Devils’ Markstrom Reflects on Past Few Months & Shares Excitement for Next Chapter

On Wednesday morning, Jacob Markstrom put pen to paper and officially ended his tenure with the Calgary Flames by waiving his no-movement clause.

In the afternoon, the New Jersey Devils officially announced they acquired the goaltender in exchange for defenseman Kevin Bahl and a first-round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft (top-10 protected).

Per the official press release , "Calgary will be retaining 31.25% of Markstrom's remaining contract, which after this season, has two years left on a six-year, $36,000,000 ($6,000,000 average annual value) deal originally signed with the Flames on October 9, 2020. The cap hit for those remaining two years will be $4,125,000."

With everything officially done, Markstrom can look ahead to the Swedish Midsummer, knowing the saga that has followed him like a shadow for most of the 2023-24 season is finally behind him.

"(The Devils) made a push, and there was a lot of talk throughout last year and nothing happened there," Markstrom said during his media availability on Wednesday. "After the season, things kind of picked up again."

The 34-year-old's name was consistently in the press leading up to the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline as rumors swirled about his future.

During his introductory media availability, TSN asked Markstrom how it was to see those reports, whether accurate or inaccurate, about his future and how challenging those few months were on a human level.

"When I was on the ice, it was the easiest time of the day, almost. It is frustrating when you see and read stuff that is incorrect and not true," he said. "You almost want to give that person a call or post something, and you want to get involved with it, but you can't really do it, and I just tried to let it be water off my back.

"It is tricky for sure. Especially when you read and hear something that is not accurate, but it is a public job, and it really is part of it," he continued.

Multiple reports indicated that the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators were also interested in the goaltender before finalizing a deal with the Devils. Still, it always seemed like New Jersey would be Markstrom's next stop.

Now, the goaltender is focused on the next chapter of his career.

"This is a big challenge,” Markstrom said. “It’s a big team with high expectations and as a goaltender, there’s pressure, and I’ve been on teams where there was pressure on goaltending in the Canadian market. I know what’s expected and me, as a person too, and people who know me that I just want to win hockey games. And when we don’t win I’m my hardest critic, so I’m just super happy and stoked about going there"

"I know a bunch of players who played (in New Jersey), and they absolutely love it. I can't wait to make it my home," he continued.

Markstrom will become the first goaltender in franchise history who will wear number 25, a number most recently worn by Nolan Foote . Fans will get their first glimpse of the 34-year-old when the preseason begins on Sunday, Sept. 22.

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