Goaltending, always a topic of choice for Vancouver Canucks fans who can never seem to stop chasing the elusive dream of stability between the pipes. Of course, this doesn’t mean the Canucks have gotten bad goaltending; in fact, quite the opposite. Over the course of the past several season, the Canucks’ crease has featured the likes of Roberto Luongo, Cory Schneider, Eddie Lack, Ryan Miller, and Jacob Markstrom, all arguably starting-quality netminders. That said, it does make for some messy situations (as seen by the year-long debate, and subsequent trading of both Schneider and Luongo), and as of now, a duel appears to be brewing between former the veteran Miller and the budding Markstrom.
Vancouver Canucks Goaltending Situation Getting Complicated
11 games into the 2016-17 campaign, the Canucks’ offence has been absolutely dreadful as they’ve been shut out in four of their last five games, with just 16 goals to show on the year. While this is a worrisome statistic, the goaltending has been nothing short of remarkable. Markstrom, 26-years-old, boasts a .920 SV%, as well as a 2.14 GAA. Miller, 36, has posted an even more impressive .934 SV% to go with a 1.79 GAA. This has led to the Canucks ranking ninth in the NHL in goals against per game, despite placing dead last in goals for per game (and by a wide 0.45 GPG margin over the 29th ranked Los Angeles Kings).
While this is certainly good news for the Canucks and their fans, it does spark some questions in regards to who takes over the pipes going forward. Miller’s numbers are slightly more impressive, and he does boast more experience, as well as a pedigree as one of the league’s finest netminders over the past decade. On the other hand, at 36 years of age, he’s not getting any younger and could potentially see a steep drop-off moving forward. Meanwhile, Markstrom is quite clearly the goaltender with more upside, but also brings more uncertainty to the table. Behind an often-rocky blue line, one could frame the situation as Markstrom’s time to shine, or as a reasonable argument as to why steadiness is the way to go.
On a team with a lot of issues, most notably putting the puck in the net, keeping the puck out of it is not among them. The biggest problem going forward, relative to the two goaltenders, is which one to run with, and looking further ahead, it’s an issue that could continue to grow. Further down the pipeline, beyond even Markstrom, top prospect Thatcher Demko, despite an 0-3-1 and 3.74 GAA start in the American Hockey League, projects as yet another goaltending gem. How far away is he from being even an NHL caliber backup?Only time will tell. What is relatively certain, however, is that Demko will at least make things somewhat interesting for Markstrom going forward. While the Swede may have a couple years of the number one title, it could disappear fairly quickly.
It appears things may be back in unstable territory for Canucks netminding, and that comes with both positive and negative connotations. While the plan remains seemingly unchanged long term, the short term impacts will be intriguing to watch.
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