Dustin Wolf ProRead 3

THE SEQUENCE

Wolf’s first NHL game came against the San Jose Sharks, against a team and players he grew up watching and cheering for in northern California, and in this Pro Reads video session he breaks down a power play chance, touching on everything from the importance of studying opponents, to looking off the puck, to managing a screen, tip awareness and skate or slide decisions on one-timers.

As the puck comes back to Norris Trophy-winner Erik Karlsson at the point, what are the most dangerous options you would be focused on as the goalie?

Clearly there is a one-timer available on Karlsson’s right as well as a screen and tip option, but what factors about the potential shooter would you look for when choosing a path across – and whether to take it on the skate or knees?

What do you make of Wolf’s positioning at this point?

THE SAVE

Now watch the save and ask yourself the same questions. Watch the replay from behind the net and see if you can spot how Wolf maintains good awareness.

What parts of that sequence that stood out to you?

Did you spot how Wolf established early awareness on the pass option?

What did you think of his screen management?

What did you think of his depth on the eventual shot? He certainly wasn’t aggressive on the one-timer, but other than timing and the need to prioritize getting across on it, can you see any other reason not to take too much ice?

THE PRO READ

Now let’s hear Wolf on his approach on all those different elements.

Wolf starts by talking about the importance of a good pre-scout and how teams tend to run the same plays over and over on the power play, but of course you might not have detailed video available at lower levels, so in that case can you see how he could identify the one-timer with two early looks off the puck, and how he knew Couture was far enough away he had time to get across on his skates?

“If you can look as many times as you can it just gives you good awareness of what the possible next play could be,” Wolf said of those two peeks off the puck. “As soon as I take this look, I know this guy is tickling the rafters for a 1T so as soon as Karlsson gets the puck he’s either going to put it to the net or give it to the 1T.”

Wolf also talked about finding “near” or short side vision around the screen, but the forward still does a good job of blocking his sight line on the pass, which is where that early look comes in handy again as he pushes across.

“Guys are good at taking away your eyes but you know what likely is going to happen,” Wolf re-iterated. “As soon as the puck is going to the left side I know I can just get over there and try to get my feet set and get my angle.”

As for his depth decision, it’s not all about the one-timer.

Wolf has to respect the net front tip option as well.

“He’s just sitting there waiting for it,” Wolf said. “Some guys at net front are really, really good, they’ll sit practically at the back post. He’s in middle of my paint so even if he does get a tip on this he’s probably putting it into me or I’m in a good position already to have a chance, but if his blade is an extra foot or two back that gives him as a shooter a way better opportunity if it were to go for a tip.”

There’s plenty more to come from Wolf’s lengthy Pro Reads session, and more NHL footage soon for future breakdowns, but in the meantime be sure to check out some of our past articles featuring the Flames promising prospect in the archives, including the Panda, a unique save selection to wide net drives: