Devils Hopeful to Represent at the 2026 Olympics
Plus, a short one-on-one interview with goaltender Nico Daws
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In today’s edition, we feature a one-on-one with Nico Daws, and two articles focused on the Devils’ hopefuls for the 2026 Olympic Games. Please share this free substack with your hockey and Devils fan friends and family so they can subscribe and enjoy all the latest.
Now on to the good stuff….
5(ish) Questions with Devils Goalie Nico Daws
February 10, 2024 by Josh Reinitz
This article is part of an ongoing series of articles based on one-on-one interviews with the Devils players. Today’s subject is rookie goaltender Nico Daws. Daws has endured a roller-coaster career from a highly touted prospect who lost development time due to Covid stoppages to undergoing major hip resurfacing surgery, followed by a triumphant return to the NHL, where he has begun to flash the brilliance that led to the New Jersey Devils selecting him 84th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft.
With the prototypical size of the modern goalie at 6-foot-4 and the restored athleticism after his rehab from hip surgery, Daws has an opportunity to fill the biggest void on the Devils: goaltending. After a brief stint in the American Hockey League, the Devils promoted Daws and immediately threw him into game action. The young netminder told reporters that after initial concerns about having the surgery, he was glad that he chose surgery as he now has full range of motion and never felt better.
Jack & Luke Hughes Should Represent Devils at 2026 Olympics
February 9, 2024 by Jordan Slompo
After 12 years, NHL players will again be able to represent their countries at the Olympic Games. The league, along with the NHL Players Association and the International Ice Hockey Federation, have agreed positively for them to play in 2026.
The NHL’s withdrawal from the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, stemmed from a series of disputes with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding the financial responsibilities for NHL athletes. The IOC had previously covered expenses such as travel, insurance, and accommodations for NHL players. But for the 2018 Olympics, they refused to continue this arrangement. In 2022, the NHL didn’t participate because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a pause in the season and the postponement of numerous games.
12 Devils With a Chance to Play in the 2026 Olympics
February 9, 2024 by Josh Reinitz
At last week’s All-Star Game, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced that there was an agreement for NHL players to resume playing in best-on-best competitions, including the next Winter Olympics, which will be played in Milan, Italy, in 2026. As it has done in the past, the NHL will take a break to allow its players to travel to Italy and participate in the games, finally allowing them to settle the argument of which country’s best is currently the best. For Devils fans, there should be many familiar faces in the Games. Here is a look at who is likely to head to Milan in 2026.
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