Despite the Calgary Flames making a number of trades this season, the biggest, and probably most unexpected name to pop up in rumours was goaltender Jacob Markstrom.
There was a lot of smoke, but ultimately no fire, as Markstrom remains a member of the Flames past the trade deadline.
The rumours and responses from both sides around a potential Markstrom trade caused quite a stir, and perhaps a rift between the star goaltender and Flames management. However, regardless of what was said, or not said, over the past few months, it’s done now.
Water under the bridge.
It’s time for both sides to forgive and forget.
Where the friction around a Markstrom trade came from
It all started in December 2023, when the Flames were faltering, trades for the pending UFAs were being talked about nonstop, and speculation started about the potential for Markstrom to be moved.
Initial reports were that the Flames really liked Markstrom and if any other team was going to acquire him they would have to come up with “an insane offer.”
That simmered for a while and it gathered more traction as the weeks went by, until a real contender entered the conversation: the New Jersey Devils. Believed to be a legitimate Stanley Cup contender this season, their goaltending was horrendous and costing them crucial games and standings points. The whole hockey world was talking about how Markstrom would be perfect for the Devils.
The Flames were on the East Coast on a New York road trip, when things really started to heat up.
Insiders reported that Markstrom didn’t think he would be leaving with the Flames after that road trip. A trade was in the works and was almost completed—until it fell apart at the last minute. We don’t know exactly what happened but reports surfaced that Markstrom was asked to waive his no-move clause, the deal was agreed to in principle, Flames ownership ultimately nixed the deal in the 11th hour, and Markstrom was angry.
Does Markstrom’s reaction to this make sense? Absolutely. Does Flames management understand the impact their decisions had on Markstrom and his feelings? Definitely.
But now, with the trade deadline in the rearview mirror, that all needs to be swept under the rug.
It’s time to forgive and forget
At the end of the day, this is all a part of the business that is the NHL.
It doesn’t matter who you are, how important you are to a team, how much money you make, or how many clauses there are in your contract. Players are assets, and management groups are going to do everything they can to make their team better, even if that means having tough conversations with star players about potential trades.
Markstrom has been phenomenal this season, but the Flames have every right to request him to waive his no-move clause, whether or not that trade ends up happening or not.
Markstrom is under contract for two more seasons, and he’s obligated to play out those seasons to the best of his ability. That’s what the bottom line is.
It serves absolutely no one to sulk and pout about what happened with the trade, why it fell apart, or if the Flames are still shopping him around. They’re allowed to do that as managers of the team.
Markstrom needs to put this behind him, refocus on his job as the goaltender of this team, and put in 100% every single night.
By all accounts, Conroy is moving forward after what was a very difficult trade deadline for Flames management.
Hopefully, Markstrom can do the same thing.
