Mehta Says Devils Are Comfortable With Current Goaltending

New Jersey Devils general manager Sunny Mehta said Thursday he is comfortable with the team's goaltending after turning the starting job over to Jake Allen and opening competition behind him between Nico Daws and David Rittich.

"I'm very comfortable with our goaltending," Mehta said after the opening practice sessions of Devils training camp.

New Jersey traded Jacob Markstrom to the Florida Panthers earlier in the offseason. Mehta said the move was not made because the Devils felt they had to move Markstrom and that the team could realistically have started the season with him.

Allen, 36, started 59 games over the past two seasons with a 2.71 goals-against average and .904 save percentage. Daws, 25, posted a .925 save percentage in limited action over that span.

"(Daws has) got a path in front of him right now," Mehta said. "And, as I've told him, it's going to be up to him to decide what to do with that opportunity. But the opportunity's there."

Coach Sheldon Keefe called Allen a strong leader and teammate who can help Daws prepare while competing for starts himself.

The Devils have also been linked to Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, but Sportsnet reported that New Jersey does not currently have the salary-cap space to add his contract.

Captain Nico Hischier praised Allen's play and his influence in the locker room, saying, "He can be a really, really good goalie and just a great influence in the locker room."