The (Backup) Goalie Carousel 2025 Edition

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

Cooley looked really shaky in the AHL after his injury. He was leading the AHL with a .932sv% in 24 games until his injury. After and including the injury game he posted an .847sv% in 22 games.

I don't think the Flames can go into the season with Cooley as the number 2, unless they plan on tanking this year.

Supposedly the Flames were very high on Cooley, and the way the contracts worked, Cooley's contract turns into a 1-way just as Vladar's expired. Now of course it may mean absolutely nothing either as 1-way deals only mean guaranteed dollars regardless of where a player plays, but it was interesting.


I wasn't a huge fan of Cooley actually, but the way he improved since being sent down to the AHL made me think that perhaps something was there. The back-half of his performance could have been attributed to his injury. I just think if the Flames were indeed very high on him, they simply promote Cooley if Vladar wants to go elsewhere.


Allen will be a headliner this year, so he will get his pick of spots - contender for a chance to win for less money, or a bottom tier team for more money and term? Maybe the Flames out-bid everyone for Allen.



My guesses for the backup on the Flames:
1) Vladar gets re-signed
2) Cooley gets promoted
3) Conroy pays Allen a big chunk for 2 years to help mentor Wolf

[Icon]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I do believe Vladar is testing free agency this year however I have heard that unless he finds a place where he can have a legit opportunity at being the starter his preference is to come back here on a short term deal. I think that will happen and we will see him back here for two more years.

If Vladar decides to see what offers he can get in free agency, Flames might be forced to make another signing to not be left standing alone beside the punch bowl at the dance.

I don't think Cooley's a legit option for NHL starts. But I guess that could already be plan B.

[Lewis_D]

Hard to tell what the plan is for backup, if I were management I'd probably go with Sergeev and Cooley as my tandem for the Wranglers, with the plan to develop Sergeev into a backup for Wolf (or better yet our own equivalent to a Ullmark-Swayman duo). If that's the plan I'd sign whoever will take shorter term in the meantime, Vladar would be ideal but if he wants longer term I'd look elsewhere.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Icon

I think Edmonton trades for Gibson
Forsberg to ANA to backup Dostal
Merilainen splits starts with Ullmark
Vladar goes to SJ to tandem with Askarov
Flames sign Samsonov
Sabres sign Vanecek
LA signs Lyon
FLA signs Allen

Pretty much this but I think the Flames sign Lyon and not Samsonov. Buffalo signs Allen and not Vanecek.

[Icon]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Pretty much this but I think the Flames sign Lyon and not Samsonov. Buffalo signs Allen and not Vanecek.

Yeah I played around a bit with those 4. I'd rather Lyon than Samsonov but that's kinda why I presumed it would go a different way. And I think Allen's better than Vanecek so Buffalo continues to make bad decisions, lol.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Vladar gets scooped up on Day One of Free Agency. He's a seasoned, yet relatively young 1-B goalie. Someone might overpay for that.

[dino7c]

Vladar had a good finish but he season wasn't great, I wouldn't overpay but would keep him if it makes sense

[Reggie Dunlop]

Cooley may get his opportunity to be back-up, though if he stumbles badly, the team will find another 'tweener-type to be the third option as well as play an AHL veteran role. Two raw rookies in Sergeev and Say is a bit of a gamble.

[gvitaly]

^ Maybe signing DiPietro and having both him and Cooley fight it out in camp is the best option. Another goalie out of the Bruins program, that had pretty good numbers in the AHL for several seasons. He also had a.928 sv% 7 games in the Calder Cup Playoffs, to follow up his .927sv% in the regular season.

DiPietro raised his value in the Bruins' system this season by putting together a fantastic 2024-25 campaign with the Providence Bruins. In 40 regular-season games with the AHL squad, he posted a 26-8-5 record, a .927 save percentage, and a 2.05 goals-against average. With strong numbers like these, the 25-year-old won the Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Trophy as the AHL's top goalie and was named to the First All-Star Team.

Source

PS: Hopefully the back injury he suffered in game 4 vs the Checkers , and because of which he missed game 5, isn't too serious.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

^ Maybe signing DiPietro and having both him and Cooley fight it out in camp is the best option. Another goalie out of the Bruins program, that had pretty good numbers in the AHL for several seasons. He also had a.928 sv% 7 games in the Calder Cup Playoffs, to follow up his .927sv% in the regular season.



Source

PS: Hopefully the back injury he suffered in game 4 vs the Checkers , and because of which he missed game 5, isn't too serious.

Rick DiPietro still has 5 years on his contract! Do not want.

[Yanda]

Vladar played pretty good this season, took all of the hard starts until the last few weeks of the season. Would like to see them run it back with Vladar and still have Cooley to call up in the event of an injury.

[Kipper_3434]

Originally Posted by VilleN

Vladar is one of the better backup goalies in the league IMO. I don't see who would be much of an upgrade on him. And I think Wolf will get more starts this season than last.

I don't agree. Depends on if the end of the season was a turning point or a hot streak. Maybe he really is good, and the last 3 seasons of poor stats were solely based on injuries and the team in front of him.

[MrMike]

Depends on the direction, and it looks like its retooling and trying for the playoffs.

Tank or whatever = Cooley

Playoffs = Allen or Riemer or Husso

I think Vlader choses anywhere but here, if he wants a chance at a starters net.

Or if he accepts being a back-up for 28 games a year he could have as long of a career as Wolf does here.