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New Jersey Devils: 5 Prospects Who Could Surprisingly Jump Into NHL Next Season

By Nick Villano

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 09: Yegor Sharangovich #17 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates a goal against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on March 9, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 09: Yegor Sharangovich #17 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates a goal against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on March 9, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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New Jersey Devils
Nicolas Daws #35, goaltender of ERC Ingolstadt (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images) /

Nico Daws

Alright, admittedly this one is a crazy long shot, but the Devils are in a weird position in net, and Nico Daws was an overage draft pick this past season. His season hasn’t made a lot of sense after the OHL never came back, and now he’s stuck in Germany. He’s been playing for ERC Ingolstadt of the DEL. He’s serving as the main backup behind fellow Canadian Michael Garteig. In ten games, the 20 year old has an .898 save percentage and four wins. That includes one shutout.

Daws was the league leader in save percentage last year in the OHL. He pushed himself to be on Team Canada at the World Junior Championship and made himself a household name for the Guelph Storm. This is why the Devils drafted him in the third round as an overage draft pick. Most of these types of picks go later in the draft.

Daws is currently watching his team in the playoffs, but he should be working on making himself the best goalie possible. The Devils desperately need a more sensible option as Mackenzie Blackwood’s backup. Everyone they’ve had was a major problem. Keith Kinkaid was a one-hit-wonder. Cory Schneider lost his confidence for good. Corey Crawford retired, and the pair of Scott Wedgewood and Aaron Dell just isn’t very good. Blackwood needs someone to push him, and maybe having someone younger on the roster might do that.

It’s much more likely that Daws spends his season in the AHL. It would be best for him if the Devils had more control over his development. This pandemic made things a little weird, but the Devils understood the situation when they drafted him. Daws probably won’t make the team next season, but he could get a few games during the season if there are a few injuries. He doesn’t have to go through waivers like Gilles Senn.

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