Jacob Markstrom was traded to the New Jersey Devils by the Calgary Flames for a first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft and a defenseman Kevin Bahl on Wednesday.
The 34-year-old goaltender went 23-23-2 with a 2.78 goals-against average, .905 save percentage and two shutouts in 48 games this season. He has two seasons remaining on a six-year contract and can become an unrestricted free agent after 2025-26.
“It’s a big challenge,” Markstrom said. “It’s a big team with big expectations and as a goalie there’s pressure, and I’ve been on teams where there’s pressure on goalies in the Canadian market. I know what’s expected of me and me as a person, and people that know me know I just want to win hockey games. And when we don’t win, I’m my biggest critic, so I’m just super happy and excited to go out there.”
The trade comes two months after Markstrom was coy 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 every day is that I love to win hockey games,” he said on April 20. “I think it’s my competitive side … every time I put my skates on, it’s something that I push for and want to accomplish. You want to win hockey games and I know everybody in this locker room wants to win hockey games too. That’s pretty much what I’m thinking right now.”
Selected by the Florida Panthers in the second round (31st overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Markstrom is 215-196-57 with a 2.73 goals-against average and .909 save percentage in 485 regular-season games (468 starts) for the Panthers, Vancouver Canucks and Flames and 13-13 with a 2.90 goals-against average and .911 save percentage in 26 playoff games.
The first-round pick in the trade is protected from top-10 picks. If New Jersey gets a top-10 pick next year, Calgary would receive its first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
“Jacob was a true professional throughout this whole thing,” Flames general manager Craig Conroy said. “When we finally went to him and asked if he wanted to waive his no-transfer clause, he agreed and signed and we were able to get the deal done this morning. He was a big part of this 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 and had 11 points (one goal, 10 assists). He had 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 (55th overall) of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
“Today’s trade demonstrates our commitment to adding young talent to our roster and acquiring significant draft capital, while maintaining our commitment to being a playoff-competitive team,” Conroy said. “We thank Jacob for his professionalism and understanding of our decision to make this trade now and at this stage of his career.”
