Flames sign free agent goalie Jacob Markstrom to 6-year, $36M contract

Jacob Markstrom has signed a six-year, $36 million contract with the Calgary Flames.

HOW SWEDE IT IS!

The #Flames have signed Jacob Markstrom to a six-year contract: https://t.co/A2KIp5FaDV pic.twitter.com/xLB6IJADGE

— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) October 9, 2020

Markstrom was the best free agent goalie available and fills a need for the Flames after years of inconsistent play from their goaltenders in recent years. They gave up a lot to get him though, as the deal carries a $6 million cap hit and pays him until age 36. They also gave Markstrom a no-movement clause, which protects him from the Seattle expansion draft, according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie.

As expected, Jacob Markstrom gets a NMC in his deal with CGY, which protects him from being exposed in the Seattle expansion draft.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) October 9, 2020

The no-movement clause was more of an issue for the Canucks, given that they have Thatcher Demko — a younger goalie who they wouldn’t want to lose for nothing in the expansion draft.

The 30-year-old goaltender finished fourth in Vezina Trophy voting last season, and was the Vancouver Canucks MVP in back-to-back years. Markstrom is coming off the best season of his career, posting a 23-16-4 record and a .918 save percentage.

Markstrom replaces Cam Talbot, who signed with the Minnesota Wild earlier in the day. Filling Markstrom’s spot in Vancouver is Braden Holtby, who signed a two-year contract with the Canucks.