Martin Biron understands that not everything is black and white when it comes to making deals ahead of the NHL trade deadline.
That’s why the TSN and NHL Network Radio analyst can see that the New Jersey Devils pursuit of goalie Jacob Markstrom makes sense. Even if Biron typically doesn’t quite believe acquiring a No. 1 goalie this late in the season is a good move.
“I don’t love getting a [starting] goalie as a rental. It never works out,” Biron told Sportsnaut. “But if you get the opportunity to get a goalie who still has term on his contract and it’s a manageable contract and it’s a high-level goaltender then I can see it working for a team that is desperate for a team for that option.”
Which brings us to the Devils and Markstrom.
A Stanley Cup favorite when the season began, the Devils are five points out of third place in the Metropolitan Division and five behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for the second wild card into the playoffs from the Eastern Conference.
A big reason why that’s the case? The Devils are giving up 3.46 goals per game, seventh most in the League. Not surprisingly, each of the six teams that have allowed more goals weren’t serious contenders in the first place.
So, yes, it’s fair to say the Devils are desperate. And Markstrom is available as a massive upgrade over the injured Vitek Vanecek, struggling Akira Schmid and rookie Nico Daws for the Devils.
Plus, if New Jersey could land the Calgary Flames veteran, it would have its No. 1 goalie through the 2025-26 season at a fair $6 million salary cap hit, one the Devils can afford.
“Markstrom is the exception to the rule for me,” Biron said. “He makes a lot of sense for New Jersey.”
Biron, who played 16 seasons as a goalie in the NHL for four teams, also discusses the future of Nashville Predators netminder Juuse Saros, what the Philadelphia Flyers might do to address their goaltending situation and whether the Edmonton Oilers and/or Colorado Avalanche need upgrades at backup goalie in this Q&A with Sportsnaut.
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Martin Biron talks goalie trade market ahead of March 8 NHL deadline
You’ve made the case that New Jersey should swing a deal for Jacob Markstrom. But do you think the Flames will trade him to the Devils?
“Markstrom is the one No. 1 goalie that will be traded [before the deadline]. If I’m the New Jersey Devils, you make the deal. You have a team that could be great this year and next year and you’re really rolling the dice now (without a true No. 1 goalie). I mean, you’re not going to even make the playoffs this year unless you get a goalie that can set you apart. Markstrom will do that. And there’ve been talks already and the Flames look willing to move him and go with [Dan] Vladar and give some chance to Dustin Wolf now. It just makes sense.”
But you don’t see the Predators moving Jusse Saros even with top goalie prospect Yaroslav Askarov waiting in the wings?
“I think we’re a year too early on Saros. He has another year left on his deal and can still be there for when Askarov is in the NHL next year. That allows Askarov to find out if he’s ready for the NHL, find out if he needs more time to get to the next level. Plus, even if the Predators were considering trading Saros, they won’t now because they’ve won six in a row.
“So, I think it’s a year too early. And (general manager) Barry Trotz is from the same GM school as (former Predators general manager) David Poile. You hold on to these goalies who’ve meant so much to the organization. Like when they kept Pekka Rinne, and he was the backup to Saros at the end of his career. So, I think Trotz and the Predators will hang on to Saros a little bit longer.”
Is it a must that the Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche acquire backup goalies that can spell their overworked starters before the deadline?
“I think both teams need backup help. Yes. Especially Colorado. [Alexander] Georgieve needs to be given a break (after starting 49 of 60 Avalanche games this season). Now, Colorado also wants to win the Central Division and they’re only two points out (behind the Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars). So, they need a backup to play and win meaningful games, as well as to give Georgiev a break so that you’ve got the best of him in the playoffs.
“With the Oilers, Calvin Pickard has been OK but what if Stuart Skinner gets hurt? Do you feel comfortable going into the playoffs with Calvin Pickard or Jack Campbell? And the answer would be no. But these two teams, Edmonton and Colorado are facing the salary cap, so it won’t be easy and there’ll be some serious number crunching that needs to happen for both. So, that makes Jake Allen of the Canadiens, for example, a tough guy to trade for with term on his contract (at $3.85 million per season through 2024-25).”
Where do you think Jake Allen winds up since it’s clear the Canadiens want to move him?
“I struggle with where he can go with that contract and another year to go. Maybe the Philadelphia Flyers. They could use Jake Allen because it would be this year and next and they’ve got questions (with Carter Hart on indefinite leave). Jake Allen and Samuel Ersson for the rest of this year and next year? That’s not too bad even though it’s been a tough year for Allen with that three-goalie rotation in Montreal. That contract could be tough to trade and would Montreal want to retain half his salary for one more season after this? That’s a tough question.
“But how about this? What if the Canadiens traded Cayden Primeau to Philly? His dad is Keith Primeau, he grew up in Philadelphia. What if the Flyers said ‘Hey, we will take one of your goalies off your hands but it’s not Jake Allen, it’s Cayden Primeau?’ Maybe that’s the play for the Flyers.”