The Calgary Flames surprised the hockey world last season, missing the playoffs by just one regulation win despite entering with expectations of a rebuilding team that could finish near the bottom.
While many players factored into the team’s success, a lot of it can be attributed to the performance of star rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf. The 24-year-old was the backbone of the Flames all season long, going 29-16-8 with a 2.64 goals against average, a .910 save percentage, and three shutouts on the year.
His brilliance earned a second-place finish behind only Lane Hutson in rookie of the year voting, and as he now enters the final year of a two-year, $1,700,000 contract, talks about an extension to stay in Calgary have already begun.
Flames reporter Wes Gilbertson spoke to Wolf on Friday, who shared some insight into those contract negotiations.
“They’re working, that’s about all I can really tell you. There’s talks, but nothing really confirmed yet. I’d love to stay here and I think they want me to stay here, as well. So as soon as something comes to fruition where both of us like where we’re at, I’m sure it won’t be long after that point where pen will be to paper,” Wolf said.
Wolf is poised to receive a massive pay raise on his next deal, which will almost certainly come in Calgary, as they hold his RFA rights. The Flames let veteran backup Dan Vladar walk in free agency this offseason, demonstrating their confidence in Wolf taking over the net for the long haul.
The seventh-round pick (214th overall) from back in 2019 had a dominant AHL career for the Calgary Wranglers, and that success translated into the NHL. It’s fair to question whether the Flames should commit to a long-term extension after just one full season, but what Dustin Wolf showed in 2024-25 was the makings of one of the best goalies in the world just getting started.
