Flames forced to make a move in goal with Markstrom out

The Calgary Flames announced earlier today that goaltender Jacob Markstrom will be out of the team's lineup day to day with a lower body injury.

In a corresponding move, the team has recalled goaltender Dustin Wolf from the AHL's Calgary Wranglers.

The 33 year old Markstrom is 13-11-2 in 26 starts with the Flames so far this season, sporting a 2.59 goals against average and a .912 save percentage. Meanwhile, Wolf has been on fire (pun intended) for the Wrangers this season. The 22 year old reigning AHL goalie of the year has 16 wins in 23 starts with a sparking 2.27 goals against average and a .929 save percentage.

Wolf did manage to get into five games with the Flames earlier this season when Markstrom was out with injury again, so this won't be his first taste of NHL action.

Manwhile, Markstrom continues to factor into trade rumors around the NHL. The big Swede still has two more seasons left on a deal that pays him $6 million annually. Depending on how long Markstrom is out of action, this move could open the door for Wolf much like how Markstrom's injury with the Vancouver Canucks back in 2020 opened the door for Thatcher Demko. At the time Demko was a 22 year old prospect with some truly staggering accomplishments at the AHL level. Ditto for Wolf. Markstrom went down with injury, Demko stepped into the full-time role and truly hasn't looked back. He's now seen as one of the best goaltenders in the NHL just a few years later at age 27. The path is there for Wolf to follow, but it'll be up to him to take advantage of the opportunity.

Suffice it to say that a Markstrom trade would essentially clear the runway for Wolf to attain the Flames' starting position. I'm not so certain that's a smart move at this point though. When you look around the NHL at young goaltenders who were thrust into the spotlight, Demko is the rare outlier. For every Demko who hits it off right away there's a Carter Hart or Devon Levi out there struggling. The Flames would be wise to work Wolf along a little more slowly so that he has time to acclimate to the big leagues.