Grading the Panthers’ Trade for Devils’ Jacob Markström

The Florida Panthers have found their successor to Sergei Bobrovsky. Earlier today, they linked up with the New Jersey Devils to acquire Jacob Markström in exchange for forward Evan Rodrigues, among other pieces. Markström signed a two-year extension with the Devils in November, and that will kick in on July 1. Here are the full details of the trade:

Devils receive:

• Evan Rodrigues
• Jesper Boqvist
• Ben Steeves

Panthers Receive:

• Jacob Markström
• Angus Crookshank

Markström had one of the worst seasons of his career in 2025-26, but the Panthers are betting on him bouncing back in a better defensive environment than the Devils’. As for the Devils, they get much-needed upgrades for a bottom-six unit that struggled mightily this past season.

Panthers Taking a Risk

The goalie market is limited this summer. Hence, the Panthers opted to acquire Markström rather than dip their toes into free agency. Markström struggled this season, finishing with an .883 save percentage and allowing 11.9 goals above expected.

Those numbers are not that much different than Bobrovsky’s, who finished with an .877 save percentage and allowed 12.2 goals above expected. But with Bobrovsky reportedly looking for a long-term deal at a cap hit of $6-7 million, the Panthers opted to take a gamble on Markström.

Despite Markström’s struggles this season, his numbers were largely dragged down by the Devils’ 9-0 loss to the New York Islanders, in which Markström was in net for all nine goals against. He gave up nearly 7.5 goals above expected in that loss. Take that out of the equation, and his numbers were only slightly below league average.

Still, Markström’s numbers have been declining for the last two seasons, and he turns 37 during the middle of next season. He could just be a goaltender in decline, but the Panthers seem to think he may have something to offer playing behind what should be one of the top teams in the Atlantic next season.

I am a bit surprised the Panthers are taking on Markström’s full contract, but they did clear quite a bit of cap space by trading Rodrigues and Boqvist to the Devils.

After acquiring another former Devil, Akira Schmid, in a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights, the Panthers’ goaltending tandem is set for next season. Will it be an upgrade? Time will tell because goalies are voodoo. It’s certainly a risky move, but it probably makes more sense than meeting Bobrovsky’s contract demands.

Panthers Grade: B-

Devils’ Bottom 6 Gets a Makeover

The Devils’ bottom six was nothing short of a disaster last season, but Rodrigues should help. He finished with 11 goals and 31 points in 69 games and had terrific underlying numbers at five-on-five, totaling an expected goals share (xG%) above 54 percent. He had a negative goal differential, but that’s because Bobrovsky couldn’t stop a beach ball.

Rodrigues has one year left on his contract at a cap hit of $3.018 million. He’s a versatile forward who can play anywhere in the bottom nine, and though he’s not the finisher the Devils need, he’s an upgrade over what they iced in their bottom six.

Devils fans will be familiar with Boqvist. He was part of the team’s roster in 2022-23 when they won 52 games, and last won a playoff round. He finished with four goals and 13 points this past season, but looks like a candidate to rebound, at least with his finishing.

Boqvist also has one year left on his contract at a cap hit of $1.5 million, but he should provide an upgrade for the Devils’ fourth line over Paul Cotter, who the Devils did not tender a qualifying offer yesterday. He skates well and is an underrated forechecker, which they could use in their bottom six.

The key for the Devils in this deal is not retaining anything on Markström’s contract. Even after adding Rodrigues and Boqvist, they save about $1.5 million on their books. They need to find a replacement for Markström, but they upgraded their bottom six in a big way.

Devils Grade: A-

Advanced stats from Natural Stat Trick