Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom named NHLPA’s Player of the Week

Legendary broadcaster Harry Neale is credited with the quip, “Goaltending is 75 percent of your hockey team, unless you don’t have it. Then it’s 100 percent.” The Calgary Flames have had some challenges this season, but goaltending hasn’t been one of them.

For his efforts before and after the All-Star break, netminder Jacob Markstrom was cited by the NHL’s Players’ Association as the Player of the Week.

During the Jan. 28-Feb. 8 period, Markstrom made three starts. He had a shutout over Chicago, allowed a single goal against Boston, and allowed three goals against New Jersey. The Flames won all three games.

The 34-year-old Markstrom has been the subject of much chatter, as his strong play has led onlookers and pundits to wonder if he would possibly waive his no-move clause in order to move to a contender – and reap the Flames a potential bounty of assets in return. Some players are impacted by outside noise. So far, Markstrom really doesn’t seem fazed by the noise at all.

In the fourth season of a six year deal with a $6 million cap hit, Markstrom has gone 16-13-2 with a 2.56 goals against average, .914 save percentage and two shutouts. He is among the NHL’s leaders in the advanced metric known as Goals Saved Above Expected.

The Flames are back in action on Saturday against the New York Islanders.