New Jersey Devils extend Jacob Markstrom

The veteran goaltender signed a two-year contract worth $6 million per season.

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New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald and Jacob Markstrom made it no secret they wanted to continue their partnership.

They accomplished that Friday night, finding common ground on a two-year contract extension worth $6 million per season.

The deal certainly has some stench to it in that Markstrom has posted an .850 save percentage or worse, and looked out of sorts, in all three starts this season.

Given his age and the possibility of decline, I get the apprehension about racing to lock him up.

This deal is justifiable, though. Recency bias makes it easy to forget Markstrom largely played very well last season.

Markstrom put forth quality starts at a well above average rate and was excellent at avoiding complete stinkers.

Connor Hellebuyck and Darcy Kuemper were the only netminders to start 50+ games and post fewer Really Bad Starts, per hockey-reference.

Even including this year’s rough start, Markstrom ranks 22nd among 55 eligible goaltenders in high-danger save percentage since joining the Devils. That sandwiches him between Juuse Saros and Joseph Woll – not bad company.

Fitzgerald didn’t have many (any?) alternatives that would be preferable for a team looking to win and in need of good, but not great, goaltending.