Jacob Markstrom didn’t find a new home at the deadline, so keep tabs on him
Jacob Markstrom watched a plethora of teammates go elsewhere this season, but he will remain in the net with the Calgary Flames for the rest of the 2023-24 season. Markstrom’s contract expires following the 2025-26 season, so the 34-year-old could go somewhere that needs either a solid 1B or even a 1A for at least a season before he reverts to a 1B.
Despite some below-average performances lately, Markstrom has also shown us often this season that he can still play. Through 41 starts in 2023-24, he’s still sporting a 0.910 save percentage and a 2.68 GAA. No, he’s not giving anyone nine shutouts, as was the case in 2021-22, but Markstrom will help out teams that haven’t performed well when they aren’t in possession of the puck.
For the rest of this season, the Flames aren’t anywhere near the team they were without Nikita Zadorov, Elias Lindholm, Chris Tanev, or Noah Hanifin. While Markstrom’s numbers won’t be what they were from earlier in the year, don’t make the mistake that it means he’s declining. Instead, Markstrom has an opportunity to show doubters otherwise and make the most of what is a less-than-ideal situation in Alberta.