Quick Read
- The New Jersey Devils are reportedly taking calls on defenseman Simon Nemec ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline.
- Nemec, 22, was the No. 2 pick in the 2022 draft and is a pending restricted free agent (RFA) this summer.
- The Devils aim to upgrade their forward lines to address their offensive struggles and boost playoff contention.
- Nemec has 21 points (9G, 12A) in 47 games this season, averaging 19:42 time on ice.
- New Jersey is 11 points out of a playoff spot with 21 games remaining.
NEWARK (Azat TV) – The New Jersey Devils are reportedly taking calls on 22-year-old defenseman Simon Nemec ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline this Friday, signaling a potential major shift for the team as they aim to significantly upgrade their forward lines. The surprising development, first reported by TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, suggests the Devils are willing to part with a former top draft pick to address their persistent offensive struggles and make a serious push for a playoff spot.
Nemec, drafted second overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, is currently playing on the final year of his rookie deal and is set to become a restricted free agent this summer. He has registered 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) in 47 games this season, skating an average of 19:42 per night, primarily on the Devils’ bottom defense pairing alongside veteran Brenden Dillon.
Simon Nemec: A Key Asset on the Trade Market
The decision to entertain offers for Nemec, a player widely considered a key component of the team’s future defensive core, underscores the Devils’ urgency to retool their roster. Pierre LeBrun stated that if there is a deal that ‘upgrades their forwards in a real way,’ the Devils are prepared to listen. This comes despite Nemec recently scoring an empty-net goal in the Devils’ 5-1 victory over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night, a highlight that did little to improve their slim playoff odds.
Nemec’s development has been steady; after reportedly expressing unhappiness last January (2025) over his time in the AHL, he has become a full-time NHLer this season, achieving a career-high points total despite missing 12 games due to injury in December. His presence on the trade block is attracting significant interest, with ‘no shortage of teams checking in,’ according to LeBrun. The New York Islanders, who reportedly inquired about Nemec last offseason, could be a team to watch.
Devils’ Playoff Hopes Drive Bold Strategy
The New Jersey Devils are currently 11 points back from the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, with only 21 games remaining in the season. Their 30-29-2 record places them six teams behind the Boston Bruins, highlighting the critical juncture the franchise faces. The team’s general manager, Tom Fitzgerald, appears focused on addressing a season-long lack of offense that has plagued the club.
Despite ranking sixth in the NHL with 29.4 shots per game, the Devils are 30th in goals per game, averaging just 2.51. Their shooting rate stands at a league-worst 6.6 percent at 5-on-5, dropping to 3.12 percent when accounting for all shot attempts at even strength, according to MoneyPuck. These offensive struggles are a primary driver behind the potential trade, as the team hopes a revamped forward line can propel them into postseason contention.
Implications for New Jersey’s Defensive Core
Moving a player of Nemec’s caliber and potential would undoubtedly raise questions about the long-term depth on the right side of the Devils’ blue line. Nemec and 22-year-old Luke Hughes are currently the only defensemen under the age of 28 on the active roster, representing the core of the team’s future defense. A trade would require Fitzgerald to weigh the immediate benefit of adding scoring against the potential long-term impact on the team’s defensive foundation.
While some of the Devils’ struggles have been linked to a step back from goaltender Jacob Markstrom, who has posted an .888 save percentage this season, making changes in goal is trickier due to his contract and no-move clause. Therefore, revamping the offense through a significant trade like Nemec’s appears to be the most viable path for the Devils to attempt a turnaround and capitalize on a potential bounce-back campaign from Markstrom next season.
The willingness of the New Jersey Devils to consider trading Simon Nemec, a high draft pick with significant potential, signals a calculated gamble to prioritize immediate offensive firepower over long-term defensive stability. This bold approach reflects the immense pressure on the team to contend in a highly competitive Eastern Conference, even if it means altering the foundational pieces of their future roster.