People are running away with this Markstrom to NJD stuff...yet there is nothing that suggests he is available. In fact, multiple people have said that Conroy wouldn't even ask him to waive his NTC. It has all been speculation...(mostly originating with one Devils beat reporter that gets more wrong than right). Any actual reporting on topic would lead one away from this link. I wrote
this the other day.
-- No one has said Fitzgerald called Conroy about Markstrom
-- Many have said Calgary is not trading him or not asking him to waive NTC
-- Many have said if Calgary does anything, it will be after season
-- Many have said NJD are unlikely to address goaltending until after season.
-- Many have said CGY would need to retain to complete a deal
-- Many have said CGY are not retaining
-- Many have said NJD are not fulfilling asking price (Nemec or Mercer)
(see that link above for all the actual stories)
From the Devils side, Fitzgerald has said he is looking to improve team, but has also said he prefers to deal with goalies in off-season. Here are Fitzy’s own words about 10 days ago....
“I’m not going to say I’m cool with (our goaltending). I want our goalies to play better, no doubt. But we want our players to play better in front of them. We still have some areas of the game that need cleaned up. That’s a daily process with players and teams. Hockey is a game of mistakes. If we can minimize the mistakes that turn into big chances, then we’re getting better. We have some work to do there.”
My take: He isn’t looking to replace goalies, but wants to clean up play in front of goalies. Minimize mistakes, turn possession into chances for. This does not sound like a GM pinning our issues on the goalie. He also said that Schmid was down in Utica for a reset and made it sound like he will be back.
I believe he will be in the market for Hanifin....best fit for NJ....(and especially considering Fitzy's personal connection with the player). I think the ultimate price will be around late 1st+3rd from a contender. Devils pick is #13-14 right now...so that alone may be an overpay. The ask here is more than what Chychrun got last year (Ottawa's pick was #13 at time of trade). Chychrun had 2.5 years remaining.