The New Jersey Devils have several objectives this offseason. Re-sign Luke Hughes, rebuild the bottom six, and find a top-six winger are at the top of the list. However, another area that isn't being talked about is the backup goalie position. Jake Allen has been that the past season and a half and is now an unrestricted free agent (UFA) heading into this year's offseason. There have been reports that Allen would prefer to stay in New Jersey next year. While bringing him back would be great, there's a younger guy who should be given heavier consideration.
Nico Daws, 24, has been up and down at different times with the Devils the past three seasons since being drafted. During those periods, he has shown flashes of not only being a reliable netminder, but also the guy who could eventually be the long-term solution once Jacob Markstrom hangs up the skates. Daws has had big moments when stepping up for the Devils. None bigger than his record-breaking 45 saves in the Stadium Series the previous season against the Philadelphia Flyers.
He wasn't announced as the @NJDevils starter for the 2024 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL #StadiumSeries until closer to puck drop, but rookie Nico Daws showed up and showed out for New Jersey at MetLIfe Stadium. #NHLStats: https://t.co/V23PubW1au pic.twitter.com/S58dEmMK5Y
— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) February 18, 2024
Through 52 career games, the young Devils goalie has posted a 22-23-1 record, a 2.98 GAA, and a .898% save percentage. In 2024-25, while helping Allen replace the injured Markstrom, Daws had his strongest showing. In the three games he started during that stretch, he had a perfect 3-0-0 record, 1.60 GAA, and a .939 SV%. He also earned his first shutout in a 5-0 win over the Nashville Predators. Daws has proven numerous times that he has the tool set to be a full-time NHL goalie.
There is still a case with bringing back Allen. After all, the Devils had one of the best duos in the league with him and Markstrom. Allen finished this past campaign with a 13-16-1 record. On top of that, he ended with a solid 2.66 GAA as well as a.906% save percentage. He was very reliable when the Devils called on him. There's another issue with the Devils trying to retain Allen that works much more in Daws' favor.
Nico Daws deserves the Devils' backup role
Allen will be, without question, the most sought-after goalie on the free agent market. While he does want to stay, he may have also priced his way out of Jersey. According to AFP Analytics, he is projected to get a two-year deal at $3.513 million AAV. Unless the Devils can free up enough cap space to bring Allen back on top of the other moves needed, it's unlikely he'll be the backup goalie for the Devils next season. For Daws, his contract makes things easier for the team.
Next year, Daws will be in the second year of a two-year deal he signed before the start of last season. His cap hit is just $812,500. Having him as the backup gives the Devils flexibility to make other needed moves. If the Devils can bring back Allen on a much cheaper deal, Daws should 100% be the backup netminder. He should be regardless of money because he's proven several times that he's ready to be in the NHL full-time. Not only that, he can be the answer between the pipes long-term for this Devils' franchise.