[Rumour] NJD willing to trade for Markstrom in offseason if deal not reached before deadline

[Lanny_McDonald]

Make. The. Trade.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

Make. The. Trade.

It will happen tomorrow.

[TOfan]

This is drifting into the theatre of the bizarre.


The Flames and the Devils seem to be ideal trade partners.

First comes word they’ve had serious discussions with refuting reports of Markstrom agreeing to waive and others that he hadn’t been asked.

Other reports that the deal fell through over salary retention but non specific to what extent.

Several reports that the deal keeps getting revisited but only a couple days ago reports that the Flames are taking Markstrom off the table and plan to keep him through the end of season.

Reports that the Devils are now willing to do the trade with no salary retention and Markstrom’s not so clear but not so subtle shot at Flames management.

And then, who has been the source of this heavy media speculation? Devils? flames? The agent? It’s a fascinating example of one team or another exerting pressure on the other to get a deal done.

Conroy can’t be pleased right now. I believe he tried to take some of the heat off the team with the Tanev trade this week and would have preferred to have this weekend attention primarily focused on Kiprusoff. That’s out the window now as the pots boiling once again.

I wonder if all this has been a game of chicken over Mercer. If he’s not part of the deal, maybe Conroy believes he’s better off not making the move till the offseason.

Just a thought but I wonder what would be more appealing; Holtz and 2024 1st or Mercer and 25 1st or a second in 24?

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

Make. The. Trade.

No need to be greedy, a benevolent Conroy can call Tom and say “look, I am willing to help you out. Mercer and the 2024 1st rounder, no retention”. No need to kick a man when he is down after that humiliating loss to the Ducks.

[keenan87]

I think this deal goes down on Monday.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by TOfan

Just a thought but I wonder what would be more appealing; Holtz and 2024 1st or Mercer and 25 1st or a second in 24?

clearly Mercer for me, even it's a significantly lower pick coming with him. Flames need centers, so for me, Mercer > Holtz and it seems both the Flames and Devils would agree.

[Mr.Coffee]

If you were willing to trade and retain salary on Markstrom, then logically you should be willing to trade him for a lesser package if NJ is willing to do it with no retention and then do what NJ did and use the cap space with another team to accommodate some other trade and buy more picks.

Regardless you don’t just trade Markstrom for the sake of trading no matter how pouty he or others are, you make the trade it NJ steps up and gives you Mercer and a 1st. And really, that’s fair.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

No need to be greedy, a benevolent Conroy can call Tom and say “look, I am willing to help you out. Mercer and the 2024 1st rounder, no retention”. No need to kick a man when he is down after that humiliating loss to the Ducks.

I would do mercer straight across for Markstrom no retention. Even if these 2 hook up for a trade , I can’t see 2024 1st being part of it.

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

I would do mercer straight across for Markstrom no retention. Even if these 2 hook up for a trade , I can’t see 2024 1st being part of it.

Nah, not enough. Like, Markstrom is a vezina candidate borderline. Could legitimately vault the Devils into cup contention status. Only Mercer? Lol

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Nah, not enough.

I think it’s enough.

Goalies typically don’t get big returns. So really I’m not sure why Conroy needs a massive overpay for a goalie who isn’t even elite b

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

I would do mercer straight across for Markstrom no retention. Even if these 2 hook up for a trade , I can’t see 2024 1st being part of it.

If it is just Mercer straight across I think you revisit the trade market in the summer after the Devils have missed the playoffs for the 10th time in 12 years. No need to rush a Markstrom trade from the Flames perspective.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by devo22

clearly Mercer for me, even it's a significantly lower pick coming with him. Flames need centers, so for me, Mercer > Holtz and it seems both the Flames and Devils would agree.

Tend to agree.

I think Mercer is the prime target. If he’s not on the table, I suspect Conroy is hedging his bet until summer.

Just my guess.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by TOfan

Tend to agree.

I think Mercer is the prime target. If he’s not on the table, I suspect Conroy is hedging his bet until summer.

Just my guess.

Yeah I feel conman wants a centre back in any deal for Markstrom

[traptor]

It's not a zero sum game.
People get so focused on winning trades.

Marsktrom is 34 and the rest of his career will be wasted here. NjD need him and Calgary needs to fall in the standings for a couple years.

We need a young center with top 6 potential. Mercer checks that.

If Mercer is offered take it and run. It's fair value and another dance perfect dance partner isn't likely to come around.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Yeah I feel conman wants a centre back in any deal for Markstrom

As a former C, it goes without saying Conroy knows the organization is deficient in C depth, specifically under the age of 24 give or take.

[jmac98]

Originally Posted by traptor

Marsktrom is 34 and the rest of his career will be wasted here. NjD need him and Calgary needs to fall in the standings for a couple years.

Calgary also has a goalie percolating in a league of which he has nothing left to prove himself in, which cannot wait out Markstrom's contract to resolve.

[Niemo]

At this point, I’d rather tell Zary what he needs to do this off-season to be a C next season and not force the trade hand. Get a top 7 pick and pick one.

Kadri, Backlund, Zary as 2A 2B 2C …. Gotta think this would motivate Zary and worth giving him a shot.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by TOfan

As a former C, it goes without saying Conroy knows the organization is deficient in C depth, specifically under the age of 24 give or take.

He seems attuned to filling positions, that’s for sure. The Flames lacked D prospects - he’s gotten 3 in just 2 trades. I’m sure he wants Cs now.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

He seems attuned to filling positions, that’s for sure. The Flames lacked D prospects - he’s gotten 3 in just 2 trades. I’m sure he wants Cs now.

That’s fine, but again goalies don’t have huge trade value especially old ones like Markstrom.

Killing a deal if it’s a 1st and Holtz by insisting it be Mercer would be ridiculous. I mean you can push for it till the end that’s his job, but to completely kill the deal over that would be foolish. 1st and Holtz is still great value for us, and gives us assets to go after another C.

[Nelson]

I believe Conroy is going to make this trade for four reasons. First, he has the long-term in mind, as illustrated by all the trades he has made so far. Second, I believe Markstrom would bring back several valuable pieces for the future. Third, Markstrom is not going to be very helpful long-term. He is 34 and has 2 years left on his contract. He may be of limited value to the long-term, as a mentor, but he also seems like an alpha, personality-wise. So, I don’t know how well he’d do as a mentor. He may just want to keep the starter’s net for himself the entire time he is here. At least, that’s my impression. Finally, NJ has reportedly come off its position that retention is a must, so trading him wouldn’t affect the cap space of the team, long-term.

Please make the trade!