GDT: Battles of Alberta: Let's play 2! Both games @ 7pm

[Figgy44]

He might look over at Cooley getting laughs in the scrum, or people reposting on IG, and think that management actually thinks Cooley is better, even if Wolf is starting the majority. He might ask for a trade.

Maybe if everything else is equal as hell and management has done a poor job saying he's the future even when he asks... but the scenario you're outlining is bizarre. That's next level petty in office politics. Even though he's young, I don't think that Wolf is that childish. The sole time I can think of that IG reposts caused such a rift was the Hoffman Karlsson debacle and that shit was low blow bullshit. Not some harmless banter.

IIRC, it's already been communicated to Wolf that he's going to be one who has to take the reins and prove he deserves as many starts as possible in the NHL. One of Vladar or Cooley will be the vet for the Wranglers unless Wolf really has an awful outing. If that happens and he's down there moping about Cooley, we have bigger problems. If he's got a bunch of .700-.800 starts, I don't think he'd complain he has stuff to work on when down with the Wranglers. If he's got the best stats and he still gets sent down, he'd be mad at his performance not being recognized by management. Not that Cooley has cool quotes.

I get your point about it being important for having good communication between management and Wolf... but Devin Cooley being a personable guy is a good thing, not a bad one.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

For sure Wolf is the starter, but even if he plays 82 games, if his backup becomes a fan favorite, he might just sour on the whole situation. Conroy needs to be cognizant of this. Would you not agree?

Are you okay?

 

[Lunatik]

Luongo and Kipper sure hated when Noodles was popular because he was a good guy. f***ing nice backups... demote them all!

 

[Kranix]

Luongo and Kipper had already established themselves as star #1s, so it didn't matter that McLennan was popular. If you let Cooley steal the media likeability before Wolf has had a season as bonifide starter, before he's had a chance to be liked by the media the most, he may sour on the organization.

 

[Lunatik]

Luongo and Kipper had already established themselves as star #1s, so it didn't matter that McLennan was popular. If you let Cooley steal the media likeability before Wolf has had a season as bonifide starter, before he's had a chance to be liked by the media the most, he may sour on the organization.

Wrong. McLennan was already here when we acquired Kipper and Noodles had been carrying the load with a fractured sternum until then.

Contrary to what you've fabricated in your mind, guys like it when they have teammates that are good in the room, especially backup goaltenders, that's a big part of their job. Quite often they're one of the most popular guys on the team. I also believe Cooley and Wolf have done some trining together as the California goalies have been said to stick together.

It's f***ing baffling to me how so many posters can completely invent reasons why Wolf will be mad and want out.

 

[Yepthatsme]

Wrong. McLennan was already here when we acquired Kipper and Noodles had been carrying the load with a fractured sternum until then.

Contrary to what you've fabricated in your mind, guys like it when they have teammates that are good in the room, especially backup goaltenders, that's a big part of their job. Quite often they're one of the most popular guys on the team. I also believe Cooley and Wolf have done some trining together as the California goalies have been said to stick together.

It's f***ing baffling to me how so many posters can completely invent reasons why Wolf will be mad and want out.

Yea I’m pretty sure this went over a couple of people’s heads, he’s being blatantly facetious to make fun of the exact same thing your last point is referencing.

 

[Lunatik]

Yea I’m pretty sure this went over a couple of people’s heads, he’s being blatantly facetious to make fun of the exact same thing your last point is referencing.

I thought that at first... but they keep digging in deeper and deeper. Even with posters that don't make up scenarios. And with their hisotry, they don't get the benefit of the doubt... just like I don't expect the benefit of the doubt of people think I'm being an asshole.

 

[Yepthatsme]

I thought that at first... but they keep digging in deeper and deeper. Even with posters that don't make up scenarios. And with their hisotry, they don't get the benefit of the doubt... just like I don't expect the benefit of the doubt of people think I'm being an asshole.

He was most definitely just doubling down on the joke as people took the bait, which yea I don’t necessarily agree with but it’s definitely not something meant to take seriously.

 

[Figgy44]

I wouldn't' go that far. I don't think it's joke or a troll. I understand the concern, albeit I don't fully understand why the concern is emphasized so much more than the rest of us. It's a pretty normal thing and we recently went through other young guys leaving the org when they didn't get certain long term NHL opportunities (ie: Phillips etc.). I just don't think we're there right now to being concerned for Wolf wanting out.

But I personally just don't see enough evidence or have enough concerns to consider it something worrisome. If Wolf gets buried, I could see his frustration with the org. But he hasn't been buried yet.

Things that should put management in a favorable position is that IIRC, management has been openly telling Wolf that if he performs, he's the future of the franchise. Maybe last year it was borderline and mixed messages with him slightly outplaying Vladar, but I think Markstrom being moved and him against Vladar and Cooley (considered an NHL rookie) aren't major roadblocks to him establishing himself as an NHL regular. Honestly speaking, it's a pretty low bar IMO. If he trips on that low bar, objectively IMO even he should conclude that he needs a little more seasoning.

Maybe I get it if we trade Vladar for a goalie with term, keep Cooley as back up (even if Wolf's stats by end of preseason is better) and demote him. But due to the natural course of Vladar's contract, Wolf is basically guaranteed an opportunity to sink or swim at NHL level by the start of next year (if he doesn't steal the platoon position this year over Vladar and Cooley). We aren't there yet, so I don't have the same concerns at the moment.

We also have Devon Levi as a parallel. Levi was drafted the year after Wolf, similar calibre prospects. Levi has 30 NHL GP in 2 seasons to Wolf's 18 in 2 seasons. Both posted sub .900 NHL seasons in their seasons with the most starts (.899 vs .893). Levi has the bigger uphill battle with UPL, Reimer and Sandstrom added to the mix. Wolf has Vladar (1 year) and Cooley (2 years; 1st year two way) in his way. Sandstrom (30 GP; .880 sv%) is the weaker of the 3 and has a better NHL resume than Cooley (6 GP, .870). Coincidentally, similar aged too. UPL (100 GP; .904 sv%) vs Vladar (75 GP; .894) is kinda comparable. But Vladar is expiring vs UPL has 4 years.

If Levi gets annoyed, I get it. Wolf's situation is better than Levi and he's seemingly guaranteed a permanent NHL position by the end of 2025, so if Wolf get annoyed, I don't know what else the Flames can do for him.