[Trade] Markstrom (31.25% retained) traded to NJ for 2025 1st (top 10 protected) and Bahl

[R2theJ]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Lots of things were thrown out there from lots of people. I have said before I am not an insider but I have made some friends in the NHL universe and I am happy to share what I hear as long as everyone understands it's nothing definitive and just what's out there. If I was an actual insider I would get paid for it, have my own website or be working for a major network, and not on here for hours every day.

I think what guys like Sec and Diss were implying was that there were rumours of offers, but that Conny was asking for a First rounder, minimum. Until the Devils finally met the price, the trade was finalized. I think Conroy held to his guns and the devils had to up their offer to finally complete a deal.

[The Fonz]

It's a pretty incredible return. It's not often you get a 1st rounder out of a non-playoff team.

I'd be surprised if this pick ends up any later than 20th overall next year.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

It's a pretty incredible return. It's not often you get a 1st rounder out of a non-playoff team.

I'd be surprised if this pick ends up any later than 20th overall next year.

Lots of reason to think the Devils will climb the standings but there are some reasons why they might not either.

L Hughes and Nemec are still very young

J Hughes gets hurt every year

Hischier gets hurt often too

Markstrom is old so you never know what you will get

Hamilton missed tons of time

East is the better conference. Good teams miss the playoffs every year.

[Flamescuprun2018]

Originally Posted by R2theJ

I think what guys like Sec and Diss were implying was that there were rumours of offers, but that Conny was asking for a First rounder, minimum. Until the Devils finally met the price, the trade was finalized. I think Conroy held to his guns and the devils had to up their offer to finally complete a deal.

This is correct and completely aligns with my one time credible insider discussion. There is no controversy in my mind.

We got a good GM who has a good handle on negotiation and won't get taken to the cleaners. He sticks to his guns.

Jury is still out on how good a talent evaluator he is with his scouts. This will define whether he ends up being a great GM. I am optimistic but have to be as a Flames fan to keep sane.

[cral12]

posted this in our 2024 NHL draft thread, but in case yah don't stop by there...someone asked for a profile from his draft year...

"Did you have a draft profile on Bahl from his draft year?"

I was on a hiatus from sportswriting then as well. Here's one of the guys I trust a lot from the 2018 yr - Brock Otten (now of McKeens)

"Kevin Bahl - Defense - Ottawa 67's
Love this kid. Behemoth 6'6, 230lbs defender who is a hybrid between being a pure throwback to the Derian Hatcher/Chris Pronger era, and a modern defender who can make quick decisions and move the puck. Thought he was Canada's best defender at the U18's this year, where his terrific work in his own end was on full display. The one thing I love about Bahl is how good his agility is for a big man in the defensive end. Lateral and backwards mobility are solid. So you've got this huge 6'6 reach, but he's also able to recover and stay with attackers as they drive the net. Also helps him recover loose pucks and dump ins quickly. Over the course of the second half, we really saw him start to use his size physically too. Becoming a lot tougher to play against and could be an absolute beast in the defensive end, if he isn't already. Offensively, he's better than he's given credit for. He's never going to win a scoring title, but his decision making with the puck in the defensive end has greatly improved, as has his exit pass. So good at preventing offenses from setting up their attack, because he's able to seal off forecheckers from getting to dump ins, and then makes a quick outlet to a wing to start the breakout. That -21 this year certainly isn't pretty, but I don't think it's indicative of his d-zone ability. He's smart in the offensive zone too. This guy's goals at the Hlinka, Top Prospect's Game, and the U18's were no fluke. He anticipates the play really well and as he gains confidence in his puck skill and shot, I think we'll see him take more chances and increase his offensive output. I just don't think you can argue against how well he's played when the stakes have been raised. Personally like Bahl better than Logan Stanley as an NHL prospect."

He had him ranked 11th amongst OHL prospects.

***
aside: interesting from one of my former OHL contacts:
"Bahl won four straight GTHL championships from 2010-2013. His team won the OHL Cup in 2014-15. He also scored a goal in the Ivan Hlinka Championship Game and won a gold medal for Team Canada in 2017-18."

[NegativeSpace]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I stand by that, it's what I heard from multiple sources. I love how all these returning posters who came back in March didn't learn a damn thing while being banned. Check back and see what Friedman was throwing out there back then. FS too. Everybody was throwing different things out there, I just share what I hear. Can we just boot the guys that came back in March posing as new posters? They are not adding anything and playing the same stupid games.

I appreciate your posts and you sharing what you hear. Forget the trolls.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon Surfer

So if am getting this right, we are guaranteed to end up with the top 3 overall picks in 2026. If this does not happen I am going to be so mad at the Flames, the NHL, Trudeau, and probably Benghazi.

The Flames aren't done, they'll have the top 5 overall picks by then.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by activeStick

Seems like my guess was right and Conroy stuck to his guns and Fitzgerald was the one that gave in to Conroy's price in the end. Conroy is shaping up to be a pretty saavy GM.

A conditional 3rd is a bit nuts TBH. That's the price that was paid for Jake Allen.

I would have thought that a 1st was always on the table if there was to be retention involved. The surprising part to me was that Conroy wanted Bahl. I didn't see that coming, I would have thought the Flames would have gone after Casey or Hameenaho, or someone who they thought was an A prospect. I'm also surprised that Fitz would give up Bahl, they now need two left shot D in free agency/trades. I don't know if Hatakka is the answer.

July 1 is going to be interesting for Fitz.

[albertGQ]

I'm sure Conroy preferred Casey over Bahl. But not surprised Fitz didn't want to give him up. Casey has way more value than Bahl

[Ba'alzamon]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

I'm sure Conroy preferred Casey over Bahl. But not surprised Fitz didn't want to give him up. Casey has way more value than Bahl

Yes, although Conroy clearly values big defensive defenders who can move. I'm not unwilling to believe that the Flames considered him a target, even if a secondary one, rather than a throw in.

[dammage79]

I don't think Casey was ever on the table one he signed withNJ. May have been different while he was still in college admittedly

[Rhett44]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Lots of things were thrown out there from lots of people. I have said before I am not an insider but I have made some friends in the NHL universe and I am happy to share what I hear as long as everyone understands it's nothing definitive and just what's out there. If I was an actual insider I would get paid for it, have my own website or be working for a major network, and not on here for hours every day.

I'm not implying anyone directly, just that was a rumor floating around this site around that time.

It's crazy that some people are upset with the return, what did people expect to get for an inconsistent and aging goalie (albeit one of the best in the league when he is on his game). I think Conroy did really well here.

[Funkhouser]

Piecing together what we heard from our internal sources and outside noise, it sounds like Conroy did a good job:

Pre-deadline:
-Fitz and Conroy open discussions and the discussion is serious enough that it warrants Conroy to seek Markstrom dropping his NTC to NJ.
-Upon hearing that Markstrom dropped his NTC, Fitz decides to lowball Conroy with the assumption that he has no other option and wont keep a goalie who has essentially one foot out the door. Rumours were that he only offered a second and Conroy wouldn't bite.
-Deadline passes
-Fitz wastes assets on 2B goalies and complains that other GMs were trying to extort him
-NJD miss the playoffs

June:
-talks restart, we hear internal rumours that things are advancing and a preliminary deal is in-place
-external rumour that Fitz is offering a conditional 3rd
-Conroy does an interview with Francis stating that Markstrom hasn't demanded a trade and he is happy to keep Markstrom going forwards
-The next day, the trade is consummated with a 1st round pick


All of this leads me to believe that Conroy wanted a 1st rd pick from day one and held firm until he got his price. I too fell into the trap of imagining a 10th overall, Mercer or Casey but he got a more than fair price IMO.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

Piecing together what we heard from our internal sources and outside noise, it sounds like Conroy did a good job:

Pre-deadline:
-Fitz and Conroy open discussions and the discussion is serious enough that it warrants Conroy to seek Markstrom dropping his NTC to NJ.
-Upon hearing that Markstrom dropped his NTC, Fitz decides to lowball Conroy with the assumption that he has no other option and wont keep a goalie who has essentially one foot out the door. Rumours were that he only offered a second and Conroy wouldn't bite.
-Deadline passes
-Fitz wastes assets on 2B goalies and complains that other GMs were trying to extort him
-NJD miss the playoffs

June:
-talks restart, we hear internal rumours that things are advancing and a preliminary deal is in-place
-external rumour that Fitz is offering a conditional 3rd
-Conroy does an interview with Francis stating that Markstrom hasn't demanded a trade and he is happy to keep Markstrom going forwards
-The next day, the trade is consummated with a 1st round pick


All of this leads me to believe that Conroy wanted a 1st rd pick from day one and held firm until he got his price. I too fell into the trap of imagining a 10th overall, Mercer or Casey but he got a more than fair price IMO.

Getting rid of Vanacek's contract is hardly wasting assets. Allen and Kahkhonen were miles better than any other combo they used last year. They went from DFL in team save percentage to 27th. The year before they were 10th.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I don't think Casey was ever on the table one he signed withNJ. May have been different while he was still in college admittedly

I don't know that Casey ever was on the table. I had floated Casey as someone that the Flames would be interested in and something the Devils could afford to give up. That was before the Devils signed him. I do not expect him to make the team out of camp, he will need at least one year in Utica IMO.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Getting rid of Vanacek's contract is hardly wasting assets. Allen and Kahkhonen were miles better than any other combo they used last year. They went from DFL in team save percentage to 27th. The year before they were 10th.

Allen played very well and will sub in 25-30 times nicely for Markstrom next year. 2 vet goalies and both getting paid partially by other teams. Devils cap hit in net is $6 mil. That's pretty cheap compared to the rest of the league and what they have in talent.

[DoubleK]

Hopefully no more than 25 starts for Allen. I don't want that condition to be met!!! F the Habs!!!

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

A conditional 3rd is a bit nuts TBH. That's the price that was paid for Jake Allen.

I would have thought that a 1st was always on the table if there was to be retention involved. The surprising part to me was that Conroy wanted Bahl. I didn't see that coming, I would have thought the Flames would have gone after Casey or Hameenaho, or someone who they thought was an A prospect. I'm also surprised that Fitz would give up Bahl, they now need two left shot D in free agency/trades. I don't know if Hatakka is the answer.

July 1 is going to be interesting for Fitz.

You can assume Conroy preferred the A prospect and settled for Bahl.

Now, the hope is that Conroy valued Bahl more than NJ did. That's how trades are generally made which can benefit both teams.

[Hockey_Ninja]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1804520318364537190

[Royle9]

lol @ Tre
What 23 y/o defenseman do they have?
His offer was probably the rights to Gio and a 2027 pack of opechee hockey cards.