There’s no query that the strain is on basic supervisor Tom Fitzgerald to make the appropriate strikes for the New Jersey Devils this offseason. As they head into one other 12 months of “win now” mode, they’ve nonetheless but to get previous the second spherical of the Stanley Cup Playoffs (2023).
Associated: Devils’ Targets for First 3 Picks in 2025 NHL Draft
Even with the growing cap, they’ll seemingly should make some robust choices earlier than October. Because it stands, PuckPedia tasks them to have simply over $12 million in cap area for 2025-26…and that’s earlier than inevitably extending Luke Hughes. Nathan Bastian, Curtis Lazar, Justin Dowling and Daniel Sprong don’t rely in direction of that determine both, as they’re set to change into unrestricted free brokers (UFA). Neither do pending restricted free brokers (RFA) Nolan Foote or Cody Glass.
With such a scarcity of wiggle room, the Devils can’t afford to strap themselves any additional. Thus, after 4 seasons of sporadic NHL begins, it’s time Nico Daws will get the full-time backup position.
A Case for Daws Over Allen
Daws is slated to make simply $812,500 this season – a median annual worth (AAV) virtually $3 million lower than Jake Allen’s projected deal (2 years, ~$7 million, by way of AFP Analytics).
In a theoretical cap-less world, it will be a safer wager for the Devils to deliver again Allen, who Fitzgerald just lately instructed NHL.com “wish to keep”. Allen was nice in his 31 video games, enjoying to a 2.66 objectives in opposition to common (GAA) and .906 save proportion (SV%). The Devils all the time appeared to play worse defensively when Allen was in purpose; his +18.4 objectives saved above anticipated (GSAx) was a prime 10 determine within the league regardless of being a backup (by way of MoneyPuck). Moreover, per 60 minutes, his +0.635 GSAx (GSAx/60) trailed solely Anthony Stolarz amongst 61 goalies to play 20+ video games this season.
Daws himself had a really peculiar season. On one hand, he seemed like a Vezina caliber goalie in very restricted time with the Devils, going 3-1-0 with a 1.60 GAA and .939 SV%. He stopped +4.9 objectives above anticipated throughout that span – a per-game price ~30% higher than any of the NHL’s 61 common netminders (min. 40 video games performed). From the attention take a look at, he was extraordinarily poised and assured.
“I believe I’ve taken a whole lot of the appropriate steps and making good progress, a whole lot of confidence, and I’m proud of the place I’m at,” mentioned Daws at exit interviews. “Hopefully I’ll be capable of make a push to make this staff subsequent 12 months.”
Nonetheless, a small pattern is that for a purpose. With the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League (AHL), he gained simply 11 of 34 video games with a tough .893 SV%. So, which model of Daws is the one that may stick round?
Nicely to be truthful, the Comets as an entire weren’t superb. Lapses in defensive protection had been a standard theme, usually leaving Daws fully out to dry. We don’t have the posh of “anticipated” stats for the AHL, however their staff SV% as an entire was equally .893%, so it’s not like Daws was an outlier. He deserves the good thing about the doubt given his robust NHL efficiency.
Whereas he definitely isn’t a assure, there’s no promise that Allen, who turns 35 this summer time, can be both. Within the two seasons earlier than 2024-25, Allen carried an .893 SV% (76 video games).
The remainder of the UFA goaltending market is skinny, to the purpose the place Allen would possibly truly be thought of the highest title out there. That’ll solely drive up his worth, probably costing the Devils precious cap area that might be higher utilized elsewhere.
The underside line is that Jacob Markstrom confirmed he can deal with the 1A position in New Jersey simply effective, and much more importantly, will present up come playoff time. Goalies will all the time be like aid pitchers in baseball the place their efficiency can fluctuate enormously season-to-season. However Daws turns 25 in December; it’s time to offer him his shot as an everyday back-up.
Lastly, the Devils’ protection was one of many higher items within the league, and are all beneath contract for a very good whereas, minus Hughes (which can change quickly). Except they get decimated by accidents once more, it will be onerous to think about they wouldn’t assist hold most goalies in each sport.
The small danger is definitely worth the candy, candy reward of some additional million {dollars} to improve the ahead core.
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