Quote:
Originally Posted by Hackey
I'm not sure those deals will be out there but if they are the Flames need to jump all over them. Adding a couple extra 1st rounders for Andersson and Markstrom would hopefully land you two future pieces in your top 6 or top 4 while also helping you land a top 5 pick next year. That is a much better position than holding onto them, finishing 10th, and reducing their trade value even further.
|
On the goaltending side I have the following teams as possibly or likely in the market for a goaltending upgrade this offseason - New Jersey, LA, Ottawa, Carolina, Colorado. I think there are really two goalies in play (Markstrom and Ullmark) with maybe Saros being in play for the right price. Especially if there is retention I could see the Flames getting a pretty good haul for Markstrom.
For instance does Colorado do something like Markstrom (50%) + Dallas Stars 2024 2nd for Calum Ritchie, a cap dump of their choosing and an unprotected 2026 1st? A trade like that allows them to possibly sign Mittelstadt and Walker, allows them to plan for a potential Nichushkin return and have space to add some more pieces up front or on the backend. Obviously only Jersey and Ottawa have the ability to give up top 10 picks this year for Markstrom (or Rasmus, I could see Ottawa being interested in either player) but I do think there is a strong market for both players if Conroy wanted to go all-in on a focused 3 year accumulation of assets.