I don't see how Markstrom is "too good" for AHL. It's not like he dominated it
The team is definitely letting him down. However, he is letting in a lot of softies. I.E. last night he let in a ridiculous sharp angle shot that should have never made it into the net.I've been one of Jacob's strongest supporters / believers for several years, but this season, I'm really disappointed. Looking at his numbers - labeling him bad is still quite an understatement. Make no mistake, I didn't expect glaring numbers like .920+ SA%, SO every fifth game and 25+ wins, but his current numbers are simply terrible and I hope his talent level is better than that. Add in the fact, that he never really dominated in AHL either (like Lehner for example) and my confidence in him is starting to shatter.
Any observation from someone who watches him play on regular basis? Are those statistics on par with his play in NHL? Is it lack of skill, lack of confidence or is team in front of him letting him down constantly? I'm starting to really worry, because Jacob is the future of Panthers goaltending and if he busts, than whole team is set for trouble.
I've been one of Jacob's strongest supporters / believers for several years, but this season, I'm really disappointed. Looking at his numbers - labeling him bad is still quite an understatement. Make no mistake, I didn't expect glaring numbers like .920+ SA%, SO every fifth game and 25+ wins, but his current numbers are simply terrible and I hope his talent level is better than that. Add in the fact, that he never really dominated in AHL either (like Lehner for example) and my confidence in him is starting to shatter.
Any observation from someone who watches him play on regular basis? Are those statistics on par with his play in NHL? Is it lack of skill, lack of confidence or is team in front of him letting him down constantly? I'm starting to really worry, because Jacob is the future of Panthers goaltending and if he busts, than whole team is set for trouble.
I've been one of Jacob's strongest supporters / believers for several years, but this season, I'm really disappointed. Looking at his numbers - labeling him bad is still quite an understatement. Make no mistake, I didn't expect glaring numbers like .920+ SA%, SO every fifth game and 25+ wins, but his current numbers are simply terrible and I hope his talent level is better than that. Add in the fact, that he never really dominated in AHL either (like Lehner for example) and my confidence in him is starting to shatter.
Any observation from someone who watches him play on regular basis? Are those statistics on par with his play in NHL? Is it lack of skill, lack of confidence or is team in front of him letting him down constantly? I'm starting to really worry, because Jacob is the future of Panthers goaltending and if he busts, than whole team is set for trouble.
To make things clear - I'm not hating on Jacob or labeling him bust when he's 23 years old. Actually it's the opposite, I still have high hopes for him and hope he turns it around and comes out as mentally stronger goalie in the end. And I'm cheering for him as he seems to be pretty nice person...
But looking at context - Jacob's been considered as the best goalie prospect / best goalie outside the NHL for several years now. There are expectations attached to such a label and deservedly or not, the hype has been high. Considering how another young goalies - widely regarded as inferior / on par with Jacob - are doing right now, there is reason for doubts. Holtby is unquestioned no.1 in WSH. Lehner is looking like a legit starter, facing 40+ shots every night behind pretty leaky defense (OTT allows most shots on their goal in the NHL right now). And they both were dominant during their time in AHL. Jacob, since he came from Sweden was performing below expectations. He started poorly in AHL and in several years got to above average, but still not elite. In NHL - beyond his impressive stint in 2011/12 - it's more or less same / worse. High expectations might be unfair to him, but still, his numbers are weak even for someone with much lower pedigree. Also don't forget - he's not the first Panthers goalie playing behind atrocious defense. It's been the case (to some degree) for last decade and despite that, our goalies were always NHL elite with their stats.
Of course I'm still mentioning stats, not the actual play - that's why I'm asking. I don't have a chance to watch many games (several time zones away in Czech Republic) and I don't have a full picture. So if the team hangs Jacob out to dry every game, it explains a lot. On the other hand, letting softies in each game is not a great way to gain confidence of your teammates. Considering this - I'm afraid about the same thing as angry_treefrog - how much longer can he take it? His confidence must suffer right now and last thing I wish is Jacob leaving for Europe or blossoming in another NHL team in several years after getting his confidence back.
To make things clear - I'm not hating on Jacob or labeling him bust when he's 23 years old. Actually it's the opposite, I still have high hopes for him and hope he turns it around and comes out as mentally stronger goalie in the end. And I'm cheering for him as he seems to be pretty nice person...
But looking at context - Jacob's been considered as the best goalie prospect / best goalie outside the NHL for several years now. There are expectations attached to such a label and deservedly or not, the hype has been high. Considering how another young goalies - widely regarded as inferior / on par with Jacob - are doing right now, there is reason for doubts. Holtby is unquestioned no.1 in WSH. Lehner is looking like a legit starter, facing 40+ shots every night behind pretty leaky defense (OTT allows most shots on their goal in the NHL right now). And they both were dominant during their time in AHL. Jacob, since he came from Sweden was performing below expectations. He started poorly in AHL and in several years got to above average, but still not elite. In NHL - beyond his impressive stint in 2011/12 - it's more or less same / worse. High expectations might be unfair to him, but still, his numbers are weak even for someone with much lower pedigree. Also don't forget - he's not the first Panthers goalie playing behind atrocious defense. It's been the case (to some degree) for last decade and despite that, our goalies were always NHL elite with their stats.
Of course I'm still mentioning stats, not the actual play - that's why I'm asking. I don't have a chance to watch many games (several time zones away in Czech Republic) and I don't have a full picture. So if the team hangs Jacob out to dry every game, it explains a lot. On the other hand, letting softies in each game is not a great way to gain confidence of your teammates. Considering this - I'm afraid about the same thing as angry_treefrog - how much longer can he take it? His confidence must suffer right now and last thing I wish is Jacob leaving for Europe or blossoming in another NHL team in several years after getting his confidence back.
When I look at Markstrom, I look at a young player who has had his bubble popped. He's an uber-confident guy who I think is now questioning himself.
I don't think he is a bust yet, but if something isn't done to fix the team in front of him and if he doesn't get better coaching/mentoring, I think he's doomed.
How many more 2 on 0 breakaways can the kid take?
Last night, two of the three goals in regulation he had no chance on. Horrible defense by Brian Campbell resulted in slam dunks for the Oilers.
The goal he let in, 95+% of NHL starters stop. That one extra goal is the difference between him being a legitimate starter in the NHL and not since he gives up a goal like that a game. He's got a mental issue right now. The soft goal was a complete lack of focus and so were other goals. Letting in soft goals kills your confidence and confidence is key.
i said about a year ago that we shouldve traded for bernier and people said that it was a stupid idea. doesnt look so stupid now.
Think ATF hit on it -- but remember when we drafted him -- one of his biggest aspects was his mental buildup? Extremely confident, wants to win, etc.. watch him in these games -- does he look confident? The answer is simple.
It's amazing how we've taken the kids #1 intangible asset and have shattered it.
i agree, send him to the ahl. he is not nhl ready at this point. last year and this year he has not shown to be nhl ready even as a backup. as already mentioned at least one soft goal a game, bad rebound control, soft 5 hole, appears lack of confidence, poor postioning. yes, the team is letting him down, but in the same breadth he's letting the team down. a soft goal, or two a game kills momentum and the pyschie of the team. you work hard to get a goal and then the other team scores a softy with little to no effort, or the first goal, or go ahead goal how does that effect the rest of the team? i believe we've lost 7 one goal games how many soft goals in that 5,7,9? if we would've won half those games we be in the playoff hunt, so our goaltending, especially markstrom needs to be accountable in those losses. as far as us not scoring goals, it's true to a point, but if you look around the nhl there aren't many blow outs, or high scoring games. on the average i'd say teams are scoring 2-3 goals per game with the occasional high scoring game. bottom line is you can't win in this league without good, to excellent goaltending and markstrom is doing neither for the past 2 years. he needs to be sent down and get a goalie coach who can work on his deficiencies, both physical and mental. he needs that change of scenery and lessened pressure. if he can't turn his deficiencies around by the middle to end of next year i will have to call him a bust. but i truly hope that doesn't happen and this kid finds his game and confidence and finally puts it all together to be the elite goalie were all hoping for.
I truly think you're being too hard on him and inconsiderate of the surrounding factors.
Regarding the 1-goal-games, you didn't even mention the obvious "Phantom/Skinny/BS" calls and NON calls that are forever sodomizing our boys...
sorry i stand behind my assessment. markie is not nhl readay by any stretch of the imagination at this point in his career.