The New Jersey Devils will have a busy off-season and have several needs to fill. They filled one of their needs by acquiring goaltender Jacob Markstrom. They had to move out Kevin Bahl and a top-10 protected first-round pick in 2025. The Flames will retain 30 percent of Markstrom’s salary.
Speaking of Markstrom, he has two years left on his deal with the Devils, and there is a possibility they could extend him next summer if the result warrants it.
How the Jacob Markstrom Trade to New Jersey Came About
Dave Pagnotta of the Fourth Period joined NHL Now with Bill Pito and Cory Schneider on the NHL Network to discuss that possibility.
Bill Pito:
“All right, so you got Markstrom at 34. Two years left on the deal. You mentioned Calgary’s returning a little bit of the salary. Yeah, do you think that he will be extended at some point with the Devils soon, or do you think they’re gonna see how it plays out?”
Dave Pagnotta:
“I think they’re gonna they’re gonna look to see how this kind of plays out. I think the tandem right now that they have between Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen, who they got from the Montreal Canadiens prior to the deadline earlier on in March on a deal in which the Canadiens are retaining a chunk on his deal. You’re looking at just over $6 million. Now that’s going towards both Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen.
They wanted to have a veteran presence there as a backup to alleviate any pressure from whomever they thought was going to be the number one and they wanted obviously Markstrom to happen and they get this done today (Wednesday). I believe this (Wednesday) morning is when things are kind of finalized. But they wanted to be in a position where they stabilized their goaltending position.
NHL Rumors: The New Jersey Devils Have Plenty of Needs This Off-season
And let’s see how the year plays out the season plays out. They have another year left on that deal. If things worked out, then you could probably look towards discussing a shorter-term extension and keeping that relationship going beyond the two years he has on this contract, but from New Jersey’s perspective, this was a priority.”
So what is next for the Devils now that they got their goaltender in Jacob Markstrom. Obviously, they will look to extend Dawson Mercer and Nolan Foote. But externally, the Devils will want to add up front with a scoring winger.
“They wanted to address their goaltending. They got it done early before the draft,” Pagnotta continued. “Now they can focus on both the draft and trying to add an offensive piece up front which is the next order of business from a trades or roster perspective, I should say for Tom Fitzgerald and the Devils.”
NHL Rumors: New Jersey Devils and Calgary Flames Still Talking About Jacob Markstrom
The Devils and Tom Fitzgerald still have the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. They could use that from a trade perspective to add a player like Patrik Laine or another dynamic forward like Martin Necas. But they could also dip into the free agent. As we have written here at the Devils Nation, Jake Guentzel is the hot free agent.
Could a Tyler Toffoli reunion happen? He was the Devils leading goal scorer last season. It seems doubtful, as, according to Dave Pagnotta of the Fourth Period, he was unhappy he got traded to Winnipeg. They could go after players like Jonathan Marchessault, Vladimir Tarasenko, Jake DeBrusk, and Tyler Bertuzzi are options. Or could they sign someone like Chandler Stephenson and maybe move Jack Hughes to the wing?
The Devils have options, but one thing is for sure: They are not finished improving this roster to compete for the playoffs next season.
