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Dustin Wolf put the Flames on his back in 2024-25 
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Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Raz Devraj
May 15, 2025, 14:00 EDTUpdated: May 15, 2025, 00:32 EDT
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After Jacob Markstrom’s departure, the Calgary Flames wondered what their situation would be like in goal. Their top goaltending prospect, Dustin Wolf, was ready to take that next step after dominating the American Hockey League for the past couple of seasons. The Flames knew they would be running a tandem of Wolf and Dan Vladar, but what they didn’t know was which one of them was going to take the reins as the starting goaltender.
With only 18 NHL games to his name heading into the 2024-25 season, and nothing about those performances that screamed that Wolf was ready to be a difference maker at the NHL level, the Flames had no idea whether they were going to have a true number one goaltender between the pipes for a season that didn’t really hold any expectations. 
82 games later, not only did Wolf prove he was ready to be a true starting goaltender in the NHL, but he put the Flames on his back and propelled them to a 41-27-14 season that nobody expected. 

Wolf’s 2024-25 expectations

For three consecutive seasons with the Calgary Wranglers/Stockton Heat, Wolf posted a save percentage of .922 or better. The number of records and awards Wolf earned during his time in the AHL was endless, from winning the Best Goaltender in the AHL award twice, having the most wins in back-to-back seasons, and having the best goals against average, save percentage, and most shutouts, as well as winning AHL MVP in 2023. There was nothing else Wolf could have possibly done in the minors to prove he was ready to take that next step.
Heading into the 2024-25 season, the expectation was for Wolf and Vladar to essentially be a 1A/1B tandem. After Markstrom’s departure, and the advantage in NHL experience Vladar had over Wolf, we were expected to see more of Vladar than we had in the past. There was no expectation for Wolf to come in and take over the starting role right away. Letting him ease into a full-time NHL role and get comfortable as the season progressed was the most important thing. At the same time, with a questionable defensive group on paper, making sure Wolf’s confidence remained high was a top priority, and that he wouldn’t be subjected to playing a lot of the league’s top teams, especially early on in the season. Obviously, as the season progressed and he continued to prove he could handle it, Wolf graduated from being the inexperienced newbie to the guy who was relied upon to save the day. 

How Wolf did in 2024-25

To say Wolf was spectacular in his rookie season would be an understatement. Shattering expectations, Wolf made one thing clear almost right away; he’s ready to take the reins as the starting goaltender for the Flames and based on what we saw this season, be a damn good one. Everyone knew the potential Wolf had, but no one knew how long it would take to see that potential in action. Fortunately for the Flames and the future of this franchise, it seems as though that potential has already turned into reality. What Wolf did this season was a rare occurrence and not something most goalies are capable of doing in their first season in the NHL.
Through 52 games played, Wolf posted a .910 save percentage and a 2.64 goals against average. Wolf collected three shutouts as well and was named a Calder Trophy finalist. The Flames went from a projected bottom-10 team in the NHL to being a couple of regulation wins away from the last playoff spot when the season was all said and done. The main reason the Flames were even able to get that close to a playoff spot was because of Wolf.
There were countless times where games could have gotten out of hand early or close games in which the Flames flat out didn’t even deserve to be in, but because of the brick wall they had in Wolf night in and night out, they knew they had a chance to win every game.  Wolf gave the rest of the roster a level of confidence they otherwise wouldn’t have had. You just play better knowing you have a goaltender that can and will bail you out when needed, and Wolf did that on a consistent basis. The Flames struggled to score goals all season, and because of Wolf’s play on most nights, they didn’t need to. Having the second-fewest goals for in the league but the fifth-lowest goals against as well (having a healthy winning record while also being in the negatives for goal differential) is just more evidence as to how dominant Wolf was and how crucial he was for the success the Flames were able to achieve. 
Because of how important Wolf was to the Flames this season, it wouldn’t even be crazy to suggest that he could have been a Hart Trophy finalist, and if the Flames did make the playoffs, not only would Wolf winning the Calder almost be a lock (it would still be hard to completely overlook Lane Hutson’s ridiculous season) but #Wolf4Hart would have been a trending hashtag. 

Next season’s expectations

How Wolf performs next season will be a very good indication of what’s to come from the 24-year-old netminder in the future and whether or not 2024-25 Wolf is the new normal. Wolf set the bar extremely high in his first season, which means the expectation is for him to pick up right where he left off. While Wolf undoubtedly snatched the starting goaltender job right away and will be looked at as “the guy” heading into the 2025-26 season, it’s important he continues his stellar play and doesn’t become a “one-hit wonder.” Wolf had a more than terrific season, but now the question is whether that ridiculously dominant play is sustainable or not. 
If we have learned anything about this franchise over the last few years, it’s that rebuilding and tanking are never the option. This group, whether they look good on paper or not, will find a way to compete, and with over $17 million in cap space, they are bound to do something in the off-season. If the playoffs are this team’s goal, which they most definitely are, Wolf is going to have to be at the top of his game again.
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