So, the Calgary Flames and the New Jersey Devils were reportedly close to agreeing on a deal to trade Jacob Markström.

The first report came on Saturday, when <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/clarity-on-arizona-coyotes-may-take-a-bit-more-time/">Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported during Hockey Night in Canada</a> that the two teams had had talks regarding the netminder, but it fell through because of retention of Markström’s contract, not the package.
On Tuesday morning, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported that the two teams were close, even to the point where the Flames asked Markström about his no-move clause. It’s unknown why the deal fell through, but it doesn’t seem like it can be revisited “based on how it played out”.
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Deadline Approaches ft. Frank Seravalli | Morning Cuppa Hockey" width="1333" height="1000" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PrEhknOfKrs?start=1136&#038;feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Seravalli also reported that the Devils were the perfect fit for Markström, mainly because he has term on his deal (on top of being a good goaltender) and that stability is important for them moving forward. This is similar to what Friedman said on the latest 32 Thoughts Podcast, saying that the Devils wish to add players with term due to it being a long shot they make the playoffs this season.
Is there any other fit? Probably not, reports Seravalli, as teams that need a goaltender probably aren’t looking for the term that Markström has. For context, the 34-year-old netminder has an annual cap hit of $6 million until the end of the 2025-26 season. The full quote can be found below (stick-taps to Zach Laing for transcribing). 

<blockquote>“I think the Devils and Flames were pretty far down the track on Markstrom&#8217;s deal. I think it did get to his level to approve it, I think there were no issues there, and I think somehow, somewhere along the way, that trade was scuttled. Don&#8217;t know how, don&#8217;t know why, but they were pretty close to nailing it down. You would&#8217;ve seen Jacob Markstrom become a New Jersey Devil I think at some point last week.
Again, I don&#8217;t know what happened, but there was a lot going on and I guess the next thing for me when it comes to answering the Markstrom question, is one: Can this be revisited? Probably not based on the way it played out. And two: Now what? Is there another team that would be willing to step up and pay what would be a pretty significant price in order for Calgary to reshape their goaltending scenario. They have to do it anyway, because they have (Dustin) Wolf.
For New Jersey, the key part of getting Markstrom is not just that he&#8217;s played really well, but that he has term. What New Jersey needs, really more than anything, is stability. They need to nail down their goalie situation, and just set it and forget it, not talk about it the next couple years. That&#8217;s what Markstrom would&#8217;ve provided, and that&#8217;s why he&#8217;s such an attractive option. How many other teams are really in the market for that kind of term?”</blockquote>
With prospect netminder Dustin Wolf on the rise, it appears that it’ll only be a matter of time before either Markström or Daniel Vladař are moved. If Markström is to be moved, it may make more sense as an off-season deal, as teams in need of a goaltender tend to have more cap space available.
It’ll be interesting to see how the Flames play their hand before the Mar. 8 deadline, as they also may end up trading defencemen Chris Tanev and Noah Hanifin. Either way, it’s an exciting time to be a Flames fan!
Thanks for reading! You can follow me on Twitter @Brennan_L_D.
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GAME DAY hosted by Flamesnation &amp; Barn Burner at Greta Bar YYC is BACK! Join the crew at our favorite Game Day Watch Party spot, Greta, on Saturday Feb 24, 2024 for the next BOA! Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are $10 with proceeds going to support Closer to Home Community Services! Good food, a good cause and a guaranteed good time. This event is brought to you by McLeod Law LLP and Village Honda. Get your tickets at nationgear.ca before they sell out!

So, the Calgary Flames and the New Jersey Devils were reportedly close to agreeing on a deal to trade Jacob Markström.



The first report came on Saturday, when <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/clarity-on-arizona-coyotes-may-take-a-bit-more-time/">Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported during Hockey Night in Canada</a> that the two teams had had talks regarding the netminder, but it fell through because of retention of Markström’s contract, not the package.

On Tuesday morning, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported that the two teams were close, even to the point where the Flames asked Markström about his no-move clause. It’s unknown why the deal fell through, but it doesn’t seem like it can be revisited “based on how it played out”.

https://www.youtube.com/live/PrEhknOfKrs?si=whAYrerLhGSOq47d&amp;t=1136

Seravalli also reported that the Devils were the perfect fit for Markström, mainly because he has term on his deal (on top of being a good goaltender) and that stability is important for them moving forward. This is similar to what Friedman said on the latest 32 Thoughts Podcast, saying that the Devils wish to add players with term due to it being a long shot they make the playoffs this season.

Is there any other fit? Probably not, reports Seravalli, as teams that need a goaltender probably aren’t looking for the term that Markström has. For context, the 34-year-old netminder has an annual cap hit of $6 million until the end of the 2025-26 season. The full quote can be found below (stick-taps to Zach Laing for transcribing).

<blockquote>“I think the Devils and Flames were pretty far down the track on Markstrom's deal. I think it did get to his level to approve it, I think there were no issues there, and I think somehow, somewhere along the way, that trade was scuttled. Don't know how, don't know why, but they were pretty close to nailing it down. You would've seen Jacob Markstrom become a New Jersey Devil I think at some point last week.

Again, I don't know what happened, but there was a lot going on and I guess the next thing for me when it comes to answering the Markstrom question, is one: Can this be revisited? Probably not based on the way it played out. And two: Now what? Is there another team that would be willing to step up and pay what would be a pretty significant price in order for Calgary to reshape their goaltending scenario. They have to do it anyway, because they have (Dustin) Wolf.

For New Jersey, the key part of getting Markstrom is not just that he's played really well, but that he has term. What New Jersey needs, really more than anything, is stability. They need to nail down their goalie situation, and just set it and forget it, not talk about it the next couple years. That's what Markstrom would've provided, and that's why he's such an attractive option. How many other teams are really in the market for that kind of term?”</blockquote>
With prospect netminder Dustin Wolf on the rise, it appears that it’ll only be a matter of time before either Markström or Daniel Vladař are moved. If Markström is to be moved, it may make more sense as an off-season deal, as teams in need of a goaltender tend to have more cap space available.

It’ll be interesting to see how the Flames play their hand before the Mar. 8 deadline, as they also may end up trading defencemen Chris Tanev and Noah Hanifin. Either way, it’s an exciting time to be a Flames fan!

Thanks for reading! You can follow me on Twitter @Brennan_L_D.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-121511" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/GRETA-NationEvents-2024-YYC-Articles.png" alt="" width="969" height="539" />

GAME DAY hosted by Flamesnation &amp; Barn Burner at Greta Bar YYC is BACK! Join the crew at our favorite Game Day Watch Party spot, Greta, on Saturday Feb 24, 2024 for the next BOA! Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are $10 with proceeds going to support Closer to Home Community Services! Good food, a good cause and a guaranteed good time. This event is brought to you by McLeod Law LLP and Village Honda. Get your tickets at nationgear.ca before they sell out!

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