New Jersey Devils could follow Jets' lead by bringing back a controversial former young star

The New Jersey Devils have a problem. Well, they have a few problems. They need more center depth in a market where Erik Haula is one of the best available centers in free agency. They need to figure out who will stay and who will go on defense, since they have seven NHL-caliber defensemen with seven expensive contracts. They still need a top-six winger to pair with either Jack Hughes or Nico Hischier. 

However, one of the most important dilemmas at the feet of Sunny Mehta is in net. Tom Fitzgerald’s parting gift to the Devils was an unnecessary contract extension for Jacob Markstrom. Despite his struggles, Markstrom was given a two-year extension worth $6 million per season. 

The deal came in the middle of last season, and there were already question marks surrounding his age and ensuing play.

Now, the Devils have to figure out what to do. They can’t buy out Markstrom unless someone goes to arbitration. They could trade Markstrom, but then he becomes another team’s problem, and opposing GMs don’t often like the idea of trading for problems. 

There is an interesting situation that the Devils can work out. The Colorado Avalanche have their own problem with Mackenzie Blackwood. It’s a different problem, but a problem nonetheless.

See, the Avalanche are looking for something a little more proven in net. They went into the playoffs with Scott Wedgewood as their starting goalie. This is despite Blackwood making $5.25 million until 2030. Colorado has a lot on their plate, not a ton of assets, and they need cap space to actually put together a Stanley Cup contender. 

What if the Devils made up the difference in contract, retained on Markstrom to make him cost as much as Blackwood, and traded him, with assets, to the Avalanche? 

See, Markstrom is still considered a starting goalie. He probably has another good year in him. A change of scenery would be good for him. 

Yes, we know this is what we said about Blackwood. And we were right! Blackwood needed some space from the Devils to excel, but now he’s lost his starting job to a guy who used to be his backup. 

The Devils can look at the Jets for inspiration for a reunion

Taking a look at the New York Jets, they just made a similar move, trading for Geno Smith to be their starting quarterback. Smith is coming off a bad year in Las Vegas, but he’s going back to where his NFL journey started. The former WVU standout dominated in college, but that didn’t translate into professional standards in New Jersey. 

It was a tumultuous situation for the years in Jersey for Smith, but that didn’t stop him from returning to where it all started. This is about redemption. 

The same could be true for Blackwood. He could return to the place where he started as a second-round pick that became one of the better goaltending prospects in the league. 

And the Devils could use him. Despite his save percentage dropping to .904 in the regular season, his goals saved above average was a little over seven goals, which is good for 22nd in the league (one ranking behind Jake Allen). Last year, Blackwood had one of the better GSAA at north of 18. 

Blackwood is still under 30 years old, so he has a long prime still to go. Would the Devils be willing to make that move? It might make sense depending on what the Avalanche want in return. 

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