Rush17 Posted July 19, 2015 Share Posted July 19, 2015 Def recommend a read. I saved this link last year and I think you will all enjoy it. Shows Rollies confidence in Markstrom. http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2014/10/28/melanson-on-markstrom-shutout-streak-im-not-surprised/ I would post the text from the article but I think the website deserves the hits. If you wanna copy it up 2 u lol. cheers, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Weasel Posted July 19, 2015 Share Posted July 19, 2015 As the Vancouver Canucks’ guru of goaltending, Rollie Melanson is chiefly concerned about the preparation and performance of Ryan Miller and Eddie Lack at the NHL level. But his eyes are never far away from the farm either, where Jacob Markstrom is on the verge of setting an American Hockey League record. Markstrom, the 24-year-old Swede, has allowed only one goal in four games for the Utica Comets and has three consecutive shutouts. He has blanked his opponents for 232 minutes and 13 seconds, just 36:04 off the AHL mark set two seasons ago by Barry Brust, then of the Abbotsford Heat. Markstrom has a gaudy goals against average of 0.25 and a sublime save rate of .991. Jacob Markstrom has allowed only one goal in four games for the Utica Comets and has three consecutive shutouts. “I’m not surprised about this,” Melanson said Tuesday before the Canucks met the Carolina Hurricanes at Rogers Arena. “I think Jacob is going to be an NHL goalie, and an NHL goalie soon. It might even happen before the end of the year. I think coming to Vancouver might have been the best thing for his career.” Markstrom was acquired from the Florida Panthers in the Roberto Luongo deal last March 4. According to Melanson, Markstrom’s game needed considerable polish. Markstrom wasn’t even with the Panthers at the time of the trade and was stuck in AHL San Antonio. “He was looking for answers and he was looking for a plan and we tried to do that for him,” Melanson said. “As you see with a big frame like he has at 6-6, he just needs to be playing in the middle of the blue ice and let the game come to him – and that’s what he is doing.” Melanson felt Markstrom was far too aggressive in his movements, spent too much time in the ‘white ice’ and over pursued the play. “In the past, I found that he was chasing the game,” explained Melanson. “When passes went cross ice, he was always behind the play. Once he backed up and let his size work and trusted his athletic ability to make saves, then the game got simplified. He’s playing more of an intelligent game now and we’re extremely happy for him. We’re also extremely happy that some people were sleeping and allowed him to go through waivers because he’s a huge asset for us.” The Canucks had to waive Markstrom to get him down to Utica and did so on the first day the NHL permitted waivers, Sept. 26. With most teams still healthy and not in need of another netminder, Markstrom slipped through. He took Melanson’s lesson plan with him to Utica. “With me, it’s all movement,” Melanson said. “It’s how you move your feet, how you get square, how you give yourself a chance on rebounds and back-door plays. Jacob has bought into that big time and he’s really learned to keep his game quiet. When you keep your game really quiet, you should be efficient like he’s doing right now.” The Canucks’ other goalie in Utica, Joacim Eriksson, is also getting the job done. Eriksson is 1-1-1 with a 1.94 GAA and .939 save percentage. As a team, the Comets have allowed just seven goals while sprinting to a 5-1-1 start under coach Travis Green. “I told Travis in training camp that he was going to get goaltending that he’ll probably never experience again in the minors,” Melanson said proudly. “There are two guys there who are right around the corner from being on NHL teams.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6YPE Posted July 19, 2015 Share Posted July 19, 2015 good read, thanks for posting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benchsplinters Posted July 19, 2015 Share Posted July 19, 2015 Good post Op. Nice to get some positives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crabcakes Posted July 19, 2015 Share Posted July 19, 2015 It's all about the right kind of development and coaching. Sure hope the Canucks can hang on to Travis Green for a few more years. Melanson has a good gig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeremyCuddles Posted July 19, 2015 Share Posted July 19, 2015 Kind of lessens the pain of losing Luo. Hopefully Markstrom takes the confidence from the AHL and applies it to the NHL. He could be a real gem for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elvis15 Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 ... I would post the text from the article but I think the website deserves the hits. If you wanna copy it up 2 u lol. The Vancouver Sun deserves the hits? And you're supposed to post an excerpt rather than redirect traffic. I'm pretty sure I saw that or something similar back when it came out. Melanson is a good coach, and Cloutier's contribution can't be overlooked as he's been working directly with the goalies in Utica more often. Markstrom didn't have that support in Florida at all so even if he hasn't shown anything at the NHL level yet he does have the ability. I hope he pulls it out and can help us forget moving Lack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldnews Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 “As you see with a big frame like he has at 6-6, he just needs to be playing in the middle of the blue ice and let the game come to him – and that’s what he is doing.” Melanson felt Markstrom was far too aggressive in his movements, spent too much time in the ‘white ice’ and over pursued the play. “In the past, I found that he was chasing the game,” explained Melanson "Jacob has bought into that big time and he’s really learned to keep his game quiet. When you keep your game really quiet, you should be efficient like he’s doing right now.” I love this about Melanson. The technical and style tweaks/improvements that he's made to the game of young Canuck goaltenders from Schneider to Lack and Jacob are really fundamental improvements over the bad habits of veterans - Luongo and Miller - who have a harder time adapting to these improvements later in their career. Miller is a good goaltender, don't get me wrong, but these exact elements (or lack thereof) to his game can be frustrating to watch at times, and leave you wanting for the efficiency ("quietness) and composure (ironically) of the younger goaltenders that have come through the system. With Jacob's size, athleticism and Melanson's effect on his game, I am really excited to see what he can do once he's given the opportunity to run with some games and not have to fear making a mistake or letting in a soft goal. Tortorella showed no trust in him whatsoever, and his opportunity last year was limited to next to nil. It will be fun to watch him emerge after a solid season of balancing his ability to be aggressive, with the technical habits of maintaining his ice, remaining in position and using his size and quickness to his advantage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5Fivehole0 Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 I've been really excited about this guy since we acquired him. Once considered the best goalie outside of North America Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviewonder20 Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Every year you can count on several things in Vancouver. First and foremost is a goalie controversy. If we have one this Fall, it means losing Eddie was OK, our future is safe with Markstrom, and maybe we can exchange 6 million in cap for a really good D man or a second line scoring winger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintPatrick33 Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Markstroms ceiling: Ben Bishop. Struggled early, was traded then refined his game and is now one of the top youngsters in net. Markstroms floor: Jonas gustavvson. Remember he came storming out of the gate, was a hot commodity, then started to struggle in TO, never gained his rhythm back. Detroit signed him, he got injured and never heard from him again. Big goalies can go either way, hopefully markstrom goes the way of Bishop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake Doctor Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Good read. Thanks for posting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pears Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Great read. Gives me even more confidence about Markstrom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeslerPlaysLikeACanadian Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Markstroms ceiling: Ben Bishop. Struggled early, was traded then refined his game and is now one of the top youngsters in net. Markstroms floor: Jonas gustavvson. Remember he came storming out of the gate, was a hot commodity, then started to struggle in TO, never gained his rhythm back. Detroit signed him, he got injured and never heard from him again. Big goalies can go either way, hopefully markstrom goes the way of Bishop Do you find it to be a burden, walking around with all that knowledge of the future? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeslerPlaysLikeACanadian Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 What is Hammond's ceiling? How many wins will Lehner get this year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostsof1915 Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 What is Hammond's ceiling? How many wins will Lehner get this year? Whoa. You might want to ease up a tad. SP33 is making a prediction/educated guess. You might want to look around the board. Many people here do that. Even on game day threads people predict the scores. I just hope he's a steady, reliable goalie that might become a starter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tybarber Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 I was/still am a big Eddie Lack fan, but with that said, trading lack was definitely the right move for the Canucks. I just sincerely hope that Canucks' fans don't demoralize Markstrom throughout the season, because you know the first "bad" goal that really either he or Miller gives up is going to cause an "Eddie" chant in the Rodge. And with a likely porous defense, I'm betting the Canucks will give up more than their fair share of goals which might cause some unnecessary heat on the goalies. There should be the utmost support for Markstrom as I think he'll be a solid NHL goalie, but will still need a little time to adjust at the NHL level. Canucks' fans living in the past and wondering what could have been with Lack certainly won't help his chances at success. But, who knows, maybe Canucks' fans have gotten over the Lack trade by now and this won't be an issue come the start of the season. But judging by the predominate reactions to goalie situations in this City, I'm assuming it might still be... Good luck Markstrom! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boudrias Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 I was/still am a big Eddie Lack fan, but with that said, trading lack was definitely the right move for the Canucks. I just sincerely hope that Canucks' fans don't demoralize Markstrom throughout the season, because you know the first "bad" goal that really either he or Miller gives up is going to cause an "Eddie" chant in the Rodge. And with a likely porous defense, I'm betting the Canucks will give up more than their fair share of goals which might cause some unnecessary heat on the goalies. There should be the utmost support for Markstrom as I think he'll be a solid NHL goalie, but will still need a little time to adjust at the NHL level. Canucks' fans living in the past and wondering what could have been with Lack certainly won't help his chances at success. But, who knows, maybe Canucks' fans have gotten over the Lack trade by now and this won't be an issue come the start of the season. But judging by the predominate reactions to goalie situations in this City, I'm assuming it might still be... Good luck Markstrom!The issue has not been goal tending for a number of years, it is the defense. There isn't a bonafidetop 1 or 2 on the d-core. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proheffanol Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 I think we were lucky to have the good situations in goaltending for the past few years. Luongo/Schneider, Luongo/Lack, Miller/Lack/Markstrom, and the situation of having 2 young swedish goalies to go with that could both be starters. Rollie has done a great job working with these goalies and even has Demko coming up in a year or 2. I am excited to see Markstrom grow in Vancouver for the next couple years and see what happens. Hopefully Markstrom will be ready to be the starter after Miller's contract runs out, but if he doesn't turn out how we hope, oh well..$&!# happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesB Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 I think we were lucky to have the good situations in goaltending for the past few years. Luongo/Schneider, Luongo/Lack, Miller/Lack/Markstrom, and the situation of having 2 young swedish goalies to go with that could both be starters. Rollie has done a great job working with these goalies and even has Demko coming up in a year or 2. I am excited to see Markstrom grow in Vancouver for the next couple years and see what happens. Hopefully Markstrom will be ready to be the starter after Miller's contract runs out, but if he doesn't turn out how we hope, oh well..crap happens. Markstrom had an excellent year in Utica this year and we have every reason to be optimistic about his performance. Obviously there is still a lot of uncertainty as he has not yet shown he can play effectively at the NHL level. But my personal expectation is that he has a good chance of taking over from Miller as #1 by the end of the season. Nice to see him signed at a low salary for two more years. After that Miller's contract will be over and Markstrom, if he develops well, can get a long term contract. Demko will play this year at Boston College, then I think Benning said he would like him in Utica the following year. So he could be with the Canucks in maybe 3 or 4 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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