Markstrom has the yips: Good news & bad news

Jacob Markstrom’s struggles in the Calgary Flames’ net have been well documented.  It appears as though he is burdened by an affliction typically found in golfers.  That’s bad news for a team with playoff aspirations.  But, don’t fret.  There’s good news too.

Jacob Markstrom has the yips.

For the non-golfers among you, Merriam-Webster defines the yips as a state of nervous tension affecting an athlete (such as a golfer) in the performance of a crucial action.  Though, as mentioned, it mostly refers to troubles on the golf course, I’m not sure there’s a better description for what’s plaguing the Calgary Flames netminder.  The battle he’s fighting, I’ve heard it said, is between his ears.

I’m pretty sure Markstrom would agree.  By now we’ve all heard him get down on himself with quotes like “I suck at hockey”.  We’ve all seen the magnificent blunder at the beginning of the game against Sean Monahan and the Montreal Canadiens on December 1st.

The yips have rooted themselves in his brain, and they’re eroding his confidence.

This is obviously bad news for Markstrom, the team and Calgary Flames fans alike.  But all the news isn’t bad.  In fact, there is a bit of domino effect of good news and bad news that Markstrom’s troubles have set off.

So follow me, readers!  There is the bad news/good news train set off by Jacob Markstrom and his yips.

Bad News

Obviously, Markstrom has not played to form.  So far this year, he is has posted a middling Save Percentage of .889 and has won only 8 of his 17 starts.

To make matters worse, some of his mistakes have been, for want of a better term, dramatic. Take, for example, Connor McDavid’s goal on October 29th.  Markstrom was well out of position when McDavid shoveled the puck to the net from the half wall for a goal.

So not only is he letting in more pucks than usual, some of the ones that get past him LOOK really bad.  They’ve made the highlight reels for all the wrong reasons.  This is NOT the guy the Calgary Flames need if they are to return to the playoffs.

Good News

Dan Vladar has been more than adequate as Markstrom’s backup.  He’s won 5 of his last nine starts, posting a .912 Save Percentage.  I’d even go so far as to say the numbers don’t do his performance justice.

He’s passed the eye test, at least for me.  He’s given the Calgary Flames a chance to win in each of his starts.  This is a far cry from how he looked last year when Head Coach Darryl Sutter could barely say his name, let alone start him.

Bad News

As good as Vladar has been, there is absolutely no statistical evidence to suggest he can carry on this level of play for much longer.

Let me be clear here.  I am not saying he can’t shoulder the load.  Many who know more than I do suggest he can be an NHL starting goalie.  Nor am I saying he shouldn’t be given the opportunity.  As long as he’s hot, ride him I say.

What I’m saying is that there is a lack of precedence.  Last year’s 19 starts for the Calgary Flames represent the most he’s ever played at this level.  So, truly, we have no idea what his ceiling is.

That unknown is troubling, particularly if Markstrom’s troubles endure.

Good News

Jacob Markstrom is a Vezina finalist.  He’s one of the best goaltenders in the National Hockey League.  He is not injured.  He does not appear to be out of shape.  His commitments to hard work and improvement seem intact.

There is no physical reason to think he won’t come back from the yips.

Bad News

The Calgary Flames are not producing enough offense to support either of their goalies.  So far this year, the team’s Goals Against/Games Played is almost equal to their Goals For/Games Played (both numbers are around 3).  Compare those to a team atop the standings right now.  The Boston Bruins, as an example, have double GF/GP (nearly 4) to GA/GP (a little over 2).

The moral here is that it doesn’t matter who is in net, the Flames offensive production needs to improve.

Good News

For the time being, Markstrom seems to be embracing his role as mentor.  He is invested in Vladar’s success.  He is a supportive Obi-Wan Kenobi to Vladar’s Anakin Skywalker (sorry…couldn’t resist that analogy).

In turn, Vladar has acknowledged Markstrom as a top tier goalie and seems ready to step aside when he returns.  This symbiotic relationship can only improve the tandem as the season progresses.

What’s It All Mean?

In the here and now, the Calgary Flames starting goalie position is bleak.  There are reasons for optimism, however, when one looks at the backup, the relationship and the likelihood that Markstrom will return to form.

Put another way, the yips are a storm that needs to be weathered.