Canucks “Hoping” to Re-Sign Goalie Jacob Markstrom

Jacob Markstrom with the Vancouver Canucks. Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images

Vancouver Canucks still haven’t given up on Swedish goalkeeper Jacob Markstrom. In a recent chat with reporters, Canucks’ general manager Jim Benning said that he hopes the team will manage to come to an agreement with Markstrom and keep him with the organization for years to come.

Markstrom is currently in the final year of his deal with Canucks and is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2019/20 NHL season wraps up. The two sides were engaged in contract talks earlier this year but decided to stop the negotiations due to the coronavirus pandemic.

And while the talks still haven’t resumed, Canucks obviously want Markstrom to be part of their future. “I’ve said all along that he’s an important guy for us,” Benning told The Province on Tuesday. “My intent is to figure out something that works for him and us. I’m hoping to get him signed, but that’s part of the business. We’ll have to wait and see.”

Markstrom himself also wishes for a similar scenario. During a conference call with reporters back in April, the 30-year-old goalkeeper said that his primary goal in the free agency is staying with Canucks. “In my mind, I want to stay in Vancouver. In my mind, that’s my goal,” Markstrom said at the time.

Jacob Markstrom joined Vancouver Canucks from Florida Panthers in 2014, being part of the Roberto Luongo trade. After being sparingly used during his first few seasons in Vancouver, Markstrom took over the starting job in 2017–18 and didn’t look back.

Markstrom helped Canucks reach a 23-16-4 record this season, posting 2.75 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage.

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