Devils Recall Rookie Goaltender, Reassign Akira Schmid

The New Jersey Devils announced just minutes before Wednesday’s morning skate that they have recalled rookie goaltender Isaac Poulter and reassigned Akira Schmid to the American Hockey League.

Poulter (22) just signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Devils on Feb. 15th that holds an annual average value annual average value of $812,500.

Poulter is enjoying a nice breakout season with the Comets, accruing a 14-7-1 record, a .908 save percentage, and a 2.70 GAA. Only current Devils goaltender Nico Daws has been better in the AHL, and he did so in a much shorter stint this season.

Since making his AHL debut in 2022-23, Poulter has totaled a 21-8-4-3 record with Utica. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the club in 2022-23.

In a corresponding move, Schmid returns to Utica after serving as Daws’ backup for the last five games. In that same span, Daws made five straight starts for New Jersey.

In New Jersey earlier this season, Schmid posted a rough 5-7-1 record, .893 SV%, and a 3.26 GAA. It’s not going any better for the Swiss goaltender with the Comets as his numbers somehow look worse than his NHL statistics.

The Devils continue to play goaltending musical chairs while veteran Vitek Vanecek is sidelined with a lower-body injury. Even when Vanecek comes back it still appears to be Daws’ net. However, Poulter will get his first crack at NHL action, even if that means he just serves as Daws’ backup.

Taking a peak at the schedule, the Devils play back-to-back games this weekend against the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning. The Devils also play the New York Rangers on Thursday night.

Perhaps we’ll see Poulter make his NHL debut over the weekend in a back-to-back situation.

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