March 1, 2024 | 3:50pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com
FLAMES TELLING TEAMS MARKSTROM WILL STAY
Jacob Markstrom, goaltender
The Calgary Flames came close to trading goaltender Jacob Markstrom last month to the New Jersey Devils, but after the deal fell through, the Flames seem to the pivoted for the time being.
Calgary and New Jersey had agreed to a deal that would have sent Markstrom to the Devils in a package that included young forward Alexander Holtz. The Flames were set to retain around $2 million to $3 million of Markstrom’s annual cap hit.
However, as TFP’s David Pagnotta reported on NHL Network, the deal was stopped in its tracks at the final stage and the Flames informed the Devils they would not be able to retain on Markstrom’s deal.
The Devils have explored alternative options, but circled back this week with the Flames to see if a deal without retention could be made. While this option may be explored again in the off-season, it appears Markstrom is off the table for this season.
As reported on Pagnotta and Anthony Di Marco on Thursday, the Flames have informed people around the NHL that they now plan on keeping Markstrom.
Pagnotta reiterated Calgary’s new position Thursday on NHL Now on NHL Network, and when asked about his situation on Friday, Markstrom did not seem all too pleased with how public discussions have gotten.
“Everyone in here I really respect everything that’s been going on, and not going on, and how everyone in this room has handled everything,” Markstrom told Sportsnet’s Eric Francis. “I think it’s been really good. And then the whole situation and everything, am I happy about that? No, I’m not. I think it could have been handled a lot different from up top.”
According to Di Marco, Calgary’s decision to hold on to Markstrom, even after trading Chris Tanev to Dallas and working on moving Noah Hanifin prior to the deadline, is to send “the right message” to the rest of the team as they continue to battle for a wildcard spot in the Western Conference.
It is entirely possible the Devils present the Flames with a major offer that Calgary GM Craig Conroy cannot pass up, but barring such a move by New Jersey GM Tom Fitzgerald, it seems as though this situation may not gain further momentum until the summer.
In 37 games with the Flames so far this season, Markstrom has posted a 20-15-2 record with a 2.56 goals-against-average, a .914 save percentage and two shutouts.