Flames Trade Talk: Markstrom Destinations & Coleman's Value
Plus, was Elias Lindholm the Flames' best All-Star candidate?
Welcome to the THW Calgary Flames Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Flames writers.
In today’s edition, we have lots of trade talk: Where could Jacob Markstrom be traded to? What is Blake Coleman’s trade value this season?
Plus, who should have been the team’s All-Star representative? We also have an article on why Markstrom should be in the Vezina Trophy conversation.
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Now, on to the good stuff…
3 Trade Destinations for Flames’ Jacob Markstrom
January 7, 2024 by Rupert McDonald
Jacob Markstrom was fantastic once again on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 6), kicking aside 39 of the 42 shots he faced in a 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. Such performances have become the norm for Markstrom, who has been arguably the league’s best goaltender since the start of December.
Had it not been for Markstrom’s play, this game could have ended much worse for the Flames. They were outplayed from the get-go by the Flyers, with the final shots ending up 42-24 in favour of head coach John Tortorella’s squad.
With how well Markstrom has played lately, trade rumours have begun surfacing about him. The Flames are expected to be sellers at this year’s trade deadline and would likely garner a significant return for the 33-year-old netminder. Moving him would require some work, given that he has a cap hit of $6 million through the 2025-26 season, but it is far from impossible. If general manager Craig Conroy does elect to move him, these three teams would serve as great fits.
Flames Should Be Looking to Sell High on Blake Coleman
January 6, 2024 by Rupert McDonald
The Calgary Flames have plenty of eyes on them as the 2024 Trade Deadline approaches. It remains to be seen what they will do with Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin, and Chris Tanev, all of whom are pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs). All three are highly-talented players, and would command plenty of value on the trade market should they be shopped.
With the Flames playing better hockey as of late, there have been rumours that general manager Craig Conroy may not sell after all, but that doesn’t seem likely. This team, even with their improved play, isn’t a contender in the Western Conference, and would be better off to bottom out in hopes of drafting high.
Given that they are likely to be sellers, there has also been chatter about them looking to trade Jacob Markstrom, who would be sure to garner plenty of interest. While trading the 33-year-old netminder is certainly not a bad idea, there is another Flames player who is playing some of his best hockey right now that should absolutely be on the block.
Flames Have Better All-Star Game Options Than Elias Lindholm
January 6, 2024 by Derek Olsen
That’s right Calgary Flames fans, you heard it correctly. The league just announced the initial 32-man All-Star roster, (12 more will be selected via fan voting) and Flames forward and alternate captain Elias Lindholm was chosen to represent the Flaming ‘C’. Interestingly enough, this will be the first time in his 11-year NHL career that the 29-year-old has been given such an honour. The Swedish centreman has eight goals and 25 points in 38 games this season, totals that have him ranked fourth and third among all Flames skaters, respectively. Lindholm is held in higher regard for his defensive play as a forward, finishing tenth in Selke Trophy voting last season and second the season prior.
Lindholm was originally drafted in 2013, fifth overall by the Carolina Hurricanes. He played the first five seasons of his career there before the organization shipped him off to the Flames in a blockbuster deal that saw him and Noah Hanifin join the Flames in exchange for Micheal Ferland, Dougie Hamilton, and a young Adam Fox. Since then, “Lindy” has skated in 406 contests for the team and has blossomed into a two-way star, with 147 goals, 349 points, more than 3,000 face-off wins, and almost 500 combined blocked shots and takeaways. His best season came in 2021-22 when he led the team with 42 goals and placed third with 82 points. However, did the league get their decision right for this year? We think that there are some more deserving Flames this season. Let’s have a look at why he got his All-Star nod for 2023-24 as well as potential arguments for others to join him in Toronto.
Analyst Says Flames’ Markstrom Should Be in Vezina Conversation
January 6, 2024 by Rupert McDonald
The Calgary Flames are getting everything they could have possibly hoped from Jacob Markstrom right now. After a slow start to the season, the 33-year-old has been on fire as of late, and is a big reason as to why his team sits just two points shy of the Seattle Kraken for a playoff spot.
Given how well Markstrom has played as of late, many fans are pointing to the greatness he has displayed throughout the 2021-22 season and are hoping he can sustain this level of play for the remainder of the year. In that 2021-22 season, he was one of the league’s best goaltenders and finished as a Vezina Trophy finalist for the first time in his career. While there is still plenty of season to go, there is one NHL analyst who believes he may get that nod for the second time.