Jake Allen may not be the splashy answer Devils fans wanted in goal, but he’s still the best one New Jersey has.
The Devils are heading into a season with playoff expectations and a roster built to avoid weak spots. Goaltending remains the area that can still trip them up, especially since there were no major offseason upgrades there. Even so, the clearest path forward is already in-house: Allen gives New Jersey its strongest chance to stay in the mix.
His case starts with last season’s numbers. In 37 games, Allen finished with a 2.74 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage while working in a backup role.
That was a clear step forward from his struggles with the Canadiens a few seasons ago, and it also outperformed Jacob Markstrom’s line from last year. Markstrom played 44 games and posted a 3.07 goals-against average with an .883 save percentage.
The extra seven games for Markstrom don’t explain away that gap. Allen’s underlying metrics point to a goalie who can carry this level of play across a bigger workload, and he has already shown that kind of production for most of his time with the Devils. There’s reason to believe he can do it again if the workload increases.
The contract only strengthens his value. Allen is set to make $1.8 million this season and won’t reach the open market until the end of the 2029-30 season.
That’s a bargain now, and it becomes even more useful as the cap rises over the next few years. Getting near-starting goaltending for that price gives the Devils room to improve elsewhere, which matters even more with under one million in cap space.
The only clear upgrade available would be Connor Hellebuyck, but that comes with a steep cost: $8.5 million annually through the end of the 2030-31 season. That’s an extra year and more than $6.5 million per season above Allen. Hellebuyck is the better goalie, but landing him would squeeze New Jersey’s flexibility and force a chain of moves that could leave the roster worse overall.
Allen may not be the headline name Devils fans had in mind, but he’s good enough to keep them competitive this season. He can give them solid goaltending, win them games, and leave enough financial breathing room to address other needs.
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 🡒]
Devils Face One Urgent Camp Issue Before Roster Decisions End
The Devils have settled into a familiar September rhythm at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House, splitting camp into two groups and keeping the line combinations and defensive pairs largely intact. It is the kind of structure coaches like because it gives players a chance to build habits quickly, and for New Jersey the early focus has been on sharpening the details that can carry into the season.
The biggest point of emphasis has been the penalty kill, a unit that helped fuel the teams strong start to the 2025-26 season and remains a priority for Sheldon Keefe and his group. Brenden Dillon and Jonas Siegenthaler have both stressed the value of chemistry and communication in that part of the game, and with the opening night roster still to be finalized after the preseason slate, the Devils are using these sessions to sort out exactly who can be trusted when games start to matter. [Read more 🡒]