Jakub Málek

Jakub Málek, G — Utica Comets (AHL)

Performance

Málek's 2025-26 AHL season offers limited data to evaluate — his last five appearances with Utica show zero points, which is expected for a goaltender, but no detailed game log is available to assess save percentages, goals-against average, or workload. What is confirmed is that he was reassigned to the AHL in early May following the Devils' recall of Dylan Wendt, suggesting he finished the season in the minors rather than earning a roster hold at the NHL level. His in-game development remains difficult to quantify from available metrics alone.

What People Are Saying

The conversation around Málek right now is organizational rather than performance-driven. Both **All About The Jersey** and **Yahoo Sports** profile him alongside Nico Daws as New Jersey Devils restricted free agents, framing the coming weeks as a genuine decision point for the front office on which young netminder to prioritize. **The Hockey News** took a longer view, publishing a piece on Málek's confidence-building during his first year inside the Devils' system — a notable signal that the organization views his mental development as a work in progress. A Czech-language report from **TribalFootball** also flagged a goaltender competition in European play involving Málek, adding an overseas dimension to his positioning heading into the offseason.

Outlook

Málek enters the summer as a legitimate organizational decision — the Devils must weigh him against Daws and determine which RFA fits their goaltending depth chart going forward. His draft stock as a 2021 pick is long established, but his path to NHL relevance depends heavily on whether New Jersey tenders a qualifying offer and what role they envision for him in 2025-26.

**Watch for:** Whether the Devils issue Málek a qualifying offer before the RFA deadline — that decision signals his standing in the organization clearly.