Nico Daws

January 2024 – Returning from offseason surgery, the plan for the AHL was to give Nico Daws a light workload, easing him back into play. So it would come as a bit of a surprise that not only did the Devils call Daws up, but also gave him his first NHL game, stopping 25/27 shots in a win against the Senators. Showing a high composure level and comfortability in danger, Daws may be the surprise option New Jersey needs in what has been a rollercoaster season so far. – Austin Kelly

March 2022 – Daws has earned himself seven NHL starts in his first North American pro season, posting decent numbers for a rookie with a 2.79 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage while backing up a Devils team that has struggled to put together wins. With Utica in the AHL, his numbers are even more impressive through 18 games (2.41 GAA, .918 sv%). There’s a calm in Daws’ game and an abi that makes you think that he’ll put it together at the NHL level. If he can work on his technique and angles a bit more, the Devils might have a starter here. Hadi Kalakeche

April 2021 – Unfortunately for Daws, the OHL seems to have shut down entirely, at least for the foreseeable future. He has been limited to nine games in the last calendar year, padding up in the DEL for Ingolstadt. His .895 save percentage and 2.89 goals against are good for third in the league for players his age, and 26th overall. An understandable shortcoming for a goaltender in a foreign country, playing against men for the first time. Hopefully, COVID-19 releases its grip on the world soon and Daws can go back to dominating in North America. Hadi Kalakeche

October 2020 – Daws is a once-overage goaltender who put up the highest numbers of any netminder in the OHL last season, with a .924 save percentage. His size is impressive, at 6-4 and 200 pounds already. He fills the net with that frame, making shooters hesitate by showing little twine behind him and controls his rebounds well. He does not like to play the puck often, choosing rather to play it safe; this inflates his numbers by causing more defensive zone grind time for his team, which generates a higher volume of low-danger shots compared to a puck-playing goaltender, who will prevent many scoring chances before they happen, but face a higher percentage of high-danger chances on opposing rushes and after failed clearing attempts. Daws will continue to play prime minutes for Guelph, as they gear towards a playoff push. If everything comes together for him, he could take over a backup spot within the next four years, and becoming a reliable 1A/1B tandem goaltender in his mid-twenties. Hadi Kalakeche

October 2020 – Daws was drafted 84th overall by the Devils. Daws is expected to spend another year in the OHL before turning pro.  Jokke Nevalainen

September 2020 – Nico Daws made a name for himself early in his draft plus-one season as he started hot for the Guelph Storm. His strong play led to him being named the starting netminder for the Canadian World Junior team. He eventually lost the top job to Joel Hofer but his play in Guelph was solid all year. He dealt with some injuries in the second half of the season but he played in enough games (38) to justify his rising drat position, especially when he was able to put up a .924 save percentage. He has good size and his mobility is above average. The real test will come as he moves up and faces faster and better competition, much like any young goaltender. He isn’t a sure-fire prospect like top netminder Yaroslav Askarov but he could be the second goaltender’s name called at the NHL draft as he is in the group right behind Askarov on many boards. Tony Ferrari