The New Jersey Devils’ goaltending situation is the best it’s been in a long, long time. For a while, it was plug and play, with a plethora of names filtering in and out of New Jersey’s crease after the Cory Schneider era ended. The current setup in goal for 2025-26 is certainly one of the NHLs best, and the pipeline of goaltenders looks quite promising as well. However, there’s one issue. Nico Daws suddenly looks like an outcast. What should the Devils do with him?
The Devils inked Jake Allen to a long-term, five-year contract at the 11th hour before the start of free agency on July 1st. His $1.8 million cap hit is plenty manageable for the remainder of his career into his late 30s as, and he plans to retire after his run with the Devils.
With the commitment in goal to Allen, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to see the Devils extend Jacob Markstrom’s stay, either. Markstrom is in the final year of his contract in 2025-26, and is eligible for an extension. He’s also on the record stating he’d sign an extension if Tom Fitzgerald is calling.
RELATED: Jacob Markstrom Open to Extension With Devils
That leaves very little room for Daws in the NHL.
The 24-year-old netminder made it known at the end of the season the belief he has in himself and his goal is to be on the NHL roster in 2025-26.
“In terms of my game, I think I’ve taken a lot of the right steps, and I’m making good progress,” Daws explained in May. “I have a lot of confidence, and I’m happy where I’m at. Hopefully, (enough) to be able to make a push to make this team next year.”
When asked directly if he sees himself working in tandem with Markstrom next season, Daws was direct.
“Yeah, 100% obviously. I want to, I want to be on this team full-time. I think I’m ready for it, so I’m just going to go into the summer working as hard as I can and have a really good camp and prove to them that I’m ready,” Daws concluded.
Daws was asked to do a lot for the Devils in a pinch.
Fitzgerald admitted that his NHL probably started too early out of team necessity in 2021-22, when he played in 25 games as a 21-year-old.
Between then and the 2023-24 season, Daws manned the net for the Devils’ AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets. He had a respectable, in fact, nearly above average body of work when he was healthy. However, a hip injury saw the duel Canadian/German goaltender regress in his development.
After Daws recovered from the surgery that fixed his hip issues, he admitted he was able to once again move like the goaltender that projected him the top netminder in North America going into the 2020 NHL Draft.
When Daws returned to the NHL, once again out of necessity as the Devils dealt with injuries, he had some moments of brilliance, and moments where you could see he needed some seasoning.
Perhaps, Daws’ top moment as a Devil was his effort during the Stadium Series at MetLife against the Philadelphia Flyers, when he made 45 saves on 48 shots in front of 70,328 fans in a 6-3 victory.
It was then when you could see the Devils’ succession plan forming.
Daws received a two-year contract last summer, starting as a two-way, which upgraded to a one-way this past July 1st.
His time in the NHL was brief in 2024-25. Yet, Daws posted some impressive statistics, accruing a 3-1-0 record, with a .939 SV% and 1.60 GAA, and accrued 4.9 goals saved above expected.
It’s a VERY small sample, but Daws backed up his word. You can see a goaltender in him that is ready to take the next step.
Yet, that might not happen in New Jersey.
There’s no doubt that the Devils’ tandem on opening night will be Markstrom and Allen. That means that when the rosters need to be trimmed, Daws will have to go through waivers if he’s going to head back to Utica.
It’s certainly unlikely he makes it through unclaimed.
There are plenty of teams, such as the Edmonton Oilers, who would love to get their hands on a young goaltender who is potentially ready for a role in the NHL as soon as this season. Heck, would he even make it that far in the waiver wire? Why wouldn’t a team like the Chicago Blackhawks or the Columbus Blue Jackets put a claim in for him?
And even if he does make it through, the Devils have a log jam in the minors. Fitzgerald explained Jakub Malek is expected to compete for the starting job in Utica, the Comets just re-signed Jeremy Brodeur, and the Devils have hopes that Tyler Brennen will take another step in his development.
Plus, Mikhail Yegorov continues to be strapped to a rocket. How long before he’s making his way to the NHL?
The answer to what the Devils should do with Daws has become clear. They shouldn’t let him slip through their fingers for nothing. He certainly holds value, and they should get something for him.
Fitzgerald should include Daws in a trade to improve the current roster, which still lacks a top-six forward or a third-line center.
Dougie Hamilton’s name continues to pop up in NHL trade rumors. Dawson Mercer’s does as well.
Perhaps there’s a package the Devils can put together to acquire one of their two roster needs.
Regardless, in terms of Nico Daws, his time in New Jersey seems up, and the Devils should not let him go for nothing.
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