When Skill Isn’t Enough

When it comes to making it to the NHL, you have to be good. Like top 64 in the world good. However, this is not always the case. In reality, opportunity and team depth play a significant role in a goalie's journey to the NHL. The weaker a team's depth, the more likely a goalie is to get playing time and ultimately make it to the big leagues. Calgary’s Dustin Wolf is a great example of this.

Opportunity Knocks

While skill is undoubtedly essential for any aspiring NHL goalie, it is not enough to guarantee a spot on a team. Most of the time, young goalies get sent to the AHL for “development.” After a year or two they are either deemed ready, or they don’t get resigned right? Well not so fast.

Dustin Wolf, has been the AHL’s goalie leader for 2 consecutive years. He is a crazy 82-20-6 with a .936 SV%. Those are elite numbers.

How come he only has 1 NHL game?

Because depth matters.

Calgary is paying Jakob Markstrom and Dan Vladar a lot of money. They are both solid goalies and both capable of leading Calgary to a winning season.

Yes, I know Calgary stinks, but hockey is a team game remember?

There is just no room for Wolf at this time, And that sucks.

When you look at someone like Devon Levi (who is a stellar goalie in his own right), he made the jump to the NHL straight out of college.

Does that mean Levi is better than Wolf? Maybe but statistically Wolf is the best goalie not in the NHL. Wolf also had a year and a half of pro hockey under his belt before Levi even entered the league.

Why does Levi get a sniff when Wolf is riding the bus in the Iron League?

Simple, it’s about depth and team strength.

Buffalo was terrible last year, they didn’t make playoffs, and games didn’t matter so why not give Levi some minutes? He took advantage of his opportunity and ran with it.

Calgary was fighting for a playoff spot with a few games remaining in the season. You’re going to play your big guns until the very end.

Ultimately, opportunity and team depth have a profound impact on a goalie's chances of getting games and ultimately making it to the show.

We as goalies can only control the variables we can control and be ready for our opportunity when it arises.

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