The Devils have assigned goaltender Isaac Poulter to AHL Utica, per a team announcement.
Poulter, 22, had spent the entirety of his brief professional career on minor-league deals with Utica before earning an entry-level deal with the Devils last month. New Jersey has now recalled him twice this season on emergency loans to serve as a backup while injuries affected the Devils’ crease, although this most recent summons was to allow new starter Jake Allen some rest during yesterday’s 4-0 win over the Islanders. With Allen set to return to the gameday roster Tuesday against the Maple Leafs, Poulter’s presence is no longer necessary.
The former All-Star starter with WHL Swift Current has still yet to make his NHL debut. After spending most of 2022-23 two levels down with ECHL Adirondack, he’s pushed his way up to a full-time job with Utica this season and leads the team with 28 appearances, posting a strong 2.55 GAA, .911 SV%, 17-8-1 record, and four shutouts.
Signed to a two-year ELC, Poulter won’t be an RFA until 2025. He is waiver-exempt and will remain so until he passes 60 career NHL games or four NHL-contracted seasons, whichever comes first. His ELC carries an $812.5K cap hit and pays him a $70K salary in the minors this season.