After trading Jacob Markstrom to the Florida Panthers, the Devils' crease is uncertain heading into the 2026-27 season as they now have Jake Allen and Nico Daws under contract. The 25-year-old Daws has spent most of the past few seasons in the AHL, but has a 2.96 GAA and .898 SV% in 55 career NHL appearances (24-24-1).
After a brief stint with the Devils to close out their season, Daws will head back to the Utica Comets (AHL). The 25-year-old German goalie was serviceable in limited action with the Devils this season, posting a 2.62 GAA and .908 SV% in three games (2-1-0).
Entering their final game of a disappointing 2025-26 season, the Devils will turn to Daws to tend the twine for the second consecutive game. The 25-year-old German goalie has spent most of the season in the AHL, but has been solid in very limited action with the Devils, saving 57 of 61 combined shots (.934 SV%) in two games (2-0-0). The Devils enter Tuesday's contest as +133 road underdogs against a Boston Bruins team that has clinched a playoff spot, but is still jockeying for positioning.
Entering their final game of a disappointing 2025-26 season, the Devils will turn to Daws to tend the twine for the second consecutive game. The 25-year-old German goalie has spent most of the season in the AHL, but has been solid in very limited action with the Devils, saving 57 of 61 combined shots (.934 SV%) in two games (2-0-0). The Devils enter Tuesday's contest as +133 road underdogs against a Boston Bruins team that has clinched a playoff spot, but is still jockeying for positioning.
Daws was recalled on Friday from Utica (AHL) after it was announced Jacob Markstrom would be shut down for the remainder of the season due to injury and rest. It is Daws second call up of the season after he excelled in one appearance in October, where he backstopped the Devils to a victory behind a 31-save performance (.968 SV%). He takes on the Ottawa Senators, who are in the midst of a playoff battle for the final wildcard position.
Daws has been recalled to New Jersey for the 2nd time this season after the team was mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. The 25-year-old struggled with Utica (AHL) this season, with a 15-16-11 record, .891 SV% and 2.84 GAA but excelled during his one call up with New Jersey earlier this season, winning his only appearance with a .968 SV%. He is expected to get a start or two during New Jersey's final few games.
On the tail end of a back-to-back, a night after an impressive 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, the red-hot Devils, winners of five straight, will turn to Daws between the pipes on Wednesday against the Minnesota Wild. The 24-year-old Daws was excellent in a limited stint with the Devils last season, posting a 1.60 GAA and .939 SV% in six appearances (3-1-0). The Devils enter Wednesday's contest as -129 home favorites against a 3-3-1 Wild team.
Jake Allen (cramping) could not finish Monday's game and was replaced by Jacob Markstrom (undisclosed), who appeared to be in discomfort at the end of the contest. It has since been revealed that Markstrom will be out of the lineup for a few weeks, leaving the Devils' crease to Allen and Daws. The 24-year-old Daws was excellent in a limited stint with the Devils last season, posting a 1.60 GAA and .939 SV% in six appearances (3-1-0).
The Devils enter their final game of the season, awaiting a first-round playoff matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes, turning to Daws between the pipes against the Detroit Red Wings. Daws is no stranger to the NHL, with 51 career appearances, but has spent most of the 2024-25 season in the AHL. The 24-year-old goalie has a 0.88 GAA and .966 SV% in five appearances with the Devils this season (3-0-0). The Devils enter Wednesday's contest as +100 home underdogs against the Red Wings.
Daws was excellent in his season debut on Tuesday, saving 25 of 27 shots (.926 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. He will likely return to the crease for a second consecutive start on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights. In 21 AHL games this season, Daws is 5-14-1 with a 3.40 GAA and .888 SV%. The Devils enter Thursday's contest as slight -100 home underdogs against a Golden Knights squad amid a four-game losing skid (0-2-2).
The Devils have lost two of their last three and will turn to the recently recalled Daws between the pipes on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Daws saw his first NHL action this season in New Jersey's most recent outing, saving all seven shots he faced in relief of Jake Allen in a 4-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. Daws appeared in 21 NHL games last season, going 9-11-0 with a 3.15 GAA and .894 SV%. In 21 AHL games this season, he is 5-14-1 with a 3.40 GAA and .888 SV%. The Devils enter Tuesday's contest as -133 road underdogs against a Penguins squad coming off a 3-0 win over the Nashville Predators.
Daws will join Jake Allen to serve as the Devils' goalie tandem while Jacob Markstrom is sidelined with an injury. Daws appeared in 21 NHL games last season, going 9-11-0 with a 3.15 GAA and .894 SV%. In 21 AHL games this season, he is 5-14-1 with a 3.40 GAA and .888 SV%.
Daws was recalled this morning but has already already been returned to the Utica Comets (AHL), indicating that Jake Allen (upper body) is likely ready to return to the lineup. The 23-year-old Daws has some NHL experience, recording a 3.13 GAA and .894 SV% in 46 games (19-22-1).
Isaac Poulter has served as Jacob Markstrom's backup in the past few games, with Jake Allen (upper body) sidelined, but Poulter has been sent down to Utica (AHL), swapping places with Daws. The 23-year-old Daws has some NHL experience, recording a 3.13 GAA and .894 SV% in 46 games (19-22-1), providing a more viable option between the pipes for the Devils if needed.
New Jersey locked up their goaltending depth for the next two seasons as they signed Nico Daws to a two-year contract with the first year being a two-way and the second being a one-way. The 23-year-old netminder was drafted by New Jersey in the 3rd round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft (84th overall) and had a down season with his 9-11-0 record, 3.15 GAA and .894 SV% in 2023-24.
With the Devils' recent acquisitions of Kaapo Kahkonen and Jake Allen, Daws has become the odd-man out and has been reassigned to the Utica Comets (AHL). Daws struggled to be consistent between the pipes for the Devils this season, posting a 3.15 GAA and .894 SV% in 21 games (9-11-0).
