New Jersey Devils want to extend Jacob Markstrom
Devils from New Jersey President and General Manager Tom Fitzgerald joined TFP Hotstove on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio with Dave Pagnotta and Ryan Paton. He was asked about the team’s ongoing contract negotiations with Jacob Markstrom and how things stand.
** NHLRumors.com transcripts
Dave Pagnotta: “Last from me, just circling back to Jacob Markstrom real quick. There have been reports all week of talks going back and forth. He’s a UFA in the summer. Extension negotiations. Is there anything you’d like to share with us about the status of that?”
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Tom Fitzgerald: “We love Jacob and Amanda, his wife. We want them to remain Devils for as long as possible. I know the feeling is mutual. His agent and I have had really healthy communication, really healthy conversations. Different ideas have been exchanged contractually. But the fact is he’s 35 and he’s turning 36 and there are different rules for players that age and older. So from an organizational point of view you look at it to protect your disadvantage, but also to reward the player.
But there’s no doubt that we both want that. We want to get it done. I would be remiss if I didn’t contact his agent sooner rather than later. I think once the injury happens you just have to let it breathe. And there’s no doubt that for our part, we want Jacob and Amanda Markstrom to be part of our family in the future. And I believe that Jacob and Amanda will want to be part of this family in the future.”
NHL Rumors.com Note:
It’s clear that Tom Fitzgerald wants that to keep his goalkeeper tandem together. He signed Jake Allen to that unique five-year contract for $1.8 million per season.
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According to Kevin Weekes, the Devils’ initial offer to Markstrom was four years for $5 million. However, there is a gap that needs to be closed. Whether that gap is money or the length of the deal remains to be seen.
However, with Markstrom out of the lineupmany are wondering if his past injuries will impact the number he gets on his next contract. As Fitzgerald said: Markstrom is skating againand he has been dealing with a lower body injury week after week.
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