Florida Panthers Assistant General Manager, Mike Santos, said recently he feels goalie-of-the-future Jacob Markstrom should spend another year with the San Antonio Rampage. While that may make sense to an objective observer, as Markstrom still has not completed a full year as a professional due to knee injuries/surgeries, it is still a dicey situation regarding his future.
Markstrom's initial contract runs through the end of next season, and such a talented player may feel he's ready for the NHL before it is reality. He is only 22, and is widely considered to be the best goaltender in the world not in the NHL.
His numbers, however, have been so so at best as he has continued to adapt to the American game since coming over from the Swedish Elite League.
2010-11 Rochester Americans AHL 37 2174 108 3 1 2.98 16 20 1 1051 0.907
2010-11 Florida Panthers NHL 1 40 2 1 0 3.00 0 1 0 12 0.857
2011-12 Florida Panthers NHL 7 383 17 3 0 2.66 2 4 1 205 0.923
2011-12 San Antonio Rampage AHL 32 1839 71 4 1 2.32 17 12 1 908 0.927
While his number would say he has steadily improved over the last few years, Santos, who is GM of the Rampage, and Panthers GM Dale Tallon aren't overly excited about automatically plugging him in next year on the big club. The apparent urgency to re-sign UFA Scott Clemmensen says just that. Jose Theodore is under contract for next year, so technically the Panthers still have their #1 starter under contract whether Markstrom is called up for good or not.
But what troubles Tallon and Santos the most is the number of games played. Two separate knee issues and resulting surgeries have practically cut his first two professional seasons in half. No one denies his freakish size and quickness, but there is still a method to the madness to being NHL ready. Many NHL goaltenders that are rushed into service too early can lose confidence once they get shelled. When a talented goaltender comes from the larger rinks overseas where the style of play is more finesse, it can take a considerable amount of time to get used to the tighter quarters and physical play in North America.
One would think Markstrom knows he still needs to improve. He also sees the Panthers are on the fast track to success now that they have knocked the playoff monkey off their backs.
But the business side of the game could have Markstrom wondering if there are greener pastures elsewhere if he decides not to re-sign with the Panthers after next year. Certainly there will be teams willing to give him the house for his services if they think he is ready now and for the next 10 years.
It may seem odd, but the Keaton Ellerby situation might also be an important part of the scenario. Ellerby is an RFA and probably the odd man out in regards to the current defensive personnel. He could be traded at the draft or not tendered at all by the Panthers.
Markstrom and Ellerby are best friends and it may put a strain on the relationship between the Panthers and Markstrom if Ellerby somehow was playing elsewhere next year. Panther fans would hope that such relationships wouldn't be more important than business and success. But when it comes to young players it is hard to measure how much certain scenarios would effect the result.
Markstrom loves the Panthers and playing in South Florida, but if management says they don't think he's ready when he thinks he is, an unwanted controversy may be on the horizon.
Twitter @DanSpiegel
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