Canucks' Markstrom cleared to play if season resumes

Jacob Markstrom is on the mend.

The Vancouver Canucks' No. 1 goaltender has been given the green light to return, general manager Jim Benning said Wednesday.

Markstrom underwent a minor procedure in late February after suffering an injury against the Boston Bruins. Benning said at the time that the netminder could miss three-to-four weeks.

The NHL paused its season March 12 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Markstrom, a pending unrestricted free agent, said last week that he hopes to sign a long-term deal with the Canucks, but he stressed that hockey is secondary at the moment.

The Swede was in the midst of his best NHL campaign to date when he was hurt, having posted a .918 save percentage in 43 games.