New Jersey Devils GM Lukewarm on Jacob Markstrom Thus Far?

James Nichols

December 17, 2024

NEWARK—After the way last season played out, the New Jersey Devils needed goaltending in the worst way. General manager Tom Fitzgerald provided it in the form of Jacob Markstrom, after he already acquired Jake Allen at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline. Now 30-plus games into his Devils tenure, Fitzgerald offered his first thoughts on how the Swedish netminder is tending New Jersey’s twine.

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For starters, only two goaltenders in the NHL have more wins than Markstrom this season. That’s Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets (19) and Jake Oettinger of the Dallas Stars (16). Markstrom has collected the third-most in the NHL, reeling in 14 wins so far this season.

Markstrom has certainly brought an improved sense of presence in the Devils’ crease—as has Allen—as opposed to last season’s disaster.

However, when it comes to his 14 wins, the credit goes to both Jacob Markstrom and the Devils’ defense. Through 23 contests this season, Markstrom has accrued a 2.35 GAA and .908 SV%. Both of those metrics are above league average. Yet, over the last five games, the Devils have really begun to put it all together defensively. As a result, their opposition has averaged just 18.2 shots per game.

In other words, Markstrom hasn’t had to work all that much, lately.

The theory that the Devils have improved their defense is supported by their NHL third-best 15.48 expected goal differential. Only the Carolina Hurricanes and Los Angeles Kings rank higher than New Jersey in the category.

So where does that leave Markstrom?

Well, when asked about his thoughts on the Devils’ No.1 goaltender, Fitzgerald didn’t offer a glowing review. Rather, he threw it back on Markstrom, and closed it out with explaining the Devils are winning games.

“Yeah, it’s funny. I think if you ask Jacob, he’d probably tell you he could do better,” Fitzgerald explained. “I think everybody could be better, that’s for sure. But he gives us a chance every single night to win a hockey game. That doesn’t mean he can’t improve, or our players around him can’t improve. He’s come in here, he’s done what he’s done, he’s got a lot of wins. He gives us a chance to win every night. So that’s all you ask for with goaltending.”

If we’re being honest, it felt like he held back a little bit. Markstrom has only just resurface in the expected goals category from above the negative line, sitting right behind Jake Allen (2.6) having made 2.4 saves above expected. For a decent stretch of the season, Markstrom’s expected saves were below zero, as he’s proven to give up the occasional fluke goal or two. Usually, that’s met with an other-worldly save sometime later.

Yet, it’s still happened enough where it gives some pause in terms of undoubted trust when the puck is heading toward’s Markstrom’s crease.

Certainly, Markstrom had his best game of the season against the rival New York Rangers, when he went into Madison Square Garden and nearly shut them out en route to a 5-1 victory, out-dueling Igor Shesterkin. He made 38 saves on 39 shots that night, and looked like one of the NHLs true elite goaltenders.

In fact, he hasn’t allowed more than two goals over the Devils’ last five games, accruing four wins in that span. Perhaps for Fitzgerald, he’d just like to see his goaltender steal a game, something he has yet to do and has had chances to do so.