Welcome to another rendition of NHLTR Mock Trade as the trade deadline is just over a week away. The Los Angeles Kings and Calgary Flames are two teams who are expected to be very active ahead of March 8 and could wind up doing some business together, even though they're rivals.
The Flames are selling, even though they have Stanley Cup Playoff aspirations this season. GM Craig Conroy has the tough task of trying to get full value for some of his rentals, and there's also goaltender Jacob Markstrom to worry about.
The Swedish netminder waived his no-movement clause recently to go to the New Jersey Devils, however the deal fell through after the Flames didn't want to retain any salary. Sounds like their stance has changed potentially, which is good if they actually want to move Markstrom before the deadline.
NHLTR Mock Trade: Flames deal Markstrom to the LA Kings for 2025 fourth-round pick, Arthur Kaliyev & Matt Roy
The only way this deal works financially is if Roy's included, and with the Kings have Brandt Clarke arriving and Jordan Spence as options on the right side, it may be worth taking the risk of taking on Markstrom.
The Kings need help in net and with having Markstrom signed for two more seasons, they should be willing to give up on Kaliyev, who has voiced his displeasure over playing time this season. Roy gives the Flames someone they can plug into their lineup for the rest of this season as Chris Tanev is expected to be moved before the deadline, Roy does play a similar style to Tanev's game.
It will be interesting to see if these two teams end up doing business together this season, but one things for sure is that both will be active before the deadline. If Markstrom waived his no-move to play in Jersey, you have to figure he'd do the same to play hockey in California.
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
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