Five teams that could target a Jacob Markstrom trade with the Calgary Flames this summer
Jacob Markstrom was a hot topic at the trade deadline for the Calgary Flames and several other teams, but with the team holding onto him, the focus now shifts to the summer. It's unclear whether or not the Flames want to move him, with Craig Conroy insisting the team are just re-tooling. With the team potentially rebuilding and looking to the future with Dustin Wolf however, it's clear that the discussions will come back up in the summer.
Regardless of where they want to take the direction of this team, Markstrom likely isn't a part of that, as his value right now is at an all-time high, and with the team not likely to be competitive in the final two years of his deal, a move makes most sense in the summer. New Jersey were clearly interested at the deadline, but when the summer rolls around, more teams will join the race, so who could be in on a Jacob Markstrom deal in the coming months?
5. New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are the most obvious team on this list, as they were the ones pursuing him at the trade deadline, and even with the new duo of Kaapo Kahkonen and Jake Allen, they will need much more talent in net to be competitive. It was revealed at the deadline that the Devils offer just wasn't good enough for Calgary, but if they take a step back and re-assess the state of the franchise, the deal will most likely get better for the Flames in the summer, with young pieces like Simon Nemec, Seamus Casey, Alexander Holtz, Dawson Mercer and a 2024 first-round pick to deal with.
The team are loaded with young talent such as Jesper Bratt, Luke & Jack Hughes, Nico Hiescher and believe themselves to be Stanley Cup contenders after a successful 2022-23 campaign, but to be that, they need help in net. While Tom Fitzgerald talked about the Flames asking too much for Markstrom at the deadline, to get a top goaltender they simply need to pay up, and if they miss the playoffs after such high expectations over the summer, it may force them to rethink their strategy and do just that.
4. Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres made the surprise move at the deadline to deal Casey Mittelstadt for Bowen Byram, and while that signals they're still looking to get younger and grow going forward, the addition of an elite goaltender could change their timeline tremendously. Devon Levi is in a similar spot to Dustin Wolf, with his future in the NHL being incredibly bright, but as we've seen in limited action this season, he just isn't ready to carry the load, so a trade for Markstrom could make perfect sense.
Sure, the Sabres could continue making high picks to see if they can continue their rebuild, but sooner or later they will need a veteran piece to help them win, and Markstrom could do just that behind a talented yet inexperienced defense. It's unclear whether or not the 34-year old would waive his NMC for Buffalo, but if he did, the Flames would potentially be looking at some great prospects or some top picks in return.
3. Detroit Red Wings
While the arrival of Patrick Kane has helped Detroit into the Wild Card race in the East, this is a lineup that's ready to compete for Stanley Cups, so if they can add a top tier free agent in the summer as well as trade for Jacob Markstrom, they could immediately become a genuine threat in the Eastern Conference.
The duo of Alex Lyon and James Reimer have been solid in net all season long for Detroit, but when their offense goes cold, they need a star goaltender to step in and steal them a game, and with some big time picks in the next few drafts, this could be the next blockbuster move from Steve Yzerman to take this team to contender status.
2. Los Angeles Kings
The Flames may prefer not to trade Markstrom within the division, but given that they moved Nikita Zadorov and Elias Lindholm to the Vancouver Canucks, if the return is good, it appears that it simply doesn't matter to Craig Conroy. The veteran duo of Cam Talbot and David Rittich have done the job thus far for LA, but with some exciting prospects and the ageing core of Kevin Fiala, Adrian Kempe, Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty, this is a team that needs to make a Stanley Cup push now.
Markstrom also finds himself with perhaps his last opportunity to be a No. 1 on a Stanley Cup contender, and with so much potential talent in front of him, heading to the Kings may unlock the best version of him yet, so it's a deal that makes absolutely perfect sense for both parties. Quinton Byfield may be off the table for Calgary, but with five picks in the top two rounds over the next two years and some other intriguing prospects, this is a deal that both teams need to look into.
1. Toronto Maple Leafs
The Calgary Flames appeared hesitant to do business with former General Manager Brad Treliving at the trade deadline, but if the Maple Leafs fail to go deep in the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season on the back of poor goaltending, it's time for them to take a massive swing. The Toronto Maple Leafs themselves were hesitant at the deadline, with Treliving wanting to hold onto his 2024 first-round pick and several top prospects, but with the Flames needs for future assets and the Maple Leafs desire to compete right now with a No. 1, this is a match made in heaven.
The Leafs potential interest in Markstrom hinges on their upcoming playoff run, as Joseph Woll appears to be a player of the future, but if they truly want to capitalize on the talents of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and their star studded forward group, a deal needs to be made. Pairing that with a potential top free agent signing such as a Chris Tanev would make this team a genuine threat, and if Treliving and the Flames can get past their issues, this is a move that would make perfect sense.