The smile on Nico Daws‘ face couldn’t be bigger when The Hockey News asked him about his excitement of being part of the New Jersey Devils goaltending tandem with Jake Allen.
Before we jump too far ahead, let’s take a step back to Saturday night at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre Township, Pennsylvania.
Daws led the Utica Comets onto the ice to conclude their back-to-back against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
The 24-year-old was in goal for both American Hockey League (AHL) games on Jan. 24-25, which was expected after Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe clarified who his backup goaltender would be while Jacob Markstrom was sidelined with an MCL sprain.
“I think you will see (Nico) Daws come up,” he said. “We want to be patient and allow him some time. He will play for Utica this weekend, and then we will look to bring him up here. …You will see Daws here, and he will get some opportunity.”
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Daws has appeared in 21 games this season for the Comets and has a record of 5-14-1-1, a 0.888 save percentage, and a 3.40 goals-against average.
“He has had a strong year for us,” Comets’ interim head coach Ryan Parent said. “He had a few tough (games) when our team wasn’t playing the way we wanted to play in front of him, and that is really challenging for a goaltender.
“There were a lot of those games where he kept us in and gave us good opportunities,” he continued. “Then, coming back from his injury, we were obviously playing a lot better, and he has been a strong player for us.”
Daws dealt with a lower-body injury that kept him off the ice after the holidays.
“I struggled a little bit right after Christmas,” Daws told The Hockey News. “I took a couple of weeks off just to make sure it was all good. I am recovering well, and I feel really good.”
Feb 15, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils goaltender Nico Daws (50) makes a save against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
In addition to discussing the physical side of the game, he addressed the mental side, acknowledging that there have been ups and downs this season.
“I am pretty confident with where my game is at,” he said. “I think it is just making sure that mentally, whether it is a win or loss, I keep control of what I can control and not let anything else get in my way.
“It has been tough for me, especially at the beginning of the year when you are losing a lot of games,” he continued. “That is always tough. I think I am taking some big steps, and I am excited for the future.”
As expected, Daws was recalled from the AHL on Jan. 29 and joined the Devils for their morning skate at Prudential Center. He will complete New Jersey’s tandem for the time being.
His excitement to be able to play alongside Allen was palpable in the hallway of Mohegan Arena on that cold Saturday night.
“Yeah, of course (I am excited),” Daws said with a laugh. “Just watching (Allen and Markstrom) through training camp and Prague, they are two very different style goalies.
“They have both been around for so long, and it is fun to take little tidbits from each of them and just learn from them,” he continued. “I am so young, and, obviously, they have played a hell of a lot longer than me. They are really good to me and Isaac Poulter. They take care of us and try to help us, which we appreciate.”
Allen is expected to handle most of the workload while Markstrom recovers, but as Keefe stated, Daws will get some opportunity to potentially start his first NHL game since Mar. 16, 2024.
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