Devils Reveal Goaltender Succession Plan, Confidence in Nico Daws

The New Jersey Devils’ goaltender succession plan in the not-so-distant future just seemingly became more clear. General manager Tom Fitzgerald solidified his crease presence for the 2024-25 season, however, there are certainly question marks in goal as soon as next summer. Although it still appears to be a short-term plan, we perhaps know what the Devils’ tandem will look like at least next season.

Fitzgerald and Utica Comets GM Dan MacKinnon inked Nico Daws to a new two-year contract on Tuesday. At first glance, it appears to be just a short-term deal that allows Daws to continue his development, likely as the No.1 goaltender for the Devils’ American Hockey League affiliate. However, Daws’ contract transitions from a two-way deal in year one, to a one-way deal in year two. It certainly makes sense when looking at the Devils’ current goaltending situation.

The Devils have plenty of reason to believe in Daws. For starters, the 23-year-old netminder was the No.1 ranked goaltender in North America entering the 2020 NHL Draft. He’s since battled some discomfort in his hip which ultimately required surgery. However, following the surgery, Daws explained he feels better than ever.

That was certainly present in his play as he returned from hip surgery in December and was hot out of the gate. After a couple of starts in the AHL with the Comets in which Daws was stellar, he was then promoted to the varsity level where he took over starting duties for a while.

Daws flashed NHL starting goaltender potential a number of times, especially at the 2024 Navy Federal Credit Union Stadium Series game at MetLife Stadium. The German-born, Canadian native set a new NHL record by making 45 saves on 48 shots — the most ever in an outdoor game — against the Philadelphia Flyers.

So, why does Daws’ contract transition from a two-way deal in year one to a one-way deal in year two?

Well, the Devils acquired Jacob Markstrom this summer to work in tandem with Jake Allen. The Devils perhaps have their best goaltending presence since the days of Cory Schneider.

However, the current Devils goaltending tandem is very short-term. Markstrom’s deal is only for the next two seasons and Allen’s contract end next summer.

The succession plan is clear. Daws is heading into his age-24 season and by the time his one-way deal kicks in, he’ll be 25 years old and should be nearing or entering the prime of his career.

Therefore, it would appear Fitzgerald plans to have Daws work in tandem with Markstrom next season and will perhaps let Allen walk in free agency a year from now as he’ll be going into his age-34 season. And although Markstrom is still performing at a high level, he’s not getting any younger and will be 36 years old when his deal concludes in two summers.

Now, Daws isn’t going to be handed anything. Yes, he’s been given a one-way deal next season, however, he’ll need to prove himself in the upcoming campaign. That means having a strong showing with the Utica Comets by convincing Devils management he has nothing left to prove at the minor level. And if he’s recalled in the case of injury, he’ll need to continue showing the same signs he showed in 2023-24 as a potential NHL goaltender, just much more consistently.

Over the next two seasons, Daws has the chance to prove he’s the future in net for the New Jersey Devils. He’s got the goods to be a formidable starting goaltender in the NHL. Now it’s about finding consistency in his game. If Daws does, in fact, grab hold of the Devils job as part of the succession plan, our next conversations will ask what Daws’ next contract looks like and who will he work in tandem with?

Perhaps, Isaac Poulter, Jakub Malek, or Mikhail Yegorov continue to develop well internally to give Fitzgerald more homegrown options.

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