Jacob Markstrom’s ‘hungry’ Devils commitment will scare the NHL

The New Jersey Devils traded for Jacob Markstrom during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Markstrom comes to New Jersey as the expected savior in goal after the team struggled to keep pucks out of the net last season. The experienced goalkeeper has not been in the team for a long time. However, he quickly liked the atmosphere in the locker room.

Markstrom recently spoke to reporters. He and the Devils are preparing for their season opener against the Buffalo Sabres. The two teams will take the ice on October 4th in the Czech Republic as part of the NHL Global Series. Markstrom is looking forward to the game. But as for his team, he made a bold statement about their attitude heading into the new year.

“Playing against all these guys for a long time, I know it’s a great team, a hungry team,” the Devils goaltender said, via NHL.com. “From the coaching staff to every player in the locker room, I feel like there are a lot of players here that want to prove something and they have something to prove. Everyone really wants to play again, fight for points and play important games and that’s what it’s all about.”

Jacob Markstrom, Devils hope to contend for playoffs

Jacob Markstrom and the Devils have high expectations this season. The Devils made big moves in NHL free agency to bolster their roster. Additionally, the team hired Sheldon Keefe as its new head coach over the summer. All of this has made New Jersey a prime candidate to fight for a playoff spot. If not the Stanley Cup itself.

“We have a big team with high expectations and as a goalkeeper you are under pressure and I have been in teams in the Canadian market where there was pressure on goalkeeping. “I know what’s expected and the people that know me know that I just want to win hockey games,” Markstrom said of the expectations, via NHL.com.

Markstrom still has two years left on his six-year contract he originally signed with the Calgary Flames. The veteran goaltender has had a solid season with Calgary despite the team missing the playoffs. Markstrom posted a .905 save percentage in 48 games, recording two shutouts.

The Devils undoubtedly have the ambition to reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Markstrom is one of them who could help this team achieve its goal this season. It will certainly be interesting to see if New Jersey gets off to a good start to the 2024-25 season next Friday.