In their fourth consecutive win last night over the Los Angeles Kings, Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom registered his fifth assist of the season. In doing so, he joined a very rare and elite group of NHL goaltenders.
Markstrom’s scoring in NHL history
In the salary cap era (2005–06 onwards), there are only seven instances of goaltenders putting up five or more points in a single season. Markstrom is part of that group, and the Flames still have 23 games left to play this year.
| Rank | Goalie | Season | Team | GP | TOI | G | A | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kari Lehtonen | 2010-11 | DAL | 69 | 4119:11 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| 2 | Rick DiPietro | 2007-08 | NYI | 63 | 3707:05 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| 3 | Tomas Vokoun | 2007-08 | FLA | 69 | 4030:42 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| 4 | Jacob Markstrom | 2023-24 | CGY | 37 | 2119:09 | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| 5 | Pekka Rinne | 2011-12 | NSH | 73 | 4168:52 | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| 6 | Vesa Toskala | 2007-08 | TOR | 66 | 3837:29 | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| 7 | Marty Turco | 2008-09 | DAL | 74 | 4327:15 | 0 | 5 | 5 |
Markstrom currently has the fourth best season among goalies in terms of points scored, behind three goalies who have a single point more than him in significantly more games played.
Lehtonen and Vokoun played a whopping 69 games in their respective seasons, DiPietro no slouch at 63, and Markstrom will likely end the season with around 50 games. It’s not even remotely close, yet Markstrom has five points on the season so far.
Only three other times in this period has a goaltender recorded five assists, the most recent one before Markstrom in 2023–24 is Rinne for the Nashville Predators in 2011–12.
The 2007–08 season weirdly features three of these seven instances, with DiPietro and Vokoun’s six-point seasons and Toskala’s five-point season occurring in this year.
With one more point, Markstrom will tie the record for points by a goaltender in the salary cap era.
In league history, the record is untouchable, set by Grant Fuhr for the Edmonton Oilers in 1983–84. Fuhr had 14 assists for the Oilers that season in just 45 games played.
Markstrom’s scoring in Flames history
Looking at Calgary Flames history, Markstrom’s season ranks highly there as well.
| Rank | Goalie | Season | GP | TOI | G | A | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mike Vernon | 1987-88 | 64 | 3561:24 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| 2 | Mike Vernon | 1991-92 | 63 | 3640:05 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| 3 | Jacob Markstrom | 2023-24 | 37 | 2119:09 | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| 4 | Roman Turek | 2001-02 | 69 | 4081:25 | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| 5 | Pat Riggin | 1981-82 | 52 | 2923:01 | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| 6 | Rejean Lemelin | 1985-86 | 60 | 3361:55 | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| 7 | Rejean Lemelin | 1982-83 | 39 | 2209:31 | 0 | 5 | 5 |
New Hall-of-Famer Vernon leads the Flames franchise with seven assists in a season, which he accomplished two times in 1987–88 and 1991–92. He played 64 and 63 games respectively in those seasons, many more than Markstrom’s projected 50 this year.
Still, Markstrom currently tied for third all time among Flames goalies with five assists, joining three other goalies over four seasons where they scored five or more points.
Lemelin features twice on the list, scoring five assists in 1982–83 and 1985–86 for the Flames. The former season saw Lemelin play just 39 games, which is very close to Markstrom’s record right now. A fantastic season from Lemelin, but with runway left, Markstrom could move into sole possession of third with one more point, join the lead with two more, and set a new franchise record with three more points.
A historic season for Markstrom
Lost in a season saturated with trade rumours for what seems like every single person in the Flames organization is a truly historic season for Markstrom.
He’s clearly one of, if not the most valuable player on the team right now and is contributing by stopping pucks and making plays. As the Flames push for a playoff spot, Markstrom is the biggest key to getting there. Perhaps he gets rewarded with some Vezina love at the end of the season, too, for his efforts.
Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire
