Two teams reach out to Flames about Jacob Markstrom trade

There is a growing sense that the Calgary Flames will be sellers at the upcoming March 8 trade deadline as they, ahead of Wednesday night’s action, are still two points away from the Edmonton Oilers and the last Wild Card spot in the Western conference with four teams battling in front of them in the standings.

One name that has come out, on top of the ones of Elias Lindholm, Chris Tanev and Noah Hanifin, is goalie Jacob Markstrom’s. The netminder could be made available in the weeks prior to the deadline and David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period reported on “The Big Show” on Sportsnet 960 in Calgary that rival clubs are aware of that possibility and two have already reached out to the Flames to inquire about the goalie’s availability.

“To date, [GM Craig] Conroy has not approached Markstrom or his agent Pat Morris about the possibility of waiving his NMC. I’m told that will only happen if the Flames receive an offer they deem acceptable. There is belief out there that Markstrom would consider a trade to a contender, but that has not been confirmed on my end," Pagnotta wrote later on his website. 

Pagnotta does not mention which two teams have come calling about Markstrom and there is no sign that the netminder is aware of the interest or would even consider waiving his no-movement clause. The goalie has two more years left on his contract and comes with a $6 million salary cap hit. He turns 34 on Jan. 31.

The New Jersey Devils have been mentioned more than once as a team seeking an upgrade in between the pipes ahead of the trade deadline. They could be one of the clubs at the other end of the line.

There is still time between now and the deadline, but this is definitely something fans and pundits will keep an eye on as we move closer to March 8.

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