NHL Rumors: 5 Goalies Expected to be Traded Before 2024 Deadline

The NHL's trade deadline is set for March 8 and the goalie market of late, has heated up tremendously. There's been a flurry of random injuries throughout several teams, and meanwhile the buyers and sellers are starting to take shape in the standings. With both factors in play, goalie trade conversations have sparked in a major way these last couple of weeks.

Here's five goalies who are expected to be moved before the trade deadline:

Jake Allen, Montreal Canadiens

The Habs gave Samuel Montembeault a contract extension and everyone turned their attention to the future of Jake Allen. The veteran netminder is signed for next season and does hold a modified no-trade clause, but there's a very good chance he's moved. The Canadiens won't be in the playoff picture and GM Kent Hughes could get a significant return for Allen, thanks to it not being a pure rental trade. Montreal's been carrying three goalies all season and that will eventually be changing before March 8.

Elvis Merzlikins, Columbus Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets and Merzlikins are mutually working on a trade at the moment after he was demoted the the third-stringer and had seen enough. The Latvian netminder went public with his demands and admitted he doesn't see himself anything else besides a true number one. The management team may have other ideas considering his record this season, but that's here nor there. Expect Merzlikins, who is owed $5.4 million AAV through 2026-27 to be traded ahead of the March 8 deadline.

Jakob Markstrom, Calgary Flames

One goalie who holds all the cards with a no-movement clause, there's been recent speculation that Jakob Markstrom will be asked to provide a list of teams he's comfortable playing for ahead of the deadline. Markstrom started the year slow, but has come on strong of late and currently sits with a 13-11-2 record, along with a 2.59 GAA and .912 Sv.%. The Swedish netminder is signed for two more seasons at $6 million AAV. The Flames won't get back top dollar for their veteran goalie unless they retain some salary, so we'll have to wait and see how GM Craig Conroy handles this one.

Marc-Andre Fleury, Minnesota Wild

The Wild are sliding out of the playoff picture in the west and now sit with a 17-20-5 record on the season. They are eight points behind the Edmonton Oilers and the Oilers have three games in hand. Look for GM Bill Guerin to approach Marc-Andre Fleury about his intentions for the rest of the season and if the Flower is open to joining a contender, a trade will go down, without a doubt. The Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers and Carolina Hurricanes will all be open to conversations.

Kaapo Kahkonen, San Jose Sharks

The Sharks are headed for the lottery and GM Mike Grier is trying hard to build up his prospects and draft pick capital, and can do so, by moving netminder Kaapo Kahkonen before the deadline. He's a pending free agent who is owed $2.75 million, and does not hold any trade protection. On the season, the 27-year-old Finnish product has posted a .897 SV.% in 20 appearances. Teams won't be lining up, but if Grier retains money and is open to just a mid-round pick coming the other way, a contending team will consider the move for depth purposes.