Nico Daws is getting something he hasn’t always had during his NHL stops: a real runway.
The Devils have handed the 25-year-old goalie a two-year deal with a $1.1 million AAV, a clear sign from new GM Sunny Mehta that Daws is more than just an emergency option now. In past call-ups, he was often asked to do too much, too soon.
This time, the setup looks different. This time, it looks built for him to stick.
That matters because the Devils have quietly stacked the deck around him. The organization recently added Dan Stewart as goaltending coach and Leo Luongo as its first director of goaltending, and both bring a track record that should matter to anyone invested in Daws’ growth.
Stewart comes over from the St. Louis Blues organization, where he worked mainly with Springfield in the AHL and helped shape Joel Hofer, Charlie Lindgren, and Colten Ellis into NHL-caliber goalies. Hofer has grown into a starter-level netminder, Lindgren became a starter and is now backing up one of the league’s best goalies, and Ellis has earned real NHL time with the Sabres this season.
Luongo has a similar résumé. He spent time with Springfield and also with the Panthers’ AHL affiliate in Charlotte, and his development work included Samuel Montembeault, Chris Driedger, Spencer Knight, Alex Lyon, and Joey Daccord. Knight and Daccord are the top names from that group now, but the others all reached the point of being capable NHL backups at one stage.
The support doesn’t stop with the staff. Daws is also entering a setup where he’ll be sharing the crease with two veterans who can help him along the way.
Jake Allen is 35 and David Rittich is 33, and together they bring 757 games of experience. If the Devils do indeed run a three-goalie system, Daws should get enough reps without being buried by the workload that has so often defined young goalies’ early NHL stretches.
Allen was already open about the chance to help him.
"I think Daws is a really good goalie, too. He really is.
He's so talented, he's big, he can move. Daws is a good kid and he's willing to learn.
That's the biggest thing. He's willing to adapt and willing to learn and I think I can really help him out with that a lot."
Jake Allen on Daily Faceoff Live
It would not be a surprise if Rittich feels the same way.
For Daws, the appeal of this situation is obvious. He has veteran guidance, a manageable workload, and a goalie development staff that has already helped turn young netminders into legitimate NHL options. That’s a pretty strong foundation for a goalie trying to carve out a real place in the league.
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