Pending UFA Markstrom not concerned about contract amid stoppage

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Vancouver Canucks netminder and pending unrestricted free agent Jacob Markstrom isn't worrying about his contract status as the NHL's coronavirus-related stoppage persists.

"With all the other stuff, hockey has kind of become not so important with everything going on around the world," Markstrom told reporters on a conference call, according to Sportsnet's Iain MacIntyre. "Obviously, I would have liked to have a long-term deal and know what I’m going to do for the next few years here. But that's not the case right now. Nobody knows what’s going to happen this year. Hopefully, we get back playing. Even next year, and cap hits and all that stuff, hockey is kind of secondary."

While putting pen to paper isn't at the top of Markstrom's mind, the 30-year-old is adamant that he'd like to remain with his current club whenever the time comes.

"In my mind, I want to stay in Vancouver," he said.

"That's my goal. The season isn't over this year, either. I’m still hoping we can come back and play and make a push in the playoffs here. It’s going to be tough to get fans in the building, but give the people and city of Vancouver something to cheer for. That’s pretty much 100% of my mindset. I'm still a Vancouver Canuck and I’m super proud of being it. I have no plans of leaving."

When the season paused on March 12, the Canucks were just outside the playoff picture in the Western Conference. They'd fallen down the standings after Markstrom suffered an injury in February. Before being sidelined, the netminder had posted a .918 save percentage in 43 starts, the best statistical season of his career.

When inking his next deal, Markstrom should be in line for a considerable raise over his $3.66-million cap hit. Vancouver already has $63.4 million committed to its 2020-21 roster, while the league's salary limit has yet to be determined.