Calgary Flames Make Huge Trade Ahead Of NHL Draft
In a surprising move by the Calgary Flames, the team has announced it has traded goaltender Jacob Markstrom to the New Jersey Devils. After spending four years with the Flames, the 34-year-old goaltender will head to The Garden State.
Markstrom has been one of the top goaltenders in the NHL headlined by his 2021-22 season where he won 37 games, had a 2.22 goals allowed average, and a .922 save percentage. Unfortunately, Markstrom only has appeared in two postseasons but will have a chance to make a third appearance on a Devils team that won 52 games a year ago.
Trade Details:
New Jersey Devils get: goalie Jacob Markstrom (31.25% contract retained)
Calgary Flames get: Kevin Bahl, 2025 first-round pick (Top ten protected)
This deal may seem like a let-down on the Flames' side as trading a top goalie to a team that really needs one usually would usher more than a first and a player. But many fans note Markstrom’s age and inconsistency are why they didn’t come back with more.
It is also surprising that the Devils traded a 2025 first-round pick instead of 10th overall in this year's draft. Although next year’s draft is considered to be a much stronger class, I would’ve rather had back-to-back top-ten picks (9th (CAL) and 10th (NJD) than take a chance at a bounce-back season in New Jersey which would leave Calgary with a late first-round pick next year.
The Future In Net For Both Teams
The Devils finally found an answer in net after a goalie carousel last season which included trading starter Vitek Vaneck, who was 17-9-3 and had a .890 save percentage and 3.18 GAA, to San Jose for their goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen, who was 1-4-0 in six games played but had improved stats compared to Vaneck.
Meanwhile for Calgary, the team is trusting in 23-year-old goaltender Dustin Wolf, who has been outstanding in the developmental AHL, where he has won Goalie of the Year back-to-back seasons and also won CHL Goalie of the Year in 2020. He has only 18 games of experience with the Flames but he will have a much bigger role in 2024-25.
Who won the trade? In my opinion, the New Jersey Devils did, but if Dustin Wolf can turn into a star goaltender, it could be a win-win for both sides. If you liked this piece, you might like this piece about the NBA offseason as well!