Goalie with under 100 games is about to land a $50M contract

Despite fewer than 100 NHL games, Wolf's breakout rookie season has put him in line for a contract that could exceed $50 million.

Wolf stepped in as the Flames' starter in the second half of last year and delivered strong results. In 53 games, he posted a 2.64 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage.

That performance earned him second place in Calder Trophy voting and even a Vezina vote. All of this came while earning just $850,000, making him one of the league's biggest bargains.

Wolf confirmed to Postmedia's Wes Gilbertson that contract talks are already underway.

His rise is backed by a history of success. He dominated the WHL, then starred in the AHL, winning multiple awards including league MVP in 2022-23. That track record gives Calgary reason to believe he can anchor their net for years.

The tricky part is the price. AFP Analytics projects a six-year deal worth just over $8 million annually, which would push him into the $50 million range. That's rare territory for someone with such a short NHL résumé.

As noted by Sportsnet, timing could be everything, since the rising salary cap might drive his price even higher if he builds on last season.

Still, there's risk for both sides. If Wolf stumbles, the Flames may regret a huge commitment. If he thrives, waiting could make the eventual deal far more expensive.

Personally, I think this is one of the most fascinating contract negotiations in the league right now.