By Friday, this team will have sold way more assets and acquired much more in the way of assets than they did in the 2013 rebuild kick-off trade deadline.
If what Friedman says is true, there is a whole lot of contradiction from what the Flames are SEEMINGLY doing, and they were rumoured to be trying to do. I am not sure I am really buying it. Some of it certainly does add up, however.
I guess this is very much a work in progress, and when the trade deadline is past this Firday, we can all take a step back and see what Conroy is painting for us. I have certainly liked it so far.
If I were to guess - Markstrom gets traded.in the next couple of days. Even if NJ doesn't make the playoffs, they need to figure out their goaltending situation for the next few seasons, and they need to figure out what else they need to do. Markstrom may be the only legitimately big hole that needs to be filled. Maybe they need a new coach too. Maybe they need better defence too. What we know for sure is that a lot of bad goals are being allowed in by all the goalies in NJ, and sometimes this is a sign that the goalies either suck, or that they are constantly trying to cheat because the team is allowing too many 2nd and 3rd chances so the goalies don't trust who is playing in front of them. Markstrom is a clear upgrade on anyone they have anyway, plus he can be a solid mentor for whichever young goalie they feel deserves a long runway.
However, maybe this is wishful thinking, and the Flames will turn around and be buyers at the deadline! (No, I don't believe this at all - I still believe that this is a rebuild).
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