The gap in quality between Timo and Huberdeau is at least 5 mill AAV over the next 8 years. Let's start there at 40 million dollars of value. Then add the 14 mill in extra money Huberdeau is owed.

So 54 million dollars.

Let's assume Vanacek is a 1.5 million dollar goalie. So 4 mill in negative value there.

In order to be worth this exchange Markstrom would have to be a 21 million dollar a year goalie.

All this to say that Huberdeau is completely and utterly unmoveable

Good analysis. It happens so often, a GM acquires a RFA or even upcoming UFA in a trade, then the GM feels obliged to sign the player usually to a bad contract.
Liked Flames trade for Huberdeau, but the Flames would have millons times better off to either trade Huberdeau at the 2023 deadline, or just let him walk as UFA. Thinking Devils might be thinking the same regarding Meier's contract.

This is definitely marbles
I dont think the Flames could unload Huberdeau even if they included a "McDavid" I.O.U + a zillion firsts

(Well, maybe a zillion firsts would get the deal done... but I digress...)