Vancouver Canucks: The case for trading Jacob Markstrom

If Thatcher Demko is ready for the NHL next season, the Vancouver Canucks will have a logjam in the crease. Though Anders Nilsson is the logical trade candidate, here’s why Jacob Markstrom should also be shopped.

Having too many goalies is a good problem in the NHL, but the Vancouver Canucks are stuck with two inconsistent career backups but a promising netminder in prized prospect, Thatcher Demko.

The 22-year-old Demko completed his second AHL season for the Utica Comets, going 25-13-4 with a .922 save percentage and 2.44 goals against average. Demko also made his NHL debut late in the season — a 5-4 overtime win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

At this point, Demko looks more than ready about the NHL — which I’ve written about here many times. If the front office and coaching staff concur that it’s the time to make Demko a pro, that means cutting loose one of Jacob Markstrom and Anders Nilsson.

Thankfully, neither goalie carries an untradeable contract. Nilsson is signed for just one more year, while Markstrom carries a cap hit of just over $3.66 million over the next two years, per CapFriendly.

Now, the Canucks would probably prefer to move out Nilsson — given that Markstrom has a little more upside and has experience of being a No. 1 goalie. But come to think of it, moving Markstrom out and keeping a Nilsson-Demko tandem might make the most sense.

The return would be better

What would the Canucks get in a trade involving Nilsson? Not a whole lot. He’s never started 30 games in a season, and owns a mere .907 save percentage and 3.07 goals against average for his career. Granted, Nilsson’s played for mainly non-playoff teams like the Canucks, New York Islanders and Buffalo Sabres.

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With just one year left on his contract and Nilsson showing he’s nothing more than a backup who can start under 30 games a season, the Canucks would be looking at a mid-round pick in return for trading him away.

But it’d be a different story with Markstrom. He’s started 33, 26 and 60 games over the past two years, and Markstrom has shown some brilliant flashes in Vancouver.

He can steal games and makes the big-time saves. Of course, a mediocre blue line and lack of offense in front of Markstrom means it’s hard for him to win games.

It’s been a while since the Canucks had a top-notch goalie, and that’s due in large part to the lack of talent in front of the goalies. Markstrom was a decent backup in Florida and has slowly grown into his own here in Vancouver.

If the Canucks traded Markstrom, teams would look at having a 28-year-old with a very cheap cap hit over the next two years. With so many clubs in desperate need of a No.1 goalie, you can’t help but think Benning might be able to land a pair of draft picks for Markstrom.

Markstrom’s time in Vancouver is limited

Consider this a classic case of “better to get something for him now.”

Markstrom will be 29 next January. Barring any major surprises, Demko will be the Canucks starting goalie by the start of the 2019-20 season. Following that campaign, Markstrom will be slated for free agency.

The Canucks also own another top goalie prospect in Michael DiPietro — this year’s top goalie in the OHL who represented Team Canada at the 2018 World Hockey Championship. He may not be far off from the NHL, either.  It’s logical to believe DiPietro — not Markstrom — will be Demko’s backup in three to four years from now.

This isn’t a knock against Markstrom by any means. The fact is, the Canucks have a younger and superior goalie who’s about to turn pro in Thatcher Demko. Right behind him is DiPietro, who may not need long to make the NHL.

Add it all up, and trading Markstrom may make sense. The Canucks have two young, up-and-coming goalies who should share the crease in a few years. Markstrom could bring this team some valuable draft picks, something the Canucks so desperately need.

Next: Canucks should trade Chris Tanev To Oilers

It’s unlikely to happen — at least this offseason. But Vancouver must think about trading Jacob Markstrom in the near future, should they get a good enough offer for the 28-year-old.