You've completely missed my point. Willie isn't going to play either Utica goalie unless Lack falters. This game vs. TO after Lack was less than stellar vs the Kings proves that.
Yes, they are a "farm team", but if Lack is playing all the games how is rotating rusty goalies game after game in Utica helping Vancouver?
The general consensus is nobody expects Marky to get a start from Willie again until Vancouver has clinched or is out, so if that's the case do you assume he stays in Utica and Jokie stays up there and that's it?
Simple if we need our 3rd goalie, we want Markstrom to be ready and not rusty or at least with as little rust as possible. You never know if Lack might get hurt one of these games and at the end of the day the goal is the best possible team for the Canucks not for the Comets. Its important for the Comets to win but not as important as for the 'nucks to win.
That's one of the main reason to have your own farm team. You can play lesser players more if you want to develop. Put them in roles where they might not be the best player in that role but it helps your long term success (as a franchise). Or in this case, use Utica as a place to get your backup goalie action and rotate them as needed. For example BG is playing the wing for Utica because 'nucks want to develop him in the wing. The best thing for Utica would actually have him play C since he's much better in that position rather than trying to learn how to play the wing.
Don't get me wrong, it would be great if Utica can make a long run and it does help the 'nucks if Utica makes a long run. But if it means Utica misses the playoffs or loses in the first round in exchange for the 'nucks having a better prepared backup goalie, you'll find almost all 'nucks fan rather have Utica out of the playoffs + a better prepared backup vs Utica winning Calder and 'nucks having a rusty backup when/if they need him.
Also Markstrom was great all year with Utica and even after his injury never really looked bad so its not like you're getting back a bad goalie and the rust might wear off in a game or two. We likely won't recall Markstrom again unless its to play him or Miller isn't ready for the playoffs, which means there's a good chance Utica gets their #1 for the playoffs and in good form too so its likely a win-win situation anyways. The only "loser" by this might be Eriksson. He gets a nice little "bonus" for being in the NHL but likely won't see any game action for a while.
Personally i expect Markstrom might be recalled next weekend to play 1 of the back to back games then probably sent back down until the end of the regular season (might play the finale if Miller isn't ready and if its meaningless). If Miller isn't ready by the start of the playoffs, then the situation would stink for Utica but there isn't much you can do about it... that's life of being a farm team.