Factors beyond Jake Allen and Jacob Markstrom make this a top-10 duo

Changes at the goaltending position were inevitable for the New Jersey Devils this offseason. The Devils used five goaltenders during the 2023-24 season. Kaapo Kahkonnen was the only one to fall over the .901 save percentage mark. A statistic that did not sit well with General Manager Tom Fitzgerald. 

With two young goalies in Nico Daws and Akira Schmid getting most of the workload this calendar year, Fitzgerald made the decision to start the revamp by acquiring Jake Allen from the Montreal Canadiens and Kaapo Kahkonnen from the San Jose Sharks at last season's trade deadline

When the offseason hit, Fitzgerald zeroed in on his number one goalie for the upcoming season. New Jersey acquired Jacob Markstrom from the Calgary Flames. Markstrom brings optimism for this Devils team.

Markstrom won 23 games last season which would have been number one among Devils goaltenders. The 34-year-old finished ninth in the league in goals saved above average. No Devils goalie finished top 40 in that category.

What you get from Markstrom is comfortability and reliability, something the Devils had not had. Each of the past seven seasons, Markstrom has played 43 games or more. He is a proven starter who can handle a workload of 50 or more games and stay consistent.

That is something that the Devils grappled with last season. Goaltenders are the same in a lot of ways. What separates the good from the elites is their play over an extended period of time. Having a consistent number-one goalie statline in 2025 is not something Devil fans should lose sleep over.

Knowing what the Devils are getting out of Markstrom, what about the back up?

The Devils brought in Jake Allen for one reason last season. Stabilize the goaltending position. Allen is more than capable of playing this role, especially as the backup. From March on he instantly became the Devils go to guy. In 13 games with New Jersey he won six, including an impressive 42-save game performance against the Maple Leafs. 

Despite not the best numbers over the past two seasons for Allen, Devil fans should be comfortable with him getting a chunk of games behind Markstrom. On the Devils his save percentage went up and his goals against average went down from when he started with Montreal.

Playing for a team that is rebuilding in the Montreal Canadiens, Allens statline took a blow. With a more complete defense in New Jersey Allen should be given a better opportunity to make an impact.

How will the new defense make an impact?

To put a stamp on the idea of being better in net this year, the Devils made additions on the back end as well. The Devils locked up Brett Pesce, 29, on a six-year contract as well as Brenden Dillion, 33, on a three-year deal. Both veteran defensemen give this Devils group a new feel.

Pesce is one of the best defenseman in the league at shutting down the play before it happens. This is something that the Devils struggled with heavily last season. Pesce will have a huge impact on the goaltenders season. 

Dillon, who is one of the more physical defenseman in the NHL gives New Jersey something the desperately needed. He is perfect for a bottom pairing role and someone to play aside a sophomore defenseman in Simon Nemec.

This Devils group should be much tougher this season and allow far less chances which will ultimately benefit the goaltending.