Goaltender Jacob Markstrom will officially be eligible to sign a contract extension with the New Jersey Devils once July 1 arrives. The 35-year-old had a successful first season in the Garden State after they traded Kevin Bahl and a first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft to the Calgary Flames last season.
When playing at his best, it's undeniable that Markstrom is a real difference-maker on the ice. He put together a solid first season with the Devils — including a 26-16-4 record. He also tallied a 2.50 goals-against average, a .900 save percentage alongside four shutouts in 49 games. In the postseason, he had a .911 save percentage and a 2.78 GAA in five games against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Not to mention, all of his success this year was achieved while battling a lower-body/sprained MCL throughout the regular season.
So, should the Devils extend Jacob Markstrom?
Markstrom was originally selected by the Florida Panthers — who are currently playing for the Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers — as the No. 31 overall pick. After stops in Vancouver and Calgary, he was traded to the New Jersey Devils on June 19, 2024.
The netminder will be in the final season of his contract in 2025-26, which means that he will soon be eligible to sign a contract extension with the Devils. He's also made it quite clear he's open to the idea of signing an extension for New Jersey.
“If [Tom Fitzgerald] is calling, I’m answering,” Markstrom previously said during exit interviews.
The netminder also played in the league's 2020 All-Star Game as well as being placed on the 2022 NHL Second All-Star Team.
While this year's Devils fell short in the playoffs, Markstrom’s performance in net gave the organization and fans hope for next season’s crease stability. If he plays like that in front of a team with fewer injuries, there's a possibility they can compete.
Based on that — the Devils should work hard to sign him to an extension this summer. He could give them stability in net for a few more seasons.