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New Jersey Devils May Be Forced to Trade Young Goaltender

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Tom Banks | Last updated Jul 20, 2025 9:52 PM ET

The New Jersey Devils have a good chance to push for a Stanley Cup Playoffs appearance in 2025/26, but their roster may force them to trade Nico Daws.

In the summer of 2024, the New Jersey Devils made the blockbuster trade to acquire Jacob Markstrom from the Calgary Flames, and while it's raised their ceiling, it's also raised questions about their future.

Those questions marks are mainly surrounding young goaltender Nico Daws, a 24-year old former third-round pick that was very solid in the NHL in limited opportunities a year ago.

In six games played, Daws posted a 1.60 GAA along with a .939 save percentage, but given the players blocking him at the NHL level right now, it's got many asking what the future of Daws holds with this team.

With Jake Allen re-signing this off-season to be Jacob Markstrom's clear backup, it leaves Daws' future in question, and whether people see him as a star of the future or a simple backup, those questions need to be answered soon.

As a result of having two veteran, proven goaltenders in the pipeline at the moment, all signs now point to him potentially being moved this off-season, and with teams like the Edmonton Oilers desperate for goaltending, don't be shocked to see the German born star draw plenty of interest around the league.

Is Daws going to be a .939/1.60 guy throughout his career? Of course not, as that was a simple six-game sample from this past season. There is plenty of optimism around him in New Jersey however, but with the team likely not to turn to him unless of an injury, it makes sense to use him as a trade piece, so right now, a trade is going to be the most likely outcome.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

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