An Alberta rival and a team with two former players excelling is not a pretty sight for the Calgary Flames as they face difficult roster decisions about what comes next. Jacob Markstrom [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA1Njg4NDExODA0MTQ5MTg5/usatsi_23004276_168400847_lowres.jpg] Jacob Markstrom It didn't happen before the NHL trade deadline, but it has happened now: Jacob Markstrom heads to the New Jersey Devils. The Calgary Flames traded Markstrom to New Jersey on Wednesday in exchange for a first-round NHL draft pick in 2025 that's top-10 protected and defenseman Kevin Bahl. A deal that would've sent Markstrom to the Devils before the trade deadline was reportedly close but fell apart. Now, with the NHL draft and free agency under two weeks away, Markstrom waived his no movement clause to join his new team. The Flames retained 31.25 percent of Markstrom's contract, meaning his cap hit will be $4.125 million for New Jersey. Goaltending was New Jersey's area of concern this season. The Devils allowed the seventh-most goals in the NHL, which sunk their hopes of building momentum off their second-round playoff finish in 2022-23. They ended up missing the playoffs this year by 10 points. Goaltender Vitek Vanecek played the most games for them this season and had a .890 save percentage and 3.18 goals-against average in 31 games. Nico Daws and Akira Schmid were called up from AHL Utica but didn't post much better stats than Vanecek. Only trade deadline acquisitions Jake Allen and Kaapo Kahkonen posted at least a .900 save percentage. The Devils now turn to Markstrom in hopes he can reverse their struggles in net and in the standings in the two years he has left on his contract. The 34-year-old from Gavle, Sweden, had a .905 save percentage and 2.78 goals-against average in 48 games for the Flames in 2023-24. That said, he stopped . New Jersey will hope that's the version of Markstrom they get. As for the Flames, the move looks in line with a retool. “Today’s trade demonstrates our focus on the infusion of young talented players into our roster as well as acquiring important draft capital while maintaining our commitment as a playoff competitive team,” Flames GM Craig Conroy said in a news release [https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/flames-acquire-2025-first-round-pick-defenceman-kevin-bahl]. “We thank Jacob for his professionalism and understanding of our decision to make this trade now and at this stage in his career.” Bahl, 23, kicked off his NHL career with the Devils after the Arizona Coyotes selected him 55th overall in the 2018 draft. This was his first full campaign in The Show, recording a goal, 10 assists, 11 points, 151 hits and 103 blocks in 82 games. He also averaged 17:24 of ice time per game. “For quite some time, we had identified Kevin Bahl as a priority player,” Conroy said. “He is a strong defender with size who plays an assertive game with tremendous presence. While his 6-foot-6, 230-pound frame is an imposing asset, he uses his body intelligently, has good mobility and makes smart puck decisions.” The Flames finished with 81 points, 17 behind the Vegas Golden Knights in the second Western Conference wild-card spot. They already traded center Elias Lindholm and defenseman Nikita Zadorov during the season as they fell down the standings. Calgary now has two first-round picks in 2025, with one originally belonging to the Devils and the other to the Florida Panthers. They have nine picks heading into the 2024 draft as it stands. For more reaction, visit The Hockey News' New Jersey Devils site [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/latest-news/breaking-new-jersey-devils-acquire-goaltender-jacob-markstrom-from-calgary-flames].
