Nico Daws currently finds himself in a unique situation as the third-string goalie for the New Jersey Devils. While his performance history suggests he has the potential to be a key asset, trade speculation continues to surround the 24-year-old goalie.
Daws is in the second year of his contract with the Devils, which is his first one-way deal. Last year, he was on a two-way contract, earning $775,000 at the NHL level and $350,000 when in the AHL. Now, he is locked into an NHL salary of $850,000. The Devils have solidified their goaltending lineup by re-signing Jake Allen and acquiring Jacob Markstrom as the starter, which puts Daws in a tough spot.
On one hand, he’s ready to step up if injuries occur, maintaining a familiar backup role. On the other, he may not see any NHL ice time this season. If that happens, New Jersey might consider trading him to a team in need of goaltending depth.
Two possible teams that could be interested are the Vegas Golden Knights and the Edmonton Oilers.
Vegas Golden Knights
The Golden Knights are actively seeking dependable backup goalies. With Adin Hill firmly established as the starter, Vegas knows one goalie can’t handle all 82 games in a season. They need steady, experienced backups who can step in at any time, making Daws a great fit. His experience mirrors what he had in New Jersey, and previously he proved reliable in the Ontario Hockey League. During his NHL call-ups, he posted a .898 save percentage, making him a low-cost, low-risk option for sharing Vegas’ workload.
Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton is another possible destination. The Oilers are close to having a championship team but struggle with stable goaltending. Despite making the Stanley Cup finals two years in a row, inconsistencies in net have held them back. Stuart Skinner was the starter last season and performed well in the regular season but was often replaced by backup Calen Pickard during playoffs, causing a lack of stability when it matters most. While Edmonton might pursue veterans like Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, that would require giving up significant assets. Daws presents a young, NHL-experienced, more affordable alternative to meet their needs.
What’s Next?
Goaltenders are always in demand, and Daws might be a good fit for several teams across the league. Alternatively, he could once again rise to the challenge and become a key player for the Devils.
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Fan Take: This news is exciting for hockey fans because it highlights the often overlooked but critical role of backup goalies in shaping a team’s success. If Daws gets traded to a team like Vegas or Edmonton, it could shake up those teams’ dynamics and potentially influence playoff outcomes in a big way.
