Fansided

Why the Canucks opted to sign Braden Holtby, and part with Jacob Markstrom

By Logan Lockhart

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 04: Braden Holtby #70 of the Washington Capitals looks on after allowing a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period at Capital One Arena on March 4, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 04: Braden Holtby #70 of the Washington Capitals looks on after allowing a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period at Capital One Arena on March 4, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Once Jacob Markstrom put up career numbers and led the Canucks to its first playoff appearance since 2015, his pending UFA status made his exit inevitable

Braden Holtby is the perfect bridge for Thatcher Demko, and the Vancouver Canucks had no choice but to let go of Jacob Markstrom.

Imagining Holtby wearing anything but a Washington Capitals jersey is difficult, but in the 2020-2021 season, it will be a reality. On Friday afternoon, the Canucks signed the 2018 Stanley Cup champion to a two-year, $8.6 million deal.

The signing is both a short-term play and a commitment to the long-term plan in Vancouver─a Thatcher Demko owned crease.

Demko, 24, shined in his four games during the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and if it wasn’t clear before that the native of San Diego, California was the future in net for Vancouver, it is now.

In relief of Markstrom during the playoffs, Demko made 128 saves on 130 shots, and was one period short from eliminating the Vegas Golden Knights and carrying his team to the Western Conference Finals.

It is clear that Demko is the future, but for the upcoming campaign, the Canucks are in win-now mode based on both its most recent regular season performance and ability to defeat the defending champions in St. Louis in the first round of the postseason.

And because it’s win-now mode, it’s Braden Holtby’s net to lose, and for Canucks fans, the interest is directed towards the “swap,” cutting ties with Markstrom and signing the former Capital.

Markstrom and the Flames agreed to a six-year, $36 million deal in free agency, and his stellar performance during the 2019-20 season in Vancouver made it inevitable that he would receive such a deal in the open market.

Once the 30-year-old goaltender put up career numbers and led the Canucks to its first playoff appearance since 2015 in a year where he was a pending UFA, his exit from the Pacific Northwest was signalled.

Knowing the patience and commitment the Canucks have shown to Demko and his progression in the crease since being drafted 36th-overall in the 2014 NHL Draft, entertaining a contract for Markstrom even remotely similar to what Calgary offered up would not make sense.

And despite whether it is fair to declare the Canucks offseason a “failure” or not, there would be no justification for Jim Benning and company to commit to Markstrom any further, especially for more than two years.

Marc-Andre Fleury, Corey Crawford, and Cam Talbot could have all been suitable options for Vancouver as Demko’s bridge, but with the signing of Holtby, the Canucks have opted for the younger option, while only committing for two years.

Chalk it up as a win for the Canucks front office.

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