Markstrom ready when coach calls
Swedish netminder with World Cup experience won’t get drawn into Canucks’ goalie debate
Jacob Markstrom wouldn’t take the bait. When asked how many games he expects to play this National Hockey League season, he knew any figure would stir smouldering embers of a goalie controversy and ignite an ongoing debate. Smart guy.
“Let’s get to the playoffs — that’s it,” the Vancouver Canucks stopper suggested Thursday. “Stuff can happen. I could get sent down to the minors, injuries can happen. Whenever the coach tells me to play, I’m ready to play.
“I was really successful in Sweden as a teenager and when I came here (North America), I just thought it would keep rolling. I realized pretty quick (trade from Florida) that you have to start from scratch and earn everything.”
Markstrom can let his play do the talking and the selling to coach Willie Desjardins. Fresh from the World Cup, where he backstopped his native Sweden to a 2-1 victory over Russia in the tournament opener in place of the ailing Henrik Lundqvist, the 27-save effort was compelling and comforting.
It was further proof that his puck tracking, glove movement and game preparation have evolved to a point where dividing the net with Ryan Miller should be based on performance and not seniority — or the fact the Canucks have eight games condensed into 15 games and three back-to-backs to start their grind and need both goalies to excel.
Canucks general manager Jim Benning rightfully said Miller is his No.1 goalie, but also suggested he might log as many as 55 starts. That would leave Markstrom with 27, five fewer than last season where his statistics mirrored Miller. Benning then played the diplomacy card and said he has two good goalies — which he does — and that the coach would determine the deployment.
Markstrom went 13-14-3 with a 2.73 goals-against average and .915 saves percentage last season while Miller went 17-24-6 with a 2.70 GAA and .916 percentage. Markstrom, 26, was rewarded with a three-year, US$11-million contract extension that kicks in for the 2017-18 season while Miller, 36, becomes and unrestricted free agent July 1.
“When you’ve got two good goaltenders, you might as well use them and we’re going to sort that out as we go,” said Desjardins. “It depends on how they play.
“You can have a plan but if guys are playing great, or not so great, it changes the plan. I think Jacob learned a lot from Ryan last year in preparing for games and that’s why he took a big step in his progression.
“And that Russian game (World Cup) was huge for him. It really did something for his confidence and he wants to push for the No. 1 job.”
Markstrom is healthy and in a better place than a year ago. He suffered a hamstring injury in practice just prior to the regular season, but served notice in his first start with a 42-save effort in a Nov. 10 win at Columbus. Markstrom would also fill in admirably when Miller missed eight games when dehydration led to cramping and a groin strain on Dec. 20.
Markstrom lauded the World Cup practice environment with Sweden and working with Lundqvist. Instead of angst, it was all about the anticipation of facing sharp shooters and learning just by watching Lundqvist go about his craft.
“I played half a (pre-tourney) game against Finland in Helsinki and felt really confident,” added Markstrom. “At first, I was a little nervous, but then I was super excited and I couldn’t wait to get out there. Lundqvist is really intense in practice. He goes really hard every day when he steps on the ice and it’s really good to see that. He has a style that’s not similar to me, but I never had a chance to sit down and talk to him before.
“It was fun and awesome with the best-on-best tournament and it was just a super feeling to remember if I ever get down.”
The road back to the playoffs is filled with potholes. The offensively challenged Canucks are hoping free-agent acquisition Loui Eriksson meshes with Henrik and Daniel Sedin as well as he did at the World Cup. They hope Erik Gubranson will bring toughness and leadership to the back end and they hope Bo Horvat and Sven Baertschi can take another step and hit the 20-goal plateau. They also hope to stay healthy.
What they don’t have to hope for is goaltending. Miller and Markstrom are expected to steal games to keep the Canucks in the playoff conversation. As for who plays more games, it’s up to them.
OF NOTE: Several line combinations were used Thursday in preparation for Friday’s pre-season game in Calgary. Most notable were Burrows-Horvat-Dorsett, Baertschi-Granlund-Rodin, Rendulic-Chaput-Skille, Labate-Ruutu-Grenier. Winger Jake Virtanen (bruised shoulder) skated on his own Thursday and is expected to return to practice in the next two days. Goalie Michael Garteig has been assigned to Utica.