Trade falling apart for Flames’ Jacob Markstrom

Several Calgary Flames’ players have been involved in trade chatter ahead of the March 8 deadline and that includes goalie Jacob Markstrom, who’s been linked to teams like the Edmonton Oilers, Colorado Avenue and New Jersey Devils. It was even rumoured that the netminder had agreed to waive his no-trade clause to be shipped to Jersey.

But not so fast. Insider Pierre LeBrun is stating that a significant clarification has been made in trade rumours involving Markstrom. LeBrun revealed that the goaltender was never asked to waive his no-trade clause, though he remains a top bait ahead of the deadline. It has also been said that talks between the Devils and Flames are on pause, though they could resume later this month. 

“What was not presented to Jacob Markstrom was this question, ‘Would you waive to go to New Jersey?’ And so that tells you a couple things,” LeBrun explained on Insider Trading. “One, that those trade conversations didn’t escalate to the point where it got to that juncture. It also asks a couple of other questions, which is why didn’t it? And one of things we found out on this day was that there seems to be a discrepancy between the two teams about how much money either team should be paying Jacob Markstrom , which is to say that the Devils would want Calgary to retain some of the salary left on Markstrom’s contract in any trade.

“He’s got two and half years left on his deal at $6 million a year, so you can see why the Flames aren’t too interested in that or at least if they were going to contemplate that, can the two teams agree and what kind of price that would cost. So, who knows if this thing is dead or not between the two teams, but certainly the Devils still need to upgrade their goaltending position.”

Markstrom joined the Flames back in 2020 after spending time with the Vancouver Canucks, and we could see him on the move again this season. While the Devils could be his landing spot prior to March 8, for now, the chatter is taking a step back as it is confirmed that the netminder was never asked to waive his clause.

The Devils are indeed said to be looking at an upgrade in between the pipes and could go after Markstrom, who has a 17-14-2 record this season with a .916 save percentage and a 2.50 goals-against average.

However, there is still time for the Calgary to study the market, especially with the Flames just three points of back of both the Los Angeles Kings and St. Louis Blues for a wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

Let’s hold your horses… for now.

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