Could Devils Goaltender Become Golden Knights Trade Target?

It’s hard to find a proven starter in this league– they don’t exactly grow on trees. As the game evolves over the years and changes with the times, one thing remains the same: the goaltending carousel never stops spinning. Teams punch ticket after ticket, constantly scrambling to find their solution in net. 

Last season, the Toronto Maple Leafs finally found a starter in Anthony Stolarz after years of searching. The Colorado Avalanche traded for Mackenzie Blackwood; the New Jersey Devils did the same with Jacob Markström. And the Edmonton Oilers still don’t have that true number one starting goaltender.

It’s safe to say the Golden Knights aren’t in that boat– their goaltending problem doesn’t concern Adin Hill in the slightest. Last year, he proved that he could handle a starter’s load during the regular season. During the 2024-25 season, Hill played 50 games and finished with a record of 32-13-5, an average save percentage of .906, and four shutouts. 

Yeah, the Golden Knights have their starter. What they don’t have, however, is a clear-cut NHL-calibre backup. You could argue that they have no other roster vacancies– the only remaining question concerns who will back up Hill.

The Golden Knights could make a deal with the Devils to fill that void. 

The Devils are the exact opposite of the Golden Knights– they have too much talent at the backup position. And with Jake Allen signed to a long-term contract, there’s an obvious odd-man out: 24-year-old Nico Daws. On Friday, colleague James Nichols at New Jersey Hockey Now listed three potential trade destinations for Daws, including the Golden Knights. 

The Golden Knights don’t need to stock their cupboard with goaltending prospects. Between Carl Lindbom, Pavel Moisevich, and Cameron Whitehead, they likely already have their backup of the future in the system. What they need is a backup of the present. 

With just 52 NHL games under his belt, a record of 22-23-1 and an average save percentage of .898, Nico Daws wouldn’t be an automatic lock to win the job. Akira Schmid’s numbers aren’t far off with 48 games, a record of 16-18-4 and a .903 average save percentage. The Golden Knights could give Schmid some much-needed competition by trading for Daws.

Just days ago, the Pittsburgh Penguins set the goaltending market, acquiring 24-year-old Artūrs Šilovs from the Vancouver Canucks for a 2027 fourth-round pick and an uninspiring prospect. I’d imagine Daws could be had for a similar price.