Jacob Markstrom Trade Talk Heating up & Mackenzie Weegar Norris Trophy Consideration
Plus, should the Leafs go for Noah Hanifin?
Welcome to the THW Calgary Flames Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Flames writers.
Today’s edition is packed with Jacob Markstrom content. The Flames beat writers dive into why Markstrom should be traded knowing his importance to any playoff aspirations. Also, who can the Flames get in return if he is traded to the Devils? And then there’s MacKenzie Weegar and his scorching-hot season. Should Weegar, who leads the league in scoring for defencemen, get Norris Trophy consideration?
Finally, should the Leafs go for Noah Hanifin before the March 8 trade deadline?
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Now, on to the good stuff…
Three Reasons the Flames Should Trade Jacob Markstrom
February 15, 2024 by Gary Pearson
Despite being the most influential reason the Calgary Flames are within two games of a playoff spot, they should pull the trigger on a Jacob Markstrom trade. No sane human would argue his importance to the hockey club. While playoff aspirations rely heavily on Markstrom’s presence, the time has come, in the famous words of Chris Martin, to uncouple.
Trade rumours and potential suitors continue circling like a flock of ravenous vultures. The latest speculation, which had Markstrom potentially heading for New Jersey, hit the headlines last week. Markstrom has a no-trade clause in his contract, so any potential trade must have his rubber-stamped approval.
Devils Players Who Flames Could Target in Markstrom Deal
February 14, 2024 by Rupert McDonald
The Calgary Flames have a number of players who they may move ahead of the trade deadline. The most obvious candidates are Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev, who are both set to become unrestricted free agents in the offseason. Other names, such as Blake Coleman, have been mentioned as well, but no player has been brought up recently as much as Jacob Markstrom.
There were reports Tuesday morning that Flames general manager Craig Conroy asked Markstrom if he would be willing to waive his no-movement clause to go to the New Jersey Devils, and the 34-year-old obliged. Though talks between the two teams have died down in recent days, they could very well pick back up before the March 8 deadline. If they do, here are a few young pieces the Flames may look to target in order to help build for the future.
Flames’ Weegar is Deserving of Norris Trophy Consideration
February 14, 2024 by Rupert McDonald
Calgary Flames defenceman MacKenzie Weegar isn’t getting nearly enough recognition this season. The 30-year-old is having a career season, as he already has a career-high 15 goals. That total is not only fourth amongst his teammates, but leads all NHL defencemen. He also has 32 points, which is just 12 shy of his career-high of 44 set in 2021-22. With 29 games remaining on the season, there is a great chance he tops that.
After a slow start to his Flames tenure after being acquired in the 2022 offseason, Weegar has quietly become the Flames’ most reliable defenceman. While prone to some defensive miscues from time to time, he logs huge minutes, plays in all situations, and has been a tremendous leader for the past season and a half.
Flames Playoff Hopes Rest Solely on Markstrom’s Future
February 13, 2024 by Rupert McDonald
Though he may not be receiving a ton of Vezina Trophy conversation just yet, Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Marksrom has been one of the best in the business this season. The 34-year-old started slow, but has been absolutely incredible over the past three months, and is undoubtedly the biggest reason why the Flames remain in the playoff picture.
Through 33 appearances, Markstrom has compiled a 2.50 goals-against average, along with a .916 save percentage. While those numbers are solid, what really shows just how good Markstrom has been is his 32.77 goals saved above expected (GSAx), which ranks first amongst all NHL goaltenders. Winnipeg Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck sets second in that category at 29.35, while Thatcher Demko of the Vancouver Canucks sits third with a GSAx of 22.85.
Two Defencemen Maple Leafs Should Avoid Trading For at Deadline
February 14, 2024 by Jesse Courville-Lynch
The Toronto Maple Leafs will be looking to buy at the 2024 Trade Deadline. They haven’t quite lived up to expectations and find themselves fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive as after a big win over the St. Louis Blues, they sit fourth in the Atlantic Division with 62 points and hold the first Eastern Conference wild-card spot. As a team with high hopes heading into the postseason, it isn’t a surprise that they have recently been linked to several players on rebuilding teams. They will surely be looking to bolster their lineup before the March 8 deadline date, but there are a couple of names they should look to avoid acquiring.
Noah Hanifin and Matt Dumba are both pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs) who are playing for teams that are on the playoff bubble. Hanifin plays for the Calgary Flames — who recently decided to move on from superstar forward Elias Lindholm and trade him to the Vancouver Canucks — which proved they were willing to sell assets for the right price.