If your Joey Daccord getting disrespected sensor has been flashing – every self-respecting Seattle Kraken fan owns one – we figured out why. The culprit is a misguided story regarding the 2026 Winter Olympics.
A Sports Illustrated scribbler had the temerity to write, “When Team USA announced the 44-player group that will be cut down to the 25-man roster going to the Milano-Cortiva Games, (Calgary Flames goalie Dustin) Wolf’s name was a noticeable snub. In his place was Seattle Kraken net minder Joey Daccord. Daccord enters camp as the superfluous fourth goalie.”
Them’s fightin’ words. Joey Daccord is never, never, ever, superfluous (whatever that means).
Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Dustin Wolf may be all that and a bag of chips. As a rookie last season, he finished second in Calder Trophy voting for rookie of the year. Impressive and deserved, no doubt. But better than Daccord? We could dismiss this sacrilege with analytics – in fact, we will. But the point is most vividly brought home by this imaginary two-person playlet, set in the office of Kraken general manager Jason Botterill.
(Phone rings.)
Jason Botterill: Hello?
Craig Conroy: Hi, Jason. This is Calgary Flames general manager Craig Conroy.
Botterill: Craig, why so formal? I know who you are.
Conroy: I know you do, but the people reading this playlet might not.
Botterill: Okay, makes sense.
Conroy: The reason I’m calling, I’d like to trade my goalie, Dustin Wolf, straight up for your goalie, Joey Daccord.
Botterill: Craig, I need to mute you for a second.
(Botterill pushes mute button on his phone)
Botterill: BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA…
(Unmutes phone)
Botterill: …HAHAHA.. (cough)… Sorry, Craig, no can do.
The two most widely used statistics regarding goalies are goals-against average (GAA) and save percentage (SV%). Wolf held a slight edge over Daccord in both during the 2024-25 season.
- Wolf: 53 games, 29-16-8, 2.64 GAA, .910 SV%
- Daccord: 57 games, 27-23-5, 2.76 GAA, .906 SV%
Based on those numbers, SI.com’s Jacob Punturi concludes, “Wolf was simply the better goalie than Daccord last year. No disrespect to Daccord, but leaving Wolf off this group (Team USA goalies) in his favor is a huge mistake.” Are you sure, Jacob? Moneypuck.com tells a different story.
Among 45 netminders who played 30 or more games last season, Daccord ranked 10th in “Goals saved above expected per 60 minutes” (+.348). Wolf finished 19th (+.224). How about “Save percentage above expected?” Daccord 11th, Wolf 19th. “Medium danger SV% above expected?” Daccord 11th, Wolf 22nd. “High danger SV% above expected?” Daccord 17th, Wolf 29th.
It’s less scientific – and probably piling on – to point out that Calgary finished 15th in goals against last season, while Seattle finished 24th. That would indicate the Flames played better team defense. The Flames also finished with 20 more standings points than the Kraken (96-76), indicating a stronger squad overall.
For valid reasons, Wolf is the flavor of the month among hockey observers. PuckProse.com just ran a story headlined, Why Calgary’s Dustin Wolf is still the most overlooked goalie in hockey. It concludes, “Whether it’s Calgary or Milano-Cortina, the NHL world needs to stop sleeping on Dustin Wolf.” Sure. But don’t hit the snooze alarm on Seattle’s charismatic, athletic, and talented man between the pipes at Climate Pledge Arena.
Punturi also uses Wolf’s youth (he’s 24 to Daccord’s 29) to advocate for the Calgary goalie. “The current group of goalies representing the United States are in their primes. (Dallas’ Jake) Oettinger and (Boston’s Jeremy) Swayman are 26, while (Winnipeg’s Connor) Hellebuyck is the elder statesman at 32. As the youngest option, it would have been to his and the United States’ benefit to at least have Wolf at orientation camp.”
No sale, or need to set aside a rocking chair for Joey just yet. Daccord and Swayman in May backstopped the USA to its first IIHF World Championship in 92 years. That’s valuable and successful experience on the international stage. If Wolf is as good as his rookie season, and we have no doubt he will be, there will be Olympic opportunities in his future, too.
But snubbed? Pardon me while I put you on mute.
BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA…