Devils & Flames Trading Jacob Markstrom Helped Both GMs

The best way to describe the Calgary Flames and New Jersey Devils is hanging by a thread. The Devils have the third-best record in the Metropolitan Division but are stumbling towards the finish line. There are a few teams hot on their heels and if they don’t close out the season strong, they could fall into a wild card position or possibly miss the playoffs. The Flames are in the mix for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, but they aren’t playing great hockey either and need a turnaround to secure that final wild card spot.

The Flames are wrapping up an Eastern road trip and coming off a big 2-1 win over the New York Rangers on March 18 and interestingly, the Devils are coming off a similar 2-1 victory (albeit to a divisional rival in the Columbus Blue Jackets). Both teams are winning with defense and great play in the net and the March 20 game should reflect that.

The Jacob Markstrom trade wasn’t a big move in the offseason, and it went unnoticed by most fans. Yet, it’s hard to deny the impact it had on the Flames and the Devils, who will likely turn to him to start the upcoming game. Once in a while, a trade can be seen as a win-win, and this deal was one of them.

Where Would the Devils Be Without Markstrom?

With Jack Hughes out long-term, the Devils have won games with their defense and goaltending. They allow only 2.57 goals per game and have a defensive unit that shuts opponents down. While Markstrom doesn’t have the best numbers with a .902 save percentage (SV%), a 2.45 goals-against average (GAA), and 0.9 goals saved above average (GSAA), he’s been the one carrying the Devils in the net, starting 41 of their 72 games.

Without Markstrom, the Devils would be at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division, just like they were last season. This is a team that was let down by goaltending, and it forced general manager (GM) Tom Fitzgerald to overhaul the position, acquiring both Jake Allen and Markstrom. The two moves not only paid off but saved the season and kept their playoff hopes intact.

If Fitzgerald had never acquired Markstrom, the questions surrounding him would be if he built a roster designed to fail. The Devils have a few injury-prone skaters and stars who are often hurt and who they depend on. For the second season in a row, they would have no answers for the injuries and despite having a star-studded roster, they’d be on the outside of the playoffs looking in. Instead, Markstrom is allowing them to maintain their spot in the Eastern Conference.

All the pressure was on Fitzgerland in the offseason to make this team a contender, one that could withstand injuries and remain a competent team. It’s why he hired Sheldon Keefe as the head coach, acquired Johnathan Kovacevic, Brenden Dillon, and Brett Pesce to fix the defense, and most notably, made the Markstrom trade. While the Devils are hanging in there, playing .500 hockey since the 4 Nations Face-Off break, they are one of the better teams in the conference. It’s a credit to Fitzgerald who bet on himself and won.

How the Markstrom Trade Accelerated the Flames’ Timeline

Dustin Wolf proved last season he was ready to become a starting goaltender at the NHL level and with him waiting in the wings, Markstrom became expendable. GM Craig Conroy could trade the veteran knowing a younger goaltender was ready to take on the starting role. The trade looks great considering how well Wolf has played in his first full season in the NHL.