[TrentCrimmIndependent]

At least you admit a 29 year old Markstrom would be a worthwhile gamble.

However, he's showing that he's still capable of playing at a very high level. He's more than likely still capable for 2 years (maybe just with a slightly reduced workload to handle wear).

He's been solid since the puck dropped in October. That's a long stretch to look top tier. We here saw his terrible season first-hand, and experienced all the pain of him letting the team down, and he has made believers of even his biggest critics here. Not a peep from them since around training camp because he's been that solid.

Given that last year coincided with the pregnancy then birth of his first child, I'd say it had a lot to do with it. There was an uptick in his quality of play right after his kid was born which lends more credence to it.

Don't see him regressing to that level again because that was a one time type of stressor that understandably interfered with him mentally.

If Tim Thomas could win at 38, the Devils would be fine with Markstrom at 35/36. It's really the perfect term and all this hoopla you're making about it just isn't justified (imo).