Jake Allen sounds like a guy who knows he’s taking the reigns as majority owner of the New Jersey Devils‘ crease. However, he also knows the reality that he’s now part of a three-goalie system following the work of Sunny Mehta this offseason.
“This opportunity again at my age and this point in my career, it’s very exciting, honestly. It really is,” Allen said on the latest Daily Faceoff Live. He added that his game feels strong and that he has found comfort and pride since arriving in New Jersey. “I feel like I’ve played well with the Devils uniform on,” he noted, while still pushing to prove himself.
Allen is heading into the 2026-27 season as the likely No.1 goaltender for New Jersey. However, a vow of confidence for Nico Daws by Mehta, and the eventual signing of David Rittich via free agency points to a three-goalie rotation next season.
On Daws, Allen was full of praise. “I think Daws is a really good goalie, too. He really is,” he said. “He’s so talented, he’s big, he can move. Daws is a good kid and he’s willing to learn. That’s the biggest thing. He’s willing to adapt and willing to learn and I think I can really help him out with that a lot.”
Allen made it clear he’s embracing the situation ahead after Mehta shipped Jacob Markstrom to the Florida Panthers in a multi-player trade. “I’m looking forward to this opportunity, this challenge,” he said.
His optimism comes with the perspective of someone who has been through it before. In his final year in Montreal, Allen found himself in a three-goalie setup with Samuel Montembault and Cayden Primeau.
“Personally, I didn’t really like it. Just because you feel on the outs,” Allen admitted.
Allen also explained what makes the situation more bearable.
“The way you need to do it is you got to be able to just manage it properly from the goalie coach to the head coach to the goalies and also have a common understanding that this is for the benefit of the group. As long as there’s a clear line of communication and understanding where everyone stands, I think that’s the biggest thing,” he said. “As long as there’s a clear communication path, I don’t see any problem with it.”
Although a three-goalie system is something Allen didn’t necessarily like in the past, he acknowledged the practical demands of today’s evolving NHL landscape. In fact, it’s becoming more of a common trend to see three goaltenders on a roster now. Just look at the Buffalo Sabres with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon, and Colten Ellis; or the reigning Stanley Cup Champions—Carolina Hurricanes—with Frederik Andersen, Brandon Bussi, and Pyotr Kochetkov.
“Everyone needs three good goalies. And I’m a realist. I get it. I’d love to be in the net all the time, but if I’m running a hockey team, you got to have three good goalies nowadays,” Allen explained. “There’s just so much variability. Every game is so important… You got to do what you got to do to find a way to get the job done.”
Looking ahead, Allen believes this approach is here to stay. “It’s a thing you’re definitely going to see way more in the future,” he said.
While some worry about the roster spot, he sees a potential upside: “At the end of the day it might actually benefit you and get more points at the end of the year.”
With Daws and David Rittich alongside him next season, Allen appears ready to draw on his experience—both the difficult lessons from Montreal and the fresh start in New Jersey—to help make the three-goalie system work for the Devils.
James is a fully credentialed New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on Sportsnaut and the … More about James Nichols