It’s been an active day for the New Jersey Devils, as they’ve not only made a few roster moves, but the team’s general manager, Tom Fitzgerald, spoke on a variety of topics with The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun. One of those topics was the status of starting netminder Jacob Markstrom, who is currently out with an injury. Fitzgerald expressed confidence that Markstrom would eventually return from his injury this season, stating “Marky is on the ice. He’s skating,” while adding that the team “won’t rush him back.” LeBrun noted that the team’s “hope is to extend Markstrom,” who is playing out the final year of a $6MM AAV deal.
Fitzgerald said that Markstrom’s agent, Newport’s Pat Morris, and he “have been talking for a long time,” and will have another talk this week. LeBrun noted that “term will be the most delicate part of that negotiation” of Markstrom’s next deal, as he is set to turn 36 before next season. Markstrom has certainly lined himself upfor a healthy next contract over the course of his most recent deal. He was the runner-up for the Vezina Trophy as a member of the Calgary Flames and helped the Devils reach the playoffs last season. Markstrom has made 51 starts in his Devils career, going 28-17-6 with a 2.56 goals-against average and .898 save percentage.
Other notes from Newark:
- LeBrun’s interview also covered the status of top blueliner Dougie Hamilton, who is now one of two Devils blueliners making $9MM per year thanks to the recent signing of Luke Hughes. LeBrun noted that “there are certainly other NHL front offices keeping a close eye” on Hamilton’s status now that Hughes has signed, “in the event Hamilton becomes available at some point.” Fitzgerald downplayed the impact of Hughes’ signing on Hamilton’s future in New Jersey, though. The Devils’ GM indicated that the team feels having each defenseman capable of quarterbacking a power play is an asset, not an inefficiency in need of correction.
- The Devils announced today that center Cody Glass will miss their game against the Minnesota Wild as he manages an upper-body injury. Glass lined up as the Devils’ third-line center yesterday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and head coach Sheldon Keefe re-structured his team’s lines to account for Glass’ absence. Dawson Mercer moved down from the second-line right wing spot next to Nico Hischier to center the third line and was replaced by rookie Arseni Gritsyuk, whose own third-line spot was filled by Paul Cotter. Cotter was elevated from the fourth-line and replaced by Stefan Noesen, who will make his 2025-26 debut tonight. Glass, who has dealt with persistent injury troubles throughout his NHL career, got off to a decent start to the season in New Jersey, scoring two goals in six games.