Devils Face Goaltending Decisions Ahead of 2026-27 Season

The New Jersey Devils are entering a pivotal phase as they prepare for the 2026-27 NHL season. With General Manager Sunny Mehta seemingly committed to a three-goalie system at the NHL level, questions loom regarding the future of the team’s goaltending depth and their AHL affiliate. As training camp approaches in about six weeks, the dynamics could shift. Coach Sheldon Keefe may opt to retain only two of the three goalies currently on the NHL roster, which includes Jake Allen, Nico Daws, and David Rittich.

Examining the current roster, Puckpedia indicates that Jakub Malek is the only goaltender under contract with the Utica Comets who could be called up to the Devils if necessary. Meanwhile, Tyler Brennan and Jeremy Brodeur remain with Utica on AHL contracts, both of whom could potentially be loaned to the Adirondack Thunder in the ECHL, where they spent a significant portion of last season. If the Devils choose not to make any roster changes and retain all three NHL goalies, they will still have adequate options to fill out both their NHL and AHL rosters. Adirondack likely has another goalie available to step in should one of Brodeur or Brennan remain in Utica.

However, if the Devils are serious about strengthening their organization at all levels, they might consider signing an unsigned goalie from the Puckpedia list. Jeremy Brodeur, at 29, has yet to advance beyond being a regular in the ECHL and may not have the potential to rise higher in the ranks. Tyler Brennan, on the other hand, is just shy of turning 23, but his development appears to have stalled as well. Jakub Malek could eventually transition to the NHL, but the Devils might benefit from adding another prospect to their system, with Mikhail Yegorov, Veeti Louhivaara, Trenten Bennett, and Daniil Rusakovich all holding rights with New Jersey.

Among these prospects, Rusakovich seems the least likely to join the organization soon. Selected in the most recent draft, he is the youngest and may require more time to develop, especially since the Devils retain his rights indefinitely due to the absence of a transfer agreement with the KHL. The team can afford to be patient with him. The other three goalies are all 20 years old, with Bennett having an extended deadline for signing due to being drafted a year later, allowing the Devils until 2029 to make a decision on him.

If the Devils decide to pursue another undrafted prospect, the focus will likely be on Louhivaara and Yegorov. Both players posted similar statistics last season, but Yegorov played 13 more games in the NCAA than Louhivaara did in the USHL. Having had the chance to observe Yegorov live during a game between Boston University and UConn, I noted that despite a challenging night where he faced a barrage of shots due to a weak defense, he exhibited composure and control when the play was in his favor.

Given the buzz surrounding him and my observations, Yegorov appears to be a stronger candidate for a contract with the Devils. However, the organization’s assessment of Jakub Malek will likely influence their decision. If they view Malek as a priority for AHL play, it may reduce the urgency to sign another goalie. Conversely, if the plan is to evaluate multiple goaltenders to identify a future starter, signing Yegorov, Louhivaara, or even Bennett could expedite that process.

Ultimately, the Devils may wait until training camp to see which of the three 20-year-olds performs best. I anticipate the team will add another goalie for the AHL this season while maintaining their NHL depth, as losing a goalie to waivers is a risk they may not want to take. This strategy suggests that two young goaltenders could be competing in Utica, each vying for the opportunity to become an NHL goalie in the near future.

What do you think about the Devils potentially signing one of their unsigned goalie prospects to complete the AHL roster? Do you have a preferred player you’d like to see under contract? Will the team wait to assess the situation during training camp, or is a demotion of one of the NHL goalies likely? Will Utica call up one of the ECHL goalies to finalize their tandem? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and thanks for reading!

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.