CALGARY — The debate over Dustin Wolfâ€s workload wonâ€t just be a coaching decision. Itâ€ll be a storyline that could very well define the Calgary Flames†season.
And it may start as early as Game 2.
Asked if heâ€d consider starting Wolf on back-to-back nights to open the season in Edmonton and Vancouver, Ryan Huska didnâ€t say no.
“That is putting me on the spot,†he said, smiling, before reverting to the easy out.Â
“Heâ€s going to start the first game, I will tell you that.â€
Well within his rights to dance around it now, heâ€ll indeed be on the spot Thursday morning when his decision will say plenty about how the Flames will move ahead with an unproven backup on their roster.
The departure of Dan Vladar in the off-season will prompt a seismic shift in teamâ€s goaltending philosophy as it pertains to scheduled starts.
Wolfâ€s ascension to the franchiseâ€s undisputed starter late last season ended a first-half approach in which Vladar shielded the rookie from the toughest starts.
Clearly the roles will be reversed now, as the capabilities of 28-year-old AHL journeyman Devin Cooley are very much unknown.
With just six NHL starts to his credit, a shaky second half in the AHL last season and an unimpressive pre-season, would it be prudent to put Cooley in against the same Vancouver team that scored on three of seven shots against him last week?
Wolf is well-rested, and the brutal schedule the Flames are facing this month requires putting your best foot forward right out of the gate.
In fact, Wolf should be tapped to start the first three games over just three-and-a-half days, as the home opener goes Saturday against the St. Louis Blues at 2 p.m. MT / 4 p.m. ET (Sportsnet, Sportsnet+).
Yes, itâ€s a compact schedule due to the Olympics, and the importance of ensuring the Flames†coveted Calder finalist isnâ€t overworked is important.
But Wolf handled workloads like these throughout his dominant runs as perennial goalie-of-the-year candidate in the WHL and AHL.
Finding the sweet spot that will limit his starts to somewhere under 65 is going to be closely monitored as the Flames†success this season will unquestionably be linked to his performance.
“I think a lot of it this year is going to be how Dustin is feeling,†said Flames senior goaltending coach, Jordan Sigalet, who hinted even Game 2â€s decision will be a gut call.
“Itâ€s probably easier to get away with playing back-to-backs early in the season, when the guys are fresh.
“You ask Dustin, heâ€d want to play all 82, but youâ€ve got to be careful. Itâ€s his second year, and heâ€s not a big guy, so thereâ€s a little more wear and tear on him.â€
Much has been made about Wolfâ€s six-foot, 166-pound frame, but it was durable enough to post a 19-8-2 record down the stretch last year when games mattered most.
When you pay for a Ferrari, you drive it.
Besides, heâ€ll likely have three weeks off in February to regenerate.
“I do feel like he can handle a heavy workload,†said Huska, who gave Wolf 53 starts last year, leading to a seven-year, $52.5-million extension for the 24-year-old Californian.
“That doesnâ€t mean heâ€s going to play 76 games this year, but Iâ€m not afraid to go back to him.
“We have to make sure we manage his time off the ice and his rest. If heâ€s having multiple starts along the way based on our schedule, there are days he wonâ€t practice and thatâ€s something we have to do to make sure he stays sharp.â€
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Fair enough. The EBUG will get plenty of practice reps with the lads.
But how many starts Cooley gets will depend on his performance as much as how Wolf is feeling.
Meanwhile, KHL signing Ivan Prosvetov will be working with Wranglers goalie whisperer Mackenzie Skapski, adding structure to his large, athletic frame in case Cooley falters.
“The best thing for Devin to do is make sure when he gets his opportunity heâ€s competitive and gives us a chance to win all the time, and that really shows his partner, ‘Iâ€ve got your back. Iâ€m going to go in and Iâ€m going to win games for you guys,â€â€ said Huska, whose club has eight back-to-backs on the schedule this year.
“Thatâ€s what we need from Devin to allow Dustin the time heâ€s going to need this year.â€
To be fair, Cooley was an AHL all-star last season, posting a 17-6 record, 1.99 goals-against average and .937 save percentage before a January concussion derailed his season. He has the structure, size (six-foot-five) and athleticism to give Sigalet reason to believe heâ€s ready.
“You obviously wanted more out of him in camp but there was a lot of pressure on him while they battled, but we still believe in his talent,†said Sigalet of the 28-year-old backup who may need to post at least a .500 record if the Flames are going to make the playoffs.
“You look back to what he did in the first half and hope he gets back to that.â€
Some argue it would be best to get Cooley a start early (like Game 2) to calm his nerves and boost his confidence.
That could also backfire on him, and more importantly, on the team.
His best entry to the season would be Game 5 in Utah next Wednesday, which is the second half of another back-to-back that starts with Vegas in Calgary the night prior.
A solid start that night by the affable Cooley would go a long way towards easing the pressure on Wolf, and on an organization that may have its playoff fate determined by a backup.
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