Potential Goalie Trade Targets for the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline: On Friday, March 8, the NHL Trade Deadline will occur, and several postseason-bound clubs will be seeking to acquire a goaltender.
With the trade deadline approaching in less than one month, the New Jersey Devils, Carolina Hurricanes, Edmonton Oilers, and Toronto Maple Leafs could all consider making a trade for a goaltender.
Before the NHL Trade Deadline, the following five goaltenders were susceptible to trade.
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#1. Montreal Canadiens’ Jake Allen
Sam Montembeault, Cayden Primeau, and Jake Allen are the three NHL goaltenders on the roster of the Montreal Canadiens; of these, it appears that Jake Allen is the most likely to be traded.
Allen has a reasonable contract and is a dependable NHL reserve goaltender who can also start games when necessary. His owed salary for this year and next is $3.85 million, which should be affordable for the majority of teams.
Allen should be traded to a playoff-bound team at the trade deadline, despite Montreal’s denials, because he can provide stability to several teams with a shaky starting pitcher or serve as a reliable reserve in the event of an emergency.
#2. Marc-Andre Fleury, Minnesota Wild,
Future Hall of Famer Marc-Andre Fleury is probably in his final season with the National Hockey League and may be traded by the NHL Trade Deadline.
Given the Minnesota Wild’s lack of postseason positioning, Fleury would almost certainly be in high demand. Fleury, who has demonstrated his worth during the Stanley Cup finals, could serve as a viable backup option for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers, or even start for the Carolina Panthers.
Fleury’s retirement would likely reduce the asking price, but he has a complete no-trade clause, so the decision to be traded or not is entirely his.
#3. Jack Campbell, Edmonton Oilers,
Two offseasons ago, Jack Campbell agreed to a five-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers to start in goal. Campbell, nevertheless, has encountered difficulties and has been demoted to the AHL.
Campbell’s presence on this list is not because a postseason club would desire his services for the postseason run. Conversely, if Campbell is transferred, Edmonton will acquire cap space to execute an additional move.
#4. Jacob Markstrom, Calgary Flames,
Jacob Markstrom is one of the finest goaltenders in the NHL, but he could be traded because the Calgary Flames are outside of the playoff picture.
At $6 million per season, Markstrom is under contract through the 2025–26 season, so a postseason team would not be merely renting him. However, due to his substantial salary, he might be difficult to transfer at the trade deadline; if he is traded, it seems more likely to occur during the off-season.
However, Markstrom is currently seeking a new location and its transfer cannot be ruled out.
#5. Elvis Merzlikins, Blue Jackets of Columbus Merzlikins made a trade request.
Elvis Merzlikins has informed the Columbus Blue Jackets of his desire to be traded, and he may be traded before the trade deadline.
Merzlikins’s salary for 2026–27 is $5.4 million, which may discourage some teams from acquiring him. Columbus would almost certainly retain a portion of Merzlikins’ salary, and at age 29, he is capable of starting goals in the NHL.
Given the dire need for a starting quarterback, Carolina and New Jersey are logical destinations for the Latvian.
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