Simon Nemec Transfer Gossip: Why the Devils’ 2022 Second Overall Pick Is Up for Grabs
If you’ve been keeping up with the NHL trade gossip coming out of Newark, you’ve probably heard the name Simon Nemec cropping up more than a few times. And honestly, it’s the kind of rumour that makes you stop and think. The New Jersey Devils—a side with a pipeline brimming with young talent—are reportedly taking calls on the 2022 second overall pick as the deadline approaches. For a franchise supposedly building towards sustained success, moving a blue-chip prospect like Šimon Nemec would be a huge gamble. But if you’ve watched this Devils front office operate, you’ll know they’re not afraid to roll the dice.
The Slovakian Game-Changer
Let’s not forget what Simon Nemec brings to the party. At just 21 years old, he’s already shown glimpses of the two-way dominance that saw him become the second defenceman taken in that draft (behind only Jiricek). He’s got that smooth, effortless stride, the kind of hockey IQ that lets him run a power play, and a deceptively heavy shot. Remember that empty-net goal he bagged recently? Sure, it was an empty netter, but the way he jumped into the play and read the ice—that’s pure instinct. Players with his skillset don’t come around every day.
Why Would the Devils Even Think About It?
This is where it gets interesting. The Devils’ blue line is already packed, with Luke Hughes and Dougie Hamilton clocking up big minutes, and Šimon Nemec has spent most of this season gaining experience with Utica, waiting for his chance. Meanwhile, the Devils have a win-now mentality—they need firepower, they need grit, and they might need a seasoned head to push them deeper into the play-offs. If you’re general manager Tom Fitzgerald, you listen. And from what I’m hearing around the league, the talk is genuine: the Devils are deep in discussions involving Simon Nemec, and the return would have to be significant—think a top-six forward with a decent contract, or a package deal that plugs multiple gaps.
What a Trade Package Could Look Like
If Nemec does get moved, the bidding war will be fierce. Here’s what contenders might be putting on the table:
- A young, established NHL forward—someone who can slot straight into the Devils’ top six and deliver.
- High draft picks—because a player of Simon Nemec’s calibre commands at least a first-rounder plus more.
- A defensive prospect with a different style—maybe a more physical, shutdown type to balance the Devils’ future roster.
Of course, you don’t just give away a kid like Šimon Nemec on a whim. But if the Devils reckon they can sort out a glaring weakness without jeopardising their long-term prospects, 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 defenceman somewhere else would hurt—unless what comes back brings a Stanley Cup closer to New Jersey. And for the rest of us? We’re watching a potential blockbuster in the making. Keep an eye on this one right up to the deadline; Nemec’s name isn’t going away.