The Devils are betting on something a lot of teams try to avoid admitting out loud: goaltending can be a dice roll, so why sink a pile of money into it?
That’s the thinking behind New Jersey’s approach as it heads into the 2026-27 season with Jake Allen and Nico Daws in net, both carrying cap hits of less than $2 million. Instead of paying top dollar for a name in goal, the Devils appear content to keep their spending light and use that money elsewhere.
General manager Sunny Mehta laid out the logic in a recent interview with NHL.com. “Starters and backups are extremely talented, which can make performance difficult to predict,” he said. “Because there is randomness at the position, I’m reluctant to invest significant assets there instead of in areas where the results may be more predictable.”
That philosophy sparked debate on Wednesday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, where Tyler Yaremchuk and Carter Hutton dug into whether New Jersey is being smart or just rolling the dice in a different way.
Yaremchuk framed it bluntly: “What do you think of Sunny Mehta basically saying “It’s random. Why would we spend $8 million when a $1 million guy can come do the job?””
Hutton pushed back on the idea of treating the position like a budget line item. He pointed to examples of goalies getting hot at the right time and changing everything, citing Brandon Bussi’s run with the Carolina Hurricanes last year as well as Matt Murray, who was “unbelievable with those two playoff teams” in Pittsburgh and won two Cups there.
Still, Hutton didn’t pretend the position is easy to solve. He said the risk remains real, and noted that roster construction matters because teams have to help insulate their goalie. He also tied the discussion to Edmonton, where, as he put it, “If we just had that guy who was a difference maker.”
New Jersey’s plan, then, is clear: trust the structure, trust the value, and avoid paying premium dollars for a position that can swing wildly from one season to the next.
In Other News...
Devils Fans Already Have A New Game-Day Frustration
With the NHL season about to open, Devils fans heading back to Prudential Center have one more thing to plan around before puck drop. The team rolled out a new bag policy this fall, limiting what can come through the doors and narrowing the range of items that will be allowed inside the building.
The restriction is tighter than what many arena-goers are used to, with bags larger than 4" x 6" x 1.5" now off limits. Parenting and medically necessary bags may still be permitted, but they will need to go through X-ray screening, adding another layer to the routine for fans trying to get in and settled before the action starts. [Read more 🡒]
Devils Goalie Uncertainty Could Put Connor Hellebuyck Back In Play
The Devils are heading toward the 2026-27 season with real questions in goal, and that uncertainty has a way of changing how a front office looks at the market. Right now, New Jersey is leaning on Nico Daws, Jake Allen and David Rittich, but the overall picture has not exactly settled the issue for a team that would prefer more confidence at the position.
Connor Hellebuycks trade request has kept his name in circulation, even as Winnipegs asking price and the structure of his limited no-trade clause have cut down the list of realistic suitors. For the Devils, the conversation only becomes interesting if the Jets are willing to keep a meaningful chunk of salary, which could make a move for one of the leagues top goalies more workable in New Jerseys cap picture. [Read more 🡒]
Jake Allen May Be The Devils' Biggest Bet This Season
The Devils are making a fairly practical bet in goal this season, and it starts with Jake Allen stepping into the primary role. His numbers last year, a 2.74 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage in 37 games, were good enough to show he still has something left, and in a season where every roster decision matters, his affordable contract gives New Jersey more room to address other needs.
What makes Allen such an intriguing part of the plan is the balance between value and uncertainty. The Devils could chase bigger-name options in the crease, including Connor Hellebuyck, but doing so would come at a much steeper cost. For now, they appear willing to trust Allen to steady the net while the front office uses the savings elsewhere, a strategy that could help in more ways than one if the goaltending holds. [Read more 🡒]