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Commerce rumours, a pair of assists and now a nod as the highest performer within the league because the all-star break … It has been fairly a stretch for Jacob Markstrom.
The Calgary Flames’ stalwart puck-stopper was saluted Monday because the NHL’s first star of the week.
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He was an ideal 3-0 over that span, with a stingy stat line that was highlighted by a .939 save proportion and a pair of.00 goals-against common.
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He even pitched in offensively, amassing a helper on Noah Hanifin’s power-play marker in Boston and one other on MacKenzie Weegar’s first of three tallies on Lengthy Island.
Monday’s first-star shout-out definitely received’t quiet the rumblings that Markstrom might be an excellent commerce goal for a contender with issues within the crease. He’d be a significant improve for a number of Stanley Cup hopefuls.
Whereas it’s no secret that the Flames are prepared to subject affords on any of their pending free brokers, their go-to goaltender is signed for 2 extra seasons with an annual cap hit of US$6 million. That deal features a full no-move clause, giving Markstrom the fitting to dam any potential swap, however the 34-year-old insisted final week that Flames’ administration will decide his future. He is aware of that Dustin Wolf, presently serving as his backup as Dan Vladar recovers from a lower-body damage, is knocking on the door for a full-time function.
“It’s as much as Calgary, what they wish to do,” Markstrom informed Sportsnet’s Eric Francis in his first feedback on the swirling commerce discuss. “I don’t management it. No matter route they wish to go, and what they wish to do, I’m not going to power something … I’m not going to go up and meet and ask for a commerce, both. I’m right here to play. I’m having fun with on daily basis and we’ve received an awesome group.”
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In that very same interview, Markstrom informed Francis he had not been approached by Flames basic supervisor Craig Conroy — or every other staffer on the Saddledome — about waving his no-move safety.
That was, it’s price noting, earlier than ace insider Elliotte Friedman reported throughout Saturday’s Hockey Night time in Canada broadcast that the New Jersey Devils had referred to as to gauge the asking value and inquire concerning the Flames’ willingness to retain a few of his remaining wage.
“Once they ship an e mail that I’ve received to signal one thing to take away my no-move clause, then it’s a distinct dialog we’ve gotta have,” Markstrom informed Francis. “However I’m simply taking part in.”
And taking part in rather well.
Monday’s first-star nod was simply the most recent proof of it.
HAIL THE KING
Final month, in the course of the Flames’ dads/mentors journey, Tim Markstrom launched his youthful brother as “the second-best goalie in our household.”
Quickly, Jacob will rank because the second-best goalie that Sweden ever equipped to the NHL.
Heading into Monday’s matchup with the New York Rangers at Madison Sq. Backyard, this fiery competitor from Gavle had cranked out 209 profession victories. Along with his subsequent W, he’ll equal Tommy Salo for second amongst Swedish puck-stoppers.
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High spot, as Markstrom has confused on a number of events, is probably going out of attain. Rangers legend Henrik Lundqvist capped a superb profession with 459 wins on the large stage.
“That’s the quantity if you would like it to essentially matter,” Markstrom informed reporters shortly after turning into simply the third Swedish netminder to 200. “I noticed (Nikolai) Khabibulin simply signed at 51. I believe, at 51, I received’t be capable of get it both, so I’ve to play to perhaps 60 to get the file.”
Those that cling across the Saddledome are properly conscious of Markstrom’s reverence for ‘King Henrik,’ now enshrined within the Hockey Corridor of Fame.
Jacob comes from a soccer household — Tim not too long ago hung up his cleats after guarding these gaping targets on the professional stage — however as he turned his focus to stopping pucks, Lundqvist was amongst his idols.
“Clearly, there have been a couple of Swedish goalies earlier than, however he was the one who actually took the beginning job proper from the get-go in New York,” Markstrom informed Postmedia earlier than the Flames’ present road-trip. “After which he received the Olympic gold medal (in 2006) that each Swedish hockey participant — each Swedish particular person, just about — watched.
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“His profession has been unbelievable. And I had the pleasure to play with him in a couple of tournaments. It’s simply every part about him. It’s how he carries himself, how he takes care of himself, how skilled he’s on and off the ice … And on the similar time, we have now a extremely good relationship now, so he’s helped me too.”
ICE CHIPS: Whereas Markstrom earned the highest billing, Florida Panthers masked man Sergei Bobrovsky was tabbed Monday because the NHL’s second star of the week, whereas Montreal Canadiens ahead Nick Suzuki rounded out the choices … It’s been a tough go of late for the Calgary Wranglers, who’ve stumbled to a 2-7-1 file of their previous 10 dates. The Flames’ farm-clubbers can be aiming to get again on observe Tuesday-Wednesday as they host the Manitoba Moose for a two-game set on the Saddledome.
wgilbertson@postmedia.com
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