Simon Nemec Trade Buzz: Why the Devils’ 2022 Second Overall Pick Is on the Block
If you’ve been keeping an ear to the ground on NHL trade talk out of Newark, you’ve likely heard Simon Nemec’s name popping up more than a few times. And to be honest, it’s the kind of rumour that makes you do a double-take. The New Jersey Devils—a side already stacked with young talent—are reportedly taking calls on the 2022 second overall pick as the deadline approaches. For a franchise supposedly building for sustained success, moving a blue-chip prospect like Šimon Nemec would be a massive call. But if you’ve watched this Devils front office at work, you know they’re not afraid to roll the dice.
The Slovakian Game-Changer
Let’s not forget what Simon Nemec brings to the table. At just 21, he’s already shown glimpses of the two-way dominance that made him 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 quarterback a power play, and a deceptively 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. Players with his skillset don’t come around every day.
Why Would the Devils Even Consider It?
This is where it gets interesting. The Devils’ blue line is already packed, with Luke Hughes and Dougie Hamilton eating up big minutes, and Šimon Nemec has spent most of this season biding his time in Utica, waiting for his chance. Meanwhile, the Devils have a here and now window—they need scoring punch, they need grit, and they could use 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 significant—think a top-six forward with term, or a package that fills a few 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 lining up with:
- 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 pedigree commands at least a first-rounder plus more.
- A defensive prospect with a different profile—maybe a more physical, shutdown type to balance the Devils’ future corps.
Of course, you don’t move a kid like Šimon Nemec lightly. But if the Devils reckon they can fix a glaring need without sacrificing 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 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.