The New Jersey Devils signed goaltender Jacob Markstrom to a two-year, $12 million extension with a $6 million AAV on Friday night, as announced by GM Tom Fitzgerald. The 35-year-old, 6-foot-6 netminder was acquired from the Calgary Flames on June 19, 2024, in exchange for defenseman Kevin Bahl and New Jersey’s 2025 first-round pick (18th overall, used to select Cole Reschny).
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It was previously reported Markstrom and the Devils desired a long-term extension. However, the two sides evidently settled on shorter term.
Since joining the Devils, Markstrom has posted a 28-18-6 record, 2.84 GAA, and four shutouts in 53 games. In 2024-25, his 2.50 GAA and four shutouts rank second-best in his career, while his 26 wins are third-highest. He played his 500th NHL game on November 21, 2024, defeating Carolina 4-2, becoming the 81st goalie in league history—and third Swedish-born—to reach the milestone.
Markstrom’s off to a rocky start in the 2025-26 season, registering a 2-2-0 record that carries an .830 SV% and 5.13 GAA. He is, however, expected to serve as one of the goaltenders for Team Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Markstrom’s career record stands at 243-214-63 with a 2.72 GAA and .908 save percentage. He ranks among Sweden’s all-time greats alongside Henrik Lundqvist and Tommy Salo as one of three Swedish netminders with 200+ wins and 500+ games. Since 2019-20, he ranks fourth in games played (256), tied for fourth in shutouts (17), and sixth in wins (138).
The extension solidifies New Jersey’s goaltending core. Jake Allen signed a five-year extension this summer that carries a $1.8 million AAV. It raises questions with Nico Daws who is playing out a one-way contract with the Utica Comets. Daws’ contract expires on July 1st. Regardless, Fitzgerald is doubling down on the goaltending he acquired to instill consistency in New Jersey’s crease, after several years of instability.
The two-year extension perhaps serves as a bridge while prospect goaltenders such as Mikhail Yegorov and Jakub Malek continue to develop in the NCAA and American Hockey League respectively.
