Insider says Brad Treliving may pursue former goaltender in Calgary
The Maple Leafs want to improve their goaltending ahead of the 2024-25 season, and they may take a run at Brad Treliving's former goaltender in Jacob Markström.
After being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, the Maple Leafs off-season has been chaotic to say the least. The rumour mill has been rampant, the core is expected to be broken up, and there are talks that they would love to shore up their goaltending ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Juuse Saros from the Nashville Predators has been heavily linked to the Maple Leafs in recent weeks and a part of that has to do with the fact that Mitch Marner would be the perfect fit for what Nashville requires at the moment. Of course, any trade with Marner is a lot easier said than done due to his cap hit and no-movement clause, but many insiders don't think that's going to be an issue this summer.
If the price for Saros is too high or should the Predators resist the urge in moving the veteran netminder, the Leafs could pivot to Treliving's old stomping grounds in Calgary and peruse a deal for Markström, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.
There were reports ahead of the trade deadline that the Swedish goaltender was going to be moved and at one point it was almost done and dusted that he was going to be moved to New Jersey. However, Calgary changed their minds at the last second, much to the chagrin of Markström.
In the midst of a rebuild and with the rise of Dustin Wolf, the Flames should definitely reconsider moving their next best asset this summer. Markström has 2 years remaining with a cap hit of $6 million dollars and while he carries a no-movement clause, he'd be willing to waive it for the right deal.
The 34-year-old posted a 23-23-2 record with a .905 SV% and a 2.78 G.A.A. in 48 games played this past season. The year prior he was 23-21-12 with a .892 SV% and a 2.92 G.A.A. but was sensational in 2021-22 when he went 37-15-9 with a 2.22 G.A.A. and a .922 SV% as he finished 2nd in the Vezina Trophy voting. There's a little cause for concern, but he rebounded well after a tough 2021-22 season.
Going after Markström instead of Saros could work in Toronto's favour since the cost of acquisition would likely be a whole lot lower. Nevertheless, Treliving should definitely inquire about the availability of both European goaltenders as they would provide the Maple Leafs with a legitimate starter for the first time since Frederik Andersen.
Leafs-Predators Mitch Marner trade hysteria kicks off NHL silly season
| POLL | ||
MAI 23 | 544 ANSWERS Insider says Brad Treliving may pursue former goaltender in Calgary Would you rather have Saros or Markström in goal next season? | ||
| Juuse Saros | 323 | 59.4 % |
| Jacob Markstr�m | 121 | 22.2 % |
| Joseph Woll | 100 | 18.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
