On the newest version of the TSN Speaking Point, TSN Analyst Martin Biron breaks down why the Calgary Flames ought to promote excessive on goaltender Jacob Markstrom.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
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Martin Biron: “I completely assume that the Flames ought to promote excessive on Jacob Markstrom earlier than the commerce deadline, and I do know that could be an unpopular opinion, particularly in and round Calgary, as a result of the Flames are just one level again of the St. Louis Blues for a wild card spot.
Now let’s take a look at it. St. Louis has two video games in hand. The LA Kings are two factors up on the Calgary Flames, and so they have three in hand, and the Flames are solely on tempo for 85 factors this 12 months. That isn’t gonna get it carried out to get within the playoffs. I do know they’ll get sizzling and get in. Are they actually a Stanley Cup contender?
Clearly, you must take a look at the way forward for the Flames, not simply that this season. They’ve already traded Elias Lindholm. They traded Nikita Zadorov. They’ve Chris Tanev and Noah Hanifin, that can most likely be on the transfer. So, for me, in case you’re going to be this, this rebuild on the fly, your largest asset to get a return is Jacob Markstrom.
Why? Properly, he’s bought two years left at $6 million. That could be a superb quantity for a goaltender and a primary goaltender that’s enjoying on the stage of Jacob Markstrom proper now. And there’s gonna be groups which might be going to be calling and can supply loads in return for Jacob Markstrom.
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Now I do know he has a no-movement clause. So, in the end, this can be a moot level, proper? As a result of Jacob Markstrom could say, No, I don’t wish to go anyplace. However let’s put that apart. If the Flames had the chance to maneuver Jacob Markstrom, I believe they might be getting the largest return, and is the primary goaltender on my checklist. And by far the number-one goaltender on the checklist.
If you happen to take a look at the TSN Commerce Bait Board proper now, Jake Allen, okay. You’ve gotten Kappo Kahkonen in San Jose, you’ve Marc-Andre Fleury. I don’t assume that any of these goaltenders are on the stage of Jacob Markstrom. So, in case you want a standout number-one goaltender to make a distinction in your season and to offer you an opportunity to win the Cup, I believe you’re making the decision now.
You even have to take a look at the Flames have Dan Vladar, who has one other 12 months left that 2.2 million once they gave him that two 12 months contract extension. They believed that he might play at a excessive stage. We noticed final 12 months in some unspecified time in the future within the season when Markstrom was struggling You understand, was it Vladar, was it Markstrom, who was the primary goaltender? Perhaps you may give Vladar somewhat bit extra enjoying time down the stretch, and possibly he performs.
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And also you clearly have Dustin Wolf, who, in his final three seasons within the AHL, has a .924 save share, a .932 save share, and a .927 save share. He is able to make the leap to the NHL. So, will that make a distinction this season? In all probability not.
But when I’m the Flames, I’m taking a look at buying and selling Jacob Markstrom, getting the largest return I can on prime of Tanev, on prime of Hanifin and actually begin to rebuild on the fly proper now.
And so that’s the reason I might promote excessive on Jacob Markstrom and never hold on to Markstrom and attempt to do one thing at a later date.”
