Devils Must Decide Goaltender Nico Daws’ Fate After Signing Markstrom and Allen

The New Jersey Devils’ goaltending situation for the 2025–26 NHL season features Jacob Markstrom, Jake Allen, and Nico Daws. In the summer of 2024, the Devils acquired Markstrom from the Calgary Flames in a trade. Later in the same offseason, they re-signed Allen to a five-year contract with an average annual value of $1.8 million.

Daws, 24, is now the third goaltender on the Devils’ depth chart. He was originally drafted in the third round in 2020. In the 2024–25 season, he played six NHL games, posting a 1.60 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage. It was his third time being called up by the Devils—the first was during the 2021–22 season, and the second came in 2023–24. On each occasion, he was called up due to injuries.

Daws is currently in the second year of his contract with the Devils. His previous contract was a two-way deal that paid him $775,000 at the NHL level and $350,000 in the AHL. His current contract is a one-way deal that pays him $850,000, whether he is playing in the NHL or AHL. This salary is low enough to be buried in the minors, meaning it would not count against the NHL salary cap if he plays for the Utica Comets. However, assigning him to the AHL would require him to clear waivers.

Markstrom and Allen are expected to occupy the two NHL goaltending spots. Allen re-signed with the Devils after being considered one of the top goaltenders available in free agency. Some had projected him to earn more than $4 million per season before he signed with New Jersey.

The Devils used a three-goalie rotation during the 2021 season with Mackenzie Blackwood, Jonathan Bernier, and Scott Wedgewood. When Wedgewood was placed on waivers, he was claimed by the Arizona Coyotes, which resulted in the Devils having fewer NHL-experienced goaltenders when injuries occurred.

The Devils’ 2025–26 regular-season schedule includes 15 sets of back-to-back games. If the team keeps three goaltenders, Daws could be used to start in those back-to-backs. Both Markstrom and Allen have injury histories. Markstrom was injured in the previous season, and his performance declined after his return.

As of July 2025, several sportsbooks list the Devils’ Stanley Cup odds between +1600 and +1900. BetMGM lists New Jersey at +1800 to win the Stanley Cup, +850 to win the Eastern Conference, and +350 to win the Metropolitan Division. ESPN BET lists the Devils’ Stanley Cup odds at +1600. At the start of the 2024–25 season, the Devils were listed at approximately +6000. Their odds dropped in mid-June 2025 after forward Jack Hughes sustained a shoulder injury, and concerns were raised about the team’s offensive depth. In October 2024, the Devils were listed at +230 to win the Metropolitan Division as part of a long-shot parlay featured in the New York Post.

Two teams that may be potential trade destinations for Daws are the Vegas Golden Knights and the Edmonton Oilers. Vegas is looking for a backup to Adin Hill. Daws has prior experience as an NHL backup and posted a career .898 save percentage across multiple call-ups. Edmonton has reached the Stanley Cup Final in each of the past two seasons but has experienced inconsistent goaltending. Stuart Skinner was the team’s regular-season starter in 2024–25, while Calvin Pickard played frequently during the playoffs. Edmonton may also consider Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, but acquiring him would require more assets than trading for Daws.

The current trade market for goaltenders is producing low returns. The Vancouver Canucks recently received forward Chase Stillman as part of a package for Arturs Silovs. This indicates that trading Daws may yield a modest return, possibly less than the value he provides as a depth option on the NHL roster.

The Devils have not announced a decision regarding Daws. With training camp approaching, the team must determine whether to carry three goaltenders, place Daws on waivers, or pursue a trade. As of now, he remains with the organization.