Where is the smoke?

We all know by now that it’s been confirmed on Calgary Puck and HFBoards…(where they have a MUCH larger return)…but nowhere else.

It’s all very strange and I don’t know what to make of it.

We have heard way too much about this trade for it to not be something in the works right now, and I think its coming down to the price of retention and Markstrom waiving his NTC.

Based on fitzys alleged offer of holtz+vitek for Markstrom, seems steep of 1st+3rd for 2 mill x2.3 years of retention, but not as ridiculous as I’ve seen

Their sources (whatever you’d call them) seem convinced Mercer, Casey and 1st are in trade. Plus another prospect. Then the cost of retention is to be worked out.

We are now a few minutes from Calgary practice (and a few hours from Devils practice). If it’s not announced by 2pm…I think it’s safe to consider it all bunk.

Mercer I’d put on the table for Hanifin+Matkstrom, both 50% retained and with a reasonable extension for Hanifin in place. And very little else

Markstrom is at practice today, so there is likely nothing here and just a couple idiots posting BS.

Every credible source on the planet has stated they're talking, nothing about a deal. Those fake rumour boards are just nonsense made up stuff.

True, but many of those same reporters have since said they deal is dead…some even saying it’s not coming back. And most of the news over last few days has been that Fitzy is talking to other GMs now about goalies.

Also, Markstrom is at practice today.

Lebrun said they're talking again

The news from LeBrun report was Devils were looking elsewhere.

“But New Jersey hasn’t closed the door on Markstrom. The Devils will keep trying. And in the meantime, they have also kicked tires on the likes of Juuse Saros, John Gibson and Jake Allen, among other goalies.

The Predators, as we discussed last month, have been listening on Saros but certainly are not committed to trading him. It would have to be a healthy price paid — a good young NHL player as part of the package — for Nashville to move Saros. So far, my understanding is that no one has come close to making Nashville blink.

And that’s fine. The Predators are fine keeping him if no team steps up.“

Here's the latest rumor from the Flames side, after the game against the Sharks:

Love the new avatar Gibb

"good young NHL player as part of the package — for Nashville to move Saros. So far, my understanding is that no one has come close to making Nashville blink."

Seems to very clearly suggest Dawson Mercer has not been thrown out to Nashville at all.

Which makes no sense on why fitzy would apparently include mercer++ for Markstrom, and not even throw his name out for Saros, especially again considering according to trotz himself they have had ongoing talks

For some clarity-
Mercer was not part of the "supposed" deal last week. It was CGY retaining as well as taking Vitek.
How did we add more going to CGY, when we walked away and it was less from Jersey. Clickbait is a thing and these guys gotta work. But NJ needing a G real bad for months (not recently) is an easy thing to talk up if you have a hot G who is probably not very long for this team

Lebrun's report that
" good young NHL player as part of the package — for Nashville to move Saros. So far, my understanding is that no one has come close to making Nashville blink."

Seems to very strongly suggest that mercer hasn't been put on the table for Saros.

And yet Fitzy is offering mercer++ for Markstrom?

Just doesn't seem to add up

From who?

Forum user Sec214 who exclusively posts in vague cryptic gifs.

I have seen a lot of Saros to LAK speculation…with Turcotte/Kaliyev as the offensive pieces coming back. That probably means Holtz is the offer there. If we stepped in with Mercer, LAK would probably have to counter with Byfield.

My guess is that he has made similar offered for both goalies…Holtz+Vanecek. CGY didn’t want to pay any $$ and Nashville didn’t want a goalie back.

Seems legit.

JonnyDebils6163y6v on MySpace says Flames are offering their 1st to NJD to take Markstrom. Gotta watch that one.

I could see holtz being moved if the organization is lower on him than they previously were. But again, if that’s the case you have to look back and think why not keep Shakir+Zetterlund+2nd last year and just offer Holtz+1st+Okhotiuk for Meier. Would be a bad look as an organization.

And again, if this isn’t bull****, Fitzy would have to be right for the next 3 years on Markstrom and I better not see Linus Ullmark go for anything short of 2 1sts this offseason. Or any other goalie trade for that matter

Personally if I was Don Sweeney and these alleged offers was actually on the table for a goalie I’d be hitting Fitzy’s line non stop with Linus Ullmark.

Same with Anaheim and Gibson, Nashville with Saros, Habs with Montembault, pens with Jarry, etc etc.

Two 1sts for any goalie is not likely to happen anytime soon. Holtz+1st for any goalie would be, historically, an outlier return.

Maybe Holtz was added on the table…but cannot imagine the return would be that much more.

“Mercer, Seigenthaler and 2 firsts. We might get a bit more still, but I'd be ok with that.”

Setting themselves up for immense disappointment.

Big part of the problem is they’ve convinced themselves the Elias Lindholm return was much more than it actually was.

Lebrun, Serevalli, Friedman all reported the Flames and New Jersey talking. Friedman reported Calgary wanting Holtz, not sure of if that was reciprocated. Either Serevalli or Friedman said that Markstrom was asked to wave his no trade. Lebrun stated Markstrom was never approached. All three stated talks have ended but for only time being and that talks can get re-engaged in the future.
Hard to tell where the truth fully lies. But looking at Hughes basically saying to the media we need more goaltending. New Jersey is definitely kicking the tires where they think they can upgrade their starter position.

Y’all are delusional if you think a top 5 goalie in the league and Hanifin + retention is worth only Mercer. By that you’re saying Mercer would bring back multiple firsts, multiple prospects and other picks and roster players on top of that.