Markstrom’s the man — ‘eventually’
For now, though, Canucks want veteran Miller back in fold to mentor younger counterpart
Jim Benning believes Jacob Markstrom will be the starting goaltender for the Vancouver Canucks. Just not now. But “eventually.” Whenever that is.
The Canucks’ general manager clarified his comments during a TSN interview on Tuesday during which he stated the 27-year-old Markstrom is going “to be the starter moving forward.”
He meant that the plan is to allow Markstrom, whose three-year, US$11-million contract extension kicks in this fall, to continue his transition into that position in a competitive environment with Ryan Miller.
The 36-year-old unrestricted free agent is seeking a contract extension and Benning plans to meet with the veteran goalie’s agent this week at the National Hockey League Draft Combine in Buffalo.
As for Markstrom, playing just 25 games last NHL season — and missing the last 21 games with a knee injury that required surgery in early April — didn’t move the meter much toward being the bonafide starter. So, when will he be anointed? “Eventually,” said Benning. “We’ve been grooming him the last couple of years to be, at some point, our No. 1 goalie, and I’ve been saying that for the last couple of years. I don’t know when that happens, but at some point, that’s what our goal is.”
Part of Benning’s polarizing rationale is that Markstrom needs the mentorship and the competitive push from Miller and that the net shouldn’t just be turned over to anybody. Another part is that Benning doesn’t want his club that’s in some state of a rebuild to be burdened with the tough task of being somewhat competitive without a strong goaltending tandem.
“There’s no worse feeling than trying to develop young players and you get them up and going when you know you don’t have a chance to win,” Benning has told Postmedia News. “Ryan and Jacob have a healthy relationship because they’re competitive and respect each other.
“We have something to offer Ryan that he already knows.
“We’ve got some positives for him, and if that’s the route we go, that’s why we’re doing it.”
That route could even mean a year-to-year contract consideration for Miller, who has openly spoken of his desire to return to a locker-room and a city where he has struck friendships. He’s also a creature of habit who has moved only twice in his pro career.
Miller could have signing options in Anaheim, Los Angeles or San Jose, but those clubs either have established starters — Jonathan Quick with the Kings and Martin Jones with the Sharks — or have given a young stopper like John Gibson, 23, the reins.
Gibson is also a great financial fit at a $2.3-million salary cap hit the next two seasons, and because the Ducks only have $2.3 million in cap space to chase a backup — Jonathan Bernier and Jhonas Enroth are UFAs — Miller is going to get a better playing opportunity and more money in Vancouver. None of this is new to Markstrom. As much as he’s pining for more playing time and the starting role, he knows what’s at stake.
Eventually getting to Miller territory and 50 starts is a physical and mental challenge. It’s one thing to come out of the goaltending bullpen, it’s another to be the guy every night. It’s a different dynamic.
“He (Miller) has been unbelievable for me and the team,” Markstrom said at the end of the season.
“He has the experience, doesn’t like to lose, and even in practice we battle hard. And that’s what you need as a goalie.
“You don’t want to be handed anything and I want to play more games, but he has helped me on and off the ice. He’s been great for me.”
OF NOTE — Benning wouldn’t comment on whether former Canucks assistant coach Newell Brown may be considered for an assistant position here. Brown was let go by the Arizona Coyotes in April. He was the architect of the Canucks’ top-ranked power play in 2010-11 and fourth-ranked unit in 2011-12. The power play was rated 22nd in Brown’s final season here in 2012-13. The Canucks were 29th on the power play this season while the Coyotes were 26th.