Ahead of the March 8 deadline, several Calgary Flames players have been at the center of trade chatter, including goalie Jacob Markstrom. Teams like the Edmonton Oilers, Colorado Avalanche, and New Jersey Devils have been linked to Markstrom, with rumors even suggesting that he agreed to waive his no-trade clause to join the Devils.
However, insider Pierre LeBrun has provided a significant clarification regarding these trade rumors involving Markstrom. LeBrun revealed that Markstrom was never asked to waive his no-trade clause, although he remains a top trade target leading up to the deadline. Talks between the Devils and Flames are currently on pause but could resume later this month.
«What was not presented to Jacob Markstrom was this question, ‘Would you waive to go to New Jersey?' And so that tells you a couple things,» LeBrun explained on Insider Trading. «One, that those trade conversations didn't escalate to the point where it got to that juncture. It also asks a couple of other questions, which is why didn't it? And one of things we found out on this day was that there seems to be a discrepancy between the two teams about how much money either team should be paying Jacob Markstrom , which is to say that the Devils would want Calgary to retain some of the salary left on Markstrom's contract in any trade.
Markstrom, who joined the Flames in 2020 after playing for the Vancouver Canucks, has posted a 17-14-2 record this season with a .916 save percentage and a 2.50 goals-against average.
Despite trade speculation, the Flames are closely monitoring the market as they remain just three points behind both the Los Angeles Kings and St. Louis Blues for a wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
