Flames coach Sutter reveals how he'll use Markstrom-Vladar tandem this season
Calgary Flames coach Darryl Sutter is seemingly never without a plan.
That’s why it should come as no surprise that he’s got a few mile markers in mind when it comes to determining the workload of his two goaltenders this season. Perhaps it’s more of a surprise he was willing to let on about the expected workloads for both Jacob Markstrom and Dan Vladar over the course of the 82-game docket.
There’s a plan, and it involves giving Markstrom — a Vezina candidate in 2021-22 — a bit more time off this season, and Vladar — the understudy — a little more work.
“Our theme coming into the season was we wanted to make sure… there’s 26 weeks in our season. We want to make sure Vladar gets a game a week,” Sutter said before sliding in a surprise start for Vladar against the Edmonton Oilers on the weekend. “Just a way this month works.”
That’ll put Vladar on pace to make an additional eight starts over last season.
The 25-year-old, acquired from the Boston Bruins in 2021 at the expense of a third-round pick, had 19 curtain-lifters a year ago, and a total of 23 appearances. He posted a respectable 13-6-2 record with a 2.75 goals-against average and .905 save percentage along the way.
“He’s a great goalie,” Flames defenceman Chris Tanev said. “Works his tail off. He’ll be ready to go. He’s a very good professional and he does whatever he needs to do to be prepared.”
Markstrom made 63 starts and registered a 37-15-9 mark with a 2.22 goals-against average and .922 save percentage while logging 1,754 minutes — the second-most in a single season. His postseason numbers were less flattering, however, logging a 2.95 goals-against and a .901 save percentage in 12 games.
It’ll move Markstrom’s workload down to 56 starts, in theory.
He started 43 of 56 games in 2020-21, and 43 of 70 in 2019-20.
The split action should keep Markstrom a bit fresher throughout the season and rewards Vladar for some offseason work.
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