FlamesNation Top 25 of 2020: #7 — The Flames are, and should be, interested in Jacob Markstrom

The Flames are, and should be, interested in Jacob Markstrom

The Flames are interested. It has been my understanding since before the NHL’s return the Flames held interest in Markstrom on the off-chance he got to free agency. In recent weeks, I’ve had that confirmed by multiple contacts, in Calgary, Vancouver, and across the league. I’m confident in saying Markstrom is currently one of the team’s top points of interest.

Significantly, Vancouver’s goaltending conversation seems to have taken a few turns since their run to game seven of round two. Thatcher Demko’s performance in three straight games against Vegas, coupled with his already-impressive pedigree, has added some new wrinkles. Here we are less than three weeks from 2020 free agency and Markstrom remains unsigned, which is why it feels like “off-chance” has turned into “a chance” he hits the open market.

Furthermore, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman added more gasoline in his Friday conversation with our morning show at Sportsnet 960. “You know that Markstrom and Lindholm are really tight, hey,” were Friedman’s parting words. Make of those what you will.

The Flames are searching for goaltending help. Since their season came to an end, we’ve heard Calgary connected to numerous trade rumours, which is par for the course under GM Brad Treliving. Interestingly, though, we’ve heard the Flames connected to a pair of goaltenders reported to be available: Arizona’s Darcy Kuemper and Pittsburgh’s Matt Murray.

I don’t know to what extent Calgary has interest in those two goalies, nor do I know of other names they might be chasing. But what it tells me is the Flames are interested in upgrading the position if the opportunity exists and isn’t completely prohibitive.

That’s not to say they’d be totally opposed to bringing back the tandem of pending UFA Cam Talbot and currently-signed David Rittich. But Calgary remains in “win now” posture, so coming back with the status quo without exploring other options wouldn’t make sense. That’s exactly what it feels like the Flames are doing: exploring any and all options.