Markstrom gives a clue that maybe tonight is his last game with the Flames

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 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:

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.