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In the 2022-23 season, his save percentage fell back to 0.892%, but he has rebounded nicely this season despite some injuries. At first glance, his 23-23-2 record is not impressive, but he has returned to the top 10 goalkeepers in the league with a save percentage of 13.7. From MoneyPuck. He posted a 2.78 GAA with a .905 SV% and two shutouts with the Flames, who have been abysmal defensively this season under new head coach Ryan Huska.
Still, Markstrom’s production last year was dampened by a period of underperformance following the trade deadline — an understandable dip given the trade rumors. At the time, he was associated with New Jersey. and the fact that he played through an injury. Since March 4, he’s 2-8-0 with a .869 SV%, but has never posted a SV% above .900 in any game. In short, Markstrom has been better this year than a quick look at his results would indicate.
Markstrom has a .907 SV% in 212 starts and one relief appearance since signing a six-year, $36 million contract with the Flames as a free agent in 2020. That’s seven goals above average, showing the highs and lows he’s had during his time in Alberta. He’s one of four goalies to start more than 200 games during that span, joining perennial Vezina challenger Connor Hellebuyk, Jussi Saros and Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Signing Markstrom for $4.125 million against the cap hit represented a sizable discount for Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald, as it was significantly less than what he would have commanded on the open market. He will form a strong veteran duo with Allen, who remains under contract with New Jersey for next season and carries a lower cap hit of $1.925 million thanks to the salary the Canadiens retained when they traded him at the trade deadline. After dealing with two younger, more volatile no-name players in Schmid and Vanecek for much of last season, the Devils now have an above-average backup and starter with a combined cap hit of $6.05 million.
Calling Markstrom truly elite might draw some pushback, as his production has declined year-over-year in Calgary, and that pushback is fair. But he has the most consistent record of any Devils goaltender since Cory Schneider’s elite run in the mid-2010s. This trade gives them a better chance to make the playoffs next season and go further than they did in 2022, when they escaped the first round but were beaten by the Hurricanes in five games in the second round. Dawes, 23, and Schmid, 24, also get some extra AHL development time after inconsistent seasons in 2023-24.
Markstrom, 34, has two years left on his contract. He will become a UFA in 2026, and ideally, by then, one of Dawes or Schmid will have developed into a solid NHL option. While older, he fits their current timeline. They now have a projected cap space of $16.05 million with eight open roster spots. Per CapFriendlyVersatile forward Dawson Mercer is their only notable restricted free agent (RFA) to be extended.
New Jersey pulled off the deal without giving up a top prospect or the 10th overall pick in this year’s draft, which was a great move by Fitzgerald, especially since the Flames retained a significant portion of their salary.
Losing Barr isn’t a big deal, though. The 23-year-old was a second-round draft pick of the OHL’s Ottawa in 2018. He’s been impressive in his first true full-time NHL campaign this season, posting 11 points in 82 games and averaging 17:24 a night. His 6-foot-6, 230-pound frame has clearly caught Calgary’s attention, and general manager Craig Conroy said Wednesday that he’s a “priority player” in discussions with the Devils (via Eric Francis of Sportsnet). However, his possession rate was below average last season, with an even-strength CF% and xGF% of 48.3 and 48.7, respectively, both below the New Jersey average.
However, Barr is still young and has top-four potential. He has a $1.05 million cap hit for next season and will be an arbitration-eligible restricted free agent next summer. Since his debut in the 2020-21 season, Barr has four goals, 21 assists, 25 points, a -1 rating, and 16:14 per game in 148 games for the Devils.
If the Devils’ 2025 first-round pick does go in the top 10, they’ll transfer their 2026 first-round pick to Calgary, regardless of position.
Travis Yost of TSN The first reported Markstrom was headed to New Jersey, while TSN’s Darren Dreger first reported Trade Returns and Salary retention. also, Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic First reported 2025 first-round pick is top-10 protected.
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