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Panthers send Markstrom to San Antonio

Chicago Blackhawks v Florida Panthers

SUNRISE, FL - NOVEMBER 3: Dave Bolland #36 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates in with the puck against goaltender Jacob Markstrom #25 of the Florida Panthers on November 3, 2011 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. The Blackhawks defeated the Panthers 3-2 in a shoot out. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

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If Jacob Markstrom can play great in the NHL, just think how good he’ll be in the minors.

The Florida Panthers have sent the 21-year-old goalie down to San Antonio of the AHL, citing the need to get more playing time for their highly-touted prospect.

Markstrom went 2-2-1 with a .944 save percentage while filling in for injured backup Scott Clemmensen, who returns to the club to play behind starter Jose Theodore.

"[Markstrom’s] got a great future, and that’s what we’re all about,” said Panthers GM Dale Tallon, as reported by NHL.com. “That’s a position where you could lose your confidence in a hurry. We’re being cautious here, being conservative in his development and doing what’s best for the future. We know he can come up and play games for us if needed.”

Florida also saves some money by sending Markstrom to San Antonio (where he’ll make peanuts), though you’d have to be pretty cynical to think money has anything to do with the move. Tallon makes a great point about the delicate confidence of young goalies. It never hurts to get a bunch of reps under their belts at a lower level.