Jacob Markstrom will likely take his goaltending talents elsewhere this summer, but to which NHL team the Calgary Flames send him is the question.
Goaltending appears to be a seller's market right now in the NHL.
With that, there’s speculation about more than a few veteran NHL netminders changing teams – specifically, Calgary Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom.
According to reports, Markstrom was nearly traded to the New Jersey Devils at this past NHL trade deadline, but the deal fell apart. But some observers believe Markstrom has played his final game for the Flames, as Calgary GM Craig Conroy continues a significant reshaping of his roster.
Aside from the Devils, which have been speculated recently, here are four teams Markstrom could be dealt to this summer and how good a fit he would be there.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The state of the Maple Leafs’ goaltending last season was almost always in flux, with injuries and inconsistency dogging Ilya Samsonov and Joseph Woll.
With most pundits believing Samsonov will move to a different team as a UFA this summer, Toronto has a clear opening for Markstrom.
At 34 years old, the Swede may no longer be at his peak, but Markstrom bounced back with an above-average season for the Flames last season, and he could give the Buds the experience and dependability they need in a tandem with Woll.
Markstrom’s $6-million annual salary cap hit runs for the next two seasons. If the Maple Leafs can get two good years out of him, it will be worth the significant price Toronto GM Brad Treliving would have to pay to be reunited with Markstrom.
There will be a bidding war for Markstrom’s services, but the Leafs have the asset base to get a deal done. Treliving needs to hit a home run on the goalie he does bring in to work with Woll, and the closest thing to a sure thing on the goalie front is Markstrom, so there’s an impetus for Toronto to figure out a way to bring in Markstrom and give him a two-year audition to stay around longer.
Ottawa Senators
The Senators have had a revolving door for their goalies in recent years, and they did not get a good season out of first-year Sens netminder Joonas Korpisalo.
Would the Flames take back veteran Anton Forsberg to make a trade happen with Ottawa? Maybe, maybe not. Calgary wants to get more cap flexibility, so if there’s a way to dump Forsberg’s salary – and considering Korpisalo’s current deal is likely untradeable in the short term – the Sens will do it.
Forsberg would be spinning his wheels in Calgary, but he could be dealt to a different team before next season begins.
The Senators intend on having a great rebound year, and acquiring Markstrom would underscore to fans it’s either playoffs or bust for this group.
Markstrom would be under immense pressure to carry the Senators to a post-season berth. After playing in Canadian markets for the last part of his career, Markstrom may want to play in a lower-profile city, but Ottawa GM Steve Staios could step up with a trade offer Conroy can’t say no to. Of course, Markstrom and his no-move clause is another story altogether, but the promise Ottawa has with its developing collection of talent could be enough to convince Markstrom to waive it.
Los Angeles Kings
The Kings got a decent season from well-travelled veteran Cam Talbot. But with Talbot now a UFA, there’s no assurance he wants to return to L.A. That opens the door for Markstrom, who might fancy the California lifestyle and play on a Kings team that should make the playoffs again in 2024-25.
The Kings are bringing back veteran David Rittich next season, and Markstrom could be a tandem mate the way he was with Rittich in Calgary in 2020-21.
Los Angeles has about $21 million in cap space next season, so they could easily afford to bring in Markstrom. The question is what the Kings must give to Calgary in a trade.
They have all of their next three first-round draft picks, and the Flames are stockpiling picks, with two in each of the first four rounds in the 2024 NHL draft. Another first-rounder is probably the minimum cost for Markstrom, but it probably will take more than that.
Would youngster Arthur Kaliyev make sense for Calgary? The Flames would be a fresh start for a young player who’s underwhelmed thus far with the Kings. Whatever the case, the Kings’ picture in goal should be notably different next season, and Markstrom might just decide he wants to help push L.A. to a new level.
Carolina Hurricanes
Although some believe the Devils are still interested in Markstrom, the Hurricanes could make a stronger push could be made for him.
If Calgary would take veteran Frederik Andersen off Carolina’s hands – and if Andersen doesn’t have Calgary on his 15-team no-trade list – Markstrom would probably jump for joy with a trade to the Hurricanes.
Andersen wasn’t the entire reason the Hurricanes failed to advance past the second round of the post-season this year, but he didn’t step up and deliver first-rate performances like he did when he returned from a blood-clotting issue, either.
Calgary could try flipping Andersen to a different team if they do find a trade fit with Carolina, but the Hurricanes aren't satisfied with the way their season ended, and adding a different experienced hand in net like Markstrom might be just what's needed.
Keeping him out of New Jersey’s hands is a side benefit for the Hurricanes, but the primary goal of acquiring a difference-maker in net would be accomplished by landing Markstrom. The Hurricanes are done playing around with their netminding picture, and trading for Markstrom would signal the start of a new era in North Carolina.
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