Calgary Flames finalizing trade to send G Jacob Markstrom to New Jersey Devils – TSN.ca

The Calgary Flames have traded goaltender Jacob Markstrom to the New Jersey Devils.

TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports defenceman Kevin Bahl and a 2025 first-round pick are headed back to Calgary in the deal. The first-rounder is top-10 protected. Bahl, 23, had one goal and 11 points in 82 games with the Devils this season. A second round pick of the Arizona Coyotes in 2018, Bahl is signed through next season at a cap hit of $1.05 million ahead of restricted free agency in 2025.

Markstrom is entering the fifth year of a six-year, $30 million deal with an annual cap hit of $6 million. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

The 34-year-old netminder finished this season with a 23-23-2 record with a .905 save percentage and a 2.78 goals-against average. He posted a career-best .922 save percentage in 2021-22 before experiencing a significant dip with a .892 mark last year. 

The move ends months of speculation dating back to before the trade deadline, when the Flames and Devils reportedly discussing a Markstrom trade, but couldn’t reach a deal. LeBrun reported in March that one hold up in a trade was the Flames unwillingness to retain salary on Markstrom. The Devils were ultimately forced to turn elsewhere, acquiring Jake Allen from the Montreal Canadiens and also sending Vitek Vanecek to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for fellow netminder Kaapo Kahkonen. Allen remains under contract for next season at a cap hit of $1.925 million after the Canadiens retained half of his salary. Kahkonen is slated for unrestricted free agency.

The Flames had reportedly received interest in Markstrom from multiple clubs this month, including the Ottawa Senators.

Markstrom played four seasons with the Flames with his best year coming in 2021-22 were he went 37-15-9 with a .922 save percentage and 2.22 GAA. He finished second in Vezina Trophy voting that season.

Drafted 31st overall by the Florida Panthers in 2008, Markstrom has a career 215-196-57 record with a .909 save percentage and 2.73 GAA.

The Gavle, Sweden, native represented his country four times at the World Championship, taking home a gold medal in 2013 and a bronze medal in 2010. He also represented Sweden at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, taking home a bronze medal.