Markstrom or Lack?

The Canucks will trade either Eddie Lack or Jacob Markstrom.

Who will be a better goalie? 

Will the Canucks keep the better goalie, or will they pull a Toronto Maple Leafs (trade Rask, keep Pogge) and move the wrong one?

Eddie Lack has played more NHL games (82-50) and he has better numbers.

In 82 games, Lack (6’4″) has a .917sv% and 2.43 GAA, while Markstrom (6’6″) has played 52 games and has a career .896sv% and a 3.19 GAA.

Markstrom was on waivers last year and no one grabbed him, but he just won an AHL title in Utica posting a .925sv% and 2.11 GAA. And he was even better in his 32 regular season games with a sparkling .934sv% and 1.88GAA.

Lack would most likely garner a better return for the Canucks, because he’s more NHL   proven. He struggled in four NHL playoff games this year but that is a very small sample size. 

The NHL numbers suggest Lack is the goalie the Canucks should keep, but do they feel the same after watching him in the AHL playoffs? 

I exchanged texts with a scout who has scouted the AHL and NHL for years asked him his thoughts on Markstrom.

“I’ve watched him the past four years and I’ve never seen him look more comfortable as he did all year. He was the best goalie in the AHL. He learned how to use his size to his advantage and his movement is more efficient. He let the puck come to him rather than overplay it like he did in the past.”

I asked him about his weaknesses.

“Just maintaining his confidence. He has all the skills to be a very good NHL goalie.”

Lastly, I asked him who he would trade for and he politely declined to answer. “Nice try,” was his exact response.

Who would you take?

I think Markstrom is a bit more of a risk, but he also offers more of a reward. I think he has more high-end potential. 

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