The Flames signed Markstrom during Friday’s free agent frenzy, landing one of the biggest fish on the market ??? and certainly the brand name among the available netminders with a six-year contract worth $ 6 million per winter
They removed another coin from the Vancouver Canucks later that night, inking defenseman Chris Tanev on a four-year pact worth an average of US $ 4 annually.5 million
â ???? Speaking to the staff and management (in Calgary), they really wanted me and I really wanted to go somewhere that they believe in me, and they really did, â ?? said Markstrom, who also reportedly negotiated a no-trade clause in his deal – They gave me a great deal, and I can’t wait to go play for the Flames and prove to them and everyone else. world, that I am a good goalkeeper and me? ??? I’m only going to get better
Markstrom, 30, worked for the Canucks, but couldn’t find an extension in Vancouver (His request for movement-less protection would have been one of the obstacles, with the West Coasters unwilling to lose Thatcher Demko in next summer’s expansion project)
Word is that Friday’s bidding war turned into a battle for Alberta, with the Edmonton Oilers also aggressive in their pursuit
In the end, Flames general manager Brad Treliving had his guy keeping him away from a pair of Pacific Division rivals was a bonus
– You look at any metric or measure over the past three years he’s been one of the best goalies in the league, â € “ Treliving said of Markstrom – He’s tall He’s athletic He’s competitive We think he’s one of the best goalies in the NHL He’s definitely paid that way and that reflects where we think it is
– Everyone who’s been following us knows we tried different things in the goal Jacob’s signing is not a criticism of anyone who was here or is here We just think that not the top 1 goalkeeper very often comes to the market If he did, we wanted to see if there was a way to make a deal and we did itâ ????
There must have been some nervous moments for Treliving & Co while waiting for a word from the Markstrom camp
Was he returning to the Canucks? (This was ruled out when they signed Braden Holtby)
Could his close friend, Flames forward Elias Lindholm, influence his decision? Both are from Gavle, Sweden
It turns out that Markstrom will have some buddies in the locker room immediately because Tanev followed him to the Flames
– I’ve been on the phone a lot It’s been stressful and exciting, a lot of emotion, â ???? Markstrom said, insisting Lindholm didn’t apply extra pressure But at the end of the day it was a great day and I’m super happy and super excited to be part of the Calgary Flames
– I went through all the teams, and we thought Calgary would be a good choice for me It was good and it felt like it would be a nice home for me and my familyâ ????
Markstrom posted a 23-16-4 record, 275 goals against average and 918 save percentage for the Canucks in 2019-2020, finishing fourth in the Vezina Trophy poll
He’s a fierce competitor and popular teammate At 6ft 6in and 206 lbs and with a relatively aggressive style he doesn’t leave much of a net to pull on
Yes, he’s on the wrong side of 30, but he’s only totaled 272 NHL appearances, way fewer than Holtby or Corey Crawford or some of the other free agent options
When asked about his emergence as one of the best in the business on Friday, Markstrom admitted it took a bit of time to figure out what it takes to be a better goalie in this league and the right work?
– I’m so excited because I feel like I have a lot more levels to reach and evolve, – he said And I can’t wait to do that in a Flames jersey I think we have something big going on…
The right-handed full-back will drop into one of the top four roles and replace some of the minutes recorded by TJ Brodie, who had conversations about staying in Calgary but ultimately signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs
More of the stay-at-home genre, Tanev, 30, scored two goals and 20 points in 69 outings last season and placed fourth among all NHL players with 159 shots blocked After skating alongside Calder Trophy finalist Quinn Hughes, he could mentor Noah Hanifin or Juuso Valimaki
Treliving also revived an attacking hat-trick on Friday Zac Rinaldo and Buddy Robinson both signed one-year league minimum one-year contracts, while Byron Froese returns for a two-year bilateral deal
With the arrival of Markstrom, David Rittich will now be relegated to the replacement role in Calgary, although the likelihood of a condensed schedule increases the importance of having two reliable goalkeepers on your roster
Markstrom and Rittich have, in fact, been teammates once before – ???? split Pacific Division territory at 2020 NHL All-Star Game
Cam Talbot, who shared his duties with Rittich last season, signed a three-year pact on Friday with the Minnesota Wild
Treliving focused on the Flames – I think strongly – of Rittich, 28, who has one year left on his current contract
– There aren’t a lot of guys who can jump in there and play 50 or 60 games a year, « Treliving said – The league has gone to a situation where you need two. But when you have a horse that can go out there and play? It’s a special skill set, and Jacob has shown he can do itâ ????
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World News – CA – ‘A great fit for me’: Flames outbid Oilers star goalie Jacob Markstrom
