Observations:

October 2015 – The once promising blue chip prospect seems to have righted the ship that is his NHL career. A great season a year ago, followed up by a solid preseason performance highlighted by a 1-0 shutout victory at Arizona won him the job as Ryan Miller's backup. The giant Swede will look to further establish himself once he returns from a lower-body injury that has kept him out since the beginning of the season. His play in relief could be vital for a team that will need all the points they can get in a tough Western Conference. Mike Barrett

March 2015 – Markstrom was recalled by Vancouver on February 23rd due to an injury to starter Ryan Miller. With Eddie Lack taking over the reigns admirably, Markstrom had to wait for his chance to shine. On March 3rd, the AHL stand-out was rewarded with an opportunity to take to the blue paint against the San Jose Sharks, and prove to everyone that he was back on NHL radar for good. That was until he let it slip..three times…on four shots. Including the first shot of the game. He was replaced by Lack immediately. Markstrom has no choice but to put this one behind him and just hope he gets another chance. – Mike Barrett

February 2015 – Last update, it was emphasized how Markstrom's performance over the coming months would say a lot about his future as an NHL prospect. Since his hot 7-1-1 start that included four shutouts (937SV%, and 1.77GAA), the Swedish giant has posted a 9-5-1 record, while maintaining an impressive save percentage and goals against average of .932% and 1.94 respectively (though he hasn't had another blank sheet yet). It's refreshing to see a player redeem himself the way Markstrom has, and will certainly win the starting spot for the playoffs if he keeps this up. He is clearly better than Joacim Eriksson (who is no slouch himself), even though they continue to split time. Mike Barrett

December – After being written off as a major flop last season, Markstrom has looked like a better version of his old-self this season with the Comets (AHL).Utica is a strong team and Joacim Eriksson has played more games (12) but Markstrom sports better stats, with a shiny 7-1-1 record, .937 SV% (career high at the moment), a career-low 1.77 GAA and four shutouts.Markstrom may force the coaching staff to play him more and when that happens, he must respond by maintaining his current level of play. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come for Markstrom as he aims to revive his career as one of the world's best young goalies. Mike Barrett

September 2014: Markstrom was waived by the Canucks and went unclaimed, partially due to the fact that even as an AHLer he will have a 300,000 dollar cap hit. This just shows how far he has fallen, and his fantasy value has taken a similar hit. He will be facing off with fellow Swede and AHL starter Joacim Eriksson in Utica, a battle that he won't necessarily win outright. Any semblance of NHL production at this point should be regarded as a bonus. That being said, he is only 24 and many goalies take seemingly forever to develop. Austin Wallace

{source}
<div id="imageright"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://ap.lijit.com/www/delivery/fpi.js?z=199099&u=dobbersports&width=300&height=250"></script></div>
{/source}

March 2014 – Jacob Markstrom was the key piece in a trade that sent him and teammate Shawn Matthias to the Vancouver Canucks for long-time Canucks' starter Roberto Luongo and prospect Steven Anthony. Markstrom's development has been a trying one as a member of the Florida Panthers. He hasn't progressed into the starting goaltender that the Panthers envisioned and this fresh start with the Canucks could give him a new start. Markstrom will need to battle with Eddie Lack for the starter's position and right now, Lack holds the edge. Markstrom enters the Canucks system playing good hockey and was named CCM/AHL Goaltender of the Month for February posting a 4-1-1 record with a GAA of 1.31 and .954 save percentage. Brendan Ross

February 2014 – Markstrom struggled in January, going 3-4-1 with a sub-par 3.36 GAA and .891 SV%. He rebounded well in February, going 3-1-1 in six games with a 1.54 GAA and .948 SV%. He will almost certainly spend the rest of the year working on his consistency for the Rampage. Nathan Kanter

December 2013 – Markstrom had a solid month of November for the Rampage, going 4-3-0 with a 2.25 GAA and .930 SV%. He needs to have an extended stretch of good play in the AHL to regain his confidence before he can be recalled to the Panthers. Owners must stay patient. Nathan Kanter

November 2013 – Markstrom was sent down to the AHL and has played 3 games this month for San Antonio. He has gone 2-1 and posted excellent numbers (though a small sample) with a 2.02 GAA and .938 SV%. With Clemmensen back, it made sense for Markstrom to try to get his game back instead of sitting on the bench and this is a good sign. Nathan Kanter

November 2013 – Markstrom has only played in four of the Panthers last 11 games and none since Tim Thomas returned from injury (Thomas has started five in a row). When we last checked on Markstrom in mid-October he was 1-3-0 in limited action. When Thomas got hurt Markstrom wasn't able to get into any sort of rhythym as he went win-less in four starts and posted a lackluster .867 SV%. Whether the Panthers go with Thomas or Marktstrom though, it doesn't seem to matter as they sit 15th in the East with a 5-12-4 record. Expect it continue and expect Markstrom to get a few starts here and there with these uninspiring results to continue. It's unfortunate if you're a Markstrom owner, but the smart thing is to keep waiting. Don't give up on him just yet. Nathan Kanter

October 2013 – Tim Thomas appeared to have tweaked his groin late in the third period of the Panther's October 22nd game against the Hawks. He went down to make a save and appeared to be in immediate discomfort. After skating around for a bit he left the game in favour of Markstrom, who needed to make just two saves before forcing a shootout where the Swede ultimately came up short. At 39 and with recurring groin problems, Thomas likely won't be back any time soon, so Markstrom should now get a fair share of starts. Unless you really need him though, keep him benched until he gets into some sort of rhythm. So far this season Markstrom is 1-3-0 with an .882 SV% and 3.60 G.A.A. He can do better, but likely won't impress, at least not yet. Nathan Kanter

October 2013 – With Scott Clemmensen starting the season on the IR, Markstrom will back up Tim Thomas for the time being. The signing of the 39 year-old veteran has got to be annoying for Markstrom owners as they must wait just a bit more before the young Swede is guaranteed starts. Until then, Markstrom is not really valuable, as the odd start will likely produce mixed results on a team destined to struggle. Depending on the league format, 31 career NHL games means you can probably keep him stashed away on the prospect roster until he's a bona fide number 1. Nathan Kanter

July 2013 – Markstrom, who was a restricted free-agent, signed with the Panthers for the next two years. Financial terms have no been disclosed yet but it doesn't figure to be much more than his $1.3 million cap hit from his entry-level deal (if more at all). Important to note here is that the first year of the deal is still two-way, which was a sticking point of the negotiations. Obviously, Markstrom wanted more security and wanted a one-way deal for both years but he had to settle for waiting one more year before a guaranteed NHL contract. Hopefully it motivates the 23-year-old, who still has a lot to prove, but it also means the Panthers may feel they are not quite set on the Swede, who has loads of potential, to be their go-to-guy right away. Florida's entire roster is extremely young, and figures to have a tough time in their new division (which includes the likes of the Red Wings, Bruins and Senators) so although Markstrom is a must-own in keeper leagues, don't expect too much from him too early. Nathan Kanter

March 2013 – Markstrom has stopped 111 of the past 114 shots that he’s faced during a three-game stretch that saw him and the Panthers go 2-1. He will continue to be the Panthers go to guy, as the Panthers seem intent on letting him work on his game with them sitting in dead last in the East. Fantasy owners can finally start to reap the rewards of owning such a stud, though the win column will likely remain rather empty. Nathan Kanter

March 2013 – Jose Theodore sustained an injury in early March that has taken him out for the better part of the season. This is the time for Markstrom to make his mark. But after a great first game, he struggled in his next three – including once occasion in which he allowed goals on the first two shots and was promptly yanked. He has done all he can at the AHL level and has a young team in front of him. His status as a prospect is such that the Panthers may roll with him through good times and bad, and let him work the kinks out of his game and just deal with the growing pains. Dobber

August 2012 – Size, potential, competitiveness and talent, all the attributes you want to be large on a goalie, Markstrom supplies them all. He also has a larger than life personality which is on display quite often and will make him a crowd pleaser and fun commercial tool for the NHL, much like Ovechkin. Has shown the ability to be dominant in Sweden and internationally, in his transition to North America he has just shown strengths, but is yet to take his game to the elite level. He is also very quick and intimidating in the cease, when shooters cannot see net, they refrain from shooting for corners and just try and put pucks on target for rebounds. Florida’s management has stated in May they wish to hold Markstrom back for one more season in the AHL with the intent of him playing a full, healthy season with 50-60 starts. Do not let this discourage you from acquiring him anyway you can in keeper league formats. Markstrom’s job this year is simple, make management reconsider. He will come into camp, hopefully 10-20 pounds more developed physically, push Theodore and Clemmensen, and then control games early in San Antonio. Jason Banks

Fantasy Outlook: C

Has elite potential, still, but his chances of even being a full-time NHL backup are fading by the season. An elite AHL season could give him one more real shot at the NHL.

Footage:

Markstrom shows his talents beyond stopping pucks.

{youtube}jc10aIXBQnk{/youtube}

Buy the latest Fantasy Prospects Report here.

{source}
<iframe src="http://www.eliteprospects.com/iframe_player_stats_small.php?player=9787" width="100%" height="1000" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" ></iframe>
{/source}