New Jersey Devils Acquire Markstrom From Calgary Flames For Bahl, First-Round Pick


Photo: Sportsnet

The New Jersey Devils acquired goaltender Jacob Markstrom from the Calgary Flames for defenseman Kevin Bahl and a top-10 protected 2025 first-round pick on Wednesday. The 34-year-old waived his full no-movement clause that was included in his contract, which carries a $6 million cap hit for two more seasons to head to the Garden State. Calgary retained $1.875 million (.3125) of Markstrom’s cap hit for the final two seasons of his deal.

The two teams almost completed a trade that would have sent Markstrom, who went 23-23-2 with a .905 save percentage, 2.78 goals-against average, and two shutouts in 48 games this past season, to New Jersey at the trade deadline but the deal fell apart.

In 485 career regular-season games with Calgary, the Florida Panthers, and Vancouver Canucks, Markstrom has gone 215-196-57 with a .909 save percentage, 2.73 goals-against average, and 20 shutouts. His 37 wins in 63 games during the 2021-22 season were tied for fourth league-wide while his .922 save percentage was tied for third, 2.22 goals-against average ranked third, and nine shutouts led the NHL.

New Jersey, who finished 10 points behind the Washington Capitals for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference in 2023-24, finally finds a No. 1 goaltender after their .9053 save percentage over the last three seasons is better than only the San Jose Sharks (.9022). They have missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs in five of the last six and 10 of the past 12 seasons with goaltending being a major issue since Martin Brodeur left.

Bahl posted a goal, 11 points, +1 rating, .4919 five-on-five Corsi-for percentage, .5187 five-on-five expected goals-for percentage, and .499 five-on-five scoring chances-for percentage while averaging 17:24 per game (sixth among Devils defensemen), including 1:48 on the penalty kill (fourth).

New Jersey has $16,048,603 remaining in NHL salary cap space for next season with eight forwards, six defenseman, and two goaltenders under contract. The team also acquired Jake Allen from the Montreal Canadiens and traded Vitek Vanecek to San Jose for Kaapo Kahkonen at the NHL Trade Deadline.

By Harrison Brown

About Harrison Brown

Harrison is a diehard Caps fan and a hockey fanatic with a passion for sports writing. He attended his first game at age 8 and has been a season ticket holder since the 2010-2011 season. His fondest Caps memory was watching the Capitals hoist the Stanley Cup in Las Vegas. In his spare time, he enjoys travel, photography, and hanging out with his two dogs. Follow Harrison on Twitter @HarrisonB927077





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