Report: Devils plan to target Markstrom, Saros in offseason
The New Jersey Devils may not have landed a legitimate No. 1 goalie at the trade deadline, but that doesn't mean their pursuit of upgrading between the pipes is over.
The club plans on re-engaging with the Calgary Flames about Jacob Markstrom and checking in with the Nashville Predators about the availability of Juuse Saros once the offseason arrives, reports The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.
The Flames and Devils reportedly discussed a trade for Markstrom ahead of the deadline. The goaltender, whose contract contains a no-movement clause, said he wasn't happy about how the Flames' front office handled his situation.
Markstrom has two more years left on his contract with a $6-million cap hit. Calgary was in complete sell mode at the deadline, shipping out notable pending unrestricted free agents Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin, and Chris Tanev, among others.
Markstrom is in the midst of a stellar campaign, posting a .910 save percentage in 41 contests. The 2022 Vezina Trophy runner-up ranks second in the league with 31.88 goals saved above expected, per Evolving-Hockey.
The Predators, meanwhile, had no intention of trading Saros at the deadline while they were in a playoff spot. But the 28-year-old will be a free agent after next season, so Nashville could trade him if the two sides can't agree on an extension. The Predators also have Yaroslav Askarov, the top goalie prospect in hockey, coming through the system.
Saros has finished in the top six in Vezina Trophy voting in each of the last three campaigns. He's had a bit of a down year but has still posted a solid .907 save percentage and stopped 7.03 goals above expected while appearing in a league-leading 52 games entering Tuesday.
Poor goaltending has torpedoed New Jersey's season, as its team save percentage of .882 is the second-worst mark in the NHL.
Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald shook up the crease at the deadline, acquiring Jake Allen from the Montreal Canadiens. He also traded Vitek Vanecek - who's under contract next year - to the San Jose Sharks for Kaapo Kahkonen. With Montreal retaining 50% of Allen's contract, which runs through next year, and Kahkonen set to become a UFA, the Devils could make a splash in net this summer.
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