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Canucks: 3 goaltenders who could replace Jacob Markstrom

By Brayden Ursel

EDMONTON, ALBERTA - AUGUST 23: Jacob Markstrom #25 of the Vancouver Canucks is pulled from the nets during the third period against the Vegas Golden Knights and is replaced by Thatcher Demko #35 in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on August 23, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, ALBERTA - AUGUST 23: Jacob Markstrom #25 of the Vancouver Canucks is pulled from the nets during the third period against the Vegas Golden Knights and is replaced by Thatcher Demko #35 in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on August 23, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images) /
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Anton Khudobin makes a glove save for the Dallas Stars (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Anton Khudobin makes a glove save for the Dallas Stars (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

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.

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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.

Next. Canucks rumours: The Red Wings want to sign Jacob Markstrom. dark

Keep your eyes on The Canuck Way as the offseason continues to unfold.

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