Flames’ Dustin Wolf deserves more respect in the Calder Trophy race
We’ve reached the midway point of the season, so awards talk has been on some people’s minds as we look at some of the performances over the course of the first half of the season.
One of the most interesting award races is the Calder Trophy, which right now looks like a two-horse fight between Macklin Celebrini and Lane Hutson. But Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf also deserves some respect in this race, as he’s playing like a starting goalie in his first full season with a 15-6-2 record, a .916 save percentage, and two shutouts.
Steven Ellis joined Daily Faceoff for their Next Wave segment to talk about Wolf and how he might push himself into the Calder Trophy race.
Steven Ellis: It’s always tough for a goaltender to go out there and win the Calder Trophy, but I think Dustin Wolf’s got a huge argument here. When I’m looking at this top four [of Lane Hutson, Macklin Celebrini, Matvei Michkov and Wolf], it’s really, really close.
I think with Wolf, he’s putting up just a lot of the same performances that we saw make him so valuable in the AHL. And earlier in the season, he wasn’t getting a ton of tough starts. Like he’s playing games against the Chicago Blackhawks or San Jose Sharks and teams like that. But we saw him shut out the Florida Panthers. We saw him go out there and beat the Vancouver Canucks. He’s had some tougher assignments in the last few weeks, and I think that’s really important as they get more comfortable with him.
Obviously, you’ll look there, will the Flames make a change in goal and make Dustin Wolf that undisputed number one. My prediction was at halfway point he’d be that number one goalie, and he’s playing like a number one goalie right now. Goalie prospects are my favorite because it’s so hard for them to stand out. But what we’re seeing from him this year is true greatness already.
Frank Seravalli: Let me throw some numbers at you quickly. Heading into last night’s game. Wolf had started the last three games, four of five, six of eight, and eight of eleven. He was 6-1-1 in his last eight, and in his last five games, he had a .940 save percentage. So, some incredibly impressive numbers from Wolf.
Steven Ellis: We were always wondering how he was going to transfer over. He’s a smaller goalie, but clearly it hasn’t been an issue.
You can watch the full episode here…