Jacob Markstrom G NJ Sun 8/18/13 9:57 AM
Jacob Markstrom
G NJ
Jacob Markstrom is in and Jose Theodore is out as the Florida Panthers' starting goalie in the coming season.
Markstrom, 23, is being handed the starting job with the Panthers, who have chosen not to not re-sign veteran Jose Theodore and keeping Scott Clemmensen as veteran insurance. [Jacob is] by no means the complete goaltender we hope he will be someday," assistant general manager Mike Santos said. "But, again, he's young.'' Markstrom allowed 68 goals in 23 games last season for a 3.22 goals-against average that resulted in an 8-14-1 record. During the final month of the season, when the Panthers were playing a number of young players on a nightly basis, he gave up six goals in a game twice, five once and four twice. "We were forced into that situation last year because of the injury [to Theodore's groin]," Santos said. "[Jacob] was thrown into a tough situation. Given the time he came up and all the injuries we had in the short season, I think it was difficult to expect him to come in and play to the best of his abilities."