Eventual contract extension is a no-brainer for improved Canucks starter
The rocky road Jacob Markstrom has travelled from inconsistent starter with an indifference toward the media, to solidifying his stature as a go-to goaltender for the Vancouver Canucks, is why he has transitioned from most confounding to most valuable player for the transitioning NHL club.
That has also improved his tracking, ensures he reacts properly and is better positioned for pucks behind the net. In front of it, he doesn’t over-commit on first shots, his glove reactions are sharper and he’s not as vulnerable on the short side. However, like any stopper, Markstrom has his moments. Being a starter is a different animal. Preparation on and off the ice, whether in pre-practice rituals or off-day diligence, is as vital as game-night readiness.
Yet, even when his temperature rises, you have to admire a starter who’s not afraid to speak his mind. “We’ve got a lot of competitors on this team — myself included — and I get mad, too,” said Markstrom. “I’m not smiling after every loss. You can be mad for a bit, but you can’t be grumpy about a game that happened last week, or two or three days ago.
There are extension comparisons between Markstrom and Frederik Andersen of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Martin Jones of the San Jose Sharks. All three are 29 years old, but have different bodies of work.
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