[Rumour] LeBrun: Flames, Devils reignite Markstrom trade talks (again); other teams interested

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by RedHawk12

No, 24 is my expectation based on what that franchise has historically done. This is a team that buys superstars every time they have even a remotely "unsuccessful" season, and they bounce right back. Isn't that one of the main reasons we hate them? Look, I don't talk down the Flames, but if you always think the best is going to happen then yes, some things I say will come across Debbie Downer.

I would bet on Vegas being a contender in 2026 as well. Anything is possible and they could fail spectacularly, it happens. I wouldn't bet on it though. With no 1st rounder in 2025 or 2026, they are going to do everything in their power to make the playoffs those years.

[YyjFlames]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

It's amazing the hoops the head-in-the-sand set will jump through to try and build something out of nothing (see how easy a dumb generalization is to make?). No insider has said what the Flames and Devils are talking about as possible returns. Fitz has said he would be open to moving the #10 pick - if something blew his doors off. You have to be crazy if you think a 34 year old goaltender whose numbers were up and down last season is that something. Team that 34 year old goaltender is coming from is irrelevant. No insider has suggested that the #10 is play for Markstrom nor discussed what the possible return could be. Only the imaginations of the posters here have made that a possibility.



They have plenty of options. At this time of year everyone is available. The difference is the price they have to pay and the return they're going to get. Fitz has to make the determination of just how much they are willing to give up and for what player.



So please do. You can bet on almost anything on the internet these days, so please go and place a bet on it and stop saying with any certainty what is going to happen for New Jersey and what is going to happen with Nashville. Who knows, maybe Saros isn't the target for Fitz. Maybe he's thinking long-term and sniffing around a young guy that's about to pop. Maybe a guy like Askarov or Wolf is his real target?



We all read the same blogs, listen to the same podcasts, and get the same media feeds as you. You're not breaking anything new or providing information others have not already heard. We understand what the "insiders" are saying. A trade between Boston and New Jersey doesn't seem likely unless Fitz over-pays. He has held firm and has not coughed up anything of value yet. If he does, it will be for a longer-term solution that fits the window of the team.



I don't think Conroy holds many cards on the Markstrom front anymore. I think he overplayed his hand and it resulted in a damaged relationship between the player and the team. Based on comments in the media and from the "insiderz" Markstrom wants out. The cards once held are now back in the deck and a new hand has been dealt. We know multi-year retention is not something Conroy has been able to leverage to date, so that may or may not be something he's got on the table. We do know that Markstrom is on the block and what his performance was like after his name came out in trade rumors - it wasn't much better than Jake Allen's. The cards Conroy holds are those representing a 34 year old goaltender with two years on his contract at $6M a season and wanting to be on the east coast. At least that's what all the insiders are saying in the media. A deal is likely to happen, the question remains will the return be like what you're suggesting (10th over all pick plus) or closer to what a 34 year old player will demand? I suspect we'll see a return closer to Hanifin, Tanev, and Zadorov rather than the Toffoli or Lindholm deals. I mean, what would you expect Conroy to give up for a 34 year old with a middling track record of late?

"'They want a lot in return.,' a league executive said."

https://ottawacitizen.com/ottawa-sen...ed-goaltending

It sounds very much that Conroy feels like he's still holding some really good cards and has probably set his price as either a top 10 pick or a first and a high end prospect. Sounds like Boston is looking for something similar, but they're dealing with more complications.

The teams that want a goalie are probably thinking like you and have offered a lot less. We'll see how the waiting game shakes out over the next two and a half weeks. Someone will blink.

[RedHawk12]

Originally Posted by dino7c

You said "24 at most" that is obviously debbie downer...its a late first AT WORST. There are only so many stars out there and so much cap space...with no firsts and no prospects how do you suppose they make deadline deals over the next two years? They have no 25 1st either. Vegas is gonna crash, they have already had poor seasons...lets just hope 26 matches up, it certainly seems possible. Stone is running out of fake injuries to keep them under the cap.

You're arguing semantics with me here. Nobody looks at 2026 1st and Miromanov for Hanifin and says oh ####, Vegas sure had to pay through their noses to get this guy. You think Conny wouldnt have taken Vegas's unprotected 2024 1st if he had the choice? You think he wouldnt have preferred Hague instead of Miromanov? We got the best return we could in a weak market for Hanifin, so Frank was right in that regard.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Hanifin made the market weak with his agent engaging in shenanigans behind the scenes.

The trades are not weak either, historically that is what those type of players fetch. Outside of the Lindholm trade which Vancouver overpaid for.

Mark Stone got a cap dump, a 2nd and a AHL prospect.

[dino7c]

Not sure how you judge a trade when you don't know what the pick is but okay...you say 24 at most. I think there is a very good chance it is 23 or lower.

"Vegas does it every year"
Except for 2 of the last 3 seasons they were not good and not getting any younger. We shall see I guess.

VEGAS is picking 19th this year FFS lol but they are guaranteed to be 23 at most in 2 years haha, I don't know why I bother with some of you

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by RedHawk12

You're arguing semantics with me here. Nobody looks at 2026 1st and Miromanov for Hanifin and says oh ####, Vegas sure had to pay through their noses to get this guy. You think Conny wouldnt have taken Vegas's unprotected 2024 1st if he had the choice? You think he wouldnt have preferred Hague instead of Miromanov? We got the best return we could in a weak market for Hanifin, so Frank was right in that regard.

I'm not sure I take Vegas' 2024 1st over 2026 1st. Which is likelier to be the better pick? I think it's two years down the road.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

Injuries have been a concern, but people claiming he is a negative value contract and way off here. 4 years @ $8 mil is fine for a guy if he can stay healthy. he can out up 60 in 82 IMO

No way we get 7OV and Chabot for this package, if we did Conroy is the man and this trade will be another franchise altering good trade. Not holding my breath though that this one gets reported.

60 games played? Maybe? 60 points, no, he has never shown that type of offensive ability at any time during his NHL career.

[You Need a Thneed]

Vegas currently has a full roster for next year, right at the cap, according to Cap Friendly.

So, they were a wildcard team that lost in the first round.

They are losing their top goal scorer and top point getter, and won't be able to replace with anything.

They are losing their fifth top point getter, and won't be able to replace with anything.

They are losing their 10th top point getter, and won't be able to replace with anything.

They are losing their 4/5 D man in terms of ice time.

They have ONE pick before the 6th round in the coming draft.

They haven't had any picks higher than 29th overall since 2019. They have had only 2 picks higher than 77th overall in the last 2 drafts. All of their drafts picks since 2020 have combined for 9 NHL points to date.

Could they continue to do what Vegas has done? Yes.

But it looks less and less likely to happen these next few years.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I'm not sure I take Vegas' 2024 1st over 2026 1st. Which is likelier to be the better pick? I think it's two years down the road.

I roll the dice on 26, especially at the time when it looked like Vegas could have gone far. This is not a new take for me you can look at the time I was hoping they blew their 25 1st so 26 would be unprotected.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Vegas currently has a full roster for next year, right at the cap, according to Cap Friendly.

So, they were a wildcard team that lost in the first round.

They are losing their top goal scorer and top point getter, and won't be able to replace with anything.

They are losing their fifth top point getter, and won't be able to replace with anything.

They are losing their 10th top point getter, and won't be able to replace with anything.

They are losing their 4/5 D man in terms of ice time.

They have ONE pick before the 6th round in the coming draft.

They haven't had any picks higher than 29th overall since 2019. They have had only 2 picks higher than 77th overall in the last 2 drafts. All of their drafts picks since 2020 have combined for 9 NHL points to date.

Could they continue to do what Vegas has done? Yes.

But it looks less and less likely to happen these next few years.

And Stone looks done. He may retire or LTIRetire but that's just cap space and not a replacement. He's hard to replace at what is now a pretty reasonable salary.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

And Stone looks done. He may retire or LTIRetire but that's just cap space and not a replacement. He's hard to replace at what is now a pretty reasonable salary.

How would they replace him anyways, they have nothing to trade.

[Macindoc]

Originally Posted by RedHawk12

No, 24 is my expectation based on what that franchise has historically done. This is a team that buys superstars every time they have even a remotely "unsuccessful" season, and they bounce right back. Isn't that one of the main reasons we hate them? Look, I don't talk down the Flames, but if you always think the best is going to happen then yes, some things I say will come across Debbie Downer.

The Golden Knights are running out of assets with which to buy more superstars. Remember, they started with a massive pool of assets from the expansion draft, some of which were more highly valued than what the Flames had to offer in competing bids. Now they are in cap hell. There is a good chance that Vegas has already peaked and will be heading toward a rebuild in the next 2-3 years. I anticipate that their 2026 first will be in the 16-20 range, but it could be higher.

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

Hanifin made the market weak with his agent engaging in shenanigans behind the scenes.

The trades are not weak either, historically that is what those type of players fetch. Outside of the Lindholm trade which Vancouver overpaid for.

Mark Stone got a cap dump, a 2nd and a AHL prospect.

Brannstrom was one of the best prospects at the time

It turned out to be a steal but don’t have to twist the truth

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Vegas currently has a full roster for next year, right at the cap, according to Cap Friendly.

So, they were a wildcard team that lost in the first round.

They are losing their top goal scorer and top point getter, and won't be able to replace with anything.

They are losing their fifth top point getter, and won't be able to replace with anything.

They are losing their 10th top point getter, and won't be able to replace with anything.

They are losing their 4/5 D man in terms of ice time.

They have ONE pick before the 6th round in the coming draft.

They haven't had any picks higher than 29th overall since 2019. They have had only 2 picks higher than 77th overall in the last 2 drafts. All of their drafts picks since 2020 have combined for 9 NHL points to date.

Could they continue to do what Vegas has done? Yes.

But it looks less and less likely to happen these next few years.

While I agree that Vegas are likely to decline over the next few years, I expect they’ll find a way to keep Marchessault. They’ll let Stephenson walk, and maybe even look at dealing Karlsson. Martinez will free up a chunk of change.

If Stone can stay healthy for most of the season (granted a big if), Vegas are still a solid bet to be a playoff team next season. LA is stuck in neutral, the Kraken are on the fringes of the playoffs conversation, the Flames are rebuilding, and neither Anaheim nor San Jose are ready to take a big step yet.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by RedHawk12

It's Vegas. That pick is going to be 24OA at most, two years away.

Keep dreaming.

Vegas is drafting 19th overall this year, you think they are going to be substantially better in two years?

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

While I agree that Vegas are likely to decline over the next few years, I expect they’ll find a way to keep Marchessault. They’ll let Stephenson walk, and maybe even look at dealing Karlsson. Martinez will free up a chunk of change.

If Stone can stay healthy for most of the season (granted a big if), Vegas are still a solid bet to be a playoff team next season. LA is stuck in neutral, the Kraken are on the fringes of the playoffs conversation, the Flames are rebuilding, and neither Anaheim nor San Jose are ready to take a big step yet.

Finding a way to keep Marchessault means opening up $6-7 million somewhere else - either by trading away a player, or putting someone on LTIR. In either case, losing a different good player.

If Stone is done playing let's say, and goes on LTIR to open up the space, they still aren't a better team than last season, and they would have zero mark stone, instead of Mark Stone for 2/3ds of the season.

[Robbob]

As of today Eichel is 27, Stone is 32 with a wonky back, Hertl 30, Karlsson 31, Chandler 30, Marchessault 33, Pietangelo is 34. Hanifin slots in as their 2nd youngest Dman after Hague. They are definitely in that down swing since they spent a lot of draft capital in recent years. Only question is how quick is the decent and how hard will they try to extend the window for this group.

[Tbull8]

the 2026 pick could be massive for the flames. It doesnt need to be top 5 to be valuable. If the flames are top 10 again, and that vegas pick is 15-20, thats a great piece to have in a good draft.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Tbull8

the 2026 pick could be massive for the flames. It doesnt need to be top 5 to be valuable. If the flames are top 10 again, and that vegas pick is 15-20, thats a great piece to have in a good draft.

exactly that is a GREAT deal for a few weeks of a rental...which was the point

Frank was indeed wrong in this case IMO

[Paulie Walnuts]

The unprotected 1st in 2026 is a slam dunk if you ask me. On a team on the downswing who almost missed the playoffs.