Canucks: The Markstrom workload, Baertschi waivers and more
By Sean Warren
Episode 5 of The Canuck Way Podcast features David Quadrelli and myself discussing why there seems to be no takers on Sven Baertschi, and much more!
With Thatcher Demko in concussion protocol and Mike DiPietro recalled from Utica, Jacob Markstrom may be in for an extended string of games as the Vancouver Canucks return home from their road trip.
Markstom has played well of late. This despite the loss of his father, the emotions of having his mother in town for the game against the Carolina Hurricanes, and the players in front of him being an utter mess. Posting a .938 save percentage going into Las Vegas, Markstrom has single handedly kept the Canucks in games and on Thursday facing the Hurricanes, he was next level spectacular.
Depending on how long Demko’s concussion keeps him sidelined, Markstrom will either play a lot of games in a row or DiPietro will relieve him for a night in order to play in his second career game. The promising young goaltender has been making large strides with Utica in the AHL this season and could potentially learn a lot from another NHL start, but with how his last start went in the 2018/19 season, it could give pause to the notion.
You can’t put the weight of a 7-2 loss at the hands of the San Jose Sharks all on the young netminder but coach Travis Green may want to protect the prospect from history repeating itself after the flack that many gave him for leaving him in that game. DiPietro fared well after coming into last night’s game in the third period.
This season has not been Sven Baertschi‘s year. After being cut in training camp and clearing waivers, the speedy but injury prone winger has spent most of the season with the Utica Comets. With a 6 game stint back in Vancouver not being enough to regain his former roster spot, it is clear and now public knowledge, that the Canucks along with Baertschi’s agent are looking for greener pastures for him.
Baertschi can be a solid buy low option for a team looking to add some scoring depth into their top nine forward group or a positive influence on a team’s youth. Undoubtedly, Baertschi’s trade value has plummeted. If he were to be moved via trade, expect nothing more than a 6th round pick or low tier prospect.
Adam Gaudette continues to pick up steam. With the insertions of Antoine Roussel and Jake Virtanen on his wings, Gaudette seems to be picking up grittier attributes from the energetic veteran. Roussel has been a sorely missed commodity for the Canucks that has reasserted an in-your-face style that the team has wanted to have this season. If the Canucks want to see their playoff ambitions come to fruition, they need that line to continue rolling and improving.
You can catch topics like this and more each week on Mondays through The Canuck Way podcast. Now onto its 5th episode with David Quadrelli and Sean Warren, get your hot button topics, news, and analysis each week with David Quadrelli and various guests from The Canuck Way team. Episodes can be streamed through the website, Speakr or Apple Podcasts.