Four reasons the Calgary Flames need to trade Jacob Markstrom this summer
The Calgary Flames had a great trade deadline this year, as they were able to get solid returns by trading Nikita Zadorov, Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev, but there was one name that they weren't able to move. That wasn't for a lack of trying however, as the team had a deal in place to send Jacob Markstrom to the New Jersey Devils, but it was ultimately nixed as the Flames ownership wanted to chase an unrealistic playoff spot in 2023-24.
Now, the off-season is upon us, and after Dustin Wolf took over as the Flames starter down the stretch, it appears they have found their direction with him as the starter, so a trade of Markstrom is now likely just a matter of time. Many would have believed that at the deadline too before ownership stepped in, but now a trade has to happen, and today we will outline three reasons why the Flames can not go into the 2024-25 season with Jacob Markstrom in net.
A trade opens up critical cap space for the Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames could go several ways on the free agent/trade market this summer, and while they may need to retain some of Markstrom's salary for the remaining two years of his career, they will still open up a solid amount of cap space. This would give Calgary flexibility to do one of two things; push for a star free agent such as Sam Reinhart or Jake DeBrusk, or they could look to take on a bad contract or two to get extra assets.
There have been suggestions that the Flames may need to retain up to $3 million in a potential Markstrom trade, but even if that is the case, the team will have an extra $3 million to work with over the next two seasons that could allow them plenty of flexibility. Unfortunately the Flames aren't in a position where that money can take them from a playoff team to a contender, but if they use it wisely, a Markstrom trade could be something we look back on in the years to come as a major facilitator in the Flames rebuild.
Markstrom's trade value may never be higher
After a blistering start to the 2023-24 campaign following a poor showing the season before, Jacob Markstrom's trade value was simply never higher than it was at the trade deadline. That was the best time to move him, and for the same reason, this summer is now the best time to make a deal, because if the Flames hold onto him for the remainder of the off-season heading into 2024-25, his value is likely to go down once more.
Sure, he could start the season red-hot, but given teams like New Jersey, Los Angeles, Toronto, Buffalo, Detroit, Carolina and many others are in need of goaltending help, they would be willing to pay much more to start the season than if he was a trade deadline acquisiton. With the 2024 NHL Draft upcoming, Markstrom's value could result in the Flames netting another pick, or pairing Markstrom with a pick to move up in the draft, but either way, Calgary will get the highest return by moving No. 25 in the next few months as opposed to the season.
The Calgary Flames won't be a playoff team during Markstrom's tenure
The Calgary Flames had their opportunity in the playoffs during Markstrom's run, but after the departure of Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk along with all the free agents this past year, they just aren't ready to compete for a playoff spot. With just two years left on his deal, the Flames timeline doesn't matchup with Markstrom, who would love to compete for a Stanley Cup at some point in his NHL career.
At 34-years of age, Markstrom is clearly ready to compete for the playoffs, and no matter what the Flames front office believes, this team simply isn't ready to make a substantial push. Sure, with or without Markstrom, they'll win some games and potentially be within striking distance with a few months to go in the season, but given the playoff hungry teams that need goaltending help, trading him is the obvious move to make.
Dustin Wolf is the future and the present of the Calgary Flames
The final reason why the Flames need to make this move right now is Dustin Wolf, who showed at the end of the season that he can potentially be a great goaltender for them in the future. His size will always be a question mark, but simply put, Wolf has done everything he can do at the AHL level, and there's nothing more for him to prove.
Unless the Flames give him significant playing time in the NHL next season, one of the teams brightest prospects could look to leave the organization, so 2024 is the time to give him the starting role, for better or for worse. As we all know, goaltenders take time to adjust at the NHL level when they are young, so things may get rough with Wolf starting the entire season, but he's shown flashes of being a star, and the team won't know how good he can be unless they give him a shot.
The Flames have some talented skaters coming through the pipeline, but no one can effect this team at the NHL level with development more than Dustin Wolf, so for this reason and all the others, the Flames need to move Markstrom either before the draft or when free agency begins.