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NHL rumors: Devils won’t try to replace Jacob Markstrom with Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck
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- NHL rumors: Devils won’t try to replace Jacob Markstrom with Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck
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The New Jersey Devils all of a sudden have only one NHL-ready goaltender on the roster after trading Jacob Markstrom to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday — and it's 35-year-old Jake Allen .
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While Allen is still a serviceable backup goalie at this point in his career, he can't be expected to shoulder the load for a Devils team that is trying to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs next spring.
And while Winnipeg Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck looks like he would be an excellent replacement in Newark, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman doesn't see a fit .
"I don't buy the New Jersey hype," the hockey insider wrote on Wednesday. "It's not a contract that fits the profile of new GM Sunny Mehta."
The Devils have been busy this week, adding Evan Rodrigues and Jesper Boqvist in the Markstrom trade and re-signing captain Nico Hischier to a $58.5 million contract extension .
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But that doesn't solve the goaltending conundrum, and they'll need to bring in another — either through a trade or on the free agent market — at some point this offseason.
It's looking more and more likely that Hellebuyck will be traded this summer, but the Buffalo Sabres seem to be the frontrunner as of now, Friedman reports.
Allen was solid for New Jersey in 2025-26, posting a 2.72 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage in 37 appearances. He is signed for four more seasons at a very reasonable $1.8 million cap hit.
It'll be interesting to see who Mehta brings in to complete the tandem before the 2026-27 campaign commences.
Related: Devils lock up Nico Hischier to $58.5 million contract extension
Related: Devils sign 31-point rookie to $9.75 million deal after Jacob Markstrom trade
