WA-NJD-OTT-UllmarkOrMarkstrom_ Jacob Markstrom's move from the Calgary Flames to the New Jersey Devils is paying off early for both sides. General Manager Craig Conroy wanted to make room for Dustin Wolf and get younger assets and draft picks. He found a great opportunity to check everything off his list when the Devils called [https://thehockeynews.com/news/new-jersey-devils-acquire-jacob-markstrom-from-calgary-flames]. The Devils needed a true starter and had their eyes on Markstrom. With young blueliners like Seamus Casey, Luke Hughes, and Simon Nemec showing their potential for larger roles in the NHL, Kevin Bahl became expendable. Conroy and his scouts specifically targeted the massive 6-foot-6 defender, who is only 24. Bahl was exactly what the Flames GM was after — younger NHL-ready players [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgary-flames/latest-news/calgary-flames-kevin-bahl-season-review]. Bahl will be an RFA when his contract expires, giving the team control when he needs to be re-signed [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgary-flames/latest-news/calgary-flames-kevin-bahl-needs-new-deal]. A 2025 first-round pick was also sent to Calgary, which they could opt to use at the next draft, or flip if Conroy can find the center [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgary-flames/latest-news/calgary-flames-anaheim-ducks-trevor-zegras-trade-target] he's been searching for. Jacob Markstrom meanwhile, is having an excellent season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgary-flames/latest-news/former-flames-goalie-named-one-of-the-nhls-three-stars-in-december] with his new club. Starting 31 games, he has gone 20-8-3 helping the Devils to a solid record, and second in their division at the time of this writing. With 12.6 goals saved above expected, the former Flames starter ranks seventh among netminders with at least 20 starts. He also sits fifth in games played. With the heavy workload, he is putting up a solid .911 save percentage and a 2.20 goals-against average. With a .892 high-danger save percentage, Markstrom ranks first among goalies with more than 17 starts. These impressive stats while still seeing a bulk of the Devils work in net should have Markstrom's name in Vezina conversations at the halfway mark of the NHL season. Both teams so far should be happy to have made this trade in the offseason. Bahl has been solid on the top pair this year with Rasmus Andersson. If GM Conroy can extend Bahl's deal [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgary-flames/latest-news/calgary-flames-kevin-bahl-needs-new-deal], it will be even more meaningful for the Flames. Bahl will turn 25 at the end of the year, and locking up the strong defender through his prime years would be a great move for this retooling roster.
