Markstrom on trade talk: ‘It’s up to Calgary’

Goaltender Jacob Markstrom left the ball in the Calgary Flames’ court when asked about being traded.

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

The 34-year-old is signed through 2025-26 at a $6-million cap hit. Markstrom’s contract contains a full no-movement clause, and he’d have to approve any trade involving him. He said Thursday the Flames haven’t approached him about waiving the clause.

“Whatever direction they want to go and what they want to do, I’m not going to force anything,” Markstrom added.

“I’m not going to go up and meet and ask for a trade, either.”

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

With the March 8 trade deadline approaching, Markstrom said he won’t let the speculation about his future get to him.

“I know they’ve got to call me before (a trade), and they haven’t called me, so I just keep playing,” he said.

Markstrom would be a significant upgrade in net for several contending teams, including the New Jersey Devils, Carolina Hurricanes, and Los Angeles Kings.

He’s been superb since December, posting a .928 save percentage in 15 starts. On the season, the 2022 Vezina Trophy runner-up has a .913 save percentage in 30 contests.

Markstrom has previously been moved ahead of the trade deadline. He was the primary asset sent to the Vancouver Canucks in the trade that shipped Roberto Luongo back to the Florida Panthers in 2014.

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