Significant trade offer on the table for Jacob Markstrom?!

Trade rumours have gotten louder in Calgary when it comes to goalie Jacob Markstrom, and the chatter did not die down even when the netminder missed last night’s contest against the Arizona Coyotes with a lower-body injury. Since room must be made in the future for Dustin Wolf, who was called up in Markstrom’s absence, trade rumours have surfaced about the veteran netminder and one sounds more serious than any other.

According to James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now, there is a huge interest from the Devils that prompts him to believe the Flames have looked into the possibility of moving their goalie to Jersey. However, he hints at Calgary’s asking price of defenseman Simon Nemec or forward Dawson Mercer in return, which the Devils don’t want to do just yet.

Markstrom could definitely call for a high price on the trade market, especially with his hot start to 2024. He won four of his last five games in net and has recorded a 2.59 goals against average and a .912 save percentage on the season.

The Flames are still battling for a playoff spot with more than half of the campaign in the books and, with the threat of missing the postseason for the second consecutive year, they could be sellers at the March 8 trade deadline.

Markstrom’s name has been mentioned in many trade scenarios along with the ones of teammates Elias Lindholm, Chris Tanev, Noah Hanifin and Dan Vladar. The one issue with the Swedish goaltender remains his his $6-million average annual value through 2025-26 and his full no-movement clause. Markstrom could however agree to waive his NMC for a chance to go to a playoff or Stanley Cup contender and a deal could be made if Calgary agrees to retain a significant portion of his salary. Some insiders wonder if that’s a kind a deal that is more likely to take place during the summer, when teams have more cap space for the upcoming campaign.

The Devils have however made it clear they seek an uprade in between the pipes ahead of the playoffs and could come back to the Flames with a trade offer as we get closer to March.

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