Overview
- New Jersey announced a two-year deal for the 35-year-old goaltender at a $6 million AAV, securing him through the 2026–27 season.
- The extension cements the Allen–Markstrom tandem at roughly a $7.8 million combined cap hit, giving GM Tom Fitzgerald room to maneuver.
- Negotiations balanced Markstrom’s interest in a longer term against the team’s push for shorter term with higher AAV, resulting in a two-year compromise.
- Markstrom has started 2025–26 slowly while returning from a lower-body injury, going 2-2-0 with a 5.13 GAA and an .830 save percentage in four appearances.
- The decision follows his stabilizing 2024–25 campaign after a trade from Calgary for Kevin Bahl and a 2025 first, when he posted a 2.50 GAA, a .900 save percentage, and four shutouts as the club cut its goals against by 61.