Jacob Markström

Jacob Anders Markström (born 31 January 1990) is a Swedish professional ice hockey player who is a goaltender for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Panthers in the second round, 31st overall, of the 2008 NHL entry draft, and has previously played for the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and New Jersey Devils.

Playing career

Brynäs IF Markström signed a two-year contract with the Brynäs IF senior team on 12 May 2008. He had previously been playing for the Brynäs IF junior team. The following month, after solid performances in the Elitserien (SEL) and internationally for Sweden national teams in the under-18 and junior tournaments, the butterfly style goaltender was selected 31st overall in the 2008 NHL entry draft as the first choice of the Florida Panthers.

In 2009–10, Markström led the Elitserien in the save percentage (SVS%) and goals against average (GAA) statistics, with 92.72% and 2.01 respectively. On 1 June 2010, it was announced that the Panthers and Markström had agreed to terms on an entry-level contract.

Florida Panthers On 23 January 2011, Markström made his NHL debut in the 5–2 loss to the New Jersey Devils, when he replaced starter Scott Clemmensen at the start of the second period. Upon his debut, he became the youngest goaltender to ever play for the Panthers.

Markström was then sent back to Florida's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate team, the Rochester Americans. The team directives argued that Markström needed to get used to playing style in North America since players had different shooting tendencies. He struggled during his first season in the AHL and also injured his knee. After surgery Markström worked to get back in the game, hoping to have a real shot at the NHL level.

With Tomáš Vokoun departing via free agency to the Washington Capitals, Markström attended Florida's 2011 training camp to compete for a starting or backup position with fellow goaltenders José Théodore and Scott Clemmensen, ultimately being awarded the backup role when Clemmensen was injured. On 22 October, Markström earned his first NHL win when he played in the third period against the New York Islanders and made 18 saves on 18 shots.

Markström started the lockout-shortened 2012–13 season in the AHL, but with the starter Théodore suffering an injury on 2 March 2013, that forced him to miss the rest of the season, Markström was given the full-time role, starting most of their games during the remainder of the season.

Vancouver Canucks

It was believed that Markström would become the full-time starter for the Panthers at the beginning of the 2013–14 season, as Théodore was not retained and Markström signed a two-year contract extension. However, the Panthers would sign Tim Thomas to a one-year contract, and Markström was subsequently demoted to the AHL again. On 4 March 2014, he was traded by the Panthers, along with Shawn Matthias, to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Roberto Luongo and Steven Anthony, where he served as Vancouver's backup behind fellow Swede Eddie Läck.

Markström failed to make the Canucks out of training camp during the 2014–15 season. After clearing waivers, he was assigned to the Canucks' AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets. Following an injury to Ryan Miller, Markström was recalled to the Canucks to serve as backup to Läck and got to play on 3 March 2015, against the San Jose Sharks, but was pulled after he allowed three goals on four shots. The Canucks went on to lose the game 6–2. Markström came into a game on 19 March, against the Columbus Blue Jackets and made two saves on two shots. However, the Canucks went on to lose that game 6–2 as well. Markström got his first and only win of the 2014–15 season when he made 26 saves on 27 shots on 22 March, when the Canucks beat the Arizona Coyotes 3–1.

On 29 June 2015, Markström was re-signed to a two-year, one-way contract with the Canucks.

On 7 July 2016, Markström signed a three-year contract extension with the Canucks.

On 5 December 2017, Markström recorded his first NHL shutout, in a 3–0 Canucks victory over the Carolina Hurricanes.

On 12 December 2019, Markström recorded his fourth NHL shutout, stopping 43 shots on goal in a 1–0 Canucks victory over the Hurricanes, giving him a second-place franchise record for most shots stopped in a regular season game (tied with former Canucks goaltender Cory Schneider). On 3 January 2020, Markström was named to his first NHL All-Star Game, when he was announced as replacement for Marc-André Fleury of the Vegas Golden Knights.

Calgary Flames On 9 October 2020, Markström left the Canucks as a free agent and signed a six-year, $36 million contract with the Calgary Flames. He finished with a record of 22–19–2 in 43 games in the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season, having struggled with a concussion midway through following a collision with Canucks' teammate Tanner Pearson, which was initially undiagnosed. The Flames narrowly failed to qualify for the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs, finishing narrowly behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final berth in the all-Canadian North Division.

For the 2021–22 season, the NHL returned to its standard alignment, with the Flames again competing in the Pacific Division. Following a disappointing prior season that had seen a mid-season coaching replacement, new coach Darryl Sutter spurred the team to one of its best in years. Markström had the best season of his career to date, managing a 37–15–9 record with a .922 save percentage and a league-leading nine shutouts. He was named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the league's best goaltender. The Flames won the Pacific Division, and advanced to the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs where they met the Dallas Stars in the first round. The team faced the Edmonton Oilers in the second round, the first "Battle of Alberta" playoff series in 31 years. The match bore special significance for Markström, who had declined to sign with the Oilers in 2020, but he performed poorly in the series, recording a .852 save percentage in a five-game series loss.

New Jersey Devils On 19 June 2024, Markström was traded to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Kevin Bahl, and a 2025 first-round draft pick. Calgary retained 31.25% of his salary, making his cap hit $4.125 million for the Devils. On 21 November, Markström made 20 saves in his 500th NHL game as the Devils defeated the Hurricanes 4–2.

During a 31 March 2026 game against the New York Rangers, Markström fought Rangers' goaltender Igor Shesterkin. It was the third goaltender fight of the 2025–26 season.

Return to Florida On 30 June 2026, Markström was traded back to the Florida Panthers, alongside Angus Crookshank, in exchange for Jesper Boqvist, Evan Rodrigues, and Ben Steeves.

International play

Markström has represented Sweden three times in junior tournaments. He backstopped the Sweden under-18 team to a fourth-place finish in the 2008 World U18 Championships. The next year, he played for Sweden junior team in the 2009 World Junior Championships, leading all goaltenders with a .946 save percentage and ranking second with a 1.61 goals against average (GAA). Backstopping the Swedes to a silver medal finish, he earned the Directorate award for best goaltender.

In his first major tournament playing for Sweden senior team, the 2010 World Championship, Markström played three games and recorded a shutout against Switzerland.

Markström then won the 2013 World Championship with Sweden. He was the backup to Jhonas Enroth, and played two games, winning both of them, which allowed Sweden to ultimately win the tournament.

Markström was named to Sweden's roster for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Named the backup goaltender, Markström played Sweden's opening game of the tournament after starter Henrik Lundqvist missed it due to an illness. In his lone game of the tournament, Markström helped Sweden defeat Russia 2–1. Sweden ended up losing in the semifinals to Team Europe.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP W L T/OT MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV% 2006–07 Brynäs IF J20 1 — — — 65 3 0 2.77 — 1 — — 25 4 0 9.76 — 2007–08 Brynäs IF J20 22 — — — 1320 44 2 2.00 — — — — — — — — — 2007–08 Brynäs IF SEL 7 2 4 1 423 22 0 3.12 .888 — — — — — — — — 2008–09 Brynäs IF SEL 35 13 14 5 1992 79 3 2.38 .917 1 0 1 59 2 0 2.02 .923 2009–10 Brynäs IF SEL 43 21 11 10 2542 85 5 2.01 .927 4 1 3 224 12 0 3.21 .903 2010–11 Rochester Americans AHL 37 16 20 1 2174 108 1 2.98 .907 — — — — — — — — 2010–11 Florida Panthers NHL 1 0 1 0 40 2 0 3.00 .857 — — — — — — — — 2011–12 San Antonio Rampage AHL 32 17 12 1 1839 71 1 2.32 .927 8 4 4 546 26 0 2.85 .907 2011–12 Florida Panthers NHL 7 2 4 1 383 17 0 2.66 .923 — — — — — — — — 2012–13 San Antonio Rampage AHL 33 16 15 2 1972 87 3 2.65 .920 — — — — — — — — 2012–13 Florida Panthers NHL 23 8 14 1 1266 68 0 3.22 .901 — — — — — — — — 2013–14 Florida Panthers NHL 12 1 6 3 614 36 0 3.52 .874 — — — — — — — — 2013–14 San Antonio Rampage AHL 29 12 11 3 1688 72 2 2.56 .918 — — — — — — — — 2013–14 Vancouver Canucks NHL 4 1 2 0 200 10 0 3.00 .868 — — — — — — — — 2014–15 Utica Comets AHL 32 22 7 2 1880 59 5 1.88 .934 23 12 11 1450 51 2 2.11 .925 2014–15 Vancouver Canucks NHL 3 1 1 0 78 4 0 3.08 .879 — — — — — — — — 2015–16 Vancouver Canucks NHL 33 13 14 4 1848 84 0 2.73 .915 — — — — — — — — 2015–16 Utica Comets AHL 2 1 0 1 125 5 0 2.40 .909 — — — — — — — — 2016–17 Vancouver Canucks NHL 26 10 11 3 1417 62 0 2.63 .910 — — — — — — — — 2017–18 Vancouver Canucks NHL 60 23 26 7 3414 154 2 2.71 .912 — — — — — — — — 2018–19 Vancouver Canucks NHL 60 28 23 9 3599 166 1 2.77 .912 — — — — — — — — 2019–20 Vancouver Canucks NHL 43 23 16 4 2552 117 2 2.75 .918 14 8 6 841 40 1 2.85 .919 2020–21 Calgary Flames NHL 43 22 19 2 2488 111 3 2.68 .904 — — — — — — — — 2021–22 Calgary Flames NHL 63 37 15 9 3696 137 9 2.22 .922 12 5 7 712 35 1 2.95 .901 2022–23 Calgary Flames NHL 59 23 21 12 3411 166 1 2.92 .892 — — — — — — — — 2023–24 Calgary Flames NHL 48 23 23 2 2831 131 2 2.78 .905 — — — — — — — — 2024–25 New Jersey Devils NHL 49 26 16 6 2903 121 4 2.50 .900 5 1 4 345 16 0 2.78 .911 2025–26 New Jersey Devils NHL 44 23 19 1 2544 130 1 3.07 .883 — — — — — — — —SEL totals 85 36 29 16 4,957 186 8 2.51 .912 5 1 4 283 14 0 2.62 .916NHL totals 578 264 231 64 33,282 1,516 25 2.73 .907 31 14 17 1,899 91 2 2.88 .911

International References:

Awards and honours