Canucks might finally start G Jacob Markstrom when they're mathematically eliminated
Way back on March 4, 2014, the Vancouver Canucks acquired goaltender Jacob Markstrom - once considered a top prospect - from the Florida Panthers in the shocking, and belated, Roberto Luongo trade. More than a month has passed since then but Markstrom has yet to make a start for the Canucks.
That could change this week, however, especially once the Vancouver Canucks are mathematically eliminated from postseason contention.
Canucks head coach John Tortorella told Vancouver Province reporter Ben Kuzma that Markstrom could start as soon as Monday should the Canucks find themselves eliminated this weekend. "I'm a true believer that you play your top people until you're out," Tortorella said, regarding his reluctance to start Markstrom over the past month. "Then you can start thinking about the future."
In the meantime, the Canucks have been riding rookie netminder Eddie Lack, and the young goaltender has, unsurprisingly, buckled somewhat under the weight. Lack has started 18 games in a row since the end of the Olympic break, including the second leg of back-to-backs.
Despite being thrown brutally into the deep end, Lack has managed to tread water. The 26-year-old, who was a backup to Markstrom once upon a time in the SHL, has posted roughly league average numbers since the Luongo trade and has managed a solid .922 save percentage at even-strength (per timeonice.com).
This week, Canucks general manager Mike Gillis discussed the potential of Markstrom getting a start, at long last, during an appearance on Vancouver sports talk radio station the Team 1040. Gillis essentially suggested that the decision would be handled by goaltenders coach Rollie Melanson:
Y'know Rollie's goaltending coaching style is very specific and he works really hard with these young guys. He's determined that they get in when they've shown him enough in terms of their fundamentals in practice to be ready to play. And Jakob is getting there.
We got him from another organization that approaches it differently than we do. But we have a lot of faith in this guy, he's a competitor, he's huge, he's athletic. There are some things he needs to work on to reach the next level. But he's spent his time in the AHL, he's spending his time in practice here putting in a lot of hours with Rollie, and he's really moving in the right direction.
The 24-year-old former second-round draft pick has consistently excelled at the American Hockey League level, but has yet to put it all together in the NHL. This past season he's ranked dead last among regular NHL goaltenders in even-strength save percentage.