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Rumor mill: There’s interest in Jacob Markstrom in Calgary
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Rumor mill: There’s interest in Jacob Markstrom in Calgary

March 8 is the NHL trade deadline.

This means we're approaching rumour season, which is always an exciting time for everyone, because we sometimes see big players change addresses.

There are a few names floating around the league right now, including Trevor Zegras. Here's an overview of the rumours that have been circulating around the NHL lately.

It's going to be a bumpy ride in Calgary

The Flames find themselves in a bizarre situation because they're two points behind the Oilers and a playoff berth in the West.

But the problem in Calgary is that several players are nearing the end of their contracts, and this will force Craig Conroy to make some major decisions.

For example, Chris Tanev, Noah Hanifin and Elias Lindholm, three big names on the team, will be free as a bird next summer.

But in a recent article, David Pagnotta focuses on Jacob Markstrom's availability in net. The journalist maintains that the goaltender has generated interest from a number of NHL teams, and he wonders whether Markstrom can change his address between now and March 8.

Markstrom still has two years left on his contract after this season, a deal that pays him $6 million a year. His current pact binds him to the team until the end of the 25-26 season…

And it's worth mentioning that Markstrom has a no-movement clause attached to his contract.

In the same article, Pagnotta talks about the Kings as a team to watch at goalie level because Phoenix Copley is injured for the season.

Could a Kings – Flames deal come to fruition, with Jacob Markstrom as the centerpiece?

Sean Monahan, still high on Frank Seravalli's Trade Targets list

Sean Monahan is a popular player in the National Hockey League because he's effective on so many levels.

His reliability on the ice, combined with his defensive and offensive qualities, make him an interesting player for a club looking to make a playoff push.

Especially at the salary ($1.985 M per season) he earns. Few players can give you that much on the ice for such a low salary, and Kent Hughes should be able to take advantage of this to send him elsewhere and give him a chance to win.

Also, the fact that he's ranked #2 on Frank Seravalli's list of potential players to be traded between now and the deadline speaks volumes. It just goes to show how useful he can be to a team aspiring to great honors, because as Seravalli notes in a text, good teams are built in the middle.

I can't wait to see what the future holds for him… But I firmly believe he'll be leaving the Habs by March.

Kent Hughes will still have the opportunity to offer him a new contract this summer, since he'll be an unrestricted free agent… But that's another story.

Jakob Chychrun already on the market in Ottawa?

The Senators are in a bad way. Jacques Martin's team has lost four games in a row and has won just one of its last 10 games away from home.

The club is on track to miss the playoffs (again), and if that's the case, there should be changes to the lineup.

Logically, Vladimir Tarasenko should be available to other National League teams because he too will be a free agent in the summer of 2024.

The forward is earning a respectable salary of $5 million this season and could really come in handy for a team looking to add some punch to its attack.

But in Ottawa, it's defense that seems to be the problem. The Sens have offered Jake Sanderson an eight-year contract extension at $8.05 per season…

And let's not forget that Thomas Chabot also earns $8 million a year. This could force Steve Staios to move Jakob Chychrun, because he's left-handed too, and there's interest in the defenseman's services all over the league:

The Senators have been one of the league's most active teams in recent weeks as they examine who will be part of their long-term core. Several teams inquired about Chychrun, acquired from Arizona just 10 months ago, and weren't told Chychrun wasn't available. – Frank Seravalli


In bursts

– This is not a good sign.

– Good question.

– What great news.

– I love it!

– Oh!

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