Called Upon
With goaltender Jacob Markstrom missing a couple weeks with a lower-body injury, the team recalled Nico Daws Wednesday morning.
Daws, 24, has appeared in 52 games during his career, though he spent the majority of last season with Utica of the American Hockey League.
“It’s always good to be back here,” he said. “I’ll try to help contribute anyway I can and just enjoy the experience.”
Daws has seen NHL action during different stints of his career. He played 25 games in 2021-22 at 21 years of age, spent the next year in the AHL, saw 21 games in 2023-24 and then made six appearances in 2024-25.
“Mentally for myself to know that I’ve been here and done it, I’m a better goalie now than I was in previous years,” Daws said. “Who’s to say I can’t get better. I have a lot of confidence right now. I love where my game’s at. I feel good.”
Veteran goalie Jake Allen has seen Daws up close over the past two-plus seasons. And he believes in Daws’ ability to excel at the NHL level.
“He’s a good goalie,” Allen said. “He’s played a lot of NHL hockey games. He’s played a lot more games than a lot of other goalies in the league. He should have all the confidence in the world. He’s a really good kid, he’s a good person. He paid his dues.
“He’s going to get his chance at some point. It’s just a matter of time. Opportunities are always different for people in this league. He’ll be good for us.”
