Four Key Facts About Jacob Markstrom, the New Jersey Devils’ New Goaltender
In the 2024 offseason, the New Jersey Devils made a crucial move by securing a top-tier goaltender, Jacob Markstrom, to bolster their roster. After an early attempt to find a starting goaltender in February, just before the NHL Trade Deadline, the Devils initially acquired Jake Allen. While Allen provided stability, he did not meet the high expectations the Devils had for their ideal starting goaltender. Following a few setbacks in their pursuit, the Devils eventually finalized a trade with the Calgary Flames to bring in the 34-year-old Markstrom.
New Jersey’s General Manager, Tom Fitzgerald, had long targeted Markstrom as a key addition. Although there were other goaltenders under consideration, including Linus Ullmark from the Ottawa Senators and Juuse Saros of the Nashville Predators, it was Markstrom who ultimately joined the Devils after the Flames agreed to the team’s terms.
Here are four notable aspects of Markstrom’s performance that Devils fans should be aware of as the 2024-25 season approaches:
1. Leading the NHL in Goalie Points in 2023-24
Goaltenders are not typically judged by their scoring contributions, but Markstrom made an impression in the 2023-24 season by leading all netminders with five points from assists. His total was three more than Sergei Bobrovsky, the reigning Stanley Cup champion, who recorded two assists. Although Markstrom’s assists were not particularly flashy, they reflect his ability to initiate offensive plays from his own end. This aspect, while secondary to his primary role, highlights his decision-making skills and ability to contribute beyond just stopping pucks.
2. Facing the Eighth-Most High-Danger Shots
During the 2023-24 season, Markstrom faced a high volume of challenging shots due to the Flames’ defensive shortcomings. He encountered 419 high-danger shots, placing him eighth in the league in this category and ranking in the 85th percentile. The Devils are hopeful that with their enhanced defense, including the additions of Brett Pesce and Brenden Dillon, Markstrom will see fewer high-danger opportunities next season. However, his experience with these situations will be valuable as New Jersey works to strengthen its defensive play.
3. Making the Fifth-Most High-Danger Saves
Despite the significant number of high-danger shots he faced, Markstrom demonstrated his skill by making 359 saves on these difficult attempts, ranking him in the 90th percentile among NHL goaltenders. He excelled particularly in close-range shots, stopping 308 from the slot and below the faceoff dots, as well as 51 attempts directly in the crease. This performance underscores his ability to handle pressure-packed scenarios effectively.
4. Leading the League in High-Danger Save Percentage
Markstrom’s prowess is most evident in his high-danger save percentage (HDSV%). With an HDSV% of .857, he led all NHL goaltenders in this metric for the 2023-24 season, placing him in the 99th percentile. This percentage was significantly higher than the league average of .788 and .012% better than the second-place goaltender, Thatcher Demko, who had an HDSV% of .845. Markstrom’s ability to excel in high-pressure situations positions him as a vital asset for the Devils.
With Markstrom now guarding the net, the Devils are optimistic that his reliable performance and the improved defensive lineup will help them achieve a successful season and make a return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
