Enough is enough - Bring up Wolf.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Yamer

For starters, a team that doesn't look like a bunch of dejected Snoopys shuffling back to the doghouse.

The smoke says this is the wrong fire for the kid to start cooking. If he's not coming to be the saviour but the expectation is to still make noise then there's no need to put pressure on a rookie goaltender. If it's as much of a write off that some people think it is there really is no rush.

Starting fresh in October would be the prudent choice no matter how you look at it.

They’d probably be happier on the way back to the bench if the goalies weren’t giving up 3 every night with at least one muffin a game.

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

To be fair, I’ve downplayed Vladar as a saviour long pre-dating his last few losses and I still think Wolf’s fundamentals are good enough to come in and make a meaningful difference.

Not that my opinion means anything or has any weight, but I don’t think using the broad stroke of “first it was Vladar but he stumbled so now it’s just the next guy” is fair. Vladar’s record made him look more impressive to people than he was, while Wolf’s actual play is on another level.

Wolf won’t have a minute of NHL experience until he gets a minute of NHL experience. There’s no difference between doing it now and doing it next season. You’re just advocating for a perfect moment that might never come, but the Flames need to get him in.

Wolf has done absolutely nothing but get better day by day, season by season since the Flames drafted him. I admit that it's more likely he performs solidly than falls flat on his face. I do, however, worry about how much he'll be exposed by the breakdowns and lack of run support. This group isn't inspiring a lot of confidence that they can be anything more than at the higher point of middle-of-the-pack, Wolf or no.

Maybe he'll be elite in the NHL, maybe he won't. I'm in favour of him getting a chance sooner than later, but I'm not sold on the idea that now is the time. I'd be more comfortable after pressing reset in the offseason. Call it a context-laden gut feeling.

[GranteedEV]

I actually do find it bizarre how people in this thread have arbitrarily decided Vladar is "better suited to a backup role". Recency bias, maybe.

I think the idea of a starter or backup is fundamentally broken, though. "let's play a guy 60+ games in the regular season so that we can play his worn out body in every playoff game!" and "let's play a guy only to give the annointed starter a rest, while self-fulfilling a prophecy that this backup will be labelled a backup".

Even Kiprusoff was just a "backup" when we acquired him. The only difference was a fortunate injury. Play the hot goalie, whoever that is, without overplaying him.

[bizaro86]

I think if you call up Wolf you try and do it in a low pressure way.

Put Markstrom on IR day-to-day with an upper body injury (confidence is in your upper body right?)

Have Tre give a press conference saying we aren't going to panic and acquire a goalie at the deadline because 1) we're sure Vezina-nominated Markstrom will be back in time for the playoffs 2) We have strong goalie depth in the organization 3) Wolf has been great in the AHL and has earned a cup of coffee and an NHL paycheck for a bit. But don't worry Wranglers fans we're planning to get him back to you in time for the AHL playoffs.

Give him a couple of games with low expectations when he's already in mid-season form behind a defense that doesn't allow many shots. Seems like an ideal way to do it to me. If he goes on a Binnington style run then great. Anything other than that you send him down once Markstrom has "recovered" with an extra $75k in his pocket and a word from the GM that we believe in him as the goalie of the future for the org.

[bdubbs]

Wolf looks ready by most metrics, other than not having any NHL experience. I'd love to see him get a few games to at least feel the speed of the highest level, and so he knows what he needs to prepare for when he's ready for a full-time position. No way to gain experience other than getting in and trying it.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

I actually do find it bizarre how people in this thread have arbitrarily decided Vladar is "better suited to a backup role". Recency bias, maybe.

I think the idea of a starter or backup is fundamentally broken, though. "let's play a guy 60+ games in the regular season so that we can play his worn out body in every playoff game!" and "let's play a guy only to give the annointed starter a rest, while self-fulfilling a prophecy that this backup will be labelled a backup".

Even Kiprusoff was just a "backup" when we acquired him. The only difference was a fortunate injury. Play the hot goalie, whoever that is, without overplaying him.

Vladar hasn't really been playing great though. Him and Markstrom have been bad and mediocre. I think if you switch games played then Vladar's stats would be about the same as Markstrom

[Brick]

I would bring up Wolf and go with him and Vladar the rest of the way. If it doesn't work out, they can always send him back down. He might just be the answer in net.

Also, go get Meier. He would fix the PP and might be the perfect player for Huberdeau.
They can't afford to waste this season in the short window that they are in.

Either go all in or else sell...doing nothing is not the answer.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

I actually do find it bizarre how people in this thread have arbitrarily decided Vladar is "better suited to a backup role". Recency bias, maybe.

I think the idea of a starter or backup is fundamentally broken, though. "let's play a guy 60+ games in the regular season so that we can play his worn out body in every playoff game!" and "let's play a guy only to give the annointed starter a rest, while self-fulfilling a prophecy that this backup will be labelled a backup".

Even Kiprusoff was just a "backup" when we acquired him. The only difference was a fortunate injury. Play the hot goalie, whoever that is, without overplaying him.

Basing opinions on player quality off of individual statistics and actual play is the opposite of arbitrary.

Saying that the starter/backup system is fundamentally broken based on no tangible evidence is actually arbitrary.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Vladar hasn't really been playing great though. Him and Markstrom have been bad and mediocre. I think if you switch games played then Vladar's stats would be about the same as Markstrom

Probably right. But he also plays about once every 10 days. Maybe he plays better with more time. We're going to paying him $2.2m next year - so he's not exactly going to be a cheap.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Brick

I would bring up Wolf and go with him and Vladar the rest of the way. If it doesn't work out, they can always send him back down. He might just be the answer in net.

Also, go get Meier. He would fix the PP and might be the perfect player for Huberdeau.
They can't afford to waste this season in the short window that they are in.

Either go all in or else sell...doing nothing is not the answer.

Who are you going to sell? Everyone has term outside of Lewis, Ritchie and Lucic and if anyone is willing to take the last 2 of those guys at least - you should trade them regardless if you are buying or selling.

[Flames1217]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Who are you going to sell? Everyone has term outside of Lewis, Ritchie and Lucic and if anyone is willing to take the last 2 of those guys at least - you should trade them regardless if you are buying or selling.

Mangiapane (hard having three high earners on our third line and can be replaced by Pelts)
Tanev - we won't be able to keep him if we want to upgrade our RW

[Manhattanboy]

All the concerns about pressure etc. are interesting.

I bet he would laugh and say I don't need coddling, put me in the damn net and let me win games for you.

[standinmotion]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

I think if you call up Wolf you try and do it in a low pressure way.

Put Markstrom on IR day-to-day with an upper body injury (confidence is in your upper body right?)

Have Tre give a press conference saying we aren't going to panic and acquire a goalie at the deadline because 1) we're sure Vezina-nominated Markstrom will be back in time for the playoffs 2) We have strong goalie depth in the organization 3) Wolf has been great in the AHL and has earned a cup of coffee and an NHL paycheck for a bit. But don't worry Wranglers fans we're planning to get him back to you in time for the AHL playoffs.

Give him a couple of games with low expectations when he's already in mid-season form behind a defense that doesn't allow many shots. Seems like an ideal way to do it to me. If he goes on a Binnington style run then great. Anything other than that you send him down once Markstrom has "recovered" with an extra $75k in his pocket and a word from the GM that we believe in him as the goalie of the future for the org.

Pretty sure you can't just have fake injuries like that, otherwise there would be so many cap circumvention.

Sent from my SM-G781W using Tapatalk

[madmike]

Originally Posted by standinmotion

Pretty sure you can't just have fake injuries like that, otherwise there would be so many cap circumvention.

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Yeah they could not officially IR him. They can sit him in the press box and say it’s some minor nagging health issue if they need to.

[InternationalVillager]

Originally Posted by standinmotion

Pretty sure you can't just have fake injuries like that, otherwise there would be so many cap circumvention.

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I believe mental health issues qualify for IR.

[Brick]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Who are you going to sell? Everyone has term outside of Lewis, Ritchie and Lucic and if anyone is willing to take the last 2 of those guys at least - you should trade them regardless if you are buying or selling.

I wouldn't sell. I would go all in and give the team the best chance to make the playoffs this season. (Vladar, Wolf, bring in Meier.)

But if they are going to do nothing or next to nothing, they may as well start selling. In addition to the 3 UFA's this year there are 7 players with only 1 year remaining on their contracts after this season.

[mile]

When Markstrom's baby is due we'll see Wolf.


And hopefully a better Markstrom.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by standinmotion

Pretty sure you can't just have fake injuries like that, otherwise there would be so many cap circumvention.

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I'm not saying put him on LTIR which has cap benefits. Just put him in the press box and tell the media it's day to day nagging upper body issue.

[Strange Brew]

If Wolf was one year older, or Markstrom had one less year on his deal, playing Wolf would be far more likely IMO.

I am not against trying it, as it's clear that the current level of goaltending is not going to allow this team to win. I just doubt it happens.

[jammies]

They should wait until the last 5-6 games of the season after the Flames have fallen out of the playoff race altogether, then bring Wolf up. No pressure and we can have a drama-filled offseason endlessly discussing the goalie situation.

Plus we can have bitter "What-if?" discussions if he performs well! Win-win!