Devils working to extend Markstrom

The New Jersey Devils are hoping to get No. 1 goalie Jacob Markstrom signed beyond the 2025-26 campaign.

"His agent and I have been talking for a long time," president of hockey operations and general manager Tom Fitzgerald recently told The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun. "It's just exchanging health opinions on where older goalies are at. But we love Jacob Markstrom. We love his family. We want to continue this relationship moving forward.

"So, I'll have another talk with his agent this week. Again, when you start these negotiations, you've got term, you've got money, you've got commitment involved, and it's just, 'OK, let's try to find some common ground on what makes sense for him and what makes sense for us.'"

Markstrom is sidelined with a lower-body injury, but he's expected to return in a week or so. He started two games before getting hurt. Jake Allen and Nico Daws have manned New Jersey's crease in the meantime.

The Devils acquired Markstrom from the Calgary Flames during the 2024 offseason in exchange for defenseman Kevin Bahl and a first-round pick. Markstrom started 49 games in his first season in New Jersey, posting a .900 save percentage. He was better during the playoffs, sporting a .911 save percentage in five appearances.

Markstrom is in the final year of his contract with a $4.125-million cap hit. He turns 36 in January.