and then be ready next year for full time starter duty. And I am optimistic enough about Wolf that I could see him taking over this year based on performance. I think it would be much better for his career if he played 30 NHL games than 50 AHL games.