Calgary Flames closing in on trading goaltender Jacob Markstrom
As part of their roster retool, the Calgary Flames have been looking to trade their starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom.
Now, Pierre LeBrun reporting that the Flames have circled back to the New Jersey Devils as a potential trade destination for Markstrom, after a deal at the deadline fell through at the last minute. According to reports, Markstrom would waive his No Trade Clause for New Jersey.
»Those conversations with the Flames have taken up again. We know that those two teams almost had a deal done before the trade deadline . . . It fell apart, but the Devils remain interested in Jacob Markstrom . . . My understating is he's willing to go to New Jersey.»
LeBrun also noted that many other teams are circling back to Flames with interest in trading for Markstrom, including teams that weren't previously interested. Along with the Devils, the Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings, Ottawa Senators, Carolina Hurricanes, and more are looking for help with goaltending.
Now 34 years old with close to 500 games of NHL experience, Markstrom can be considered one of the more reliable and consistent starting goalies in the league. Last season, he put up a respectable .905 save percentage and 2.78 GAA in 48 games, but at his best he can be much better. Markstrom's signed to a fair contract for $6M for the next two seasons.
Towards the end of last season, things between Markstrom and the Flames seemed to reach a boiling point. Although he does possess a full no move clause in his contract, it feels very likely that he'd waive to go to any team that could be in playoff contention. For the next two years, it looks like Calgary may be struggling to put together an identity, and the veteran goalie isn't willing to ride out his career that way.
| POLL | ||
Who do you think will trade for Jacob Markstrom? | ||
| New Jersey Devils | 112 | 44.1 % |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 76 | 29.9 % |
| Los Angeles Kings | 33 | 13 % |
| Other | 33 | 13 % |
| List of polls | ||
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