Canucks goaltender Markstrom clears waivers

Vancouver Canucks goalie Jacob Markstrom cleared waivers Saturday and will be sent to the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League, according to multiple reports.

Markstrom was placed on waivers Friday. NHL teams had until noon ET Saturday to put in a claim on Markstrom, who has one year remaining on his contract, which has a $1.2 million salary-cap charge. His salary for this season is $1.4 million, according to CapGeek.com.

The Canucks acquired Markstrom from the Florida Panthers in the Roberto Luongo trade last season. Vancouver signed Ryan Miller to a three-year, $18 million contract on July 1 and has Eddie Lack, who is on a one-way contract that carries a cap charge of $1.15 million.

"It's a tough decision to make," Canucks general manager Jim Benning said Friday. "Lack has been great in preseason and that played a part in this."

Markstrom played four games with the Canucks last season and was 1-2-0 with a 3.00 goals-against average and .868 save percentage. He is 12-27-5 with a 3.19 GAA and .896 save percentage in 47 games for the Panthers and Canucks.

The Panthers selected Markstrom in the second round (No. 31) of the 2008 NHL Draft.

"I spoke with Jacob, he's disappointed but he understands our decision," Benning said. "He's worked really hard and will continue to work hard."