On the most recent 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 suppose that the Flames ought to promote excessive on Jacob Markstrom earlier than the commerce deadline, and I do know which may 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 isn’t gonna get it executed to get within the playoffs. I do know they’ll get scorching and get in. Are they actually a Stanley Cup contender?
Clearly, it’s important to 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, if you happen to’re going to be this, this rebuild on the fly, your greatest asset to get a return is Jacob Markstrom.
Why? Nicely, he’s obtained two years left at $6 million. That may be a superb quantity for a goaltender and a primary goaltender that’s taking part in on the stage of Jacob Markstrom proper now. And there’s gonna be groups which might be going to be calling and can supply so much 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 might 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 believe 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.
If you happen to have a look at the TSN Commerce Bait Board proper now, Jake Allen, okay. You might have Kappo Kahkonen in San Jose, you may have Marc-Andre Fleury. I don’t suppose that any of these goaltenders are on the stage of Jacob Markstrom. So, if you happen to 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 may play at a excessive stage. We noticed final 12 months sooner or later within the season when Markstrom was struggling , was it Vladar, was it Markstrom, who was the primary goaltender? Perhaps you can provide Vladar just a little bit extra taking part in time down the stretch, and perhaps 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 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 might promote excessive on Jacob Markstrom and never hold on to Markstrom and attempt to do one thing at a later date.”
