Below-average goaltending held the New Jersey Devils back in 2023-24. So it was clear that upgrading at the position was a top priority this offseason.
Their trade with the Calgary Flames for Jacob Markstrom has checked that box.
The Devils sent defenseman Kevin Bahl and a top-10-protected first-round draft pick in 2025 to the Flames in exchange for Markstrom, and the Flames will be retaining 31.5% of his salary for the two years remaining on his contract.
How did both GMs do in this swap? Here are our grades for the first blockbuster of the NHL summer.