Big moves, big holes to fill, and not a whole lot of wiggle room. That’s the New Jersey Devils’ offseason in a nutshell so far, and it’s clear that Tom Fitzgerald has his work cut out for him—especially when it comes to solidifying the crease.
But before diving into what’s not available in the goalie market, let’s start with a move that is already in the books—and one we think will pay off down the line.
Brad Shaw: A Savvy Addition Behind the Bench
The Devils have officially brought in 61-year-old Brad Shaw as an assistant coach, and we’ve got to say—it’s a strong move. Shaw, who’s carved out a respected coaching career with stops in Columbus, Vancouver, and Philadelphia, brings a defensive-minded presence that’s been sorely missed in Newark.
His resume speaks volumes: a system-focused coach with an analytical brain and no fear of rolling up his sleeves in the video room. The Devils’ defensive core has promise, but the results haven’t matched the potential. Under Shaw’s watch, that could finally change.
Expect more structure. Expect smarter zone exits. And if things click? Expect fewer pucks in the back of the net.
Whether it’s tightening up breakouts or helping develop guys like Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec, Shaw is the type of behind-the-scenes difference-maker that playoff teams need. And make no mistake—the Devils still see themselves as one.
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Now to the Net: Let’s Talk About Free Agent Goalies
With Jacob Markström locked in as the No. 1 netminder, the big question becomes: Who’s backing him up? Jake Allen, who admirably filled the role last season, is an unrestricted free agent. And if he chooses to move on? Well, let’s just say the backup goalie market isn’t exactly bursting with top-tier talent.
Let’s break it down.
The Best of a Thin Group
James Reimer (Age 37)
2024-25 Stats: 24 GP, .897 SV% (split between Anaheim and Buffalo)
Projected Contract: 1 year, $1.14M
Why He Might Work: Reimer is exactly what you’d expect from a late-career backup—capable of giving you 20-25 starts without blowing things up. He rebounded a bit with the Sabres and knows how to stay ready even when he’s not playing every other night.
Why It’s Risky: Age. Reimer’s approaching 38 and trending downward. He’s reliable, but at this stage, there’s little upside. If you’re going to roll the dice on someone, maybe it’s smarter to go with a younger player who could grow.
Dan Vladar (Age 27)
2024-25 Stats: Inconsistent across his tenure with Calgary
Projected Contract: 1 year, $1.46M
Why He Might Work: At 27, Vladar still offers some runway. He’s flashed potential in spurts, and a change of scenery might unlock something. Plus, he comes cheaper than Jake Allen would, and he has over 100 NHL games under his belt.
Why It’s Risky: Four years, one season above .900. The inconsistency is real, and while he’s not a disaster, he’s also not a guy you want playing 30+ games in a playoff-push year.
Other Names, Quick Hits
Alex Lyon: A .896 save percentage in Detroit. Not great. At 32, he is what he is—and what he is probably isn’t enough.
Alex Georgiev: Two sub-.900 seasons in a row, and absolutely torched in both Colorado and San Jose. Pass.
Ville Husso: Maybe some reclamation potential here, but nothing more than a league-minimum flyer.
Retreads? Let’s Not.
Kaapo Kähkönen: 1 game, 4 goals against. Hard pass.
Louis Domingue: Played 5 NHL games in four seasons. Pass.
Vitek Vanecek: We’ve seen this movie before—and we hated the ending.
Other Long Shots
Matt Murray, Pheonix Copley, Spencer Martin – They all played in the NHL last year, but there’s just nothing in the numbers to suggest any of them are even worth a camp invite beyond AHL insurance.
So, What Should the Devils Do?
It’s pretty clear. If Jake Allen is even remotely open to staying in New Jersey, Tom Fitzgerald needs to make that happen. There’s a level of trust and stability that Allen brought to the crease last year that simply doesn’t exist among the current UFA crop.
If the Devils are serious about contending, they can’t afford to roll the dice on a bottom-tier backup just to save a few bucks. That’s how you wind up tanking a 6-game road trip in January.
If Allen doesn’t re-sign? Then maybe a trade or a bold internal option (like trusting Nico Daws with the full-time backup job) is the way to go. Because based on what’s out there in free agency—yikes.
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Final Word
The Devils have already taken a strong step forward by adding Brad Shaw behind the bench. But if they want that defensive vision to actually translate into fewer goals against, they need a goaltending tandem that can keep up their end of the bargain.
Unfortunately, the UFA market isn’t where that solution lies.
Let us know—are you Team Jake Allen? Team Vladar? Team literally anyone but Vanecek? Sound off in the comments and keep riding with us all offseason long as we track every Devils move here at Explore New Jersey.