Devils Goaltending Trade Target Injured

There’s no question that the New Jersey Devils goaltending could be upgraded. Perhaps that will come this season. Maybe, it’ll happen sooner rather than later if general manager Tom Fitzgerald starts to feel the pressure. However, one Devils goaltending trade target might no longer be an option following an injury suffered on Monday.

At Monday’s morning skate in Calgary, Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom hurried off the ice after taking a puck to the inside-blocker area of his right hand while making a save. According to Sportsnet’s Eric Francis, blood appeared to be pouring from his finger.

NHL insider Kevin Weekes confirmed that Markstrom broke his finger making the save at morning skate. Before providing the update, Weekes explained on a TSN broadcast that the degree to which you can recover from a broken finger as a goaltender varies.

“Sometimes you can play through them,” Weekes explained. “Some guys will get their finger splinted. But, I’ve had instances where I’ve been out for a week. I’ve been out on the ice where I didn’t report the injury and played through it. But, I’ve also had it shot up, certainly, in playoff situations. It hurts so much because that’s your trigger finger under the stick. Every time you hold the stick and take a shot off the blocker, it reverberates. As long as you’re able to maintain control of that stick with your finger, it’s fine, but I’ve seen instances where goaltenders can’t do it.”

It sounds like there’s no real handle on how long Markstrom will be sidelined. However, what it does sound like is that if the goaltender doesn’t take adequate time to fully heal from the injury, it can easily reaggravate itself.

The Flames have already begun selling off. Nikita Zadorov is now with the Vancouver Canucks after his trade request. Word is they’re getting ready to move Chris Tanev next. The Flames would certainly move Markstrom as well, however, there are hurdles. Markstrom owns a full no-trade clause and has two seasons left with a $6 million AAV.

If the Devils are going to, in fact, trade for a goaltender, Fitzgerald will need to proceed with caution if he goes down Markstrom’s lane.

For more Devils news, visit New Jersey Hockey Now and like our Facebook page.

Follow us on 𝕏:

@NJDHockeyNow, @JamesNicholsNHL

And on Threads:

@JamesNicholsNHL