Canucks Re-Sign Goalie Prospect Jacob Markstrom

The Vancouver Canucks resigned goaltender Jacob Markstrom to a two year deal this afternoon. The Canucks had traded away goalie Eddie Lack to the Carolina Hurricanes for draft picks on the second day of the draft.

Vancouver knew they had to deal away a goalie, and they figured Lack would bring them their biggest return. However, they should be just as happy to have Markstrom as their backup to Ryan Miller this upcoming season. He led the Utica Comets to a Calder Cup appearance this season where they fell to the Manchester Monarchs.

Markstrom’s two year deal will take a cap hit of $1.55 per season. He played in three NHL games with the Canucks last season, but the 25 year old was really dominant in the AHL. With the Comets he posted a 1.88 goals-against average, and 0.934 save percentage. 

The 25 year old has 50 games overall in the NHL split between the Canucks and the Florida Panthers. In those games he went 13-28-5 with a goals against average of 3.19.

Via the team press release:

"Markstrom, 25, appeared in three games with the Canucks in 2014.15 and 32 games with the Utica Comets, where he posted a record of 22-7-2, a GAA of 1.88, save percentage of 0.934 and five shutouts. Markstrom backstopped the Comets to the Calder Cup Finals with a 0.925 save percentage and 2.11 GAA through 23 games."

Markstrom was drafted in 2008 by the Florida Panthers. He was a second round selection, going at 31st overall. 

"According to Elite Prospects:Markström is a tall goaltender that has a lot advantage of being big and making himself look even bigger in net. He is a skilled goaltender with great mental strength as one of his major characteristics. He is cool, despite having a strong winner’s instinct. Plays the butterfly style with a decent glove and has fine positioning and agility in net. What has been noticeable, however, is that he sometimes goes down too early and has problems getting up on his feet fast enough after a save. He could also work some with his rebound control, but overall Markström has plenty of raw qualities that makes him a very interesting prospect."

Markstrom will back up for Miller to start the season and they’ll give him every chance to be their guy backing up. They expressed this commitment by trading away Lack and by giving Markstrom an NHL contract.