Devils Lock in Daws as Backup Depth While Hunting a Starter

The New Jersey Devils have extended goaltender Nico Daws on a two-year deal worth $1.1 million AAV, securing depth in the crease as offseason free agency accelerates. The contract carries a front-loaded structure: $975,000 in 2026-27, stepping to $1.225 million the following year. Daws, a 2020 fourth-round pick, was previously a restricted free agent; the Devils issued a qualifying offer on June 29 to retain negotiating rights before moving to the extension.

The timing and terms reveal organizational intent: this isn't a star acquisition, but a strategic floor. Daws has logged 55 career NHL games with a 2.96 goals-against average and one shutout, posting a respectable 24-win record across his tenure. His 2024 Stadium Series performance—45 saves in an outdoor game, an NHL record for a single outing—demonstrated he can handle volume and high-leverage environments when thrust into action. Last season split between Utica (AHL) and New Jersey saw him post a .908 save percentage across three NHL starts (2-1-0), a tick above his .892 mark in 28 AHL games for the Comets.

Yet the extension's true meaning lies in what it doesn't say: the Devils are still hunting an external starting goaltender. Daws earns the organization security at backup cost, freeing management to pursue premium talent without losing proven depth. This two-year window gives Daws runway to compete for a 1B role—a meaningful upgrade from his previous third-string standing—but the ceiling remains rotational unless injury or poor play from the starter opens the door.

For prop bettors, Daws' expanded role carries immediate implications for Devils goaltending workload distribution. His .908 NHL save percentage sits well above his AHL baseline, suggesting he's not just an emergency call-up but a credible backup option when rotation management becomes necessary during a long regular season. If the Devils' starter struggles or sustains an injury in the first half of 2026-27, Daws becomes a high-probability recipient of volume. Early-season matchups against weaker offenses could feature Daws in back-to-backs, making under bets on total goals allowed attractive before the market prices in his .908 conversion rate. Conversely, if the Devils land a Vezina-caliber starter, Daws' game appearances drop significantly, compressing his impact on team save projections.