NHL goaltenders are still a hot topic in trade speculation, particularly as the New Jersey Devils and a handful of other teams could use an upgrade in net. Here's the latest roundup.
NHL goaltenders are still a hot topic in trade speculation, particularly as the New Jersey Devils and a handful of other teams could use an upgrade in net. Here's the latest roundup.
Following the March trade deadline, we noted that Jacob Markstrom of the Calgary Flames, Linus Ullmark of the Boston Bruins and Juuse Saros of the Nashville Predators could become summer trade candidates.
With the 2024 NHL draft three weeks away on June 28 and 29, the three goaltenders featured prominently in the off-season rumor mill. All of them were linked at one time or another to the New Jersey Devils and GM Tom Fitzgerald.
The Hockey News' Julian Gaudio cited Fitzgerald telling NHL.com's Mike G. Morreale he's still in the market for a goaltender. He also indicated he's willing to part with his first-round pick (10th overall) in the upcoming draft to add a player who can improve his roster.
Fitzgerald can afford to part with that pick. He's got a roster stocked with young talent, including Jack and Luke Hughes, Nico Hischier, Simon Nemec and Alexander Holtz. His farm system includes such notable prospects as Seamus Casey and Nico Daws.
The Devils GM has made no secret of his intent to target a goaltending upgrade. He was reportedly close to a deal for Markstrom before the trade deadline, but it fell through for unknown reasons.
Markstrom, 34, is under contract for two more seasons with a $6-million annual cap hit. He also carries a full no-movement clause, but it's rumored he could waive it to go to New Jersey or a contender.
The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun cited sources indicating Fitzgerald remains interested in Markstrom and could also look at Ullmark. Boston Hockey Now's Andrew Fantucchio believes the Bruins should attempt to swap Ullmark for that first-rounder and use it to replenish their depleted prospect pools.
Josh Gold-Smith of The Score noted Fitzgerald's earlier interest in Saros. However, the 29-year-old netminder might not be available as LeBrun reported Predators GM Barry Trotz hopes to open contract extension talks soon.
The Hockey News' Emma Lingan noted that Trotz hasn't fully taken the trade option off the table. However, she believes it'll take more than the No. 10 pick in the draft to pry Saros away from the Predators.
Fitzgerald could also face competition from other teams in his quest to land a starting goaltender.
Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli believes the Los Angeles Kings and Ottawa Senators could be interested in Ullmark. It could be easier for the Kings to pull off that deal than the Senators, who still have Joonas Korpisalo under contract for four more years with an annual cap hit of $4 million.
The clubs linked to Ullmark could also have an interest in Markstrom. So could the Toronto Maple Leafs, as they need an experienced starter to share the net with promising but oft-injured Joseph Woll. Leafs GM Brad Treliving knows Markstrom well. During his tenure as Flames GM, he signed the veteran netminder to his current contract.
Other teams that could kick tires on those goaltenders include the Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings.
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