The Edmonton Oilers have had their fair share of goalies. Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard are currently manning the twine for the back-to-back Stanley Cup runner-up.
Multiple reports have emerged over the summer of potential waiver and trade targets for the Oilers. While some forwards and defenders have been in the mix, goalies are always a focus for Oilers’ fans. Michael DiPietro of the Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings‘ top goalie prospect Sebastian Cossa are two of the most prominent.
Now, The Hockey News is urging the Oilers to make a trade for New Jersey Devils youngster, Nico Daws.
Nico Daws is the Best Young Goalie Option For the Oilers
The linchpin in The Hockey News’ article about Daws is that he has had more NHL experience and better results.
“The first box Daws ticks off is his NHL experience,” The Hockey News piece says. “While Cossa and DiPietro have good upside potential, Daws has played 52 NHL games to DiPietro’s three and Cossa’s single NHL outing. Daws has a career 2.98 goals against average (GAA), a .898 save percentage (SV%), and one shutout.”
“Last season, he only played six games. In those games, he posted a 1.60 GAA, a .939 SV%, and one shutout.”
DiPietro has a 5.25 GAA and .771 SV% in three Vancouver Canucks‘ appearances before being acquired by the Bruins. On the other hand, Cossa posted a 2.67 GAA and .857 SV% in a single game last season.
Daws has an edge in experience and performance on Cossa and DiPietro. But don’t get it twisted, 52 games isn’t a huge sample size. It’s a bigger sample size than one or three games, but more needs to be considered outside of NHL results.
Daws’ Future With the Devils Gives Oilers Golden Opportunity
Despite going into year two of a contract paying him $812,500 per season, Daws’ future with the Devils organization remains a question mark.
This was solidified when the Devils signed Jake Allen to a five-year extension before the opening of free agency this summer. Devils starter Jacob Markstrom is entering the final year of his contract, but has expressed his desire to sign an extension with the team.
Considering the Devils have one of the best goalie tandems in the NHL, there is no reason to disrupt their success by playing Daws over Allen or Markstrom. That’s why now is the time for Daws to be given an opportunity elsewhere.
Oilers Goalie Coach Has Track Record With European Talent
The Oilers brought in Peter Aubry as their new goalie coach this summer. He replaces Dustin Schwartz, who was with the organization for about 10 years.
Aubry has experience with European goalies. Specifically, Kevin Lankinen and Arvid Soderblom, who were both members of the Chicago Blackhawks when Aubry first met them.
Lankinen had a breakout year in 2024-25, starting north of 50 games for the Vancouver Canucks. Soderblom had an equally successful season with the Blackhawks before signing an extension earlier this offseason.
Lankinen posted 25 wins to go along with a 2.62 GAA and a .902 SV% in 51 games last year. In 36 games, Soderblom recorded 10 wins, along with a 3.18 GAA and a .898 SV%.
Although Daws is far from a slam dunk, the 24-year-old, 6-foot-4 goalie prospect could surprise many. He has the experience and talent to take a good run at a backup goalie position in the NHL this season. With the Oilers looking to improve their goaltending, Daws could be a low-risk bet to help them achieve that goal.
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