Devils' Daws Has Path to Becoming Future 1B

The New Jersey Devils re-signing Nico Daws to a two-year deal shows he has a path to becoming Jacob Markström's backup in 2025-26.

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Should New Jersey Devils fans be excited for Nico Daws' future? Probably, but hopefully, we won't have to see much of him during the 2024-25 season, even though the Devils re-signed him to a two-year deal at an average annual value (AAV) of $812,500.

For the second time in three years, Daws spent more time in the NHL than the Devils would have liked. Part of it was due to Vitek Vaněček's injury before the Devils shipped him to San Jose at the trade deadline. But part of it was because of Vaněček and Akira Schmid's struggles, too.

Daws had some good moments in 2023-24. There's a reason why the Devils stuck with him and traded Schmid to the Vegas Golden Knights instead. And given the contract he signed, there seems to be a path to securing a permanent NHL job in 2025-26.

Daws’ NHL Experience Could Serve Him Well

The Devils first got a look at Daws in 2021-22 during the hell of a season that saw Jonathan Bernier and Mackenzie Blackwood miss significant time due to injuries. There were some impressive moments that season, like a 37-save effort in a 6-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins or a 27-save performance against the Dallas Stars in a 3-1 win on April 9.

But as is the case with rookie goalies put into a position they aren't ready for, Daws had his struggles. He finished the 2021-22 season with an .893 save percentage and gave up 7.6 goals above expected. Still, performances like the ones against the Penguins and Stars gave you hope for the future.

Thankfully, Daws did not have to play in NHL games in 2022-23. Vaněček had a career season, finishing with a .911 SV%, while Schmid broke out, posting a .921 SV%. Daws played the entirety of the year in the AHL with the Utica Comets, totaling .904 SV% in 33 games. He did star in the playoffs, though, finishing with a .920 SV% in six games.

That time in the AHL seems to have served Daws well. Though his .894 SV% with the Devils was nearly identical to 2021-22, his underlying numbers did improve. He gave up only 2.6 goals above expected, so he was close to saving what he should have.