[News] With the 214th OA pick, the Flames select G Dustin Wolf

[YyjFlames]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Lots of credit to the goalies, and rightfully so. Not enough talk about this. The defense was supposed to be terrible - and terrible defense negates good goaltending (and good goaltending was by no means a certainty).

Instead of good goaltending, we've gotten very good, and at times, great goaltending. But at the same time, we've gotten at least decent defense, and arguably good, or at least pretty good defense.

All of Bahl, Pachal, Miromanov, and Bean have been as good or better than hoped. No surprise from any one of them, but for all 4 to be playing this well, nobody could have predicted that.

Totally true. It goes further as Huska (and with the AHL results, likely the team) has developed a strong team-defense system. The forwards are regularly dropping back seamlessly when defenders pinch. Weegar and Miromanov were both all over the offensive zone last night when they were pushing to tie the game up and all the forwards were consistently reading and covering the pinch.

I don't think this takes away from Wolf's play, as he's reading plays and making saves that he shouldn't be making, but it also allows him to trust his guys and not scramble to cover up defensive mistakes... and he's certainly less scrambly this year than when the defensive system was breaking down last year.

Ultimately, if this team gets into the playoffs, Huska has to get some Jack Adams' recognition.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Something worth noting on Spencer Knight is that he left the game for a stretch and entered the players assistance progam due to what sounds like life-altering OCD, and I would imagine it has coloured the majority of his time in the NHL. Hoping he can bounce back this season.

Yes, thanks for noting this. He took a significant amount of time away from the game to get right again, and it was incredibly disruptive to his progress. He's probably about a year behind Wolf in his development as a result.

[MisterJoji]

Originally Posted by blankall

D-core in front of him isn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. Both Weegar and Andersson look like legit top pairing guys.

Pretty much all of Bean, Miromanov, Bahl, and Pachal look better than expected.

Barrie has done F all for the offence. the Flames upgraded with a solid #3, they'd actually have a decent d-core. They'd ideally want a talented offensive guy with basic second pairing defensive abilities. Parekh has those abilities but is obviously a ways from being ready.

Bahl has been phenomenal. Most people thought the 1st from NJ was the bread & butter piece coming back in that deal but Bahl looks like a legit, top 4 stay-at-home defenseman. Small sample size but still. 24 years old, 6’6,” 240 lbs that can skate well. Great job Conny and pro-scout who covers the east.

Barrie should only be injury replacement at this point. He’s not better than any of the other D on the roster.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by getbak

I wonder if Wolf gets any consideration for the 4 Nations tournament? Obviously, Hellebuyck will be the US starter and there are a few vets ahead of Wolf for the backup role, but he could be an option for the third stringer (I don't know if they get three goalies for that tournament or not).

no chance dude. demko back soon. swayman. too many good goalies imo

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

4 Nations: No
Calder: Yes
Vezina: No but could see him being a runner up in voting

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Andrew

no chance dude. demko back soon. swayman. too many good goalies imo

Sometimes the 3rd goalie isn't the 3rd best available though. He's a designated sitter so sometimes national teams look to the future.

Quick was only 22 in the 2010 Olympics as the designated sitter.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Andrew

no chance dude. demko back soon. swayman. too many good goalies imo

It would be if guys ask out more likely.

Hellebuyck and Oettinger are probably your 1 and 2.

Demko might say "I don't want to come be a number 3, I need to get healthy"

Swayman...he could potentially say he wants a bit of a break too after a contract dispute in the offseason and a poor start (he's rocking an .884 right now).

And if those two guys don't want to go then maybe it's a decision between Stolarz (who has a .927 and has been great too) and Wolf.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

4 Nations: No
Calder: Yes
Vezina: No but could see him being a runner up in voting

Conn Smythe: Yes

[The Yen Man]

Watched Afterburner yesterday, and Scorp made a comment that totally echoed what I thought as well. I think positionally, Wolf has looked better than Markstrom ever did in his time with the Flames. There's just something about Wolf's game that makes me have confidence he won't let in many stinkers. With Markstrom, even when he had all those shutouts in his first year here behind Sutter's system, guy would still let in soft goals, or put himself so out position, he had to make a highlight reel save to stop the puck.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

Watched Afterburner yesterday, and Scorp made a comment that totally echoed what I thought as well. I think positionally, Wolf has looked better than Markstrom ever did in his time with the Flames. There's just something about Wolf's game that makes me have confidence he won't let in many stinkers. With Markstrom, even when he had all those shutouts in his first year here behind Sutter's system, guy would still let in soft goals, or put himself so out position, he had to make a highlight reel save to stop the puck.

Agreed. Wolf just seems so calm and composed and while he's lightning fast in terms of lateral movement he never over-compensates.

[kipperiggy]

Originally Posted by getbak

I wonder if Wolf gets any consideration for the 4 Nations tournament? Obviously, Hellebuyck will be the US starter and there are a few vets ahead of Wolf for the backup role, but he could be an option for the third stringer (I don't know if they get three goalies for that tournament or not).

On my local radio they were lamenting that Wolf is American and can't play for Canada. And the station is full of Oiler fans!