What if Flames started next season with 3 goalies? Plus development camp notes and more

CALGARY — Goaltending is among the many questions surrounding the Calgary Flames this offseason. The Flames’ goaltending just hasn’t had its shine because of more pressing questions around the futures of pending unrestricted free agents like Elias Lindholm, Mikael Backlund and Noah Hanifin.

As the Flames were expected to be players in the trade market, backup goaltender Dan Vladar was projected to be a trade piece with his $2.2 million AAV, which would make way for incoming prospect Dustin Wolf to serve as a No. 2 to Jacob Markstrom. Even though Wolf has only started one NHL game, there is belief in the organization that he could be an NHL goaltender right now.

“Obviously, being goalie of the year twice, two years in a row an MVP,” Flames director of goaltending Jordan Sigalet said during Flames development camp this past weekend. “Just how consistent he’s been, the way he played in his one NHL game at the end of the year.”

Instead, the inactivity has led to a fascinating topic of discussion among media circles in Calgary: the possibility of the Flames beginning the season with three goalies sharing the net. It doesn’t appear as if the Flames want a scenario where three goalies are sharing time. So, at the very least, it sets up a training camp battle between Vladar and Wolf for the backup role unless Markstrom is not at 100 percent.

“I guess at the end of the day it’s a good problem to have three good goalies that could play,” Sigalet said.

For argument’s sake, let’s quickly consider the pros and cons of working through a three-goalie rotation. The Flames are already trying to manage Markstrom’s games played per season. Vladar would help, but having another young goaltender in Wolf would help alleviate some of that pressure, too, while giving him some minutes. During the 2020-21 pandemic-shortened, border-restricted campaign, teams dressed No. 3 goalies as a way to give their starters full days off. If Markstrom needs one, Wolf could be called up in short order to at least hang around on the bench. It helps that Wolf will be in the same city as opposed to being in Stockton or any of the Flames’ previous minor-league affiliates.

At the same time, it sure would help if the Flames could call up Wolf — or any of their prospects and youngsters — without being so close to the cap. Unless injuries are a factor, it is pretty rare to see a team willingly use three goalies in the salary-cap era. For example, the Carolina Hurricanes spread out playing time between their three goaltenders out of necessity rather than luxury. In any case, it did allow time for 24-year-old Pyotr Kochetkov to see the net alongside Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta.

Canes goalies 2022-23

Player

Games played

Wins

Losses

OTL

GAA

SV%

34

21

11

1

2.48

0.903

27

19

3

3

2.23

0.910

24

12

7

5

2.44

0.909

But of course, there is the tension that comes with three goalies all wanting to play. Sigalet made one NHL appearance during his playing career, suiting up for the Boston Bruins during the 2005-06 campaign. They used three other netminders that season: Calder Trophy winner Andrew Raycroft, 2002 first-round pick Hannu Toivonen and journeyman goalie Tim Thomas.

“It’s tough,” Sigalet said. “Every goalie wants the net. It’s not the healthiest situation.”

Another element that hasn’t been mentioned as much is Wolf’s waiver-exempt status. He’d need to play 79 more games before he loses it. Wolf is also in the final season of his entry-level deal that will make him a pending restricted free agent at the end of the 2023-24 campaign. The Flames aren’t in a position where they could risk losing him by having him sent down to their minor-league affiliate and they are prepared to have him start at the American League level if they have to.

“Maybe if the right deal comes along, we’ll make a move to make room for him. But I think he’s the kind of kid that if he does have to start in the American Hockey League, he’s going to give it his all and continue to prove people wrong.”

How will Matthew Coronato get into the best possible shape?

It was no surprise to see Matthew Coronato among the Flames’ standout players at development camp. He’s accumulated significant experience playing against pro players in recent months thanks to his lone NHL game appearance and representing Team USA at the IIHF World Championship in Finland and Latvia. Oh, and he found time to continue his studies in psychology at Harvard University. According to GM Craig Conroy, Flames legend and senior advisor Jarome Iginla took the 20-year-old aside during camp and commended him for his work ethic during drills and for performing at a “high pace.”

“To be in the NHL and be a real top player, you’ve got to continue to do that,” Conroy said. “Not just here, but when you go back home.”

As the Flames prepare to integrate younger talent into the fold, many eyes have focused on Coronato. While not officially guaranteed a spot, he’s expected to find himself on the opening-day roster by the end of training camp. Considering their current options at right wing, the Flames will surely need him.

Coronato knows he has to put the work in, whether it’s with his conditioning or his shot.

“My goal right now for the rest of summer is just to keep getting better and come into camp in the best possible shape that I can and put myself in the best possible position,” Coronato said.

So, how will Coronato get there? Well, the 21-year-old has already spent part of his offseason working with Jon DiFlorio of Institute 3E back in his hometown of Long Island, N.Y. This is the third consecutive offseason Coronato has worked with DiFlorio, a strength coach who works with NHLers Sonny Milano, Shane Pinto and Keith Kinkaid in addition to college and junior players.

DiFlorio says improving Coronato’s pace and tempo will be their priority over the next month and a half before he returns to Calgary in late August. Essentially, he’ll be putting in work to improve his first few skating strides and speed while also getting stronger. Coronato already began a structural balance training phase about a month before he joined the Flames for development camp as well as focused training on speed and strength. DiFlorio likes to pair his clients with other similar calibre players, and it’s likely Coronato will match up with Milano during his training sessions.

“I think he’s a guy who is going to really excel from creating time and space for himself,” DiFlorio said. “A lot of the strength and speed qualities are going to really benefit him. Again, it’s about creating time and space for himself. So, guys who are best zero to five metres. I think, for a top-six guy, he’s got to be really, really explosive and have some good thrust in his skating.”

Observations from development camp

Thirty-eight prospects took part in the Flames development camp at WinSport last week. They were all subjected to on-ice drills and evaluations, off-ice workouts and a handful of three-on-three mini scrimmages on the final day. The winning team from the three-on-three games was awarded the ‘Snowy Cup,’ named after Flames assistant GM Chris Snow who was diagnosed with ALS over four years ago.

The camp allowed media and fans to see draft picks like Samuel Honzek for the first time. The Vancouver Giants product showed off the skill that enticed the Flames to take him at No. 16 in addition to his large frame. His quick release also caught the attention of a handful of onlookers, including Iginla.

“He was talking to me about my shot,” Honzek said. “At the next camps, I need to work on a quicker release and work on dropping a shoulder and faking shots. He said I have a really good shot. But I can use it, definitely more when I cut to the top of the circle and (I’m) closer to the net and definitely I can shoot more. It was really good that he told me that and I’ll work on it.”

Étienne Morin: The puck-moving, offensive defenceman has the tools to already be considered his team’s best prospect at the position. He knows he needs to work on his defence, and his positioning (body and stick) will need more adjusting and fine-tuning when he returns to junior. He found himself getting beat at times in one-on-one play, but the skating and offence are there for the Quebecer.

William Stromgren: Even if there weren’t too many ‘wow’ moments from the 2021 second-rounder at camp, it was good to see him play a role on the winning three-on-three team. Now that he’s signed, he’ll get an opportunity to show off his talent in North America with the Wranglers later this fall.

Jaden Lipinski: Lipinski’s frame was quite noticeable, with his broad shoulders encompassing his 6-foot-4 frame. He tried his best to show off his hands during net-front drills at camp, but his size will serve him well as he develops.

Callum Chisholm: The defenceman played with a mean streak during camp and was unafraid of being physical along the boards and in open play.

Chad Hillebrand: It felt like he did something good every time he took to the ice, especially during the scrimmage. He has some quickness and was unafraid of powering to the net when he needed to. He was almost as good at the other end of the ice, getting a shot block and regaining possession as an oncoming forward came at him during three-on-three play. Hillebrand was even given the Fitness Award by the team at the end of camp.

(Top photo of Dustin Wolf: Sergei Belski / USA Today)