The New Jersey Devils had to take a gamble this off-season and Jacob Markstrom coming in to solidify the starting goalie position was a move they absolutely had to make. Last season the team relied on a platoon that consisted of Kaapo Kahkonen, Nico Daws and Akira Schmid. All of which were unable to lock down the position but also contributed to the club failing to make the playoffs after expectations were sky-high.
“For the last week or 10 days I’ve been anxious to get this going,” said Markstrom after Day 1 of Training Camp. “I think it’s a great time to be here. I’ve watched a lot of video and we do a lot of drills on structure of how we want to play. It’s more that it’s new faces and everyone is getting comfortable with each other. It’s a lot of stuff to catch up on but we got a head start.”
Markstrom was supposed to be the fix last season. Devils General Manager Tom Fitzgerald attempted to acquire the Swedish shot-stopper before the trade deadline but couldn’t push the deal across the line. It was just one of several reasons that the Devils couldn’t meet their lofty aspirations last campaign. Now, a 34 year-old Markstrom joins with little to fight for when it comes to the starting job. Gone are his woes at the Calgary Flames where performance led to his benching in 2022.
“It’s a business at the end of the day,” said Markstrom when asked about all of the uncertainty. “I obviously can’t wait for October 4th and 5th, especially October 10th when I get to skate out to the home crowd. I’m super pumped about that.”
A strong 2023-24 season garnered him one last run but not in Canada, instead with a young team with a high ceiling in Newark. The Devils represent Markstrom’s biggest chance to make a statement in the league. The revamp under new head coach Sheldon Keefe is one that is meant to take high potential and turn into on-ice achievement. His 2.73 career GAA should be balanced by a new defensive core focused heavily on physicality. Johnathan Kovacevic, Brenden Dillon and Stefan Noesen are just a few names that will stack up in front of the veteran keeper.
Still, there is a question around Markstrom’s ability to be in the spotlight. There is no doubt that Calgary represents one of the more intense fanbases in the NHL. And the veteran was able to pull through with a rebound you. However, playoff tests still remain and the Devils can ill afford to miss out or choke with an early exit.
Overall, Markstrom represents a marked improvement over what failed New Jersey last season. That doesn’t mean there aren’t questions. Many of which will begin to be answered as preseason begins in this weekend.