Quote:
Originally Posted by dobbles
So Wolf needs to go down because he hasn't proven himself at the NHL level. But if he goes down, he still can't prove himself. Some circular logic there. He has proven himself at every level since he was drafted. The organization desperately needs some quality goaltending. Seems they should be making Wolf their core not burying him because its convenient.
As for roster management, Markstrom isn't going anywhere, but that is fine. Let him be the veteran mentor to Wolf. That is why I'd love to see him up even if he isn't starting as much as he would in the AHL. He can learn from a veteran. And in my vision, as the season goes on he would take over more of the starts and hopefully end up with a pretty solid workload.
What does that mean for Vladar? Trade him for anything. If there are no takers at any level, waive him and roll the dice. Does that mean he could leave and an asset would be lost? Sure. But that is the chance you take to get your best prospect in the league. The pros and cons to me would be getting your best prospect the best development path vs losing a player you gave up a small to medium asset for. (side note, considering that 3rd round pick netted the Flames 50 games played, it really would be like giving up a 3rd for a 'rental') Odds are 50 games is more than Ben MacDonald will ever play.
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1. Yes, there is the chance for Wolf to CONTINUE proving himself by picking up from where he left off in the AHL.
2. Yes, the Flames need quality goaltending this year, which is absolutely what should be expected from Markstrom and Vladar.
3. Yes, Wolf is clearly part of the Flames core and an integral part of their plans for the future, but he IS NOT being "buried" in the AHL. The team plays and practices in the same building as the Flames, and they can move him back and forth from one roster to the other with it having no tangible impact on his day-to-day.
4. Yes, Wolf will have the benefit of learning from a veteran like Markstrom, even if he is not technically on the Flames roster. Being "on the team" ahead of opening day is virtually meaningless for a guy like him who knows that he will get plenty of opportunities as the season plays out.
5. NO. Moving Vladar today for nothing is a terrible way for the Flames to manage the situation. If Markstrom is injured tonight and then out for the season the Flames would be staring down a black hole of Wolf and Oskar Dansk as their goaltending tandem. Why would they possibly open themselves up to that disaster if they do not have to? The concerns about any negative impact starting the season in the AHL might have on Dustin Wolf are dramatically overblown. He's 22-years-old. He will be just fine, even if he neds up playing only a few NHL games this year.