The New Jersey Devils continued to be linked to Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom. New Jersey has desperately needed a number-one goalie dating back to last season.
As Full Press Hockey documented, Jacob Markstrom is the type of difference maker the Devils need between the pipes if they are going to win a Stanley Cup. Not only that, but he is the type of number-one goalie the Devils need to make a run at making the playoffs.
The issue for the Devils is that type of goaltender will come at a cost.
According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet on 32 Thoughts on Hockey Night in Canada, the Devils and Flames spot what it would cost New Jersey to get Markstrom.
“Gonna lead this off with Jacob Markstrom. Now, the Flames and the Devils played earlier this week. The Flames beat them. And from what I understand, the two teams are not commenting in the lead-up to that game. The two teams had legit conversations about the Calgary goalie. Now there’s a couple of things I want to make clear here. Number one, I don’t know that this was ever taken to Markstrom. So I don’t know if he got involved, but I do think the two teams talked about it quite seriously.
And I think there were a couple of issues: one, of course, was the package it would take to get them, and the other was retention. Now, is it still possible? I just heard it was really tough to do, really difficult, and it stopped in its tracks, but the two sides did talk. I believe there were some serious conversations, and we’ll see if it picks up, although it just sounds today, Ron, like it’s unlikely.”
Full Press Hockey Transcription
We know Markstrom holds the cards in this scenario as he has a no-movement clause. However, that does not mean he would not waive to go to the right situation. And Markstrom would be willing to waive it to come to the Devils. However, the Flames have yet to approach Markstrom about waiving his no-movement clause.
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The key for Tom Fitzgerald and the Devils making this work is the package and how much Calgary is willing to retain on Markstrom’s $6 million salary cap hit this year and next. Even with Dougie Hamilton on LTIR, his $9 million only helps them out this year. He will be back next year. The Devils still have players to sign, with the salary cap increasing. So the key is making this work money-wise, as Full Press Hockey has reported since Hamilton was first injured and placed on IR.
So, what does the package look like? Well, it begins with a first-round pick. If the Flames have to retain up to 50 percent, it might be a conditional first-rounder added in. Maybe a conditional second-round pick if the retention number is less. Expect goaltender Vitek Vanecek to return to the deal to balance the money with his $3.4 million salary cap. Alexander Holtz is considered part of the deal, as the Flames like him. There are other moving parts to the deal as well.
While things have stalled, that does not mean they can’t reengage. Regardless of who the Devils go after to solve their goalie problems, they will need help with retention.
Mercer + 1st and Calgary takes Vanacek to help NJ with the cap but no retention on Markstrom.