The Calgary Flames moved plenty of players at the 2024 NHL trade deadline, with Nikita Zadorov, Elias Lindholm, Chris Tanev and Noah Hanifin all being traded ahead of their impending free agency. While all those deals netted the Flames solid returns, it was the move to not trade Jacob Markstrom that drew the most attention, as it was reportedly nixed by the front office as they wanted to chase a playoff spot, despite most fans knowing that was unrealistic.
According to the reports, Markstrom officially waived his no-movement clause to accept a trade to New Jersey, and when ownership nixed the deal, his form went downhill, with Markstrom struggling as Dustin Wolf took over the No. 1 role down the stretch. Given the Flames are likely not going to chase a playoff spot in 2024-25, the consensus is that they need to move Markstrom, so the latest report from Pierre LeBrun is certainly going to be news to the fans ears.
Chatted with GMs Tom Fitzgerald, Barry Trotz, Pat Verbeek, Kent Hughes, Daniel Briere and Brad Treliving here at the Scouting Combine in Buffalo on Tuesday.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 5, 2024
My latest Rumblings for @TheAthletic ⤵️ https://t.co/4IMI3Iw0we
"Those conversations have taken up with the Flames again. We know that those teams almost had a deal done before the trade deadline earlier this season before March 8. It fell apart but the Devils remain interested in Jacob Markstrom, and as importantly, Jacob Markstrom has a full no-move, but my understanding is he's willing to go to New Jersey.Pierre LeBrun
There are other teams now that weren't there on Markstrom before the trade deadline that have now entered the picture. The Flames are getting calls from multiple teams on Markstrom, not just from the Devils... At this point in time there's still a difference of opinion on the return, on what it should cost the Devils to get Markstrom out of Calgary, and the Flames are willing to be patient in having a team meet their price. "
LeBrun also interestingly notes that there are more teams that have entered the race, with Toronto, Los Angeles and Colorado all coming into this summer on the back of poor goaltending performances in the playoffs that may be interested in Markstrom. With Wolf excelling towards the end of the season, and Calgary realizing they likely aren't going to compete in the next two years, all signs right now are pointing towards the Flames finally moving Markstrom.
Currently, Calgary own the No. 9 and No. 28 overall pick in the upcoming 2024 NHL Draft, and given their goals of looking to add top level prospects to the organization, getting one of those or a top pick in return for Markstrom could be the deal that changes the future of the Calgary Flames. Regardless, the 2024 NHL Draft is just three weeks away, and now things are heating up for the Flames, so expect major changes to the future of the organization between now and then on way or another.