Goaltender Jacob Markstrom returned to the Florida Panthers in a five-player trade on Tuesday with the New Jersey Devils.
The Panthers acquired Markstrom and forward Angus Crookshank, while sending forwards Evan Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist and prospect Ben Steeves to the Devils.
Markstrom, 36, was a second-round draft pick by Florida in 2008 and appeared in 43 games for the Panthers before being traded to the Vancouver Canucks in March 2014.
The 6-foot-6 Markstrom was 23-19-1 with one shutout in 44 games for the Devils in 2025-26, posting a 3.07 goals-against average and .883 save percentage.
“Jacob is an established veteran leader in this league who possesses size and a relentless drive to win,” said Panthers president of hockey operations and general manager Bill Zito. “We are excited for him to compete alongside our established group and return to South Florida.”
An All-Star in 2019-20 and a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2021-22, Markstrom is 264-231-64 with 25 shutouts, a 2.73 GAA and .907 save percentage in 264 games with the Panthers, Canucks, Calgary Flames and Devils.
The Panthers also acquired goaltender Akira Schmid from the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday and appear to be moving on from veteran netminder Sergei Bobrovsky, who will become an unrestricted free agent Wednesday.
Crookshank, 26, had one goal in eight games in his lone season with the Devils in 2025-26. He had two goals and two assists in 21 games with the Ottawa Senators from 2023-25.
“We also want to extend our sincere gratitude to Evan and Jesper for their contributions to our organization,” Zito said.
Rodrigues, 32, lifted the Stanley Cup with Florida in 2023-24 and 2024-25. He tallied 31 points (11 goals, 20 assists) in 69 games in 2025-26.
Rodrigues has recorded 270 points (107 goals, 163 assists) in 616 career games with the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, Colorado Avalanche and Panthers.
Boqvist, 27, won the Stanley Cup in his first season with the Panthers in 2024-25 and recorded 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 73 games in 2025-26.
Boqvist began his career with the Devils (2019-23) and has 105 points (50 goals, 55 assists) in 387 career games with New Jersey, the Boston Bruins and Florida. The Devils drafted him in the second round in 2017.
Steeves, 24, just completed his third season with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers. He set career highs across the board in 2025-26 with 23 goals and 22 assists in 72 games.
–Field Level Media
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