Devils land Jacob Markstrom, Kings get Darcy Kuemper in goaltending trades
The NHL goalie carousel got started Wednesday with the New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings making acquisitions.
The Devils acquired Jacob Markstrom from the Calgary Flames for defenseman Kevin Bahl and a 2025 first-round pick that is top 10 protected. The Flames will retain 31.25% of Markstrom's remaining salary cap and the Devils' share will be $4.125 million.
Meanwhile, the Kings acquired goalie Darcy Kuemper from the Washington Capitals in exchange for center Pierre-Luc Dubois. The Kings used Cam Talbot and David Rittich last season. Rittich re-signed for a year, but Talbot is an unrestricted free agent who struggled in the first round against the Edmonton Oilers.
Kuemper, a former Stanley Cup winner (2022, Colorado Avalanche) who has three years left on his deal at a $5.25 million cap hit, was supplanted this season by Charlie Lindgren in Washington. Lindgren has a year left on his deal and is eligible for a contract extension. Kuemper played for the Kings for part of the 2017-18 season.
Dubois, 25, disappointed in his first season with the Kings, but he's a young center arriving to a Capitals team that traded Evgeny Kuznetsov and is dealing with a long-term injury to Nicklas Backstrom. Trading Dubois and his $8.5 million cap hit gives the Kings flexibility to upgrade their roster.
The Devils' goaltending had struggled last season, leading to a big drop in the standings and a missed playoff berth. They dealt Vitek Vanecek to the San Jose Sharks and acquired Jake Allen from the Montreal Canadiens in March but it was too late in the season to make a difference.
Markstrom went 23-23-2 this season with a 2.78 goals-against average, .905 save percentage and had two shutouts. He was a Vezina Trophy runner-up in 2021-22.
The goaltending moves might not stop. Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark, a 2022-23 Vezina Trophy winner, is being mentioned as a trade possibility because Jeremy Swayman is a restricted free agent. Plenty of teams could use a goalie of his caliber, but Ullmark has a modified no-trade clause.
Sharks add veterans
The last-place Sharks added two forwards Wednesday to complement expected No. 1 overall pick Macklin Celebrini.
The Sharks claimed Barclay Goodrow, 31, off waivers from the New York Rangers, bringing him back to the team where he began his NHL career. They also acquired penalty killer Ty Dellandrea from the Dallas Stars in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick.
The Sharks won the draft lottery and will pick first in next week's draft