Devils Cut 13, Risk Losing Valuable Goaltender to Waivers

The New Jersey Devils made more cuts on Sunday. They trimmed their training camp roster by 13, and have risked losing a valuable goaltender in the process.

READ MORE: Projecting the New Jersey Devils Roster & Lineup for Opening Night 2025-26

According to the Devils, they, “placed defenseman Calen Addison, goalie Nico Daws and forwards Mike Hardman, Jonathan Gruden and Nathan Légaré on waivers with the intention of assignment to Utica (American Hockey League).

“The club has also assigned defensemen Ethan Edwards, Mikael Diotte and Topias Vilen and forward Xavier Parent to Utica. The team has also sent forwards Jack Malone and Matyas Melovsky, goalie Georgi Romanov and defenseman Austin Strand to Utica training camp.

“Forwards Thomas Bordeleau, Angus Crookshank, Brian Halonen and Zack MacEwen and defenseman Colton White cleared waivers and have been officially sent to Utica.”

None of the reassignments should come as a surprise. However, the Devils are running the risk of losing goaltender Nico Daws to waivers.

Daws is one of a few netminders on the waiver wire—including Michael DiPietro and Clay Stevenson—that are on the waiver wire that there have been whispers of interest in by others teams to claim.

Daws’ contract upgraded from a two-way deal, to a one-way deal, and was expected to eventually win an NHL role in New Jersey. However, the long-term stay by Jake Allen, and expectation for Jacob Markstrom to do the same, leaves Daws on the outside of the equation looking in.

Also included in the reassignments is goaltender Georgii Romanov, who is working with the Devils on a professional tryout (PTO). He’s headed to the Utica Comets’ training camp, and is believed to be Daws insurance if he’s claimed. Regardless of the claim status, a contract for Romanov shouldn’t be a surprise due to positive play.

Either Daws or Romanov are expected to work in tandem with Jakub Malek in the AHL.