Expecting Sutter to start Markstrom tomorrow against a crap Coyotes team to try to get him going and terrified we end up losing that game on a couple stinkers.
The Flames should be prepping for the fact that Markstrom may just be done as an elite goalie. Goalies going into the decline phase at his age isn't shocking. I would hope they knew that his contract was likely to end in a buyout when they signed it.
Expecting Sutter to start Markstrom tomorrow against a crap Coyotes team to try to get him going and terrified we end up losing that game on a couple stinkers.
It's probably the right move. He needs to gain his confidence back. You would hope the rest of the team could raise their game a bit to ensure they don't have to depend on a goaltending performance to beat the Coyotes.
I could see him starting Markstrom as well but I hope he doesn't. Collect the points where you can, give yourself the best chance to do so. Got some catching up to do first.
Just like they shouldn't lean too much on the starter when he's winning ... wearing him out, they're not going to run with the backup and let the starter collect rust.
Need a plan in both instances.
Lots of evidence they leaned on the starter too much last year, would be shocked if he went 100% until you lose with the backup.
People don't have to like that, but that's what's coming in my mind; probably a true tandem until Markstrom starts reverting to norm.
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Would like tonsee the Flames bail out their goalie with at least a 3 goal performance.
Their offense is putrid when he is starting
That works both ways. When Markstrom gives up a softy on the first or second shot, that has to get in the heads of the rest of the players. They're probably gripping their sticks extra tight with the pressure of knowing they have to score at least 3 or 4 goals to have a chance at winning with him in net
That works both ways. When Markstrom gives up a softy on the first or second shot, that has to get in the heads of the rest of the players. They're probably gripping their sticks extra tight with the pressure of knowing they have to score at least 3 or 4 goals to have a chance at winning with him in net
I think that is true.
I also think it is the case that the Flames are less effective when playing from behind. Their relatively simple, north-south game gets shut down too easily when the other team has a lead and plays more defensively.
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Too early to panic? It's too late to panic. He's signed and untradeable. Since there's nothing the Flames can do, you just wait it out. And if he never regains his form then we'll have the most expensive backup in the NHL.
Too early to panic? It's too late to panic. He's signed and untradeable. Since there's nothing the Flames can do, you just wait it out. And if he never regains his form then we'll have the most expensive backup in the NHL.
Panthers disagree
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Too early to panic? It's too late to panic. He's signed and untradeable. Since there's nothing the Flames can do, you just wait it out. And if he never regains his form then we'll have the most expensive backup in the NHL.
Markstrom’s issues are mental, not physical, so there’s every reason to think he can rebound - it’s what good goalies do.
In the mean time, Vladar is playing well. Play him more. If the worst thing that happens is both guys play 41 games, that’s fine. Both now and moving forward. The days of Markstrom playing 60+ may be (should be?) done, but let’s not put him on the cart just yet.
Markstrom’s issues are mental, not physical, so there’s every reason to think he can rebound - it’s what good goalies do.
In the mean time, Vladar is playing well. Play him more. If the worst thing that happens is both guys play 41 games, that’s fine. Both now and moving forward. The days of Markstrom playing 60+ may be (should be?) done, but let’s not put him on the cart just yet.
That's actually an issue as being mentally strong is a requirement of a top starting goaltender and he's a veteran that should be over this kind of stuff. He's oscillated from bad season, good season, bad season, and that's not good enough as this team needs steadier goaltending year to year. I think at the minimum the team needs to resort to a 1A/1B situation here as Markstrom has played a role in way too many losses this season.
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