The New Jersey Devils are in a bit of a pickle when it comes to their goaltending situation. With the recent news that they're gauging interest in trading Jacob Markstrom, it seems like they're looking to shake things up. But why now? And what does this mean for the team's future?
Personally, I think the Devils are in a bit of a bind. They acquired Markstrom two years ago with the hope of solidifying their goaltending, but things haven't quite gone as planned. Markstrom's performance this season has been a letdown, and with a -11.9 Goals Saved Above Expected rating, he's not exactly a reliable option. But what makes this situation particularly fascinating is the thin free agent market for starting goaltenders. With Sergei Bobrovsky being one of the few options, the Devils might be in a position to negotiate a favorable deal for Markstrom.
From my perspective, the Devils are trying to open up some cap flexibility this summer, and trading Markstrom could be a way to do so. However, it's worth noting that moving Markstrom would leave the Devils pretty thin between the pipes. With Jake Allen still on the team and Nico Daws not exactly having a great showing, it's hard to think that the Devils would want to go into next season with a tandem of Allen and Daws. Either a goalie would be coming back their way in any potential trade or they'd be looking to the free agent market to bring in at least a platoon partner for Allen.
One thing that immediately stands out is the timing of this report. With Markstrom's current deal running through June 30th, the Devils have some flexibility to work with. However, come July 1st, his trade protection drops to a 20-team no-trade list, giving the team a few teams to potentially work with at a minimum. What many people don't realize is that the Devils are in a bit of a catch-22. They need to make a move to improve their goaltending, but they also need to be mindful of their cap situation and the potential impact of any trade.
If you take a step back and think about it, the Devils are in a tough spot. They need to find a way to improve their goaltending without breaking the bank or sacrificing too much in the way of assets. It's a delicate balance, and one that the team's new GM, Sunny Mehta, will need to navigate carefully. In my opinion, the Devils are in a bit of a pickle, and it remains to be seen how they'll resolve their goaltending situation in the coming months.
