Recently, we looked at the Comets forwards and defense. This week we analyze Utica’s goaltending next season.
Jakub Malek
Winner of the team’s Ian Anderson award for most improved player last year, Malek was strong in the latter half of last season, and with Nico Daws’s likely graduation to the Devils, is primed to take over as the undisputed number one netminder in Utica. The 24-year-old finished last season 13-14-5 with a 2.75 GAA, and .895 SV%, both best on the team. This followed his year as one of the top goalies in the Liiga with a 15-11-6 record, 2.09 GAA, and .910 SV%.
While it is possible that the 24-year-old Malek could force the issue with a strong camp given the Devils somewhat open goaltending situation behind veteran Jake Allen, the presumption is that Malek will continue to develop in Utica this year. So, who plays with Malek? That’s more complicated than it sounds.
Option 1 – No Goalie Carousel
Much has been written about the Devils running with three goalies this season, especially following the signing of veteran David Rittich, and Devils GM Sunny Mehta’s comments on the subject and his praise for Nico Daws, but until the roster is finalized in camp, that the Devils will choose this option is still speculation. Nico Daws will have to earn his spot, and even if he does, it is possible the Devils could try to sneak Rittich down until there is an injury or one of the other netminders has a bad run of games. Though a 33-year-old veteran, Rittich did play 16 games in the AHL for the Ontario Reign as recently as 2023-24.
If the Devils opt for two goaltenders on the roster, then the answer to the question of “who plays with Jakub Malek” is an easy one. It would be Rittich or Daws. However, what happens if the Devils decide to keep all three goaltenders in the NHL. Who plays with Malek then? That’s still not entirely certain.
Option 2 – Seth Eisele or Jeremy Brodeur
The Devils have two goaltenders signed to AHL contracts, who could compete for a full time spot in Utica. Both Seth Eisele (27) and Jeremy Brodeur (29) are ECHL veterans with limited AHL action. Eisele, in particular, has only played one game in the AHL in his career, but has been a star goalie in the ECHL. Last season, Eisele finished 13th in the league with a .919 SV% to go along with a 18-7-1 record and a 2.37 GAA and clearly seems ready for the next step.
Jeremy Brodeur has played for the Adirondack Thunder for the past three seasons, earning brief call-ups to Utica. In limited action, Brodeur has played extremely well at the AHL level. His best season was 2024-25, where the netminder flashed a 4-0-0 record, 2.16 GAA and .923 SV% in 5 games for the Comets. In many ways, Brodeur’s situation with Utica is similar to Daws and the NHL, a goaltender who has done well in small sample sizes at the higher level. If the plan is to give Daws a look with the Devils, why not grant the same opportunity to Brodeur with the Comets? At 29 years old, this season may finally be his chance.
Option 3 – Somebody Else
Of course, it is always possible the Devils still sign someone else either after a PTO or as a free agent. A few weeks ago, I explored the Philip Svedeback option here. After a strong four years at Providence, the 2021 Bruins fourth round pick became an unrestricted free agent on August 15th and remains unsigned as of Monday. Pucks and Pitchforks also wrote about Svedeback as a potential option for the Devils last week. So, I am not the only commentator looking at this possibility.
James Nichols recently reported that the Devils have interest in Russian goaltender Alexander Smolin, who has signed with Metallurg Magnitogorsk for another season, so this option is something that likely won’t be explored again until next summer.
Whatever happens, it will be interesting to watch the Devils goaltending situation unfold in camp. So, what do you think? What is the most likely tandem in Utica next season? Post your comments below.