Devils goaltending depth, Daws waivers and Markstrom injury updates redefine 2025-26

The New Jersey Devils have emerged as one of the NHL’s most compelling storylines early in the 2025-26 season. After stumbling in their season opener against Carolina, they’ve rattled off an impressive six consecutive victories, showcasing the depth and resilience that management has worked tirelessly to build. However, this hot streak has been achieved while navigating significant roster challenges, particularly in goal where injuries have forced the organization to make critical decisions about their netminding depth chart.

At the heart of this situation is Nico Daws, the young goaltender who cleared waivers in early October only to become an essential piece of the Devils’ success just weeks later. With starter Jacob Markstrom sidelined and the team fighting to maintain momentum, understanding the intricacies of Daws’ recall, the injury situations affecting key players, and the sustainability of this win streak has become paramount for Devils fans hoping their team can build on last season’s playoff appearance.

Understanding Nico Daws’ waivers situation and the Devils’ call-up strategy for 2025-26

The Devils dodged a bullet when Nico Daws went unclaimed on waivers in early October. Given his performance in limited action over previous seasons—particularly his ability to step up in crucial moments—several teams around the league could have taken a chance on the 24-year-old netminder. Instead, Daws was assigned to the Utica Comets of the AHL, where the organization believed he’d get regular playing time to continue his development.

Fast forward to mid-October, and circumstances changed dramatically. When Jacob Markstrom suffered a lower-body injury that was initially projected to keep him out for “a couple of weeks,” the Devils needed reliable goaltending depth behind Jake Allen, who had seamlessly transitioned into the starting role. Daws received the call-up on October 15 and wasted no time proving his worth. In his season debut against the Minnesota Wild, he stopped 30 of 31 shots (.968 save percentage) in a commanding 4-1 victory that extended the Devils’ win streak to six games.

What caught many fans’ attention—and sparked concern—was the question of whether Daws would need to clear waivers again once Markstrom returned to health. According to NHL waivers rules documented by PuckPedia, a player recalled from the AHL must clear waivers again only if he plays in 10 or more cumulative NHL games or has been on an NHL roster for 30 cumulative days. Since Daws was officially added to the roster on October 15, he would only need to go through the waivers process again if November 14 arrives and he remains on the active roster.

This timeline provides the Devils with crucial flexibility. With Markstrom already back on the ice for morning skates and progressing well in his recovery, all indications suggest he’ll return well before that 30-day threshold expires. General manager Tom Fitzgerald confirmed that the team “won’t rush him back,” but barring any setbacks, Markstrom should reclaim his starting position within the next week or two. This would allow Daws to be sent back to Utica without exposing him to waivers again, preserving a valuable organizational asset.

The situation highlights the precarious balancing act NHL teams must perform with roster management. Daws has clearly demonstrated he belongs in the NHL—his composure, athleticism, and ability to read plays are all NHL-caliber. Yet with Markstrom signed as the starter and Allen proving to be an excellent backup, there simply isn’t room for three goaltenders on the active roster. The Devils’ successful navigation of this situation speaks to both smart roster construction and a bit of good fortune that Daws cleared waivers initially.

Jacob Markstrom injury updates and timeline for his return to the Devils’ lineup

Jacob Markstrom’s absence has been the defining storyline of the Devils’ early season. The veteran netminder, acquired from Calgary in a trade designed to provide stability and playoff experience, suffered a lower-body injury that was characterized as “very minor” by sources close to the team, according to The Hockey Writers. Initial reports suggested he’d miss “a couple of weeks,” but recent developments indicate his return could come sooner than anticipated.

On October 24, Markstrom joined his teammates for morning skate for the first time since sustaining the injury. Head coach Sheldon Keefe indicated that Markstrom would practice again the following day and was “getting close” to a return. The progression from individual skating to full team practices represents a significant milestone in his recovery process. The Devils have been cautious with their veteran goaltender, prioritizing long-term health over rushing him back while the team is winning games.

What makes Markstrom’s situation particularly interesting is the broader context surrounding his future with the organization. General manager Tom Fitzgerald revealed in an interview with The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun that the team hopes to extend Markstrom beyond the final year of his current $6 million AAV contract. Fitzgerald noted that he and Markstrom’s agent, Pat Morris, “have been talking for a long time” about a potential extension, with another conversation scheduled for this week. The 35-year-old goaltender has been impressive in his Devils tenure, posting a 28-17-6 record with a 2.56 goals-against average in 51 starts.

The term of any potential extension will be the most delicate negotiation point. Markstrom will turn 36 before the start of next season, an age when goaltenders typically begin to see their performance decline. However, his recent track record—including a Vezina Trophy runner-up finish with Calgary and solid performance for New Jersey—suggests he still has quality years ahead. The Devils’ willingness to discuss an extension indicates their belief that Markstrom remains a cornerstone of their playoff aspirations.

From a strategic standpoint, Markstrom’s injury has inadvertently provided valuable insights into the Devils’ organizational depth. Jake Allen has been nothing short of spectacular in the starting role, proving that the Devils can maintain their high level of play regardless of who’s between the pipes. This depth will be crucial during the grueling 82-game season, particularly if the Devils want to avoid the late-season fade that has plagued them in previous years.

Cody Glass injury concerns and the Devils’ forward depth during the win streak

The injury bug hasn’t bitten exclusively on the goaltending front. Center Cody Glass, who had been providing solid depth scoring on the Devils’ third line, is now dealing with an upper-body injury that will keep him sidelined for an extended period. Initially considered day-to-day, head coach Sheldon Keefe revealed that Glass’s injury is “no longer considered as such,” explaining, “We’re hoping it’s no more than a couple of weeks.”

Glass’s injury is particularly unfortunate given his promising start to the season. The 26-year-old center, who has battled persistent injury troubles throughout his NHL career, had recorded two goals in six games while providing the kind of two-way play the Devils need from their bottom-six forwards. His absence forced Keefe to shuffle his forward lines ahead of the Minnesota Wild game, with Dawson Mercer moving down from the second-line right wing spot to center the third line. Rookie Arseni Gritsyuk filled Mercer’s vacated position, while Paul Cotter moved up from the fourth line and Stefan Noesen made his 2025-26 debut.

This reshuffling speaks to one of the Devils’ greatest strengths this season: their depth. Unlike previous years when injuries to key players would derail the team’s momentum, the 2025-26 Devils have multiple players capable of stepping up and producing. The fact that they’ve won six straight games while dealing with injuries to their starting goaltender and a top-nine forward demonstrates the organizational depth that Fitzgerald has cultivated.

Glass’s injury history remains a concern for the Devils’ long-term planning. The former first-round pick of the Vegas Golden Knights has shown flashes of being a legitimate NHL contributor when healthy, but staying in the lineup has been his biggest challenge. If he can return in the projected two-week timeframe and remain healthy for the remainder of the season, he could be a valuable piece of the Devils’ playoff puzzle. His ability to win faceoffs, kill penalties, and contribute secondary scoring makes him exactly the type of versatile forward that championship teams rely on.

The Devils’ medical staff will undoubtedly take a cautious approach with Glass, especially given his injury history. Rushing him back could risk a longer-term absence or reaggravating the injury at a more critical juncture of the season. With the team winning and other players stepping up, there’s no reason to take unnecessary risks.

Analyzing the Devils’ six-game win streak and what it means for their 2025-26 season

Six consecutive victories might not sound like a massive accomplishment in the context of an 82-game season, but for the New Jersey Devils, this streak represents something more significant. The team failed to win more than three straight games at any point during the previous two seasons. Just seven games into 2025-26, they’ve doubled that total, demonstrating a level of consistency and mental toughness that was sorely lacking in recent years.

What makes this streak even more impressive is the quality of competition. Five of the six victories came against teams that finished in the top 12 of last season’s standings. The Devils have beaten Tampa Bay, Toronto, and Minnesota—all legitimate playoff contenders—while dealing with significant injury issues. This isn’t a case of beating up on weak opponents during a favorable schedule stretch; this is the Devils proving they can compete with and defeat the NHL’s elite teams.

The last time New Jersey enjoyed a win streak of this length was during the back half of their miraculous 13-game run in 2022-23, a span that occurred 1,068 days ago. That streak was a defining moment in the Devils’ resurgence from lottery team to playoff contender. Could this current streak serve a similar purpose? The early returns suggest it might. The team’s penalty kill has been particularly impressive during this run, smothering opposing power plays and creating momentum-swinging shorthanded opportunities.

Individual performances have been stellar across the board. Jack Hughes continues to dazzle with his creativity and playmaking, while veterans like Jesper Bratt and Nico Hischier provide the two-way excellence that winning teams require. The defensive corps, anchored by Dougie Hamilton and the newly extended Luke Hughes, has been stout in its own zone while contributing to the offensive attack. Even role players like Timo Meier and Paul Cotter have found ways to impact games without necessarily showing up on the scoresheet.

Perhaps most importantly, this streak has coincided with the Devils establishing an identity. They’re no longer the team that relies solely on skill and speed; they’ve added a layer of defensive responsibility and mental toughness that makes them dangerous in all situations. They protect leads, they don’t panic when trailing, and they’ve shown an ability to win in multiple styles—whether it’s a high-scoring affair or a defensive battle.

Looking ahead, the Devils face a test against the San Jose Sharks, a team that won just 24.3% of their games last season but somehow swept New Jersey in both meetings. The Devils haven’t beaten San Jose at home in 1,098 days and are just 4-6-0 against them in their last ten meetings. It’s precisely the type of trap game that teams on winning streaks often stumble in. How the Devils handle this challenge will say a lot about whether they’ve truly turned a corner or if this streak is merely a hot run that will eventually cool.

The broader implications of waivers rules on NHL roster construction

The Nico Daws situation provides an excellent case study for understanding how NHL waivers rules impact roster construction and team strategy. For casual fans, the system can seem convoluted and unnecessarily complex. But for general managers, mastering the nuances of waivers is essential to building and maintaining competitive rosters while staying compliant with league regulations.

The basic principle behind waivers is to prevent teams from hoarding talent in the minor leagues while also protecting the investments teams make in developing players. Once a player reaches certain thresholds—based on age, professional games played, and years since signing their first contract—they must clear waivers before being assigned to the AHL. This system theoretically allows struggling teams to claim talented players from organizations with more depth, promoting competitive balance across the league.

However, the system also creates strategic considerations that can impact how teams manage their rosters. Teams must decide whether to risk losing a player on waivers or carry extra players on their NHL roster (and against the salary cap). They must also consider the optics of waiving certain players, particularly those with guaranteed contracts or established track records. When the Devils placed Daws on waivers in October, they were essentially making a calculated bet that no other team would claim him despite his obvious talent.

The recall exemptions are equally important. The 10-game/30-day rule that applies to Daws allows teams to briefly recall AHL players for emergency situations without immediately exposing them to waivers again. This flexibility is crucial during injury-plagued stretches of the season. Without these exemptions, teams would be forced to make much more difficult decisions about roster management, potentially leaving them shorthanded or forcing them to sacrifice valuable depth pieces.

What the Devils’ early success reveals about their championship aspirations

Seven games is too small a sample size to draw definitive conclusions about any team’s championship credentials. But the Devils’ 6-1-0 start, achieved while navigating significant adversity, suggests this team possesses qualities that separate contenders from pretenders. Championship teams need more than just talent—they need depth, resilience, and the ability to win games even when circumstances aren’t ideal.

The Devils have checked all those boxes so far. When Markstrom went down, Jake Allen stepped up. When Allen needed a breather, Nico Daws delivered. When Cody Glass got hurt, other forwards filled the void. This kind of organizational depth doesn’t happen by accident; it’s the product of smart drafting, savvy free-agent signings, and good fortune with player development. Tom Fitzgerald deserves credit for assembling a roster that can withstand the inevitable injuries that every team faces.

Beyond the depth, there’s a noticeable maturity to this Devils team. The young core that burst onto the scene in 2022-23—Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Luke Hughes, and others—have now accumulated meaningful playoff experience. They’ve felt the disappointment of a first-round exit and understand what it takes to compete at that level. That experience, combined with the veteran leadership provided by players like Markstrom, Allen, and Dougie Hamilton, creates a blend of youthful exuberance and seasoned professionalism.

The Metropolitan Division remains brutally competitive, with the Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers, and Florida Panthers all fielding strong teams. The Devils will need to maintain this level of play throughout the season to secure a favorable playoff position. But if these first seven games are any indication, they have the pieces in place to compete with anyone in the Eastern Conference. Whether they can sustain it over 82 games and make a deep playoff run remains to be seen, but the early returns are overwhelmingly positive.

As the season progresses and players return from injury, the Devils will face new challenges around roster management and maintaining chemistry. How they handle Markstrom’s return, integrate Cody Glass back into the lineup, and continue developing their young talent will determine whether this hot start translates into lasting success. For now, Devils fans have every reason to be optimistic that their team is building something special—something that could culminate in the franchise’s first Stanley Cup since 2003.