Today, I want to talk about goaltending...
When looking at Calgary's forward group and blueline depth, I feel like we can reach similar conclusions. There are certainly some bright spots, but the group as a whole feels a bit incomplete. Is it the same case with the organization's netminders?
Luckily, the Flames possess an undisputed number-one goalie in Jacob Markstrom. Playing in 43 games last season, his numbers were uncharacteristically low. However, one must factor in the team in front of him. Pair that with his more than respectable track record, and counting on Markstrom to serve as a fully capable starting netminder should comfort a large portion of the fanbase.
The issue for the Flames in the net does not revolve around Markstrom. In fact, they involve who is backing him up. Brad Treliving acquired Dan Vladar from Boston earlier this offseason. After him, the list of goalies includes Tyler Parsons, Dustin Wolf, and Adam Werner. All four of those individuals possess two key things in common. They are all under the age of 25 and bring minimal-to-no NHL experience to the table.
Out of peer speculation, Vladar is the likely front-runner of the group to back up Markstrom. Last season he appeared in just five games with the Bruins while playing 10 games with their AHL affiliate in Providence. Although Vladar did show some promise in his brief stint with Boston, the sample size is far too small to feel confident in his ability to serve as a capable number-two for the duration of a full season.
After Vladar, you are looking at either Parsons or Werner. Some may argue that Parsons finally deserves an opportunity. Still, he only played one game last season with Stockton after playing the entirety of the prior year in the ECHL. Werner has two NHL games under his belt but has spent most of his time in North America in the AHL.
With Wolf, Calgary has a 20-year-old goaltender preparing for his first year of professional hockey. The likely, and correct plan will be for him to develop with Stockton, only seeing NHL time if he lights the AHL on fire or the season is lost.
The reality with the Flames goalie situation, as is the case with pretty much every other aspect of the team, is there is far too much uncertainty after Markstrom. Yes, Vladar could serve as a valuable backup, but what if he doesn't? What if Markstrom misses time due to an injury?
Currently, Brad Treliving is dealing with too many unknowns up and down the roster. Before the 2021-22 season begins, he needs to add a "safety net" piece to his goaltending ranks. Maybe not someone who will take the backup role from Vladar outright. Instead, someone who can come in and stabilize the situation if things backfire.
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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