Devils Discussing Simon Nemec In Trade Talks

The Devils are clear sellers this winter, trailing the Bruins for the wild-card cutoff by 11 points, but they are looking to wheel and deal with success next season in mind rather than sell off players indiscriminately. As the team seeks help in augmenting their forward group, Pierre LeBrun of TSN reports that they’ve been listening to calls on defenseman Simon Nemec with “no shortage of teams checking in.”

Nemec being dangled in trade talks is nothing new. The Islanders made a push to land the 22-year-old last summer, and that came after Nemec had expressed frustration over a lack of NHL ice time the previous season.

The 2022 second overall pick has had a monstrous third season in the NHL, though. After bouncing between the Devils and AHL Utica for the past two seasons, he’s locked himself in as New Jersey’s third right-shot option (for now) behind Brett Pesce and Dougie Hamilton. His 9-12–21 scoring line in 47 games has surpassed his rookie totals from 2023-24 in significantly fewer games and ranks ninth on the team on a per-game basis. He’s averaging 19:42 per night while seeing time on their second power play unit.

Nemec’s possession impacts remain an understandable area of concern, though. For someone touted by prospect evaluators as an “all-around” defenseman ahead of his draft day, the Devils want better quality control out of him than a 46.3% expected goals share at 5-on-5 that is the worst on the team (min. 200 minutes).

In a more normal situation, Nemec would be clear-cut trade bait for a team with relatively short-term playoff aspirations like New Jersey. He’s blocked by Pesce and Hamilton and is a high-value but flawed developing player. The Devils have been looking to move Hamilton since last offseason, to no avail, though there was renewed interest last month. Even if they did move him, his lower trade value is unlikely to net the impact forward they’re dangling Nemec for.