The New Jersey Devils have made a significant move by acquiring goaltender Jacob Markstrom from the Calgary Flames. This trade involved defenseman Kevin Bahl and a top-10-protected first-round draft pick in 2025. Calgary also agreed to retain 31.25% of Markstrom’s salary as part of the deal. Markstrom, who waived his no-trade clause to facilitate the transaction, has two seasons left on his current contract with an annual salary of $6 million. The Devils had been interested in Markstrom since the March trade deadline, but negotiations did not come to fruition until now.
Markstrom’s Decision to Join the Devils
Markstrom expressed his excitement about joining the Devils during a video call with reporters from Sweden. He cited the team’s commitment to winning and the effort made by the organization to bring him aboard as key factors in his decision. Markstrom’s performance with the Flames last season was solid, posting a 23-23-2 record with a .905 save percentage and a 2.78 goals-against average. He is expected to form a goaltending tandem with veteran Jake Allen, who was acquired by the Devils earlier in the season.
The Devils’ goaltending situation has been a point of contention over the past two seasons, with inconsistency being a major issue. The addition of Markstrom, alongside Allen, aims to bring stability to the position and elevate the team’s performance. Markstrom acknowledged the challenge ahead of him and expressed his desire to make a difference for the team every night. With the hiring of coach Sheldon Keefe and these goaltending acquisitions, the Devils are looking to establish themselves as a consistent playoff contender.
With Markstrom’s departure, the Flames are expected to rely on a goaltending tandem of Dan Vladar and Dustin Wolf. Wolf, a seventh-round pick in 2019, has been groomed by the organization to be a key player in the future. Vladar, who served as a backup to Markstrom last season, will likely take on a more prominent role in the upcoming season. The Flames will look to these goaltenders to step up in the absence of Markstrom and maintain a competitive edge.
The New Jersey Devils’ acquisition of Jacob Markstrom represents a significant move in bolstering their goaltending depth and addressing a critical need for stability in that position. Markstrom’s arrival, along with the presence of Jake Allen, signals a new era for the Devils as they strive to become a consistent force in the NHL. On the flip side, the Calgary Flames will need to adjust to the absence of Markstrom and rely on their young goaltenders to fill the void. This trade has the potential to shape the fortunes of both teams in the upcoming season.
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