Goaltending around the NHL can be one of the most volatile positions with the largest array of results. Teams have won Stanley Cups with average (and sometimes worse) goaltending while some goalies have stood on their heads and played lights out only to be knocked out due to other factors. It’s not to say that you don’t want a strong performer at the position, but rather at least competence. The New Jersey Devils plan this season seems to be at least somewhat linked to that concept.
For Devils fans, goaltending remains one of the most important conversations surrounding the team. The position has been a carousel ever since Cory Schneider’s prime ended due to injuries and GM Sunny Mehta has already made his mark on the team in the offseason by augmenting most parts of the Devils’ lineup, including to some extent, in net. The starting goaltender has changed, with Mehta shipping Jacob Markstrom out to Florida where he’s already doing Markstrom things. In his place is…well, about that…
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The Main Tandem
The good news for the Devils is that Jake Allen is back after another strong season as the backup. While Allen had some stinkers of games, he did post a .904 save percentage and a 2.74 goals against average in 37 games, which was far superior to what Markstrom posted in his 44 games. While only 17 of those appearances were wins, some of the blame for the 20 losses is shared by the team and their overall performance. The goals against and save percentage and basically in line with his career averages, so while I’m sure Allen, the team and the fans all would have preferred some better results, at least statistically speaking Jake held up his end of the deal for the Devils in 2025-26.
The difference for Jake right now for 2026-27 is simply the fact that for the time being at least, he’s penciled in as the team’s starter. Again, going off of stats, that’s already an improvement from what Markstrom gave the team last season as the starter. The concern here has to be that at this later stage of his career, the larger Allen’s workload is, the more he seems to struggle, and that could result in him posting some Markstrom-esque stats. Hopefully with the other improvements the Devils have made and with a healthy team to start the season, it will be enough to help Jake shoulder an expected increase in his workload.
As per the backup, things could still change based on how the preseason shakes out, but most likely Nico Daws will finally be getting promoted to a full time NHL role. Mehta has said in interviews that while Daws seemingly didn’t have a path to the NHL level before to prove whether or not he has developed to the point of belonging here, but now he is being given that chance. Daws has looked good in flashes and small samples, but he has also struggled at the AHL level, although much like Allen’s situation from last season, some of that blame belongs to the team around him as well.
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While Sunny seems to believe in Daws, right now there seem to be more question marks around him than answers. He has limited NHL action so far in his career, and hasn’t really stablished himself to make himself seem like a sure thing, even just as a backup. His first preseason game against players who are likely to start the year on the Hartford Wolf Pack also did not inspire much confidence. It’s a good thing for the Devils to be giving Daws a chance to sink or swim (pun somewhat intended?), but if he falters, the team may need to turn to the depth that they brought in over the summer.
The Rest of the Depth Chart
Another change from last year is that the Devils are projected to have some veteran depth in Utica this season. They added David Rittich on a one year deal this summer, and while in initially seemed as though the Devils might run a three goalie rotation (and arguably they still could) it’s looking more likely that he starts the season in Utica. Rittich has been hot and cold in terms of his play throughout his career, but he does bring competence as he posted better stats than Markstrom in 30 games with the Islanders last season. Considering that he’s here to be depth and costs 1/6 of what Markstrom would have made, this is a good deal from Mehta to have in case of struggles/injuries to either of the two tenders ahead of him on the depth chart. He performed well in his first preseason start to boot, so having him in the fold bodes well for New Jersey.
As per the younger side of goaltending in the minors, not much has changed. Jakub Malek ascends to the position of Jake #2 with Allen’s promotion to Jake #1, and will probably shoulder most of Utica’s goaltending load as the Devils/Comets continue to evaluate if the youngster has a future within the organization. His first season on North American ice wasn’t much to write home about, so it will be interesting to see what progression, if any, he makes during this upcoming campaign.
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The Devils chose not to qualify Tyler Brennan after last season ended and also did not sign any of the four other goalies who they drafted that are currently unsigned, so as of right now, as far as goalies for the Devils go (and not just players on AHL deals) that’s the depth chart. If either Rittich or Daws are waived and get claimed at some point during the season (unlikely, but you never know) the Devils’ depth looks very thin in terms of guys who could make NHL appearances.
Final Thoughts and Your Take
Health and no untimely waiver claims will have to be on the radar, but this season needs to be about someone in net stepping up and establishing themself as the guy who can give the Devils a chance to win on a nightly basis. Whether Allen finds his consistency, Daws steps up and proves he belongs, or Rittich finds some magic and steals the job, Devils fans should not care; I know I don’t. I want someone to seize the reins and help to lead this team to success. I’m also hopeful that the change in goaltending coach might finally lead to someone actually improving instead of stagnating/worsening. With only two preseason games left to go before the points start to count, we will be finding out soon if all the pieces in net can come together.
What are your thoughts on the New Jersey Devils goaltenders as the 2026-27 season approaches; are you confident one of them will give the team what it needs? Do you think the change in coaching will have an impact? Is there anyone you’re worried about underperforming? How concerned are you regarding injuries and possible waiver claims? Who’s your pick to be the Devils #1? Leave any and all comments below and thanks as always for reading!
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