It was a tale of three seasons in one for Jacob Markstrom's first for the New Jersey Devils. At the beginning of the year, he was arguably in the Vezina conversation. A mid-season injury forced him to miss some time, and when he came back, he was borderline unplayable. Then, it all came back together in the playoffs against the Carolina Hurricanes in round one. Although the Devils lost, Markstrom was the Devils' best player by far throughout the five-game series.
Markstrom is entering the final year of his contract at a cap hit of $4.125 million AAV. When the Devils traded for Markstrom, it was never going to be a long-term solution. Only two years into his contract when they acquired him, the Devils only got Markstrom for a short window. If Markstrom were in his mid-twenties, this would be an entirely different post. Not only is Markstrom entering the last year of his contract, but he is also entering the year at 35 years old and will turn 36 in January.
What is the plan for after Markstrom leaves, potentially as soon as the trade deadline in 2026? Now, moving him at the deadline would mean things turned to dust as the year went on, with no hope of competing. If all goes well, he stays, and the Devils compete for a Stanley Cup. Does he sign an extension as soon as July 1st, or does both he and the Devils wait until next year is over? It is time for the Devils to have a succession plan in case Markstrom leaves.
Nico Daws, while showing bright spots in some moments in his young career, does not give the confidence of a prime number-one goalie. Tyler Brennan, Veeti Louhivaara, Jakub Malek, and Issac Poulter are nowhere near where they need to be in their development to take over the net. The one exception to this rule is Mikhail Yegorov, who had a stellar year at Boston University. He is at least two or three years away from playing for the Devils.
Can the Devils wait for Yegorov and ride an aging goalie for the next three seasons? Goalies are admitedly voodoo in the sport of hockey and can fall off a cliff at any moment. At 35 years old, it is possible to see a scenario where Markstrom does not recapture his playoff form and the Devils are playing multiple backup level goalies while trying to compete.
Can the Devils ride backup level goalie play to a Stanley Cup? The Edmonton Oilers saw Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard backstop them to back to back Finals. The Oilers obviously have Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, which helps immensely. The Devils do not have players on that level. Jack Hughes is a superb player, but can't seem to stay healthy, while Jesper Bratt carries the load on the wing. Looking at the rest of the roster, it becomes clear the Devils cannot wait for Yegorov.
What comes next after Jacob Markstrom?
Enter: Joel Hofer. Hofer is currently going to become a restrcited free agent for the St. Louis Blues and is seemingly on the market. While some reports suggest that the price tag for him will be high, the Devils should be all in on Hofer as Markstrom's backup and eventual successor. Hofer, currently 24 years old, had a down year by his standards as the backup to Jordan Binnington.
Hofer had a 16-8-3 record for the Blues, a team that made a very late push to make the playoffs. His save percentage was .904 and had a 2.64 goals against average. While the save percentage may not pop out to some people, in his age-23 season, it was .913. Coming off of his down year, Hofer should not cost much contract-wise. The high price to pay would be with the Blues via trade or offer sheet.
A tandem of Hofer and Markstrom makes the Devils one of the favorites in the Metropolitan division, a place where most teams don't have a solidified tandem. The Rangers have Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick, the Capitals have Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren, but after that not many teams have a solid duo or even a decent starter.
The Devils could give Hofer a short-term deal until Yegorov is ready, if the organization has the confidence he can become a bona fide number one goalie. Hofer, as a short-term succession plan to Markstrom, should also give fans a sense of calm, instead of not having any clue what happens to the Devils post Markstrom.
Will Markstrom sign an extension? Would he take less so the Devils can spread more around for depth pieces? There are too many questions and not many answers when it comes to Markstrom at this point of the offseason. There is obviously plenty of time for the two sides to talk, but the Markstrom time in New Jersey is going to end sooner rather than later.
In todays NHL, things on the calendar come up a lot quicker than expected. It is time for the Devils to have a Markstrom succession plan before it is too late.