Did Detroit's next goaltender just become available?
Should GM Steve Yzerman explore a deal?
HockeyFeed
The Detroit Red Wings entered the 2023-24 NHL season as one of the few teams carrying three goaltenders on their roster. Ville Husso was beginning the second year of his three-year contract, while veteran James Reimer was brought in to serve as backup.
Additionally, Alex Lyon was signed from the Florida Panthers, though he had to wait until Detroit's trek to Sweden in November to get his first start in the Winged Wheel. Thanks to multiple injury issues with Husso, Lyon would eventually seize the starting reigns and appear in a career-high 44 games. Unfortunately, the work load appeared to get to him at times, and there were several games in which he delivered substandard performances.
Like Husso, Lyon is under contract for one more season, while Reimer is set to become a free-agent and isn't likely to return. In the meantime, one veteran goaltender who was linked to the Red Wings around the NHL Trade Deadline has indicated that he's willing to waive his no-trade clause.
Calgary Flames net minder Jacob Markstrom, who is coming off his 4th season with the Flames, has had his name heavily involved in trade rumors in recent months, and was considered a potential candidate for Red WINgs GM Steve Yzerman to consider bringing aboard to strengthen the goaltending position.
According to TSN NHL analyst Pierre LeBrun, the Flames are receiving multiple calls on Markstrom's availability:
"There are other teams now that weren't there on Markstrom before the trade deadline that have now entered the picture. The Flames are getting calls from multiple teams on Markstrom, not just from the Devils," LeBruin indicated in his latest column. "At this point in time, there's still a difference of opinion on the return, on what it should cost the Devils to get Jacob Markstrom out of Calgary and the Flames are willing to be patient in terms of having a team meet their price."
Markstrom, who has two years remaining on his current contract with an AAV of $6 million, would prove to be an immediate upgrade over the inconsistent and injury-prone Husso, and would also provide much-needed relief for Lyon, who clearly felt the effects of a workload he wasn't used to.
Is this an option that Yzerman ought to consider, or would you prefer him to look in a different direction?
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