5 Offseason Trade Landing Spots for Calgary Flames Goalie Jacob Markström
After four seasons with the Calgary Flames, Jacob Markström could be playing with a new NHL club next season.
The 34-year-old goaltender surfaced in the rumor mill in the weeks leading up to the March 8 trade deadline. He was reportedly close to being traded to the New Jersey Devils in February but the deal fell through.
Markström was tight-lipped about the speculation during the season, but he did little to dispel the rumors during his end-of-season interview with the media on April 19.
TSN's Salim Valji reported the Swede was noncommittal about his future with the Flames. Sportsnet's Eric Francis noted he didn't say much about his exit interview with general manager Craig Conroy. When asked about Markström's future, Conroy said time would tell.
A Vezina Trophy finalist two years ago, Markström still put up solid numbers with the Flames despite management trading away key players such as Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev. He finished this season with 23 wins, 23 losses and two overtime losses with a 2.78 goals-against average, a save percentage of .905 and two shutouts.
Markström has two seasons left on his contract with an average annual value of $6 million. He also has a full no-movement clause giving him complete control over his situation, but he could waive it if the right club came calling.
Conroy's asking price for Markström will also be a factor. He's not engaging in a full roster rebuild but is transitioning toward younger players. A good young NHL player might have to be part of the return along with a first-round pick and a top prospect.
The salary cap rising from $83.5 million to a projected $87.7 million will make it a little easier for the Flames to move the netminder. Still, Conroy might have to retain part of his annual cap hit to facilitate a deal.
Here's our take on the top five offseason landing spots for Markström. You can express your views on this topic in the app comments below.
Colorado Avalanche
1 of 5
Since Darcy Kuemper's departure via free agency in 2022, the Colorado Avalanche have lacked a reliable starting goaltender.
They acquired Alexandar Georgiev from the New York Rangers to replace Kuemper, but he's struggled in that role. Despite a league-leading 38 wins this season among goalies with at least 25 games played, his 3.02 goals-against average was 35th overall and his .897 save percentage was 41st.
The Avalanche could consider a goaltending shakeup if the 28-year-old fails to backstop them to the Stanley Cup. Someone like Markström could prove a tempting addition to help them keep their championship window open for at least another couple of years.
With a projected cap space of $10.7 million and 12 active roster players under contract next season, Colorado has limited space for Markström's cap hit. However, it could get another $7 million in cap flexibility if Gabriel Landeskog remains on long-term injury reserve next season. It must also re-sign restricted free agent Casey Mittelstadt.
Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland could offer up Georgiev, who has a year left on his contract at an affordable $3.2 million. He could share the Flames goalie duties with promising Dustin Wolf.
The Avalanche have their 2024 first-round pick but no picks in the second and third rounds and none in the first three rounds of next year's draft. They might have to include a quality prospect such as Calum Ritchie, Mikhail Gulyayev or Sean Behrens in the deal.
Detroit Red Wings
2 of 5
The Detroit Red Wings came within one point of reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2016. The lack of a reliable starting goaltender played a role in their downfall this season.
Alex Lyon, Ville Husso and James Reimer combined for a 3.33 goals-against per game which was the ninth-highest in the league.
Husso has one more season left on his contract with a cap hit of $4.8 million, while Lyons has one year at $900,000 left. General manager Steve Yzerman might consider an upgrade between the pipes to give his club a real shot at ending its long playoff drought.
The Wings have a projected cap space of $29.1 million with 13 active roster players under contract for 2024-25. At least $16 million of that cap space could be taken up by re-signing restricted free agents Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond. Yzerman must also re-sign or replace UFAs such as David Perron, Patrick Kane and Daniel Sprong.
Perhaps a deal can be made with the Flames for Markström. Yzerman could offer Husso as part of the return to clear some cap room for his contract. While Husso could provide the Flames some veteran experience alongside promising Dustin Wolf, the Wings must sweeten the pot.
Yzerman likely won't part with his 2024 first-rounder as it sits 15th overall in the draft order. He might be willing to move his 2022 second-rounder or next year's first. Winger Jonatan Berggren could be a trade candidate, and a prospect such as Nate Danielson or Axel Sandin Pellikka could also be part of the deal.
The Wings GM could also attempt to ship Husso, 29, to another team to make room for Markström. Given the Finn's injury history, that might mean having to package him with a second-rounder or a quality prospect
Los Angeles Kings
3 of 5
Following the NHL trade deadline on March 8, Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli reported the Los Angeles Kings were close to acquiring Linus Ullmark from the Boston Bruins. ESPN's Kevin Weekes noted the goalie used his no-trade clause to block a move based largely on geography.
Whether Weekes was referring to the Kings isn't clear. Neither club commented on the rumor.
What's certain is L.A. needs a new starting goaltender after this season. Cam Talbot, David Rittich, Aaron Dell and Pheonix Copley can become UFAs this summer. With 12 active roster players under contract next season and a projected cap space of $20.9 million, Kings general manager Rob Blake could target Markström.
The Kings have the space to take on his full $6 million cap hit, but the GM must ensure he has enough to re-sign restricted free agents Quinton Byfield and Jordan Spence and fill out the remainder of his roster.
Blake could offer his 2024 first-rounder, but that would leave him with no picks through the first three rounds of this year's draft. He could draw on his first- or second-round picks in 2025 or 2026 as part of the deal.
Kings winger Arthur Kaliyev could benefit from a change of scenery after struggling this season. Blake won't part with prospect defenseman Brandt Clarke, but forward Alex Turcotte may be available.
The Toronto Star's Nick Kypreos claimed Markström refused to waive his no-movement clause to join the Kings because he had no interest in playing on the West Coast. It's worth noting he spent seven seasons with the Vancouver Canucks and had no issue then.
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New Jersey Devils
4 of 5
The New Jersey Devils reportedly were close to a deal with the Flames in February to acquire Markström.
While the rumored trade didn't go through, the speculation linking the Devils to the Calgary netminder kept him near the top of our trade block big board before the deadline.
Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald made no secret about his intent to acquire a starting goaltender during the offseason. Markström could still be at the top of his wish list.
If Markström was willing to waive his no-movement clause to join the Devils as rumored, it shouldn't be an issue during the offseason if Fitzgerald revisits his interest in him. The question will be whether he'll meet Conroy's asking price.
The Devils have 14 active roster players under contract next season with a projected cap space of $19.9 million. There's enough room to take on Markström's salary, however, it would bite deeply into those available cap dollars, especially with restricted free agent wing Dawson Mercer seeking a raise coming off his entry-level contract.
Conroy could ask for Mercer as part of the return, but Fitzgerald could prefer parting with forward Alexander Holtz instead. It could also cost him his first-rounder in this year's draft or 2025 and a quality prospect like Seamus Casey.
Toronto Maple Leafs
5 of 5
Goaltending has been among the issues preventing the Toronto Maple Leafs from staging a run to the Stanley Cup. Since 2020, they've gone through Frederik Andersen and Jack Campbell and are now struggling with Ilya Samsonov and Joseph Woll.
Leafs general manager Brad Treliving could look into Markström's availability. He knows the netminder well after signing him to his current contract while serving as Flames general manager in 2020. He also has a good relationship with current Flames GM Craig Conroy.
Assuming the Swede would approve a trade to the Leafs, finding suitable cap space to make this deal work will be an issue.
Toronto has a projected cap space of $18.5 million with 16 active roster players under contract. Treliving must re-sign or replace pending unrestricted free agents Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi, and T.J. Brodie.
Treliving could ask Conroy to retain part of Markström's $6 million cap hit. That could cost the Leafs their first-rounder in 2024 or 2026 as they've traded away their 2025 first-round pick. They have no second-round selections through 2026.
Young winger Nicholas Robertson as he's struggled to crack the Leafs lineup or a prospect such as Topi Niemelä or Fraser Minten might also have to be part of the return.
Regular-season stats via NHL.com. Salary-cap info via Cap Friendly.
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