Sheng’s Daily: My Thoughts on Demko or Markstrom?

Peter DeBoer of the Golden Knights versus Joe Pavelski of the Stars in the Western Conference Finals.

Let’s just say that’s not what Doug Wilson drew up last summer.

DeBoer spoke yesterday and reflected on his ex-San Jose Sharks captain.

Around the NHL…

Pierre McGuire on the Avs: “Just ran out of bodies.” (Colorado Hockey Now)

Ranking the available goalies who are likely hitting the market. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Jake DeBrusk has been inconsistent, but David Krejci still believes in his upside. (Boston Hockey Now)

Scott Mayfield gets redemption after Game Six gaffe. (NYI Hockey Now)

Ex-San Jose Sharks goaltender Thomas Greiss came through in a big way for the New York Islanders in Game Seven:

Thomas Greiss is the second goaltender in @NYIslanders history to record a shutout in a #Game7 (also Glenn Resch in 1975 QF). #NHLStats #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/In8YLa4KR0

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) September 6, 2020

Thatcher Demko is just the second NHL playoff goaltender to hail from California. Meet the first, John Blue. (LA Times)

The question on everybody’s mind for next year: Should Vancouver anoint Demko as starter or re-sign UFA Jacob Markstrom? (Sportsnet)

My two cents on Demko vs. Markstrom: Calm down, it’s just three games from Demko. Demko has been otherwise — in an admittedly small sample size — about average in his NHL career.

Anyway, the priority for the Canucks should be preparing for Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes’s extensions after 2020-21.

Vancouver has a raft of overpaid players: Loui Eriksson, Brandon Sutter, Antoine Roussel, Jay Beagle, Micheal Ferland, and Tyler Myers. Good news is, after 2020-21, the first four will only have one year left on their contracts. Bad news? They’ll still have one year left.

This may affect Markstrom, in particular, who’s due for a sizable raise.

I think if Markstrom wants more than a year and at $6 million-plus, you can find another 1A-1B goalie to pair with Demko. If Markstrom will accept one year or a lower average for longer term (say $5 million or under), re-sign him, give Demko a chance to take the job from superior competition.

Regardless, focus your remaining cap space and years on your younger, premium talents. Spend money — but not too much, unless it’s for just one year — on a starting-quality goalie, hopefully Markstrom, probably someone else. Don’t just flat out give Demko the job unless you’re 100 percent sure he’s ready for it. And don’t fall for three — admittedly spectacular — performances.

Canadian citizens can join conference finals bubble, but others await clearance. (ESPN)

Luke Fox asks, “Would trading Frederik Andersen be a mistake?” (Sportsnet)