Dustin Wolf- Goalie Development Done right!

[Chet Manley]

After reading through this thread I still have no idea want the OP means by "Goalie Development Done right". What was unusual about what the Flames did to set his development apart from others? Trading your starter before testing the young guy is more of a gamble paying off than a proven method of goalie development.

 

[HighLifeMan]

After reading through this thread I still have no idea want the OP means by "Goalie Development Done right". What was unusual about what the Flames did to set his development apart from others? Trading your starter before testing the young guy is more of a gamble paying off than a proven method of goalie development.

They set a developmental plan for him at the very start of his pro career and didn't deviate from it despite back to back MVP level seasons in the AHL. They didn't rush the process even when they likely had reason to, and it seems to be paying off. He spent the better part of three years in the AHL despite being arguably the best goalie / player in that league from the get go.

 

[Chet Manley]

They set a developmental plan for him at the very start of his pro career and didn't deviate from it despite back to back MVP level seasons in the AHL. They didn't rush the process even when they likely had reason to, and it seems to be paying off. He spent the better part of three years in the AHL despite being arguably the best goalie / player in that league from the get go.

Fair enough. It just seems like letting a goalie cook in lesser leagues for 3 years isn't terribly novel or "development done right". Especially if they have question mark about something that could hinder their transition to the NHL. Like size... that one has stopped many AHL stars in one way or another. In my mind, development done right for a 23 year old goalie would have been to back up a Markstrom for a year or two. But I'm no GM.

 

[Figgy44]

Yep, teams definitely don’t have a book on him from the dub or the A.

Hell I’ll tell you his weakness. He’s small. Shoot high glove side. There you go.

Laterally, he’s great. Quick feet. Shoot for the ears.

And I’m not a professional scout. Teams already know what he is.

That's true too. But Wolf also supposedly researches the opposition a lot. He was mentioning a bunch of scouting reports on what to expect from certain players from the last shoot out. He mentioned the players were shooting opposite of what was in his notes, so he had to adjust to address it.

I wonder whether Wolf adapts first (on the fly) or other teams' revised playbook get adapted to first?

 

[Stive Morgan]

What's funny to me is that the year Wolf was drafted 214th overall (2019), he went 41-15-2 with a 1.69 GAA and .936 SV% with the Everett Silvertips.

And NHL GMs were like "nah, no good."

He had like 4 assists too IIRC lol

(this was from his draft -1 year)

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

.925SV% on the Flames is very impressive

 

[bishop12]

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

goalies are like starting pitchers--lets see how is numbers come Feb are. Teams will scout him more and review how he plays and adapt their styles

Wait until the scouts realize he’s only 6’ and the guys start shooting high on him.

 

[OvermanKingGainer]

This thread is pure confirmation bias.

 

[DJJones]

 

[CgyFlamesftw]

Has to be Calder favourite at this point.

 

[Lunatik]

Has to be Calder favourite at this point.

No he doesn't. In the conversation, yes. Favorite, no.
Goalies are always at a disadvantage in Calder voting because they don't play every game.

I'd guess he'd finish 4th in voting if the season ended today behind Stankoven, Michkov and Hutson

 

[Gillings]

The flames seem to do very well with ginger goalies. I hope he has a great career with them, hard not to root for smaller goalies.

Its rather sad how NHL teams have gone with " bigger " goalies when so many great goalies that are around 6' Don't get the chance to play. Oh well, like anything, ups and downs.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

It's one part development and one part playing well in front of him defensively. He's gotten that. He's a very good young goalie and he's also got a good defense structure in front of him as support, that must be nice.

Meanwhile in Sullivan land...

 

[SI90]

Wrong Russian goalie. Varlamov, not Sorokin. Interestingly Varlamov had a slightly better save% in the game but the isles lost in the shootout. Doesn’t take away from Wolf however.

 

[Rubi]

Goalie stats after tonight's games. 7+ games played.
Wolf is tied for 2nd place in Sv%

 

[Bounces R Way]

 

[crackdown44]

Yeah he stops all the pucks but is he big? Makes you think

 

[Bond]

No he doesn't. In the conversation, yes. Favorite, no.
Goalies are always at a disadvantage in Calder voting because they don't play every game.

I'd guess he'd finish 4th in voting if the season ended today behind Stankoven, Michkov and Hutson

He will become the favourite if he drags the Flames into the playoffs

 

[Czechboy]

Happy for him.. sad for vladar. It was being split evenly and now, rightfully, it seems to be more wolf.

 

[1989]

Big fan of Wolf and in no way trying to make a real comparison here to GOATs but it is notable that the best goalies have historically been somewhere between 6'0" - 6'3" and Wolf is listed at 6'0" himself, so to say size is the factor he was drafted late is a little strange.

Like yeah, "you can't teach size" or whatever, but the biggest monster good goalies are rarer than great goalies of average height. Roy, Lundqvist, Hasek, Brodeur, Kiprusoff, Luongo and Quick are all in that range.

Speaking of Quick, he signed a stick for Wolf as he learned that Wolf idolized him growing up. Class move.

 

[Arthur Morgan]

Wolf sucks so much..... you should trade him to the Leafs

kids incredible. I always knew he would be good but didnt think he would be this good

 

[archangel2]

lets see his stats at game 40 when he has been through team a few times

 

[Rubi]

lets see his stats at game 40 when he has been through team a few times

If there was a player that I'd bet money on it would be Dustin Wolf. Consistency is his middle name. He's no flash in the pan on a hot streak. He's consistently been the best at his position and more in every league he's played in. He has multiple Goalie of the Year honors in both the WHL/CHL and AHL and a league MVP award in the AHL.. This kid is money in the bank.

 

[SI90]

Big fan of Wolf and in no way trying to make a real comparison here to GOATs but it is notable that the best goalies have historically been somewhere between 6'0" - 6'3" and Wolf is listed at 6'0" himself, so to say size is the factor he was drafted late is a little strange.

Like yeah, "you can't teach size" or whatever, but the biggest monster good goalies are rarer than great goalies of average height. Roy, Lundqvist, Hasek, Brodeur, Kiprusoff, Luongo and Quick are all in that range.

Speaking of Quick, he signed a stick for Wolf as he learned that Wolf idolized him growing up. Class move.

It was the one “knock” against him. His numbers and play in the WHL would have justified him being a top 60 pick. What other reason was there that he dropped so far?

It’s not Like Devon Levi who started putting up elite NCAA numbers AFTER he was drafted.