Markstrom traded to Devils by Flames for first round draft pick, Bahl

Jacob Markstrom was traded by the Calgary Flames to the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday for a first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft and defenseman Kevin Bahl.

The 34-year-old goalie went 23-23-2 with a 2.78 goals-against average, a .905 save percentage and two shutouts in 48 games this season. He has two seasons left on a six-year contract and can become an unrestricted free agent after 2025-26.

“This is a big challenge,” says Markstrom. “It’s a big team with high expectations and as a goaltender there’s pressure, and I’ve been on teams where there’s been pressure on goaltending in the Canadian market. I know what is expected and me, as a person, and people who know me, that I just want to win hockey games. And if we don’t win, I’m my biggest critic, so I’m just super happy and excited to go there.”

The trade comes two months after Markstrom was noncommittal about his future in Calgary after the Flames (38-39-5) failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“I don’t know, but what I do know and what I tell you every day is that I love winning hockey games,” he said on April 20. “I think that’s the competitive side of me… that every time I lace up the skates, that’s something that I push for and that I want to achieve. You want to win hockey games and I know that everyone in that locker room also wants to win hockey matches.

Selected by the Florida Panthers in the second round (No. 31) of the 2008 NHL Draft, Markstrom is 215-196-57 with a 2.73 GAA and .909 save percentage in 485 regular season games (468 starts) for the Flames, Vancouver Canucks and Panthers and 13-13 with a 2.90 GAA save percentage and .911 in 26 playoff games.

The first-round pick in the trade is protected in the top 10. If New Jersey has a top-10 selection next year, Calgary would be selected in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft.

“Jacob was a true professional throughout,” said Flames general manager Craig Conroy. “When we finally went to him to ask him if he wanted to waive his no-move (clause), he agreed and signed for it, and we were able to finalize the deal this morning. However, he was a big part of it because he had the right to say no to everything that came his way.”

Bahl played all 82 games for the Devils this season and had 11 points (one goal, 10 assists). He has 25 points (four goals, 21 assists) in 148 regular season games and one assist in 11 playoff games, all with New Jersey.

Bahl, who turns 24 on June 27, was selected by the Arizona Coyotes in the second round (No. 55) of the 2018 NHL Draft.

“Today’s trade demonstrates our focus on bringing talented young players into our roster and acquiring important draft capital, while maintaining our commitment as a competitive team in the play-offs,” Conroy said. “We thank Jacob for his professionalism and understanding of our decision to enter this profession now and at this stage of his career.”