How the Jacob Markstrom trade is a major win for Brad Treliving and the Leafs

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Julien Trekker
June 20, 2024 (2:09 PM)

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Yesterday, the Calgary Flames traded their number one goaltender, Jacob Markstrom, to the New Jersey Devils, which could lead to a major win for Brad Treliving and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The New Jersey Devils were among the few teams looking for a goaltender this summer. With them out of the derby, the Maple Leafs could be in a great position to land an interesting deal.

The Flames sent Markstrom to New Jersey for Kevin Bahl and a 2025 first-round pick, which could affect goaltenders' value across the NHL.

With Markstrom and the Devils out of the goalie market, teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs or the Ottawa Senators have a few interesting choices, such as Jordan Binnington, Juuse Saros, Linus Ullmark, or John Gibson, and their prices went way down, according to Editor in Leaf:

"The Leafs are in a pickle. They can't just go cheap on a goalie because Auston Matthews is in his prime, so the Leafs have no choice but to go big in net. They can't gamble here, so they have to get as close to a sure thing as possible.

They don't have an in-house option, and they certainly aren't going to find an upper echelon goalie in the unrestricted free agent market.

That leaves basically three guys who fit the bill as potentially elite, and potentially available.

You could not-quite-but-almost-guarantee that the Leafs will be trading for either Juuse Saros, John Gibson, or Jordan Binnington."

Craig Conroy, general manager of the Calgary Flames, got the minimum for what he could have asked in return for Markstrom.

As for Brad Treliving, he can't afford to go cheap on a goaltender, but Markstrom's trade could help him in the negotiations. He must find the right deal for a player who can lead his team to a Stanley Cup.

With Joseph Woll as their starter the Toronto Maple Leafs do not need a Jacob Markstrom caliber goaltender. They should be targeting a 1B goalie that will mentor Woll to become the team's official starting goaltender.

Source: Editor in Leaf
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