[GT] WJC Day 1: SUI vs SVK (12pm MT), GER vs FIN (4pm MT), RUS vs USA (7:30pm MT)

[combustiblefuel]

On paper Wolff looks like the better goalie than knight. Am I missing something?

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

On paper Wolff looks like the better goalie than knight. Am I missing something?

Knight is beeg.

Plus he plays against NCAA competition and is probably a USA Hockey establishment favourite after coming up through the USNTDP.

But I think they're awfully similar from a pedigree perspective. Wolf is probably a top-5 goaltending prospect in the NHL right now; Knight is probably top-3.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

On paper Wolff looks like the better goalie than knight. Am I missing something?

Development investment and more familiar to the USA hockey braintrust. Knight has had the top tier pedigree longer. Wolf is the younger up and comer.

But, as in these short tournaments, one more bad game for knight and the plan is dead and Wolf assume the reins.

Let's not forget Askarov rode pine last year after being the anointed one as well.

[TheScorpion]

Well, Wolf is actually three days older than Knight.

But he definitely doesn't have the USNTDP experience that Knight does.

[Sandman]

Wolf's size will always be a detriment in the eyes of most of the hockey world. In the Hockey News' most recent edition of the Future Watch (for reference), Wolf wasn't listed in the top 100 prospects, and wasn't ranked in the top-10 for goalies. Spencer Knight was the 5th highest rated prospect, 2nd for goalies behind Shesterkin (and we all know that Shesterkin has graduated from being a prospect to being an NHL player). Other publications I've read have put Wolf pretty low on their lists too. I personally think it's BS, but that's the perception that's out there.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

But I think they're awfully similar from a pedigree perspective. Wolf is probably a top-5 goaltending prospect in the NHL right now; Knight is probably top-3.

Wat? Wolf is not that highly thought of... at all. Most places don't even have him in extended rankings, let alone top five lists. Knight is being put to the same level as Price or Hart at similar ages. Wolf is Michael DiPietro.

[ballin]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Wat? Wolf is not that highly thought of... at all. Most places don't even have him in extended rankings, let alone top five lists. Knight is being put to the same level as Price or Hart at similar ages. Wolf is Michael DiPietro.

Yeah I have to kind of agree. Wolf is a fun guy to cheer for and I think there is something there, but at the same time there is a reason he was passed on until the 7th. Now that doesent mean he wont be something but I think as a prospect he is thought of a little too highly of around here.

[AC]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Wat? Wolf is not that highly thought of... at all. Most places don't even have him in extended rankings, let alone top five lists. Knight is being put to the same level as Price or Hart at similar ages. Wolf is Michael DiPietro.

I agree Wolf is still a longshot due to his size at this point.

Though this article/list has him at #6:
https://thehockeywriters.com/who-is-...ding-prospect/

1. Askarov
2. Sorokin
3. Knight
4. Primeau
5. Oettinger
6. Wolf
7. Alnefelt
8. Ingram
9. Kochetkov
10. Annunen

Honourable mentions:
Michael DiPietro – Vancouver Canucks
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen – Buffalo Sabres
Alex Nedeljkovic – Carolina Hurricanes
Jeremy Swayman – Boston Bruins
Filip Gustavsson – Ottawa Senators

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Wat? Wolf is not that highly thought of... at all. Most places don't even have him in extended rankings, let alone top five lists. Knight is being put to the same level as Price or Hart at similar ages. Wolf is Michael DiPietro.

Last Athletic ranking I saw had him at #5 and Knight at #3.

https://theathletic.com/2074250/2020...draft-edition/

1. Askarov
2. Sorokin
3. Knight
4. Ingram
5. Wolf

[FlamesAddiction]

Size is important for goalies unfortunately. It's a game of inches, and having 2 or 3 inches of additional height and reach can make a huge difference no matter how athletic you are.

I am not writing him off, but he is far from a given.

Having said that, there are some pretty good goalies in the NHL that have the same height. Khudobin, Raanta, Halak, Francouz, and Saros. Binnington, Quick, Grubauer, Georgiev and Lundqvist are all only an inch taller. Wolf is only 19 and theoretically could grow a bit more, although his parents looked tiny at the draft.

[TheScorpion]

I don't think anybody is calling Wolf a given — but he's a damn good prospect. CHL Goaltenders of the Year don't exactly grow on trees. And he's tracking better than Hart was at the same age.

[Blaster86]

My comment was not a "He's dog #### and will never be anything," comment. It was a "He is not at the same level as Spencer Knight" as far as pre-NHL goalies go.

[AC]

I mean, technically your comment was that he's "not that highly thought of... at all", especially in top 5 or 10 lists, while comparing him to DiPietro. And we posted 2 recent lists that had him #5 and #6, both well ahead of DiPietro.

It doesn't mean that we think he's the next Price, but that he's considered a top goalie prospect.

[playmaker]

IMHO save of the tournament already...
https://streamable.com/7z5du5

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by playmaker

IMHO save of the tournament already...
https://streamable.com/7z5du5

Surprisingly explosive!

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

On paper Wolff looks like the better goalie than knight. Am I missing something?

Yeah, it’s hard to judge goalies based on paper.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

On paper Wolff looks like the better goalie than knight. Am I missing something?

Spencer Knight's last two years at Boston College:
2019–20 — GP 33 GAA 1.97 SP 0.931
2020–21 — GP 4 GAA 1.50 SP 0.955

Dustin Wolf's last two years in the WHL:
2019–20 — GP 46 GAA 1.88 SP 0.935
2020–21 — NO GAMES

These two goalies actually appear very similar "on paper" to me. I might even give the edge to Spencer Knight given his very impressive start to the 2020–21 season, and the fact that he plays in the significantly more highly competitive NCAA Hockey East conference.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Size is important for goalies unfortunately. It's a game of inches, and having 2 or 3 inches of additional height and reach can make a huge difference no matter how athletic you are.

I am not writing him off, but he is far from a given.

Having said that, there are some pretty good goalies in the NHL that have the same height. Khudobin, Raanta, Halak, Francouz, and Saros. Binnington, Quick, Grubauer, Georgiev and Lundqvist are all only an inch taller. Wolf is only 19 and theoretically could grow a bit more, although his parents looked tiny at the draft.

6'1 when he is done growing hopefully and with his explosiveness would be just fine in the NHL. I'm still amazed at his speed and even more so his body control at speed. I don't think Parsons is as explosive as Wolf and that guy is a powderkeg or reactionary movement.

All this size talk is just fine for Wolf though, he's been using it as fuel for years.

[dammage79]

And I think larger blocking goalies will be less impactful as the league keeps shrinking goalie equipment. We're soon to be entering into another era of quick and agile goaltending. Look at some of the kids making noise today in Demko and Hart.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by dammage79

And I think larger blocking goalies will be less impactful as the league keeps shrinking goalie equipment. We're soon to be entering into another era of quick and agile goaltending. Look at some of the kids making noise today in Demko and Hart.

Carter Hart is 6'2". Thatcher Demko is 6'4". Dustin Wolf is 6'0".

I think you are badly under-selling the ongoing importance of size and reach to the position. We have been talking about the demise of big goalies with equipment changes for years and yet here we are where the reigning Vezina trophy and Stanley Cup winner is a big, lanky goalie who moves really well.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk