Tom Fitzgerald Defensive Signing Could Impact Future For Top Prospect

The New Jersey Devils got back to playing to their strength. Playing good defense. In the off-season, Devils President and General Manager Tom Fitzgerald revamped his entire defense, making the team tougher to play against by adding players like Johnathan Kovacevic, Brenden Dillon, and Brett Pesce.

All three players have made a major impact on the Devils lineup this season. Jonathan Kovacevic, who was picked off waivers from the Montreal Canadiens to be a depth player, has come in and fit into the Devils top four. Kovacevic took advantage of injuries on the backend to Pesce and Luke Hughes early on in training camp, catching the eye of head coach Sheldon Keefe.

Tom Fitzgerald Wants To Re-Sign Johnathan Kovacevic

His outstanding training camp, coupled with the poor start for Simon Nemec, allowed him to be a mainstay in the Devils lineup. Kovacevic has been the perfect fit for the Devils, as Fitzgerald told Jimmy Murphy of RG Media. 

“He was one of the players we had identified who would fit in with what we were trying to do and become this season, and he’s helped us transform our identity,” Fitzgerald said. “He’s one of those players who maybe flew under the radar, and I think he looked at this as a chance to become part of a team that had a chance to contend, and he could play a role in that. It’s been an excellent fit for the team and the player.”

Entering the season, Johnathan Kovacevic is a pending free agent at the end of the season. According to PuckPedia.com, he is in the final year of his deal, which carries a cap hit of $766,667. Based on the comments above, the Devils will look to extend Kovacevic. However, those talks have yet to begin.

“Not yet,” Fitzgerald replied when asked if contract talks had begun with Kovacevic. “Just getting back from our scouting meetings in Florida. Wanted to get this meeting out of the way before calling.”

However, as Murphy wrote, Tom Fitzgerald desires to get a deal done between the Devils and Johnathan Kovacevic.

Vancouver Canucks: Vancouver Canucks Trade Options Involving Elias Petterson and JT Miller

New Jersey Devils: New Jersey Devils Showing They Are No Longer Pushovers

Toronto Maple Leafs: Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving Confirms He is Looking for a Center

New Jersey Devils: New Jersey Devils Could Use Montreal Canadiens Forward Jake Evans

Where Does Simon Nemec Fit In?

Earlier in the season, the New Jersey Devils sent down defenseman Simon Nemec, the 2nd overall pick from 2022, to the AHL Utica Comets. Tom Fitzgerald wanted Nemec to develop into a two-way defenseman. He didn’t want him to be just an offensive player. Even though Nemec played a major role on the team last year, he wasn’t going to come up if Dougie Hamilton stayed healthy.

However, that hadn’t stopped teams from calling on Nemec in the past. Tom Fitzgerald was reluctant to trade one of his top prospects. That might be a reality sooner rather than later, as Nemec is getting an itch to come back to the NHL.

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 Prokop. “I believe I’ve proven multiple times that I belong in the NHL. I just have to wait for another chance.”

This is a business, after all, and if the Devils sign Koavacevic, then the right side of the Devils defence is stacked, especially with Seamus Casey in the wings. So, Nemec could be the odd man out.

However, it is interesting that this report came out the day after Nemec had a five-point night for the Utica Comets and was named the first star.

As far as Luke Hughes is concerned, Tom Fitzgerald planned to meet with his agent after the holidays. That was back in December when he met with the media. As he said, there is no firm deadline for when contract talks will begin.

There is a lot of work to do for the Devils general manager to keep this defense corps moving forward.