Last week, New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald addressed the media and spoke on a myriad of issues. The most important issue to discuss was why Luke Hughes wasn’t at training camp and still unsigned. His response didn’t give Devils fans much hope. We also learned that Stefan Noesen was going to miss time after aggravating an injury in the offseason, and that Johnny Kovacevic was going to be out until at least January.
One of the only positive updates from Fitzgerald was that the Devils were actively working on a contract extension with goalie Jacob Markstrom. He came in last season and played well, finally settling a position that was a mess for the Devils for years.
Many like the idea of settling the goaltending position for years to come, but there’s real risk in doing it now. Fitzgerald chose to trade for Markstrom over a goalie who was just entering his prime. The former Flames standout will be 36 years old when his next contract ends. What kind of an extension are the Devils considering here?
We don’t see Markstrom agreeing to go year-to-year after this one, so you’re looking at a minimum two-year deal, but your more likely looking at three years to get Markstrom to sign before free agency.
That’s not a huge issue on paper, as Markstrom should still be effective until he’s late into his 30s, but the Devils have seen how quickly a great goalie can lose it. Cory Schneider wasn’t supposed to lose it as quickly as he did, but seemingly overnight, hip injuries took away his effectiveness.
Re-signing Jacob Markstrom isn't as simple as it sounds
Beyond that, the Devils just re-signed Jake Allen for five years. He’s going to be paid until he is 39-years-old. Do the Devils really want to sign two goalies until they are 39 years old? That sounds like rough asset management.
Here is where things get really complicated. The Devils have a habit of drafting goalies every single year. Right now, Nico Daws should be proving his NHL worth, but that might come with a different franchise. Jakub Malek is hoping to play well in his first professional season, and the Devils could welcome top prospect Mikhail Yegorov after his season with Boston University this season.
Do the Devils really want to block the position from this prospects? Goalies tend to take longer to develop, but Yegorov might be an exception to the rule.
If the Devils sign Markstrom to a two-year extension, it’s a fine situation. If it’s for any longer, even if it’s meant to cut the average-annual value like it did for Allen, it’s not the smartest situation for the Devils.