Devils’ RFA Goaltenders: Daws and Malek’s Future in New Jersey

The New Jersey Devils are navigating an intriguing offseason as they evaluate their goaltending situation, particularly regarding two restricted free agents: Nico Daws and Jakub Malek. While the NHL roster appears stable with Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen set to return, the AHL landscape tells a different story as both Daws and Malek are poised for new contracts.

Daws, who has had limited NHL exposure with only seven starts over the last two seasons, has showcased his potential in those rare appearances, boasting a .925 save percentage and saving 5.3 goals above expected. Despite this promising performance, the Devils have not fully committed to him as a long-term solution in net, opting for the veteran tandem of Markstrom and Allen instead. As Daws enters his age 26 season, he carries significant AHL experience, but questions linger about whether he can secure a full-time NHL role or if he will remain a perpetual depth option.

Tom Fitzgerald, the former general manager, seemed to signal a lack of faith in Daws by extending both Markstrom and Allen, leaving Daws in a precarious position. However, with Sunny Mehta now at the helm, there may be a chance for Daws to carve out a more significant role. Mehta’s fresh perspective could lead to a reevaluation of the goaltending situation, especially with the Devils’ tight salary cap and the underwhelming performance of their current goaltending duo.

On the other hand, Jakub Malek, a fourth-round pick in 2021, is still building his career in North America. After a season spent primarily in the AHL, where he posted an .895 save percentage over 31 games, Malek remains an intriguing prospect. With three years of organizational control left before he becomes a UFA, it’s likely the Devils will extend him a contract. His waiver exemption also adds to his value as he continues to develop.

As the Devils prepare for the upcoming season, they are expected to offer contracts to both Daws and Malek. Their experience in the AHL could prove essential as the team looks to solidify its goaltending depth. While Daws may feel frustrated with his path forward in the NHL, Malek’s situation is less urgent, and he is likely to remain a key part of the Utica goaltending tandem.

The overarching question remains how the Devils envision their goaltending landscape in the coming years. While it’s clear they should retain both Daws and Malek, Mehta’s outlook on the organizational depth chart will ultimately shape their futures. The Devils have consistently sought goaltending talent through the draft, and this strategy is unlikely to change under Mehta’s leadership. However, securing reliable options capable of stepping in at the NHL level is crucial as the franchise looks to make strides forward.

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