Calgary Flames' Dustin Wolf gets big opportunity to showcase potential

CALGARY — It would be a tad overdramatic to declare that the Dustin Wolf era has officially begun.

But with Thursday’s declaration the 22-year-old will be with the Calgary Flames until the end of the season, it’s tough to imagine a scenario in which he isn’t one of the team’s two starters moving forward for years to come.

“This is definitely the opportunity I’ve been hoping and waiting for, and now is the chance to take advantage of it,” said Wolf.

 “This is the place I want to be as much as I possibly can.

“It’s a good opportunity for myself to be in this locker room and be around the guys for the next month, and hopefully more."

His ability to finally settle in stems from the decision to have Dan Vladar undergo season-ending hip surgery.

Vladar had been dealing with the ailment for some time and had long known he’d punctuate the season by going under the knife.

However, with the club looking to give Wolf more NHL experience, it certainly makes sense for Vladar to have his procedure next week, which will also give the 26-year-old Czech goalie plenty of time to undergo rehabilitation and be ready to start next season on time.

One can assume he’ll do so as Wolf’s tandem mate, as Markstrom’s fate as summertime trade bait seems sealed.

Returning from a lower-body injury Thursday, Markstrom spoke for the first time since Mar. 1 when he voiced frustration over the way things were handled “up top” as rumours swirled around the possibility of him being moved before the deadline.

“It’s been a relief not talking to you guys,” said Markstrom, half-jokingly, before making it patently clear he wasn’t interested in revisiting anything to do with trade talk or his future.

“We look forward now.”

Had he spoken to GM Craig Conroy about his situation?

“Huge game Saturday, big practice tomorrow,” smiled Markstrom, who will get the start Saturday in Vancouver.

Does the man with the no-movement clause sees himself with the club long-term?

“Huge practice tomorrow. We’ve got to look forward now. Everyone in this room is going to be here now. 

“I’ve got a contract for two more years, and I’m just excited to be back playing.”

How many starts he’ll get is now one of the biggest talking points for a fan base that has long hoped Wolf would get to run with the ball once the club’s playoff hopes are officially extinguished. 

That day is coming soon.

“Both will play,” was all Ryan Huska was willing to commit to, as the team is still very much in the mindset of having to beat the Canucks to stay within reach of the eighth-place Golden Knights.

“The opportunity to watch a true number one NHL goaltender on a daily basis is the biggest thing for (Wolf).

“Other than that, when he gets his starts he wants to make sure he keeps proving to himself that he is a guy that should be getting more games. That’s what it really comes down to.”  

There were kudos all around for Vladar’s fortitude in playing through the injury, and for being the sort of supportive teammate Wolf now hopes to be for Markstrom, from whom he can learn plenty.

And the man with 10 NHL appearances this season can do it without worrying about being sent down for a fifth time.

“I’ve kind of been up and down a lot all year so there hasn’t been a whole lot of time to adjust where my feet are at,” said the AHL's two-time goalie of the year, and reigning MVP, of the nomadic existence that has marked his third full professional season. 

“Every time you go up and down there’s a few days of adjustment period, as you’ve got different calibre of players.

"These are the best players in the world up here and that’s exactly where you want to be, playing against the best.

“There’s always learning experiences whether you win or lose games.

“Every day I come in here I learn something new about the team, about a teammate or how I can better myself as a player and a person.”

He can learn plenty from watching how Markstrom approaches every game and practice, but the reality is he’s best served by learning on the job, in net, against NHL players.

“He’s been playing good hockey for years, (but) the transition, it’s a different game and it takes time,” said Markstrom, 34, who spent parts of seven seasons in Florida and Vancouver as a backup before earning a starting job.

“For me, it took almost 10 years to kind of figure everything out.

“You’ve got to play games to get better, and to learn, and I think he’s been doing great when he comes in.”

The key to any goalie’s success, said Markstrom, is the mental side of the game.

“Even now, I go through stretches where I feel like the game is so fast,” he said.

“And then when I feel good, and have success in my play, the game is really slow, you’re in position and just waiting for it.”

Waiting for it is something Wolf knows all about.