Over the last two seasons in New Jersey, the same goalie led the team in both save percentage and goals against average. That goaltender was rewarded for his success, by being buried in Utica of the AHL. Nico Daws, who turned 25 in December, posted a stellar .939 save percentage in 6 games with New Jersey in 2024-25. He followed that up with a .908 save percentage in just three appearances for the Devils this past season. So with such great performances by Daws, coupled with consistently, inconsistent play by both Jake Allen and Jacob Markstrom, why wasn't the German net minder ever given an actual chance to win the starters net or at the very least get more than 4.5 starts per season at the NHL level?
The blame most likely can be put on two guys that Devils fans should be very thankful are no longer with the organization, ex GM Tom Fitz-fumbles and Goaltending "Coach" Dave Rogalski. The stubborn Fitz-fumbles just couldn't admit to ownership that he perhaps wasted cap on two aging veterans, while the answer in net was there the whole time. So instead of embracing the great play of Daws, he somehow convinced the team and himself that these games were an anomaly and continued to roll out two goaltenders with goal-lamp-inflicted sunburn on the back of their necks that a million aloe plants could not soothe.
Then there is Rogalski...I sit here and struggle for ways to describe his complete ineptitude at his position. The Director of five-hole shame and the five-goal game, this guy simply made everything he touched, way worse. Scott Wedgewood, Mackenzie Blackwood, Vitek Vanecek, and Jacob Markstrom were all serviceable NHL net-minders before Rogalski. After a year or so with the "coach", they all spiraled into oblivion and what do ya know? Upon leaving all bounced back(and in Markstrom's case, will bounce back) to be the goalies they once were or even better.
So finally, with a brain in the front office in Sunny Mehta, Daws will get his chance to prove himself in New Jersey. it didn't take much for Mehta to instantly identify the value in Daws and more importantly the savings and cap flexibility this three headed, goaltending, monster will give New Jersey.
First is the cap space that this method will save the Devils. Already strapped for cash, the one position to save money at would be between the pipes. With Jake Allen at $1.8m, Daws at $1m, and David Rittich at $1m, New Jersey has NHL ready options ready to go, for a combined cap hit of $3.9m. While it may not be considered an elite trio, it is all about low cap hit and getting hot at the right time when it comes to goaltending these days. After all the last five cup winning goalies are, Darcy Keumper, Aidin Hill, Sergei Bobrovsky x2, and Brandon Bussi. Of those goaltenders, only Bobrovsky made more than $5 million per, and that contract was seen to be burdensome by many before the cup runs.
Look no further than South Florida, to see exactly how the league's elite value the goaltending position. The perennial contenders and beasts of the East let their back to back cup champ walk, opting to go with the $1m per season discount on the Rogalski-ruined Jacob Markstrom. However, it's not just the Panthers and Devils that are hesitant to spend on tendies. Connor Hellebuyck was rumored to be looking to move out of Winnipeg and the Jets phones sat silent. In a true testament to the goaltending position's value, the former Hart/Vezina winner of just two years ago, with a very team friendly (or at least compared to a few other top goalies) $8.5m per thru 2031, did not garner much trade intrigue by league GM's. Imagine if Roy, Broduer, or Hasek wanted out in their day? Forget about phone calls, GM's would've been knocking down their colleauge's office doors! Times are changing and the goaltender is becoming much like running backs in the NFL, use em', abuse em', but definitely don't pay em'!
Whether it's at your Neighborhood Chili's or your favorite team's roster, a triple dipper is nothing to frown upon. They're both great values that are poised to over deliver. If those sliders aren't to your liking, you can simply move over to the Chicken Crispers next. With three goalies, none of them have to steal the show like the Fried Mozzarella does, just provide a solid performance of a Southwestern Egg Roll...
I had more to say but now I'm starving and craving some ice cold, draft beer (which they need more of at The Rock...I'm tired of 25oz cans, but thats a blog for another day).