Report: Markstrom has officially waived his no-trade clause

In case you missed it last night, the New Jersey Devils earned themselves a tidy 3-1 win over the visiting Seattle Kraken. 

After the game superstar Jack Hughes was asked about his team's efforts when he inexplicably decided to throw his team's goaltenders under the bus. Check it out:

Translation: Vitek Vanecek ain't getting it done.

The Devils rank 30th in the NHL in 5 on 5 save percentage and are at real risk of missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs mostly due to inconsistent goaltending.

There are rumors that the team is close to acquiring Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom via trade, but that chatter has cooled in recent days. Stay tuned though, because I think there's the makings of an interesting deal between these two teams.

Devils insider James Nichols reports that Markstrom officially waived his no-trade clause for a deal to New Jersey before trade talks fell apart.

“I think it did get to his level to approve it, there were no issues there. Somehow along the way, that trade was scuttled. Don’t know how & don’t know why. But, they were pretty close to nailing it down. You would have seen Jacob Markstrom become a New Jersey Devil, I think at some point last week.”

- Frank Seravalli

Again, stay tuned to this deal because I really think both teams could re-explore the possibility of this trade as we get closer to the NHL's March 8th trade deadline.

Read below for our earlier published report on Markstrom from late 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. Today Markstrom was asked about his status with the team and put things bluntly for reporters.

“It’s up to Calgary, what they want to do. That’s what it comes down to," he told Sportsnet's Eric Francis earlier today. "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 today.

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.