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Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus
That would be very disappointing.
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It shouldn't be.
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Wolf was supposed to be getting NHL games this year and 1 start at this juncture is nowhere close to progressing him along.
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Anyone who was expecting for Wolf to start more than occasionally while there are still three goalies rotating on-and-off the roster was setting themselves up for disappointment. Yes, the plan is to get Wolf NHL starts, and this will count towards that. Until one of Vladar or Markstrom is traded or ends up on LTIR, then Wolf will probably only end up playing five or six games.
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To treat Vladar as the defacto starter in this situation would be a serious kick in the berries to your heir apparent, if you ask me.
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Why would the Flames's backup goalie be treated as anything but the de facto starter when the starter is injured? That's his job! This has been discussed
ad nauseam, but there is no reason to think that Wolf would feel slighted by any of this: as good as he is, he is still just breaking into the NHL, and Vladar is #2 on the depth chart—it is just that simple. I have no doubt at all that this was all laid out ahead of time for Wolf, and he is perfectly fine with how this is playing out. Certainly, this could change, but there is no reason in the moment to alter the course. Vladar also needs to play.
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There's little to no reason that while Markstrom is out, Vladar and Wolf shouldn't be in a time share, each getting 3 starts in the next 6. Maybe you stray slightly if one is playing lights out. This is a real chance to see where Wolf is at in the NHL level and it should not be wasted by feeding your mediocre backup starts.
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This is NOT a "wasted" opportunity. The Flames are still likely keen to move a goalie at some point this season, and it won't be Wolf. Under the circumstances they understandably want Vladar to play, because this could potentially help to strengthen their bargaining power to move a goalie. Getting Vladar into 15–25 games is significantly more immediately important than finding NHL starts for Wolf. He will get his chance.