The New Jersey Devils finally got the starting goalie they had been searching for an entire calendar year this offseason when they acquired Jacob Markstrom from the Calgary Flames. He'd had been good for most of his career, stretching from Florida to Vancouver and eventually New Jersey.
Markstrom was fantastic for most of this season, and he was reportedly excited to represent his native country at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Markstrom was expected to be the team's starter, but a knee injury knocked him out of the running, as he won't be available until after the tournament is over.
Despite his absence, Markstrom was still given an honor. He was named as one of the NHL's Quarter Century Team selections. He was the goalie for the second team, joining Peter Forsberg, Mats Sundin, Henrik Zetterburg, Victor Hedman, and Niklas Kronwall. It's a pretty stellar lineup, and Markstrom makes it full.
It's not surprising he made the second team. Henrik Lundqvist, largely considered one of the best goalies of this era, was on the first team. The former Rangers netminder is high up on many lists, and he backstopped Sweden's gold medal team at the 2006 Olympic Games.
Swedish goalie Jacob Markstrom earns his second-team designation from the Quarter Century Team
Markstrom doesn't have that Olympic medal to his name, but he is one of the winningest Swedish goalies in NHL history. He's only behind Lundqvist and Tommy Salo for goalie wins. When he wins six more games, he will pass Salo for second all-time. So, it makes sense that Lundqvist and Markstrom are honored.
Where Markstrom finishes his career as far as legacy goes is still to be written. He could become the first Swedish goalie to be the starting goalie of a Stanley Cup winner. That's the statistic Devils fans care about most.
Jesper Bratt is too early in his career to make such a team, but he's on pace to make a team like this in the future. He has 423 points in eight seasons, which could turn into 1,000 points. He could make the Team Sweden Half Century Team if he stays on this trajectory.
For now, we appreciate the love for Markstrom. It stinks he had to miss this tournament, but it's great that he is getting such a recognition.