NHL Rumors: Could the New Jersey Devils Eventually Trade Simon Nemec?

The New Jersey Devils could have a David Jiricek situation with Simon Nemec. Nemec is currently down in the AHL with the Utica Comets and is looking to hone and develop his game for another chance in the big leagues with the Devils. From all indications, his defensive game has improved from where it was at the start of the season.

However, that does not mean he is unhappy with his current situation. Similar to David Jiricek when he was with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Jiricek was not happy about being in the AHL. Columbus ended up trading him to the Minnesota Wild. While Nemec did not go as far as Jiricek in asking for a trade, his comments in a recent interview suggest he could be getting closer to asking for a trade sooner rather than later.

In an interview with Dennik Sport’s Tomas Prokop, Nemec did not say he wanted a trade out of New Jersey, but if things didn’t change, that might be a conversation that may need to happen in the future

“It’s hard to say; it’s still too early to request a trade. If this situation continues, it will have to be addressed, but, for now, this is how it stands.” Nemec said to Dennik Sport’s Tomas Prokop.

Nemec believes he is an NHL-calibre defenseman similar to Jiricek. He is working hard to get back to the NHL and play either for the New Jersey Devils or someone else. But Simon Nemec is waiting for that opportunity.

However, if you look at the Devils roster, especially on defense, there is a log jam on the right side. And with the reports of the New Jersey Devils wanting to lock up Johnathan Kovacevic, where does that leave Nemec? It leaves him on the outside looking in.

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If the Devils were to extend Kovacevic, the right side would see Dougie Hamilton, Pesce, Kovacevic, and Nemec, with Seamus Casey coming. It makes Simon Nemec expendable, especially if they want to add a goal scorer, center, and defenseman at the deadline.

As Full Press Hockey has reported, the Devils want to add a center and a goal scorer. Could Nemec be used in a package to get someone like Brock Boeser from Vancouver? Again, this is all hypothetical, but that would be the ask for a player of his calibre. Not to mention, if the Devils wanted to get their hands on a Dylan Cozens or a Ryan O’Reilly, the Buffalo Sabres and Nashville Predators would ask for Nemec in a trade package for either player.

And it is not like teams haven’t called about him in the past. As Full Press Hockey has reported, teams like the Calgary Flames and the Predators have called, but the Devils were reluctant to move him. But with no first-round pick, his value as a first-round could give the Devils leverage to add to their roster.

“If you look at Nemec, basically, the Devils don’t have a first-round pick to play with at the deadline. That piece to play with could be Nemec and is worth more than their first-round pick,” David Calabretta said on a latest Full Press NHL Rumors Podcast. “The Devils should really explore; you know they want the top six forward; they want to get some depth. They want a lot of pieces of deadline. Like I said, I think the Devils should have a very expensive deadline, And Nemec has to kind of be involved if you want that top-six piece.”

It is a delicate balance. Keep the player in the NHL, rotate him in and out of the lineup, or keep him in the AHL to develop and play. If the Devils see Simon Nemec as part of the future, he will have an opportunity to earn his spot back next season, even if Kovacevic is signed.

However, sometimes, when a team is trading from a position of strength, like the Devils, it uses a prospect like Simon Nemec to add to the roster. New Jersey has a chance to win now, so it may not want to keep young prospects in the minors for another year.

But for the first time since they drafted Simon Nemec second overall in 2022, there is a good chance he could be part of a trade package down the road. This is especially true if the Devils want to be active at the deadline and add multiple pieces, including a scoring winger.