Simon Nemec Trade Buzz: Why the Devils’ 2022 Second Overall Pick Is on the Block
If you’ve been following the NHL trade chatter out of Newark, you’ve probably heard the name Simon Nemec popping up more than a few times. And honestly, it’s the kind of rumor that makes you do a double-take. The New Jersey Devils—a team with a stocked cupboard of young talent—are reportedly fielding calls on the 2022 second overall pick ahead of the deadline. For a franchise that’s supposed to be building toward sustained contention, moving a blue-chip prospect like Šimon Nemec would be a massive swing. But if you’ve watched this Devils front office operate, you know they’re not afraid to make bold moves.
The Slovakian Game-Breaker
Let’s not forget what Simon Nemec brings to the table. At just 21 years old, he’s already shown flashes of the two-way dominance that made him the second defenseman taken in that draft (behind only Jiricek). He’s got that smooth, effortless stride, the kind of hockey IQ that lets him quarterback a power play, and a sneaky heavy shot. Remember that empty-net goal he buried recently? Sure, it was an empty netter, but the way he jumped into the play and read the ice—that’s pure instinct. Guys with his toolkit don’t grow on trees.
Why Would the Devils Even Consider It?
This is where it gets interesting. The Devils’ blue line is already crowded with Luke Hughes and Dougie Hamilton eating big minutes, and Šimon Nemec has spent most of this season marinating in Utica, waiting for his runway. Meanwhile, the Devils have a now window—they need scoring punch, they need grit, and they might need a veteran presence to push them deeper into the playoffs. If you’re general manager Tom Fitzgerald, you listen. And from what I’m hearing around the league, the chatter is real: the Devils are deep in discussions involving Simon Nemec, and the return would have to be substantial—think top-six forward with term, or a package that fills multiple holes.
What a Trade Package Could Look Like
If Nemec does get moved, the bidding war will be fierce. Here’s what contenders might be lining up with:
- A young, established NHL forward—someone who can slot into the Devils’ top six immediately and produce.
- High draft picks—because a player of Simon Nemec’s pedigree commands at least a first-rounder plus.
- A defensive prospect with a different profile—maybe a more physical, shutdown type to balance the Devils’ future corps.
Of course, you don’t trade a kid like Šimon Nemec lightly. But if the Devils believe they can address a glaring need without sacrificing their long-term window, they’ll pull the trigger.
The Bottom Line
For Devils fans, this is one of those gut‑check moments. Watching Simon Nemec develop into a top‑pairing D‑man somewhere else would sting—unless the return brings a Stanley Cup closer to New Jersey. And for the rest of us? We’re watching a potential blockbuster unfold. Keep an eye on this one right up to the deadline; Nemec’s name isn’t going away.