The New Jersey Devils are rolling with the same goaltending duo as they did last season – Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen. Allen re-signed with the club at the start of free agency, agreeing to a five-year extension at $1.8 million a season. Markstrom is entering the final year of a six-year deal that paid him $6 million a season. Remember, the Calgary Flames retained 31.25 percent of the contract, so the Devils have $4.125 million on their books for this season.
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However, this was an effective tandem last season for the Devils despite some wanting Jake Allen to be the starter. Markstrom proved he was the guy. Allen filled in nicely, especially when Markstrom went down with an injury. The Devils can’t expect Allen to be the everyday guy at his age. The same goes for Markstrom, whom the Devils would like to bring back.
With expectations high in New Jersey, having two veteran goalies between the pipes allows the Devils to compete for the Metro Division crown. President and General Manager Tom Fitzgerald isn’t making the same mistake twice when it comes to the goaltending and defense.
As explained during an appearance on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio with Mick Kern and Jonathan Davis, the discussion about Markstrom and Allen came up, and the question was asked do the New Jersey Devils have one of the better tandems in the NHL.
DevilsNation.com Transcriptions
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Mick Kern: “Before we go, let me ask you this. JD and Jim, you can jump in. Markstom, 35, Jake Allen is 34. That’s a pretty good one-two punch. Where would you put that in the echelon of NHL goaltending? It’s not top, it’s not bottom, it’s just kind of middle, because this is a good defensive team. As I said, the second-best defensive record in the East.”
Jonathan Davis: “Markstrom has to be better than he was last year.”
Kern: “Agreed”
Davis: “They’re not winning unless he’s better. And Jake Allen is a solid backup.”
Kern: “He is a solid, solid 1B.”
Davis: “He is but maybe a better broadcaster. I was joking.
Kern: “He was really good as a broadcaster. He was yes.”
Davis: “But I’m not sold on Markstrom. Like, that’s why, like, for me, if the Devils are playing the Rangers in Round One, I mean, the better goal is on the other side. There’s no question.”
Kern: “Agreed overall. But you know, how can that work in a series? He is a UFA Jim. What do you make of the Devils goaltending situation?”
Jim Biringer: “I think it’s really good. There’s a reason why they brought back Jake Allen. Tom Fitzgerald said at the end of the year that he really liked the tandem and wanted to get Allen signed to an extension. I wouldn’t be shocked that they’re trying to work on something to keep Markstrom for a couple of more seasons, to keep these two guys together.
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I know Nico Daws is there, and he’s got to play. That’s why the five years for Allen was a bit of a head-scratcher to me. But I get it because Daws and the thing is, with Daws is he is not waiver exempt. So if the Devils try to send him to the American League, somebody can poach him off waivers.”
Kern: “And somebody would right with how goaltending is now, yeah.”
Biringer: “yes, exactly. So everybody needs a goaltender, it feels like it anyway, somebody needs a goaltender. And Nico Daws could prove he could play in the National Hockey League. I like their tandem. But to me, again, it goes back to the defense. When the Devils were rolling before the Christmas break, there was, I believe it was, 18 of 19 games where they allowed 20 or less shots and won. Like, that’s what they do.
Like, if Markstrom faces 20 or less shots, he’s in a good position of because of what their D is doing, blocking shots and then transitioning that game. But when it’s 30 or more, you saw this team struggle in the second half of the year, unexplicably, after that Christmas break, it was a completely different team than it was before the Christmas break, and no one seems to have answers as to why.
And I agree with JD, I think they do need to get a little tougher, because they have a small forward group up front, and on the bottom end, it’s the size, they need a little bit to be bigger. And the Dadonov is going to be a good signing for them. He’ll produce them 20 goals. And, again, his contract, if he stays through the whole year, if they struggle a little bit, you could move it the way the contract is structured.
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But to me, I think New Jersey should be right in there, in the top three in the Metro. Their goaltending, and I agree, Markstrom has to be better. But when he’s on, he’s right there with some of the, not the upper echelon goaltending, but as we’ve seen, when the other goalies across the way in the playoffs is better, sometimes he doesn’t perform. Look at the Edmonton Oilers and Stuart Skinner.”
Kern: “Well, speaking of which, they are all under .900. Markston was .900, Allen was .908. And Daws, short sample size, but .939. That speaks well for the future. We’ll see with the bigger sample size.”
There is a reason why Fitzgerald brought Allen back to work with Markstrom. The chemistry is undeniable. But the rest of the pieces have to fall into place. However, there is no denying the New Jersey Devils have one of the better goaltending duos in the NHL with Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen.
Having great structure is excellent and necessary to win, but having good goaltending and timely saves is even better. The Devils have that with their duo moving forward.
