Jacob Markstrom was traded to the New Jersey Devils by the Calgary Flames for a first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft and defenseman Kevin Bahl on Wednesday.
The 34-year-old goaltender went 23-23-2 with a 2.78 goals-against average, a .905 save percentage and two shutouts in 48 games this season. He has two seasons left on a six-year contract and can become an unrestricted free agent after 2025-26.
“This is a big challenge,” Markstrom said. “It is a big team with high expectations and as a goalkeeper there is pressure, and I have been on teams where there was pressure on the goalkeeper in the Canadian market. I know what is expected and I, as a person too, and the people who know me, know that I just want to win hockey games. And when we don’t win I’m my toughest critic, so I’m super happy and excited to get there.”
The trade comes two months after Markstrom failed to commit to his future in Calgary after the Flames (38-39-5) failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs.
“I don’t know, but what I do know and what I tell you every day is that I love winning hockey games,” he said on April 20. «I think that’s my competitive side… that every time I tie up the skates is something I encourage and want to achieve. You want to win hockey games and I know everyone in that locker room wants to win hockey games too. “That’s what I think right now.”
Selected by the Florida Panthers in the second round (No. 31) of the 2008 NHL Draft, Markstrom is 215-196-57 with a 2.73 GAA and a .909 save percentage in 485 regular season games. (468 starts) for the Panthers. Vancouver Canucks and Flames and 13-13 with a 2.90 GAA and .911 save percentage in 26 playoff games.
The first-round pick from the trade is top-10 protected. If New Jersey has a top-10 pick next year, Calgary would receive its first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
“Jacob was a true professional throughout the entire process,” Flames general manager Craig Conroy said. “When we finally went to him to ask if he would give up his [cláusula] of no movement, he agreed, signed it and we were able to close the deal this morning. He was a big part of it, because he had the right to say no to anything that was presented to him.
Bahl played all 82 games for the Devils this season and scored 11 points (one goal, 10 assists). He has 25 points (four goals, 21 assists) in 148 regular-season games and one assist in 11 playoff games, all with New Jersey.
Source: NHL
2024-06-20 15:19:48
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