New Jersey goalkeeper injured his knee in the meeting with Boston and immediately became a question mark for the national team tournament in February.
However, the door was not completely closed.
It is now.
There are technicalities in how you set time periods and such, which I don't think I'll go into, but he won't play Four Nations, says Sam Hallam.
"No direct detail"
The national team captain does not want to reveal who will replace the 34-year-old in the squad, which now consists of Ottawa's Linus Ullmark and Minnesota's Filip Gustavsson.
Instead, Hallam says the replacement will be revealed when everything is clear.
When can it happen?
I have no direct detail about when it will happen. There are several parts to it, he says.
Samuel Ersson, Philadelphia, has been pointed out as a possible Four Nations player, but not even that does the 45-year-old want to talk about.
Maybe.
Are there other possible replacements?
Yes.
We have a couple of goalkeepers over there who are doing well and starting continuously.
Does the player who will replace Markström know about it?
It could be, it could not be...
A few question marks
Jacob Markström's injury is not the only thing Sam Hallam has had to deal with. During the time he has been scouting, comparing, and selecting the squad for the home tournament Beijer Hockey Games, a lot of effort has been put into the team puzzle for Four Nations.
Ullmark, who received the Vezina Trophy, NHL's best goalkeeper, 2022-2023, is also an uncertain card. The 31-year-old last played on December 22 and has since been struggling with an injury.
I really hope the plan holds and that he will be in full training and playing soon, says Hallam.
With withdrawals and question marks, it's only one of the three selected goalkeepers who is playing regularly: Minnesota's Filip Gustavsson.
I'm extremely pleased with Filip's play in Minnesota and that the team has been playing better, which makes it easier and more fun as a goalkeeper, says Hallam.
If Samuel Ersson becomes the goalkeeper who gets the chance, it means that Sam Hallam gets the same duo as during the World Championship last year.
It's primarily two great people to have and work with. Both have taken a step forward in their play this year.
Even William Karlsson, Vegas, is injured and out of play.
Goalkeepers: Linus Ullmark, Ottawa, Jacob Markström, New Jersey, Filip Gustavsson, Minnesota.
Defensemen: Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay, Erik Karlsson, Pittsburgh, Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo, Jonas Brodin, Minnesota. Gustav Forsling, Florida, Mattias Ekholm, Edmonton, Rasmus Andersson, Calgary.
Forwards: Filip Forsberg, Nashville, Mika Zibanejad, NY Rangers, William Nylander, Toronto, Adrian Kempe, Los Angeles, Elias Pettersson, Vancouver, Jesper Bratt, New Jersey, Leo Carlsson, Anaheim, Joel Eriksson Ek, Minnesota, Lucas Raymond, Detroit, Elias Lindholm, Boston, William Karlsson, Vegas, Gustav Nyquist, Nashville, Viktor Arvidsson, Edmonton.
The tournament takes place on February 13-21 in Montreal and Boston.
February 13: Canada-Sweden (02.00, Montreal).
February 14: USA-Finland (02.00, Montreal).
February 15: Finland-Sweden (19.00, Montreal).
February 16: USA-Canada (02.00, Montreal).
February 17: Canada-Finland (19.00, Boston).
February 18: Sweden-USA (02.00, Boston).
February 21: Final (02.00, Boston).
All dates and times are in Swedish time.
