With the March 8th Trade Deadline just a week away the hot topic of late has been the goaltending market. Most teams in prime positions like the Winnipeg Jets, Vancouver Canucks, and New York Rangers have their situation figured out. Many teams in playoff positions are looking to upgrade the netminder position. It is always a hot market, with never many options to choose from. This year, two goalies could shift a playoff series in Juuse Saros and Jacob Markstrom, but the other options are slim to none in franchise changers. Let’s take a look at the goaltenders possibly available and how the goaltending market will shake out.
The Big Guns
We do know the two big-name possibilities in Juuse Saros and Jacob Markstrom. They have been on the market for quite some time now. It has been reported that the Nashville Predators will not trade Saros if they are in a playoff position. At the moment they are holding onto the 2nd Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. During the Milwaukee Admirals’ 19-game win streak, Askarov sported a 13-0 record with a 1.60 goals against average and .940 save percentage.
Markstrom’s name has been floated out in a deal between the Flames and the New Jersey Devils that has not quite materialized yet. Markstrom seems more appealing, as he is under contract for two more seasons at 6 million dollars per year. In comparison, Saros has one more year at 5 million dollars. Calgary does have a top prospect in Dustin Wolf who has gotten some NHL playing time, while lighting up the AHL.
The Bargain Bin
Jake Allen would be the natural leader for this category especially with Marc-Andre Fleury off the market according to Minnesota. According to Area 51’s Trade Targets Board, Mackenzie Blackwood would be the next viable option from the bargain bin. This also opens the door for other goalies like John Gibson, Elvis Merzlinkis, and Karel Vejmelka. Almost every year we mention John Gibson as an option. That will be there until he ultimately moves on. Teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, Carolina Hurricanes, and New Jersey Devils could be some options for these types of goalies.
Internal Options
Like many Trade Deadlines past the rumors might heavily outweigh the actual results of trades on and before March 8th. The teams that decide to not make any moves will rely on the goalies they have to get them through the stretch run and into the playoffs. Detroit, Toronto, and Carolina sit in a similar boat with a trio of options for each team. Detroit has seen Alex Lyon emerge again with James Reimer, and Ville Husso who is still week-to-week. Toronto is seeing Joseph Woll return to the trio, with Ilya Samsonov and Martin Jones. Carolina has 4 options in Pyotr Kochekov, Spencer Martin, and the pair of Frederik Andersen (blood clotting issues) and Antti Raanta (lower-body injury) are out for the moment.
The hope for the Trade Deadline is always quality and quantity. Teams have moved swiftly with moves like Sean Monahan, Elias Lindholm, and more recently Chris Tanev to Dallas. Teams that believe they are just a few stops away like the New Jersey Devils and Carolina Hurricanes are more likely to make the big move. When the other teams like Toronto and Detroit will likely make moves to strengthen other areas. With Markstrom and possibly Saros on the board, it puts a bigger question mark on the market for goaltenders. No matter which way it goes come March 8th there will be more clarity about which goaltenders will make a difference down the stretch.
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