Devils’ Goalie Options if Jacob Markstrom Gets Traded

It looks like this offseason will bring drastic change for the New Jersey Devils. Last summer, the organization made a few roster cuts, attempted to add veteran scoring, and re-signed crucial players. But following a disappointing 2025-26 campaign, the team is headed for a restructure under the guidance of new general manager (GM) Sunny Mehta.

Just two months after being hired, Mehta continued to shake things up by adding a few new faces this week, acquiring forward Amadeus Lombardi and defenseman Declan Chisholm in exchange for fourth-round picks.

But recently, the team has also been gauging interest in Jacob Markstrom, whose status as their starting goalie is in question after a rough season. If Markstrom is traded, what could their goaltending situation look like for 2026-27 and beyond?

Goaltending Restructure Is Inevitable

The main goal is to trade away Markstrom’s $6 million cap hit, after posting a .883 save percentage (SV%) and a 3.07 goals-against average (GAA) — his worst numbers since 2014-15 with the Vancouver Canucks. His current no-movement clause is set to expire in a matter of days, and his extension boasts a 20-team no-trade list beginning July 1.

Clearing out his contract would provide enough cap space to pursue a high-end replacement. The Devils can certainly afford an upgrade, with Jake Allen locked into an average annual value (AAV) of $1.8 million for the next four years.

Per PuckPedia, New Jersey currently has $11,552,500 in cap space, leaving them the option to chase bigger names currently in play. In terms of unrestricted free agents (UFA), noteworthy goalies include Sergei Bobrovsky, Stuart Skinner, and Frederik Andersen. The issue is that Bobrovsky is looking for a long-term contract with a high AAV, while Skinner’s inconsistency and Andersen’s history of injuries are both causes for concern.

But there are also a few goalies who could be dealt this summer, most notably Connor Hellebuyck. The star goalie would immediately boost the Devils’ chances at playoff contention, but would cost numerous prospects and draft picks. Filip Gustavsson is another interesting candidate who could provide stability in the crease, but his questionable return timeline after hip surgery and no-movement clause (NMC) could complicate matters.

Since the free agent market this summer is relatively thin, trading for a high-caliber goalie seems to be a more feasible route. But another option would be to find a cost-effective goaltender for next season who can either become the Devils’ starter or serve in a tandem alongside Allen.

Short-Term Solution Could Be Best

To give the Devils’ prospects time to develop, a short-term solution in net could be the way to go. There’s no doubt that Mikhail Yegorov and Jakub Malek can become the future of their goaltending situation. Yegorov posted a .904 SV% and a 16-15-2 record for Boston University this season, while Malek averaged a .895 SV% and a 2.75 GAA in the American Hockey League (AHL). Even though these numbers are encouraging, they still need a bit more time to become NHL-ready.

In the meantime, the Devils could bring in a low-risk, high-reward goaltender. One potential candidate for the job is Devon Levi, who carries a very affordable $812,500 cap hit. Despite not making an appearance for the Buffalo Sabres this season, he had a strong track record with the Rochester Americans in the AHL, averaging a .904 SV%. It’s very possible that Allen and Levi could share the workload next season, offering a mixture of veteran experience and younger depth at a very low price.

But another option already lies within the Devils’ system. Nico Daws is currently a restricted free agent (RFA), and re-signing him should be in the cards this summer. His role as a third-string goalie is almost guaranteed, but it’s worth noting that he deserves a shot at a bigger role.

For the last two seasons, his sample size for the Devils has been small, yet very promising. Last season, he went 3-1-0 with a 1.60 GAA, then recorded a .908 SV% this season, featuring a 4-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild and an overtime win against the Ottawa Senators.

Extending Daws should be an easy decision for Mehta, offering depth and insurance between the pipes. He’s already proven to be NHL-ready in times of need, so why not give him a chance at more ice time in 2026-27?

What’s Next for the Devils?

All in all, the Devils have a few different possibilities to choose from. They certainly have enough capital to pursue a big name, after acquiring first and second-round draft picks from the Calgary Flames in exchange for Simon Nemec and Maxim Tsyplakov. And if they can get Markstrom’s $6 million cap hit off the books, it would provide even more spending flexibility.

Mehta has already made it clear that the team will experience some changes in net. He began by firing goalie coach Dave Rogalski, and the Devils are still in the process of finding a replacement. Now, he’s on the lookout for another starting goaltender, in the hopes of rectifying former GM Tom Fitzgerald’s mistakes.

Do you have a specific goalie you’d like to see join the Devils next season? Let us know in the comments!