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For the second straight season, the Calgary Flames missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Adding to their frustration, their provincial rivals, EDMONTON’s oilers, qualified for the Stanley Cup final. Meanwhile, their former cornerstone, Matthew Tkachuk, is about to win the Stanley Cup with the Florida panthers. On the other hand, the player acquired by the Flames in the major July 2022 trade delivered one of the most disappointing performances in the NHL in relation to his salary.

Currently, other changes seem imminent for the flames, led by the director general and former striker Craig Conroy. One of the biggest moves expected this summer is the trade of goaltender Jacob Markstrom, who has reportedly agreed to waive his no-trade clause. There were several contenders for the arrival of Marksrom on the deadline for exchanges in the NHL this season, although no agreement was ultimately materialized.

Although Markstrom has been linked to teams such as the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and Los Angeles Kings, perhaps the most likely destination he could end up is the New Jersey Devils. The Devils recently overhauled their goaltending situation, trading MacKenzie Blackwood to the San Jose Sharks and then sending Vitek Vanacek to the Sharks at the trade deadline. In his place, they acquired Jake Allen from the Montreal Canadians and Kapo Kähkönen of the Sharks as part of the Vanacek exchange.

But what would exactly consist of the perfect commercial package that Devils could offer to the Flames for Marksrom, to whom there are still two seasons on his current contract?

Jacob Marksrom was not satisfied with commercial rumors during the season

It was clear that, from what he had to say as the trade deadline approached, Markstrom wasn’t happy with the rumors that his name was constantly popping up, via Aaron Vickers of NHL.com.

“I mean, I think everyone here, every player here, I really respect everything that happens and what doesn’t happen,” Markstrom said. “The way everyone in this room has handled everything, I think it’s been really good. You know, the whole situation and everything, am I happy with that? No, I’m not, and I think it could have been handled very differently from the top.

Marksrom had been attracted by his rival of the Vancouver Canucks, agreeing to join the Flames with a contract of 36 million dollars over six years in October 2020 and giving the team his first goalkeeper leaving in good faith since the time by Miikka Kiprusoff. He helped them won a victory in the playoffs against Dallas stars in 2022 before finally falling against the second rounds.

The Devils would be ready to separate from their first round choice

As previously mentioned, the Devils have undergone a major restructuring of their goaltending. Currently, Allen has one year left on his contract, while they are unlikely to keep Kähkönen.

In addition, the Devils have Akira Schmid and Nico Daws in the system, who both concluded their three -year respective recruit contracts and are awaiting limited free agents. And from what Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald indicated (via Peter Baugh of The Athletic), the plan is to acquire a starter to pair with Allen, meaning Schmid’s future And Daws in New Jersey seems troubled.

“We are looking for a potential tandem that could perhaps rank among the best in the league if I managed to catch one of these big fish,” he explained, while adding that the exchange of Vanacek “allows us to be able to participate in everything next summer and have the flexibility with what we think will be available during the offseason.

The Flames are reportedly looking to acquire a top prospect and first-round selection in exchange for Markstrom. The Devils hold the 10th overall selection in the upcoming 2024 NHL Draft, a selection Fitzgerald indicated he would be willing to part with for more immediate help:

“Having the tenth overall pick in this upcoming draft gives us a lot of options this offseason,” Fitzgerald said. “We have the opportunity to select a very good young player that our recruiting team likes. Or it can be another bullet in my case to use if a deal comes along.

What agreement can the Devils offer to Calgary to acquire Marksrom?

The opportunity could present itself this summer. If Fitzgerald offers Conroy and Flames their choice of first round as well as the rights on Schmid in exchange for Marksrom, would Conroy accept or ask Fitzgerald to soften the agreement a little?

Additionally, don’t be surprised if Conroy looks to bolster his blue line. He could target a defender like John Marino, who has an AAV of $ 4.4 million and could help compensate for part of Marksrom’s salary if Calgary does not keep any part.

If the flames are not interested in Schmid, Fizgerald could very well choose to exchange the rights of Daws or Kähkönen in exchange for Marksrom, which would give Conroy the flexibility necessary to try to negotiate a new contract for one or The other guard who would be twinned by Dustin Wolf in the role of the new tandem of the flames.