The New Jersey Devils’ goaltender succession plan for the near future has become clearer. General Manager Tom Fitzgerald has solidified the team’s crease presence for the 2024-25 season, though question marks remain for the following summer. Despite being a short-term solution, the Devils’ tandem for the next season is now more defined.
On Tuesday, Fitzgerald and Utica Comets GM Dan MacKinnon signed Nico Daws to a new two-year contract. At first glance, it appears to be a short-term deal allowing Daws to continue his development, likely as the No. 1 goaltender for the Devils’ American Hockey League affiliate. However, Daws’ contract transitions from a two-way deal in the first year to a one-way deal in the second year, aligning with the Devils’ current goaltending situation.
The Devils have ample reason to believe in Daws. The 23-year-old netminder was the No. 1 ranked goaltender in North America entering the 2020 NHL Draft. Despite battling hip discomfort that required surgery, Daws has shown great potential. He returned from surgery in December and quickly impressed, eventually being promoted to the NHL level where he took on starting duties.
Daws demonstrated NHL starting goaltender potential several times, notably at the 2024 Navy Federal Credit Union Stadium Series game at MetLife Stadium. The German-born, Canadian native set a new NHL record by making 45 saves on 48 shots — the most ever in an outdoor game — against the Philadelphia Flyers.
So, why does Daws’ contract transition from a two-way deal in year one to a one-way deal in year two?
The Devils acquired Jacob Markstrom this summer to work in tandem with Jake Allen, providing their best goaltending presence since the days of Cory Schneider. However, this tandem is very short-term, with Markstrom’s deal lasting only two seasons and Allen’s contract ending next summer.
The succession plan is clear. Daws, heading into his age-24 season, will be 25 when his one-way deal kicks in, nearing or entering his prime. Fitzgerald likely plans to have Daws work in tandem with Markstrom next season and may let Allen walk in free agency as he’ll be going into his age-34 season. Although Markstrom is still performing at a high level, he’ll be 36 when his deal concludes in two summers.
Daws isn’t going to be handed anything. He’s been given a one-way deal for next season, but he’ll need to prove himself in the upcoming campaign. This means having a strong showing with the Utica Comets and convincing Devils management that he has nothing left to prove at the minor level. If recalled due to injury, he’ll need to consistently demonstrate the potential he showed in 2023-24 as an NHL goaltender.
Over the next two seasons, Daws has the chance to prove he’s the future in net for the New Jersey Devils. He has the skills to be a formidable starting goaltender in the NHL; now, it’s about finding consistency in his game. If Daws secures the Devils’ starting job as part of the succession plan, the next discussions will be about his next contract and who he will work with in tandem. Internal options like Isaac Poulter, Jakub Malek, or Mikhail Yegorov could continue developing well, giving Fitzgerald more homegrown choices.
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