Devils' Goaltending Problem: Is Jacob Markstrom the Solution?

The New Jersey Devils are in the market for an upgrade in net, with General Manager Tom Fitzgerald linked to several high-profile goalies like Linus Ullmark, Juuse Saros, and Jacob Markstrom.

Recently, we discussed the possibility of Ullmark wearing red and black. Even though he is a recent Vezina Trophy winner, he's found success with the Boston Bruins, who play a sound defensive structure and are Stanley Cup contenders.

New Jersey is just a piece or two away from being considered contenders themselves, but acquiring Ullmark may not be the upgrade the Devils need for the long term.

This means someone else like Markstrom may end up in Newark. So, let's see if this move makes sense.

Markstrom May Not Be the Best Choice for the Devils in 2024-25

Markstrom was the Calgary Flames MVP last season, carrying an unproductive team close to a playoff spot before imploding after the NHL Trade Deadline.

In 40 games before the Mar 8 deadline, the Swedish netminder was 22-16-2 with a .911 SV% and a 2.51 GAA.

At that point, Calgary was six points out of the final wildcard spot with 20 games left.

Although the Flames did not sell the farm and throw in the towel on the season, Markstrom was the subject of many trade rumors and ended up finishing the season in Alberta.

In his final eight appearances, he was 1-7-0 with a .870 SV% and 3.50 GAA while watching rookie Dustin Wolf finish the campaign going 6-4-0 in 11 games.

In 14 seasons, Markstrom has compiled a 215-196-57 record with the Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks, and Flames. With 26 playoff games on his resume, he's 13-13 in the postseason.

He's produced a career SV% of .909 and a GAA of 2.72 GAA with 20 shutouts.

In 2020, Markstrom left the Canucks and signed a six-year deal with the Flames with an annual salary of $6 million. Heading into 2024-25, he's got two seasons left.

Jan 11, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) stops the puck and looks to pass in the second period against the Arizona Coyotes at Mullett Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

As a workhorse netminder, he ranks among the top 10 in games played, wins, losses, shots faced, saves, minutes, goals against, shutouts, and penalty minutes.

On paper, Markstrom seems like the answer to any team's goaltender problems. However, he's 34 and will be 36 at the end of his current contract in 2026.

Over his career, Markstrom has earned votes for the Vezina Trophy three times, finishing in second place in 2022 behind Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers.

Markstorm is always in the news, not necessarily for highlight reel saves or stealing games, but because he plays almost every night. As the starter at the end of his tenure in Vancouver and for his entire time with Calgary, he's always dressed and between the pipes.

However, one of Markstrom's main concerns is the soft goals he tends to let in. These backbreaking tallies tend to kill momentum and often put his team at another disadvantage after they get back into the game with a goal or great scoring chance.

If Markstrom accepted a trade to New Jersey, he would get a fresh start and be far away from Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, who have become his kryptonite since the 2022 playoffs.

Considering he'd be on the books for two seasons at $6 million, there's a chance he gives the Devils above-average goaltending. However, he will be prone to mistakes and miscues that could lead to defeats, especially in a competitive Metropolitan Division.

Without a proven track record in the postseason, acquiring Markstrom with the hope that he will be the difference maker in bringing the Stanley Cup to New Jersey is a bold call.

He's entering the final years of his career and will eventually have to settle for a backup role on the other side of 35.

Although his statistics indicate he'd be a great addition to the lineup, his streaky performances and inability to stand out amongst his peers like Connor Hellebuyck and Andrei Vasilevskiy make him a massive gamble in the long run.