Jake Allen is penciled in as New Jersey’s 2026-27 starter after Jacob Markstrom moved to Florida; Nico Daws is the likely backup. Allen’s expected workload increase and Daws’s limited NHL experience leave questions; David Rittich is likely to start in Utica as depth.
Allen posted a .904 save percentage and a 2.74 goals-against average in 37 games in 2025-26, better than Markstrom’s figures in 44 games and close to Allen’s career averages, the preview says. Daws has had promising flashes in brief NHL action but has also struggled in the AHL.
Rittich signed a one-year deal and posted better statistics than Markstrom in 30 games with the Islanders last season; the preview says he costs one-sixth of what Markstrom would have made. Jakub Malek is projected to handle much of Utica’s workload. The Devils did not qualify Tyler Brennan or sign four other drafted goalies who remain unsigned, leaving little NHL-ready depth if injuries arise or Rittich or Daws is claimed on waivers—a possibility the preview calls unlikely.
