The year was 2021. It was October, and both of the New Jersey Devils’ goaltenders were out with injuries. In need of an emergency starter, the team turned to 21-year-old Nico Daws, the 84th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.

Before being drafted, Daws had served as a backup in the Ontario Hockey League, but he was no stranger to stepping up when called upon. His NHL debut came earlier than expected. He was called up in a time of need for the Devils, but Daws held his own under pressure.

That season, he played in 25 games and posted a .893 save percentage.

Two years later, during the 2023–24 season, the Devils once again called on Daws. He played in 21 games and slightly improved his performance, recording a .894 save percentage.

Time and again, Daws stepped in when the Devils needed him.

Last season was no different. Daws appeared in nine NHL games, continuing to fill the role when injuries arose.

Now 24 years old, Daws has been part of the Devils organization for five seasons, made several NHL appearances, and consistently proven himself to be a solid goaltender.

This could have been the year he finally secured a permanent roster spot. Following free agency, the Devils appeared to have a vacancy in the net. But on July 1, 2025, the team re-signed veteran Jake Allen to a five-year, $9 million deal, solidifying their goaltending tandem.

Allen is expected to share the workload with another veteran, Jacob Markström. Markström, currently in his final year of his contract, is expected to be the team’s starter.

So where does this leave Nico Daws?

With two established goaltenders on the roster, it would make sense for the Devils to explore trading Daws, either for lineup depth or future draft capital.

But would that be wise?

Both Allen and Markström are aging goaltenders with injury histories. And if the past few years have shown us anything, it’s that the Devils tend to rely on more than two goaltenders per season. Daws has been called up three times in the last four years, and each time, he delivered when needed.

He’s entering the second and final year of his two-year contract. The first year was a two-way deal, paying him $775,000 in the NHL and $350,000 in the AHL. This year, he’s on a one-way deal worth $850,000, meaning he’ll earn the same salary regardless of where he plays.

His contract expires after this season, meaning that if the Devils don't see him as a part of their future, they should consider trading him now so they can get something in return.

That being said, Daws brings value to the Devils this season. He has NHL experience, a strong track record of reliability, and familiarity with the Devils’ system.

He doesn’t need to be flashy; he just needs to be ready.

And as history shows us: he always is.

So why move on from a goalie who has already proven he can step up, especially when the two in front of him may not stay healthy all season?

It all comes down to whether Fitzgerald sees Nico Daws in the Devils' future.

Opinion: Nico Daws Is a Part of the Devils' Future