Major update on Jacob Markstrom's future in Calgary

This just in, Calgary Flames insider Anthony Di Marco is reporting that team has decided NOT to trade goaltender Jacob Markstrom ahead of the NHL's March 8th trade deadline.

Check it out:

The 34 year old Markstrom has two years left on a contract that pays him $6 million per season.

Read below for our earlier published report on the Flames and GM Craig Conroy's approach to the trade deadline, published last week.

Is goaltender Jacob Markstrom the next domino to fall in GM Craig Conroy's rebuild of the Calgary Flames?

Conroy has already dealt veterans Tyler Toffoli, Nikita Zadorov and Elias Lindholm this season and there are rumors that Chris Tanev and Noah Hanifin are both on the trade block, but all signs point to Markstrom being the next one out the door.

TSN Flames insider Salim Nadim Valji reported from Calgary's Scotiabank Saddledome last week that Markstrom was treating his pre-game warmup time differently this evening. Almost like he was savoring his final moments as a member of the team he joined in 2020. 

Check it out:

Since then, there's been a sentiment of 'when' not 'if' the Flames will trade Markstrom amongst the team's fanbase. There were rumors that he had been shipped to the New Jersey Devils, but that trade ultimately was never consummated. NHL insider David Pagnotta though is now reporting on the failed details of that trade for the first time.

From The Fourth Period:

Separate sources confirmed the Devils would send forward Alexander Holtz back in a trade with between $2 million and $3 million of Markstrom’s of annual cap hit retained. Markstrom is being paid $8 million in actual salary this season, and $6 million in each of the next two seasons, which includes a $2.5 million lump sum bonus payment each year. In order to make this move work, the two teams are going to have to figure out how to even out the dollars in some fashion.

According to another source, Devils netminder Vitek Vanecek was not going back to Calgary in the initial trade. The Flames plan on moving forward with Dustin Wolf and Dan Vladar between the pipes if Markstrom is moved.

With the expectation that the Devils and Flames revisit talks and try to make things work ahead of the deadline, Fitzgerald has been evaluating other options.

- David Pagnotta

If indeed Markstrom is on the move via trade, I suspect he'll be happy to put an end to the constant 'will he or won't he' trade rumors. He's made it clear to the Calgary media that he doesn't enjoy reading his name in trade reports and that his focus is simply on playing. 

“It’s up to Calgary, what they want to do. That’s what it comes down to," he told Sportsnet's Eric Francis earlier this week when asked about the possibility of a trade. "I don’t control it."

In the past Markstrom has steadfastly denied any rumor reports and has maintained that he intends on playing out the rest of his career with Calgary. Now though, he's not so assured.

“Whatever direction they want to go, and what they want to do, I’m not going to force anything," he said in that same interview with Francis.

At the same time though, Markstrom is not seeking a trade. Rather, he's just open to the possibility if Conroy deems it worthwhile.

“I’m not going to go up and meet and ask for a trade either. I’m here to play, I’m enjoying every day and we’ve got a great group.”

When asked if the Flames have asked him to waive his no trade clause, he made it clear that he hasn't been involved in any trade movement just yet.

"No. We’ll see," he said. “When they send an email that I’ve got to sign something to remove my no-move clause, then it’s a different conversation we’ve gotta have."

When asked if it bothers him to read his name in trade rumors so often, Markstrom had a perfect response.

“I don’t read,” he smiled.

“I know they’ve got to call me before (a trade), and they haven’t called me, so I just keep playing.”

Honestly, you've got to just love Markstrom's approach to this entire scenario. It' obvious that the guy would rather the chatter all die down so that he can just do what he does and be a good teammate, but he's rolling with the punches.

“Life is good. I’m just playing.”

Incredible attitude to have under trying circumstances.