Canucks: 3 goaltenders who could replace Jacob Markstrom
The window for the Vancouver Canucks to re-sign Jacob Markstrom is closing more each day. Here are three goaltenders who could replace him short term.
Jacob Markstrom or not, the Vancouver Canucks will need two solid goaltenders next season.
With the way it’s looking, if and when the 2020-21 season gets underway, there will likely be several more back-to-back nights. Gary Bettman wants a full 82-game schedule, and the NHL wants it completed in short order. If Jim Benning and Markstrom can’t find common ground, the GM will still need to find a replacement.
Thatcher Demko looks to have proven he’s ready to take on more responsibility in the crease, but goalies get tired and it’ll be vital to team success to have a healthy rotation next year. At first, it was a bit of a head-scratcher, but the Montreal Canadiens got ahead of this when they traded for Jake Allen to back up Carey Price.
Here are three UFA goaltenders who Benning should consider reeling into Vancouver.
Braden Holtby
After spending 10 years in a Washington Capitals uniform, Braden Holtby is set to test the waters on the open market. With having both a tight cap situation in Washington and a young goalie on the rise, it makes sense for GM Brian MacLellan to spend his money elsewhere.
Finishing the season with a save percentage below 900 (0.897%) for the very first time, the Stanley Cup champion of 2018 has lost favour as the No. 1 guy to the 23-year-old rookie Ilya Samsonov. Despite a down year, the 31-year-old shouldn’t be counted out and will likely have a handful of teams interested in acquiring his services.
Over his entire tenure as an NHL goaltender, Holtby holds a respectable save percentage (0.916%), goals-against average (2.53) and has posted 42 shutouts. With a change of scenery, Holtby could bounce back and help an up and coming team reach the next level. With a Stanley Cup to his name, he would be a perfect mentor for Demko at the right price.
Anton Khudobin
He’s been a lifelong back-up at the NHL level but you wouldn’t know that by watching him in the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Currently playing as the starter for the Dallas Stars in the finals versus the Tampa Bay Lightning, Anton Khudobin has been the backbone of their incredible and unpredictable run.
He posted a 0.930 save percentage over 30 games in the regular season and a 0.918 save percentage in 22 games as he pushes for the Stanley Cup this year. He’s just three wins away from a Stanley Cup and at 34-years-old he could be a good option to split duties next to Demko.
His playoff success — regardless of it ending in a championship or not — without a doubt earns him a bump in pay next season. The Stars have Ben Bishop locked up for three more years and this will be Khudobin’s best shot at landing a decent contract.
I’m sure he wouldn’t mind sticking around with Dallas given their recent success, but he’ll definitely want to see what free agency has to offer. The Canucks should keep him on their radar. He could be the best bang for their buck given his long history of playing the back-up role.
Ryan Miller
His best years in the NHL are definitely in the rearview mirror, but Ryan Miller has plenty of experience and could serve as a good option to back-up Demko on a cheap one-year deal. He’s 40-years-old and probably questioning retirement. However, he played 23 games this season and posted a decent 0.907 save percentage.
If Miller decides he has a little gas left in the tank, he’ll either want to re-sign in Anaheim to stay close to his wife (who’s an actress in Hollywood), or he’ll look to sign cheap with a team who has a chance at a championship. With no Stanley Cup ring, Miller will want to play for a team that gives him a chance to end his NHL career as a winner.
Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes and a solid supporting cast might persuade Miller to look at Vancouver as a possible destination. It’s one of the closest teams to LA and he’s played here before. It could be a win-win situation for both parties. The Canucks spend minimal cash on goaltending and can use their remaining dollars on filling other positions. Miller gets one last dance before a well-deserved retirement.
Keep your eyes on The Canuck Way as the offseason continues to unfold.