New Jersey Devils goaltender Nico Daws spent training camp and the 2024 NHL Global Series watching veterans Jake Allen and Jacob Markstrom.
The 24-year-old noticed the different styles between the two netminders, who have found success throughout their respective careers.
Before the team’s two-game road trip, Allen shared the major differences between him and Markstrom.
“Size for one, obviously,” he said.
While Allen is listed as 6-foot-2, 197 pounds, Markstrom is listed as 6-foot-6, 207 pounds.
“He can play a different game than I can because he takes up so much of the net,” Allen explained. “I can’t play the same style as him. That deeper, more positional based, using your body and frame (style) because I don’t have that luxury.
“For me, it is more about reading the game and thinking the game,” he continued. (Markstrom) has those attributes as well, but at the same time, he is one of the biggest goalies in the league and has that luxury of using his body and position to his advantage.”
© Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
The Hockey News recently asked Daws if he believes his style replicates Allen or Markstrom.
“That’s a good question. I don’t know, I think a little bit of both,” Daws said. “Markstrom, he is very agile and so competitive. That is a side of the game that I am trying to grow. He is just so into the game, and that is something I struggle with sometimes.
“Allen is so technically sound,” Daws continued. “He is always in the right spot. I mean, in a perfect world, I would love to be a mixture of both of them. We are getting there.”
As far as size goes, Daws is in the middle at 6-foot-4, 205 pounds.
The young goaltender was called up to New Jersey on Feb. 1. and is thrilled to work alongside a goaltender of Allen’s caliber and experience.
Allen was asked if he sees a little of himself in his new tandem partner.
“It is more the situation,” he said. “It is not really positional because every goalie is slightly different. Maybe it does not look like it to the naked eye, but every goaltender plays differently.
“I think I have been in that position that he has been in before (just going) up and down,” Allen continued.”He has played quite a few games in the NHL already. You know, there are times when you feel that you are ready to play. I have had that situation where I felt like I was ready to be an (NHL) goalie, and they still sent me back down. That is just the nature of the position, and it will unfold when it unfolds.”
Feb 17, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils goaltender Nico Daws (50) makes a save against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period in a Stadium Series ice hockey game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Daws will get his first start of the 2024-25 season on Tuesday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins. It marks his first NHL start since Mar. 16, 2024.
He played the third period of Sunday afternoon’s game, replacing Allen, making seven saves on seven shots. Hopefully, those 20 minutes gave Daws the boost of confidence he will need to go against Sidney Crosby and his teammates.
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