Latest news with #JakeAllen
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Devils Made Smart Move Re-Signing Key Goalie
One of the New Jersey Devils' most notable moves was re-signing goaltender Jake Allen to a five-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $1.8 million. Allen was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) on July 1, but the Devils were able to get him re-signed right before free agency opened with this fascinating deal. Heading toward July 1, there was a real expectation that Allen would be able to land himself a nice payday if he tested the market. It is understandable, as he was easily the best pending UFA goalie this year. However, the Devils found a way to keep him around at an affordable price by giving him extra term. When looking at this signing, it undoubtedly has the potential to be a great move for the Devils. Allen was certainly a bright spot for the Devils this past season, as he worked wonderfully as Jacob Markstrom's backup. In 31 games with the Metropolitan Division club on the year, he had a .908 save percentage, a 2.66 goals-against average, and four shutouts. With numbers like these, he certainly did his job as the Devils' backup. Now, by getting Allen signed to this five-year contract, he will continue to give the Devils a dependable veteran goalie for the backup role. There is no question that playoff teams need to have multiple good goaltenders, so getting Allen re-signed, especially at that low of an AAV, was a smart move for them. It will now be fascinating to see what kind of season he has for New Jersey in 2025-26 from here. Report: Ex-Devils First-Rounder Lands Coaching Gig According to The Athletic's Aaron Portzline, former New Jersey Devils forward Stefan Matteau is being hired as an assistant coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets' AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters. Photo Credit: © Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Opinion: Nico Daws Is a Part of the Devils' Future
The year was 2021. It was October, and both of the New Jersey Devils' goaltenders were out with injuries. In need of an emergency starter, the team turned to 21-year-old Nico Daws, the 84th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. Before being drafted, Daws had served as a backup in the Ontario Hockey League, but he was no stranger to stepping up when called upon. His NHL debut came earlier than expected. He was called up in a time of need for the Devils, but Daws held his own under pressure. That season, he played in 25 games and posted a .893 save percentage. Two years later, during the 2023–24 season, the Devils once again called on Daws. He played in 21 games and slightly improved his performance, recording a .894 save percentage. Time and again, Daws stepped in when the Devils needed him. Last season was no different. Daws appeared in nine NHL games, continuing to fill the role when injuries arose. Now 24 years old, Daws has been part of the Devils organization for five seasons, made several NHL appearances, and consistently proven himself to be a solid goaltender. This could have been the year he finally secured a permanent roster spot. Following free agency, the Devils appeared to have a vacancy in the net. But on July 1, 2025, the team re-signed veteran Jake Allen to a five-year, $9 million deal, solidifying their goaltending tandem. Allen is expected to share the workload with another veteran, Jacob Markström. Markström, currently in his final year of his contract, is expected to be the team's starter. So where does this leave Nico Daws? With two established goaltenders on the roster, it would make sense for the Devils to explore trading Daws, either for lineup depth or future draft capital. But would that be wise? Both Allen and Markström are aging goaltenders with injury histories. And if the past few years have shown us anything, it's that the Devils tend to rely on more than two goaltenders per season. Daws has been called up three times in the last four years, and each time, he delivered when needed. He's entering the second and final year of his two-year contract. The first year was a two-way deal, paying him $775,000 in the NHL and $350,000 in the AHL. This year, he's on a one-way deal worth $850,000, meaning he'll earn the same salary regardless of where he plays. His contract expires after this season, meaning that if the Devils don't see him as a part of their future, they should consider trading him now so they can get something in return. That being said, Daws brings value to the Devils this season. He has NHL experience, a strong track record of reliability, and familiarity with the Devils' system. He doesn't need to be flashy; he just needs to be ready. And as history shows us: he always is. So why move on from a goalie who has already proven he can step up, especially when the two in front of him may not stay healthy all season? It all comes down to whether Fitzgerald sees Nico Daws in the Devils' future. Photo Credit: © Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What The NWSL Needs To Consider Moving Forward
Young Goaltender's Future Uncertain After Devils Re-Sign Allen Jake Allen wanted to remain a New Jersey Devil. Entering NHL Free Agency, the 34-year-old was a pending unrestricted free agent who was considered the best available goaltender. As it turned out, he wasn't available as the Devils re-signed him ahead of the official start of free agency. "It is exciting to have Jake back and his family back in New Jersey, where they wanted to be and where we wanted them," Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald said. "I give Jake and Shannon a lot of credit for helping us through this process, cap-wise. It just shows you that we are building something here where people want to stay. It says a lot about Jake and his family, and we are just so excited to bring him back."With Jacob Markstrom under contract for one more year, New Jersey will run it back with its veteran tandem, which was one of the best in the league in the 2024-25 season. Of course, after signing Allen to a five-year, $9 million contract with an average annual value of $1.8 million, one question remains: What is the long-term plan for Nico Daws? 2:02 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nick Allen's slick play
Report: Devils & Top Pending UFA Still Having Contract Talks New Jersey Devils goalie Jake Allen is the club's most notable pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) with the start of free agency just about here. The 34-year-old is certainly in a great spot right now, as he is the best goalie who can become a UFA this summer. Thus, he would likely have plenty of suitors if he decides to test the market. 1:47 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Johni Broome sinks it from downtown
Young Goaltender's Future Uncertain After Devils Re-Sign Allen Jake Allen wanted to remain a New Jersey Devil. Entering NHL Free Agency, the 34-year-old was a pending unrestricted free agent who was considered the best available goaltender. As it turned out, he wasn't available as the Devils re-signed him ahead of the official start of free agency. "It is exciting to have Jake back and his family back in New Jersey, where they wanted to be and where we wanted them," Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald said. "I give Jake and Shannon a lot of credit for helping us through this process, cap-wise. It just shows you that we are building something here where people want to stay. It says a lot about Jake and his family, and we are just so excited to bring him back."With Jacob Markstrom under contract for one more year, New Jersey will run it back with its veteran tandem, which was one of the best in the league in the 2024-25 season. Of course, after signing Allen to a five-year, $9 million contract with an average annual value of $1.8 million, one question remains: What is the long-term plan for Nico Daws? 2:02 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
