Markstrom responds to trade speculation: 'It's up to Calgary'

Goaltender Jacob Markstrom left the ball on the court for the Calgary Flames when asked about the sale.

“It's up to Calgary what they want to do,” Markstrom told Sportsnet's Eric Francis on Thursday.

The 34-year-old is signed for $6 million through 2025-26. Markstrom has a full no-movement clause in his contract, and he must approve any trade involving him. He said the Flames had not contacted him about the clause waiver on Thursday.

“Whatever direction they want to go and whatever they want to do, I'm not forcing anything,” Markstrom added.

I will not go up and meet and ask for a trade.

Calgary has been busy since the summer while reworking Elias Lindholm, Tyler Toffoli and Nikita Zadorov. Markstrom and pending unrestricted free agents Chris Tanev and Noah Hanifin have been the subject of trade rumors all season.

As the March 8 trade deadline looms, Markstrom said he would not allow speculation about his future.

“I know they should have called me before (the trade), and they didn't, so I'm going to keep playing,” he said.

Markstrom would be a significant upgrade on the line for several contending teams such as the New Jersey Devils, Carolina Hurricanes and Los Angeles Kings.

He has been excellent since December, posting a .928 save percentage in 15 starts. On the season, the 2022 Vezina Trophy winner has a .913 save percentage in 30 contests.

Markstrom has been traded before the trade deadline. He was a key asset sent to the Vancouver Canucks in the 2014 trade that sent Roberto Luongo back to the Florida Panthers.

The Flames are sixth in the Pacific Division at 23-22-5.