FLAMES RETOOL TRACKER: Can Dustin Wolf avoid sophomore slump?
Article content
Can he, though? The sophomore slump is infamous in every sport and the idea that players in their second year often take a step back is almost accepted as fact.
Is it true for goalies, though?
If we look at the three most recent goaltenders who earned Calder Trophy nominations, it's hard to come up with any real consensus.
Previous Calder nominees in Year 2
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner is the most recent example. After posting a .914 save percentage in his Calder-nominated season, he followed it up by posting a .905 mark in 2023-24.
A couple years earlier, Alex Nedeljkovic posted a .932 save percentage with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2020-21 to a .901 the next season when he was with the Detroit Red Wings.
A few years prior to that, Jordan Binnington earned a Calder nomination after putting up a .927 save percentage in 2018-19 with the St. Louis Blues and then followed it up with a .912 the next season.
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