Tom Fitzgerald's tenure with the New Jersey Devils wrapped up with a notable move that left fans scratching their heads-a contract extension for Jacob Markstrom. On Halloween, the Devils announced they'd secured the 35-year-old goalie for two more years at a $6 million AAV, mirroring his previous deal.
This decision came even as Markstrom was struggling significantly, with his performance showing no signs of returning to its former glory. Just three days before the extension, Markstrom had a rough outing, allowing eight goals, which didn't sit well with the Devils faithful.
The extension lacked a No-Movement Clause, unlike his previous contract with the Calgary Flames, which transitions to a 20-team no-trade list on July 1st, marking the NHL's new calendar year. While moving this contract might require some finesse, it's not an impossible task for the current Devils GM, Sunny Mehta. Offloading Markstrom could free up $6 million, potentially paving the way for a goaltending upgrade or a top-six forward addition.
Enter the Florida Panthers-a team that could benefit from Markstrom's services. With their own cap constraints, they have about $6 million available, just enough to accommodate Markstrom.
The Panthers are reportedly eyeing Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets, but lack the assets to make that deal happen. Markstrom, on the other hand, could be a more feasible acquisition given Florida's current roster situation.
The Panthers, known for their offensive prowess, could thrive with Markstrom providing steady, if not spectacular, goaltending. With no goalies currently under contract and rumors swirling about Sergei Bobrovsky's hefty contract demands, Markstrom could be a cost-effective solution.
Furthermore, the Panthers might even coax an asset out of New Jersey for taking on Markstrom's contract. However, any potential trade would likely require some financial maneuvering, perhaps involving players like Evan Rodrigues or Eetu Luostarainen, who are pending free agents.
For the Devils, moving Markstrom would necessitate a replacement plan, as they'd be left with only Jake Allen between the pipes. While Mehta has already demonstrated his willingness to make bold moves, addressing the goaltending situation will be crucial. The Devils' current predicament suggests that parting ways with Markstrom could be the best course of action.
As Sunny Mehta continues to navigate the challenges left by his predecessor, shedding Markstrom's contract should be high on his agenda. It's a chance to reshape the roster and set the Devils on a path towards a more stable future.
In Other News...
Devils May Have Just Made Jack Hughes Biggest Problem Harder To Fix
The Devils went into the draft needing more than just another prospect, and Sunny Mehta made sure they at least kept one premium chip in the pocket. New Jersey held onto the 12th overall pick and used it on Swedish forward Alexander Command, a move that kept the front office in position to keep searching for a top-six answer around Jack Hughes rather than spending every major asset in one swing.
Even after the roster shuffle, the larger issue is still staring back at Mehta. New Jersey wants a legitimate scoring wing to ease the burden on Hughes, but the path to landing one keeps getting narrower, and the clubs remaining trade currency is not as clean or simple as it looked before the draft. If the Devils are going to chase a real difference-maker, they may have to decide whether to keep waiting for the right market or finally push harder on a deal that can change the look of the top of the lineup. [Read more 🡒]
Devils Face A Massive Connor Hellebuyck Or Jacob Markstrom Decision
The Devils offseason has a familiar shape to it: Jack Hughes needs more help up front, and the goaltending situation has not settled the way the front office hoped when Jacob Markstrom arrived. New general manager Sunny Mehta inherits both problems at once, and the pressure to upgrade in goal could push New Jersey into a bigger swing than a usual summer shuffle.
One name hovering around that conversation is Connor Hellebuyck, a target whose availability could reshape the market if the Devils decide to press forward. The path there is not simple, though, because moving Markstroms contract may be part of the equation, and it is unclear how much extra value New Jersey would have to attach to make that kind of deal work. [Read more 🡒]
Devils Draft Weekend May Have Revealed A Bigger Plan
The Devils draft weekend already came with a clear headliner in Alexander Command at No. 12, but the rest of the class suggested New Jersey was chasing more than one type of future contributor. General manager Mehta kept coming back to the idea of adding productive players with dynamic qualities, and the later-round picks fit that broader search for skill rather than simply filling out a board.
For a team trying to keep building around a stronger talent base, that approach can matter just as much as the first name off the board. The draft also left enough room to wonder whether the Devils are keeping an eye on bigger roster movement elsewhere, with Winnipeg at least willing to hear trade ideas on its side of the goalie market, even if the full shape of that situation is still unclear. [Read more 🡒]