This chaotic and rumour-filled Calgary Flames season is almost at its end. One of the biggest stories throughout the year was Jacob Markstrom. Would he be moved ahead of the deadline? For a large part of the season, Markstrom was the only thing keeping the team close to relevant. Tensions increased when the Flames went on a swing through New York after the All-Star break.
The Flames reportedly asked Markstrom beforehand if he’d be interested in waiving his no-move clause (NMC) for the New Jersey Devils. Markstrom agreed. The Devils and Flames were down the road on a trade, but it didn’t get over the finish line. Markstrom was asked by media and took a shot at ownership/management:
It was later reported that the Flames/Devils trade was botched by Calgary Flames President of Hockey Operations Don Maloney, on behalf of Flames ownership. They decided to keep Markstrom to try and stay competitive and potentially make the playoffs. That didn’t happen. The Devils went out and changed up their goaltending tandem by acquiring Jake Allen and Kaapo Kahkonen on deadline day. Markstrom stayed with the Flames.
Jacob Markstrom has struggled since the drama unfolded
Some will point to the departures of Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev playing a role in Markstrom’s decreased play. That’s a totally valid argument. But if you look at Dustin Wolf‘s numbers in the same timeframe (both goalies have played eight games), there is a huge difference between the two goaltenders. In Wolf’s eight games since the deadline, he has a record of 5-3-0, a 2.93 GAA, 0.900 SV%, and a 5.73 GSAA.
Markstrom’s play was also slipping before the deadline. Since the Flames returned from that New York road trip, Markstrom has a 6–9–0 record, 3.41 GAA, 0.877 SV%, and a -0.83 GSAA. His record is much better with an added seven games of sample size, but the overall numbers are very similar.
And you really can’t blame Markstrom for his downswing in play. He’s a very competitive guy and somebody viewed as a massive leader within the Flames locker room. With an NMC, you are expected to have security. The trust and relationship are definitely broken when the team comes to you and asks you to waive that security but doesn’t end up moving you.
The outlook on Markstrom’s future
With the last game of the season against the San Jose Sharks, I would anticipate Dustin Wolf to start. If that is the case, we very likely saw Markstrom’s last game as a Flame on Tuesday against the Canucks. It will be interesting to see what happens with Markstrom this offseason. The Devils are reported to still want Markstrom. Could he be a draft day deal? It feels like the bridge has been burned with him staying in Calgary any longer.
