New Jersey has decided Nico Daws is worth the bet.
On July 1, Devils general manager Sunny Mehta signed the 25-year-old goaltender to a new two-year contract, and he didn’t hide how he feels about the move. When he spoke to the media, Mehta made the team’s stance pretty plain: "And, for me, we're pretty excited about the potential opportunity in front of him Mehta said."
That contract puts Daws in line with Jake Allen and free-agent addition David Rittich as the goaltending group the Devils appear set to use in 26-27. There’s risk in leaning on that trio, no doubt about it, but there’s also enough evidence in Daws’ track record to understand why the organization is willing to roll the dice.
The biggest reason is simple: he’s already shown he can handle NHL pressure.
Daws has played more than 50 games in the league, and those appearances haven’t come in soft spots. He’s been called on when injuries piled up and when the Devils needed help in goal because of a lack of depth. That kind of experience matters, especially for a goalie who now has a real shot to become a full-time NHL starter.
His most memorable night came in the 2024 Stadium Series game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Starting against the Philadelphia Flyers, Daws turned aside 45 of 48 shots and helped the Devils win. The performance also put him in the record book, as he set the mark for the most saves in an outdoor game.
That wasn’t a one-off flash, either. Only two seasons ago, when Jacob Markstrom was out for a month, Daws stepped in and delivered a perfect 3-0-0 record with a 0.88 GAA and a .966 SV%. Along with Allen, he helped keep New Jersey steady during that stretch and played a major role in the team staying afloat long enough to reach the postseason.
That’s why the Devils are giving him this chance now. Daws has already done enough to earn it, and the organization clearly believes he’s ready for a bigger workload.
Not everyone will love the approach. Some fans will still wonder why Mehta hasn’t made a bigger swing for USA Olympic gold-medal-winning goalie Connor Hellebuyck. Others will point to the uncertainty that comes with trusting a goalie who still has plenty to prove.
But the Devils have made their call, and Daws is at the center of it. He’s getting the opportunity to show that the promise he’s flashed in spurts can carry over over a full NHL season in 26-27.
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