Ex-Dallas Stars Goalie Adam Scheel Signs Try-Out With New Jersey Devils

Over the past several years, the Dallas Stars have made a point of signing undrafted free agents, particularly in goal. Landon Bow, Matt Murray, and, most recently, prospect Ben Kraws are among those who joined the system this way. Another was Adam Scheel, who signed out of the University of North Dakota in 2021. Scheel spent parts of three seasons with the organization, appearing in the NHL as a backup but without an official debut, before testing the free-agent market. On March 15, 2022, he skated in warmups at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, wearing number 31 as the Stars prepared to face the Maple Leafs.

In 2025, Scheel earned another opportunity. On September 5, the New Jersey Devils announced the signing of four players to professional tryout contracts ahead of training camp: forwards Kevin Rooney and Luke Glendening, along with goaltenders Georgi Romanov and Adam Scheel. Now 26, Scheel is seeking to secure a roster spot.

Scheel played most of the 2024–25 season on a minor-league contract with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles, later earning a two-way deal to close the year. In 14 AHL games, he posted a .904 save percentage. In 19 ECHL games with the Utah Grizzlies, his save percentage was .884. He has yet to make his NHL debut.

The Devils’ current goaltending depth is built around established veterans. This offseason, New Jersey re-signed Jake Allen to continue serving as backup to Jacob Markstrom, who has been a reliable starter in recent years. Together, Markstrom and Allen form one of the league’s stronger tandems, but both carry injury histories. In previous seasons, when either was unavailable, the Devils often turned to Nico Daws of the Utica Comets. Daws has filled in multiple times, but his team rights expire after next year, and the club will soon need to decide whether to re-sign him, trade him, or move on.

To address depth concerns, the Devils added Romanov and Scheel on tryout contracts. Romanov, who also went undrafted, already has NHL experience with the San Jose Sharks. In 2023–24, he appeared in two games, faced 30 shots, and posted a .967 save percentage. Last season, he played eight games, stopped 219 shots, and finished with an .877 save percentage. His career record is 0–6, and he is still pursuing his first NHL win.

Scheel, standing six-foot-four, brings size to the crease. He represented Team USA at the U17 and U18 levels during the 2016–17 season. His addition provides competition in camp and insurance for the organization in case of injuries to the top two goaltenders.

Sportsbooks have also weighed in on New Jersey’s outlook. As of early September, ESPN BET lists the Devils at +1600 to win the Stanley Cup, while Covers shows odds around +1800 across several operators. Futures pricing tightened to as short as +1300 earlier in the summer before drifting back into the +1600 to +2000 range. BetMGM lists New Jersey at +900 to win the Eastern Conference and +360 to win the Metropolitan Division. These numbers reflect the team’s standing as a strong contender just outside the top tier of favorites.

The betting markets have remained relatively stable since June, with only modest adjustments tied to roster updates and health. The Devils’ trade for Jacob Markstrom from Calgary on June 19, 2024, in exchange for a 2025 first-round pick (top-10 protected) and Kevin Bahl, with Calgary retaining 31.25 percent of his salary, reinforced confidence in the team’s goaltending. Markstrom’s MCL sprain on January 24, 2025, which carried a recovery timeline of four to six weeks, caused only a temporary dip in sentiment. He finished the year with a record of 21-9-5, three shutouts, and a 2.20 goals-against average at that point in the season. The decision to re-sign Allen this offseason provided further stability. The September 5 tryout signings of Rooney, Glendening, Romanov, and Scheel added additional insurance ahead of camp.

Training camp opens on September 10, with veterans scheduled to report on September 17. Markstrom and Allen have secured the top two spots in net, but the presence of Romanov and Scheel ensures competition for depth roles. For Scheel, who has been working toward his NHL debut since leaving North Dakota, this tryout offers another chance to prove himself and to earn a place in the Devils’ plans for the 2025–26 season.