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 Pahl on Wednesday.
The 34-year-old goalie 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 remaining on a six-year contract and could become an unrestricted free agent after 2025-26.
“This is a huge challenge,” Markstrom said. “It’s a big team with high expectations and as a goalie, there’s pressure, and I’ve been on teams where there’s been pressure on goaltending in the Canadian market. I know what’s expected and I, as a person, and people who know me, just want to win hockey games. And when we don’t win, I’m tougher.” “My critics, so I’m very happy and excited to go there.”
The trade comes two months after Markstrom was noncommittal about 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 guys every day is that I love winning hockey games,” he said on April 20. “I think that’s the competitive side of me… that every time I play hockey, ‘skating is something I push for and want to achieve. You want to win hockey games and I know everyone in the locker room wants to win hockey games too. “
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 Flames, Vancouver Canucks and Panthers and 13 -13 with a 2.90 GAA and .911 save percentage in 26 playoff games.
The first-round pick in the trade is among the top 10 protected. If New Jersey has a top-10 pick next year, Calgary will get its first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
“Jacob was a true professional in every way,” Flames general manager Craig Conroy said. “When we finally went to him to ask him if he would concede his inaction [clause]He agreed and signed it and we were able to close the deal this morning. “It was a big part of him, because he had the right to say no to anything that came his way.”
Bahl played in all 82 games for the Devils this season, scoring 11 points (1 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.
Bahl, who turns 24 on June 27, was selected by the Arizona Coyotes in the second round (No. 55) of the 2018 NHL Draft.
“Today’s trade demonstrates our focus on integrating talented young players to our roster as well as acquiring significant draft capital, while maintaining our commitment as a competitive playoff team,” Conroy said. “We thank Jacob for his professionalism and understanding of our decision to make this trade now and at this point in his career.”
