Flames Trade Jacob Markstrom To The Devils
TSN’s Darren Dreger reports the Calgary Flames traded goaltender Jacob Markstrom to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for defenseman Kevin Bahl and the Devils’ 2025 first-round pick.
Calgary Flames trade goaltender Jacob Markstrom to the New Jersey Devils (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: One of the biggest names in this summer’s trade market is off the board.
It’s no surprise that Markstrom is heading to the Devils. It was rumored in February that he was willing to waive his no-movement clause for New Jersey but the two clubs at the time couldn’t agree on a deal.
Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald said he was going “big-game hunting” this summer with a No. 1 goalie at the top of his list. He’s getting a big upgrade between the pipes with Markstrom. Fitzgerald is also taking on a hefty cap hit of $6 million annually for the next two years.
**UPDATE: The Flames are retaining 31.25 percent of Markstrom’s AAV. The Devils will be carrying $4.125 million annually for the remainder of his contract.
Markstrom, 34, was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy in 2021-22. He was considered the Flames’ MVP in 2023-24, stealing wins for his struggling club in games they otherwise would’ve lost. He’ll be backed up in New Jersey by former Canadiens netminder (and trade deadline acquisition) Jake Allen.
The Devils should be set between the pipes if Markstrom maintains his form over the next two seasons. His age is a concern but Fitzgerald is betting that his new goalie tandem can help the Devils rebound from their disappointing 2023-24 performance.
Flames GM Craig Conroy was rumored to be seeking a big return for Markstrom. What he got from the Devils likely reflects the real value of goaltenders in this summer’s trade market.
The Flames are getting a first-rounder but their fans would’ve preferred the 10th overall selection in this year’s draft that New Jersey currently owns. That 2025 pick is top-10 protected but could be much further down in the first round of next year’s draft if the Devils return to their 2022-23 form.
Bahl, 23, is a 6’6”, 230-pound defenseman who finished his first full NHL campaign in 2023-24, collecting 11 points in 82 games. He has the potential to become a top-four shutdown defenseman.
Retained money and the first is next year ; plus Bahl!
To me , that seems s low return
It prob comes down to Markstrom having control via is NTC…. he probably would only waive it for certain teams so it limited Calgary’s negotiating power. If Devs were the only (or 1 of the few) teams he would go to, then the power switches to the Devs a bit.
Excellent point
That must be it
Where does Ullmark go and for whom?
Well, like Markstrom, it won’t be Ottawa.
Well Sr, he already ditched the trade to LA at the TDL, OTT doesn’t make sense to me either George, so that leaves??
The Leafs? Not sure that will happen, what do they have to offer that works for BOS that isn’t an over or under pay? Ullmark for Cowan? That works for me, would Leafs do it?
Would have preferred the 1st and Bahl from NJ.
Maybe Linus doesn’t want to leave Boston, and is smart enough to include the teams that need a tender on his NT list.
NJ was likely the place to get the best return, I wouldn’t expect too much moving forward. Maybe they just keep him, it’s not like it isn’t working with both guys.
If Sway still rolling try again at the TDL 2025.
Calgary is retaining $1,875,000
Good trade both teams, less of a return because Markstrom dictated where he would go.
Yeah if I were a GM, those NMC’s are going to be real real hard to get & very expensive to the player as well. Look at the nightmare Leafs are in for with Marner, it really screws with the returns. Flames have got a lot of cap space now.
Ray Bark,they might have no alternative but to keep him! That is a big problem with what they are going to have to pay Swayman!This team can t afford to have each one play 41 with the other sitting on the bench! I would test the waters and see what they could get for Swayman in a trade! In reality Sway has won 1 playoff series! Everyone thought Bob was all world for the Panthers! We are starting to see soft goals on him now,at important times in a game!
Interesting to see the market. Likely late 1st decent d man. I’d expect ullmark to get a similar if lesser return
Chisms. the difference being Markstrom control where he went, forced Calgary hand. Ullmark has a limited ntc.
Depends how many teams are bidding and who’s on the list.
We should know soon enough. Ullmark could bring, less, more or the same nothing will surprise me.
Getting rid of the 5 mill cap hit is a huge plus as well.
Yeah caper. There’s that. But it’s also been said that he doesn’t want to leave Boston so that list could be comprised of teams with no goalie needs or other barriers. Plus currently he’s a one season rental particularly if he doesn’t want to go somewhere else. If I was Boston I’d motivate him by publicly declaring swayman the starter. It’s a contract year for ullmark. He wants paid he’s got to play as a starter. He’d be more willing to open up the options. Bit cutthroat though.
I think this was the most desperate GM making his move finally. Now I think things will simmer until draft day.
Price looks fair if you discount the retained cap, that makes it a slight win for NJ. I never thought the 10th pick would be the price, but I did think Holz was going to Calgary. This also shows that the Bruins aint getting Chychryn for Ullmark.
I know NJ has some really promising D but dont they also need some more experience on the back, Pesce? Or maybe they can trade for Chychryn since he isnt in the same division?
don’t think Nemec will get demoted, team has Hamilton/Marino/Nemec on the right side, which is pretty good. Team really missed Hamilton after he got hurt, on the PP as well as a leader on D.
Left side has Luke Hughes. Siegenthaler has played best paired with Hamilton, so he may hang around.
Bahl could be replaced by Santeri Hattaka, who looked good this past season. Otherwise they could sign Brendan Dillon to play with Nemec.
Very good return for a goalie.
Bahl projects like Brandon Carlo, but with a mean streak. Toss in a mid to late first and that’s a decent package.
I’d keep Linus, but if he had to go, I would be OK with a similar return.
Twitter is lighting up about PLD traded to Washington for Kuemper – – – no salary retained.
I guess Wash knows its window is closing so they will try anything.
The window isn’t closing… It’s nailed shut.
Nicklas Backstrom will be out for the season, Caps need a center for their top 6. Compared to what LA traded to acquire PLD, Washington made a good deal on a reclamation project.
Sadly Backstrom’s career is over.
Bahl was inconsistent in using his big body in his own zone, which made him expendable. For his size, he wasn’t known to really throw that many big hits. He was usually caught between defending or jumping up in the play. he was more consistent the previous season, and the Devils didn’t change defensive coaches (Ryan McGill). Bahl is still young and can learn to be more consistent, so this could work out for Calgary.
whatever the return was Calgary had to trade Markstrom, he would have sulked if he stayed in Calgary. Overall team is getting younger so it was time for Wolf to take over.
overall this should be a win for both sides