It’s finally happened. After months of speculation and rumours, the Calgary Flames have finally put pen to paper and dealt starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom to the New Jersey Devils.
The return for Jacob Markstrom
After plenty of speculation around the Devils offering up either Alexander Holtz or the 10th overall pick at the 2024 NHL draft, the Flames ended up getting neither. Instead, they receive 23-year-old defenceman Kevin Bahl as well as a 2025 top-10 protected first-round pick.
Bahl is currently on the last year of a two-year deal that pays him $1.05 million per year. Upon expiry, he’ll be an RFA in the summer of 2025. Last season he played all 82 games for the Devils, chipping in 11 points.
All said, this is quite the underwhelming return for the Flames after all the speculation over the Devils 2024 first-round pick over the last couple of months. Assuming Markstrom helps the Devils get back to the playoffs, the Flames will likely be looking at a first-round pick somewhere in the 20s. Add in the fact that the Flames are retaining salary… Not great.
The Flames’ rebuild continues
Trading Markstrom further signifies that the Flames are going all in to rebuild their roster for the future. After signing one of the biggest free agent deals in franchise history back in 2020, Markstrom has been the Flames primary starter and one of their most important players over the last four seasons. He ends his Flames career with 213 games played and 136 wins, both of which are fourth all-time in Flames franchise history.
Now the focus shifts to blue chip prospect Dustin Wolf, who should be in line for the starting gig for the 2024–25 season and beyond. The torch has officially been passed and now it’s time for Wolf to take the opportunity and run with it.
