On the newest version of the TSN Speaking Level, 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 have a look at it. St. Louis has two video games in hand. The LA Kings are two factors up on the Calgary Flames, they usually have three in hand, and the Flames are solely on tempo for 85 factors this 12 months. That’s not gonna get it carried out to get within the playoffs. I do know they will get scorching and get in. Are they actually a Stanley Cup contender?
Clearly, you must have 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 in all probability be on the transfer. So, for me, when you’re going to be this, this rebuild on the fly, your greatest asset to get a return is Jacob Markstrom.
Why? Nicely, he’s acquired two years left at $6 million. That could be a excellent 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 are going to be calling and can provide so much in return for Jacob Markstrom.
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Now I do know he has a no-movement clause. So, finally, this can be a moot level, proper? As a result of Jacob Markstrom could say, No, I don’t need to go wherever. However let’s put that apart. If the Flames had the chance to maneuver Jacob Markstrom, I feel they might be getting the most important return, and is the primary goaltender on my record. And by far the number-one goaltender on the record.
In the event you have a look at the TSN Commerce Bait Board proper now, Jake Allen, okay. You’ve Kappo Kahkonen in San Jose, you will have Marc-Andre Fleury. I don’t assume that any of these goaltenders are on the stage of Jacob Markstrom. So, when you want a standout number-one goaltender to make a distinction in your season and to present you an opportunity to win the Cup, I feel 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 after they gave him that two 12 months contract extension. They believed that he may 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? Possibly you can provide 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 proportion, a .932 save proportion, and a .927 save proportion. He is able to make the leap to the NHL. So, will that make a distinction this season? Most likely not.
But when I’m the Flames, I’m taking a look at buying and selling Jacob Markstrom, getting the most important return I can on high of Tanev, on high of Hanifin and actually begin to rebuild on the fly proper now.
And so that’s the reason I’d promote excessive on Jacob Markstrom and never dangle on to Markstrom and attempt to do one thing at a later date.”
