Report: Canucks impressed with Markstrom's development, pull him off trade market

Eddie Lack may be the odd man out in Vancouver.

With the Canucks reportedly open to considering offers for one of their depth goaltenders, Pierre LeBrun of ESPN reports the club is impressed enough with Jacob Markstrom's development at the AHL level to pull him off the trade market.

LeBrun writes:

The Canucks were open to trading Markstrom earlier this season, but word is now they've decided to keep him given how impressive his development has been this season. 

Markstrom, who turns 25 on Saturday, has a 1.92 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage in 18 games this season. There are some in the Canucks organization who believe he could be the next Ben Bishop in terms of being a late bloomer.

While comparisons to a 2013 Vezina Trophy finalist may be premature, it could mean that general manager Jim Benning would consider trading Lack, with a view to installing Markstrom as Ryan Miller's backup sooner than later.