The New Jersey Devils continue to work on an extension for goaltender Jacob Markstrom, who remains out of the lineup with a lower-body injury. Markstrom came in for Jake Allen, who left because of cramping in the third period and was hurt toward the end of the game. The diagnosis from the medical staff says Markstrom will be out for a couple of weeks.
NHL Rumors: New Jersey Devils and Jacob Markstrom Still Have a Cap to Close
However, according to Devils President and General Manager Tom Fitzgerald, who joined TFP Hotstove on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio with Dave Pagnotta and Ryan Paton, Markstrom has resumed skating. So that is good news for the Devils. The bad news is that there is a negotiation that needed to be paused because of Markstrom’s injury. And it brings up the question, what will the New Jersey Devils do with Jacob Markstrom moving forward?
Well, according to Fitzgerald, during that same Sirius XM NHL Network Radio appearance, he stated, he wants him with the Devils as long as possible.
We love Jacob and Amanda his wife. We want them to be Devils for as long as possible. I know the feeling is mutual. His agent and I have had real healthy communications, real healthy talks. Different ideas exchanged contractually, Fitzgerald said. But the fact is, he’s 35 and he’s going to be 36 and there are different rules for players that are that age and older.
So, it’s from an organization standpoint, you look to protect your downside, but also reward the player. But there’s no doubt we both want to. We want to get it done. I would be remiss if I did not reach back out to his agent here sooner rather than later. I think just once the injury happens, just kind of like, just let it breathe here.
When they get to the negotiating table is anyone’s guess, but the two sides are locked in on a long-term extension. However, what that looks like will come down to how the Devils value Jacob Markstrom with a rising salary cap.
Jacob Markstrom Continues To Be A Difference Maker for the Devils
According to Frank Seravalli, he stated on NHL Network that Markstrom’s camp is looking for roughly $20 million on an extension. That would line up with what Kevin Weekes reported of an initial offer to Markstrom of four years at $5 million. But he could be looking for more on a long-term extension.
But at last check, the Markstrom camp had been asking for $20 million on either a four year or a five year deal. They were comfortable with how they could split it up, and I think at that point in time, was too rich for the Devils taste, Seravalli said. So they’re going to have to figure out is Markstrom going to continue to be, at least for the foreseeable future, our guy, or do we need to dip into the pool again after trading for Markstrom, to then go out and find someone who can be the next guy
Again, the New Jersey Devils are in that window to win. They like both guys. There is a reason Fitzgerald signed Jake Allen to that five-year deal at $1.8 million per season. So they are going to have to get creative to close a gap that is still there with Markstrom.
Jacob Markstrom Proves Why He Was The Perfect Fit for the Devils
Fitzgerald traded for both guys and circled Jacob Markstrom as his guy. They can’t go through unknown of bringing in a new goalie and see if it works with this group. That is what did in the Devils during the 2023-24 season. They don’t want to go through instability in that position again.
So this one could take a little longer in order to find the right price for both the team and the player. However, it is clear the Devils want to keep this tandem together.
