5 goalies land on red hot market ahead of deadline!

The 2023-24 NHL season is closing in on the halfway mark and we’re seeing the ground shifting in the goalie market as the March 8 trade deadline will only grow nearer.

On Wednesday night, Elliotte Friedman provided the latest updates on what’s going on in the current goaltending market in the league in his segement on NHL Network. He listed five netminders that are currently on the block in Anaheim Ducks’ John Gibson, Calgary Flames’ Jacob Markstrom, Columbus Blue Jackets’ Elvis Merzlikins, Montreal Canadiens’ Jake Allen and San Jose Sharks’ Kaapo Kahkonen.

Friedman also indicates that the New Jersey Devils could be the ones to first target one of these goalies on the market as they look to strengthen their goaltending position.

“They (Devils) have been looking and, you know, one of the real challenges right now … These teams with extra goaltenders or goaltenders to trade. They know that they are in the position of leverage.”

He then presented the board with the five aforementioned netminders on it, and how each could be the answer for the Devils’ woes in between the pipes. The insider explained how Gibson’s cap hit $6.4 million, signed through 26-27 season, is a huge obstacle for the Devils and most suitors and the same could be said of Merzlikins’ cap hit $5.4 million, signed through 26-27 season. When it comes to Markstrom, the issue could lie in his no-move clause, while the Canadiens are believes to ask a lot in return for Allen.

As for Kahkonen, Friedman sees him as a fun pick that could garner the interest of other teams out there.

“Kahkonen on the right, he’s an interesting one. He’s available. He’s up after this year. He’s an unrestricted free agent. His underlying numbers have been really good on a San Jose team that struggled.

“I definitely think there’s interest in him. … How do they think he’s going to handle being a face of a team that wants to contend or wants to win playoff rounds?”

The Devils will continue to navigate this very interesting goalie market ahead of the deadline and won’t be the only ones. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers have been mentioned as potential goalie buyers this season.

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