In a surprising move that came three days after he gave up eight goals in his return from injury to the Colorado Avalanche in an 8-4 loss on Oct. 28, the New Jersey Devils have signed Jacob Markstrom to a two-year contract extension worth $12 million.

He entered his second season in New Jersey in the final year of a contract that pays him $6 million. By extending the 35-year-old netminder through 2027-28, the Devils committed to Markstrom as their starter into his late 30s. Whether or not that’s a smart move remains to be seen.

Originally acquired by Devils team president and general manager Tom Fitzgerald from the Calgary Flames on June 19, 2024, in exchange for Kevin Bahl and a 2025 conditional first round pick (Cole Reschny), Markstrom went 26-16-6 with a 2.50 goals-against-average, .900 save percentage, and four shutouts in 49 games in 2024-25.

Along with veteran backup Jake Allen, Markstrom helped lead the Devils back to the postseason. They were eliminated in the first round by the Carolina Hurricanes in five games. Markstrom finished the series with a 2.78 GAA and .911 save percentage.

A former 2008 second round pick of the Florida Panthers, Markstrom has won 243 games with a 2.72 GAA, .908 save percentage, and 24 shutouts over his career. After getting traded to the Vancouver Canucks for Roberto Luongo in a four-player deal on Mar. 14, 2014, Markstrom established himself as a starter at 28 in 2017-18.

Following a nice run to the second round in the Covid lengthened 2019-20 Stanley Cup Playoffs, he signed with the Flames as a free agent. His best season came during 2021-22 when he established career bests in wins (37), GAA (2.22), save percentage (.922), and shutouts (9). He finished runner-up for the Vezina behind Igor Shesterkin.

Now a seasoned veteran in his second year with the Devils, a lot more is expected. He hasn’t had the best start. After losing to the rival Carolina Hurricanes in a season opening 6-3 loss on Oct. 9, he won his second start by making 14 saves in a 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

On Oct. 13 versus the Columbus Blue Jackets, he left the game after one period due to suffering a lower-body injury that kept him out two weeks.

Despite having a perfect home stand with Jake Allen winning both starts, the Devils made the curios decision to bring Markstrom back for the return match at the Avalanche on Tuesday. A move that made no sense due to Colorado’s firepower. Somewhat predictably, a rusty Markstrom struggled in the blowout loss that snapped an eight-game winning streak.

Two days later, on All Hallows Eve, Devils coach Sheldon Keefe went back to Allen for the San Jose Sharks. However, he gave up five goals on 28 shots in a 5-2 defeat. Allen is signed through 2029-30 on a much cheaper contract with an $1.8 million AAV. Like Markstrom, he’s also 35.

The question for Fitzgerald is obvious. Is it really the way to go for both the present and future? Markstrom will turn 36 in January. He’ll be 38 when his new deal expires. If there’s a caveat, he doesn’t have a no-movement clause.

If either Nico Daws or top prospect Mikhail Yegorov prove worthy of taking over in some capacity, Fitzgerald can always try to move Markstrom. Yegorov remains the favorite to eventually become the next Devils starter in the future. He was selected 49th in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft. He’s in his second year at Boston University with a 3-3-1 record and a 3.09 GAA and .902 save percentage.

The Devils return to action tomorrow when they visit Hollywood to face the Los Angeles Kings. They’re 8-3-0 with 16 points to rank second in the Metropolitan Division. Only the surprising Pittsburgh Penguins have a better record (8-2-2) in the division.