The New Jersey Devils are reportedly open to trading 22-year-old defenseman Simon Nemec before the upcoming trade deadline this Friday, according to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun. The young blueliner is a restricted free agent this summer, prompting the Devils to evaluate all possible moves to improve their roster as they aim to retool amid a challenging season. The Simon Nemec trade rumors have gained traction as the team looks to boost its offensive capabilities.
Nemec’s Role and Performance This Season
Simon Nemec, selected second overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, has been primarily assigned to New Jersey’s bottom defensive pairing, often skating alongside veteran Brenden Dillon. Across 47 games this season, Nemec has contributed 21 points, consisting of nine goals and 12 assists, while averaging nearly 20 minutes of ice time per game. Despite missing a dozen games due to injury in December, he has established himself as a consistent presence on the Devils’ blue line while reaching a career-high in points.
Nemec is in the final year of his rookie contract, which adds urgency to any trade discussions, as the Devils will need to negotiate a restricted free agent deal or consider moving him to acquire assets in return. Earlier reports noted his dissatisfaction with extended time spent in the AHL, though this season he has become a full-time NHL player, indicating his progression within the organization.
Impact of Potential Trade on Devils’ Defensive Depth
Trading Nemec could leave the Devils with limited youth on their right side of defense. Currently, Nemec and 22-year-old Luke Hughes are the team’s only defensemen under the age of 28 on the active roster. Consequently, any move involving Nemec raises questions about how New Jersey plans to maintain a competitive defensive core moving forward. The Devils must weigh whether the potential offensive upgrade gained in a trade offsets the risk of losing a promising young defenseman.
Interest from Other NHL Teams, Especially the New York Islanders
The New York Islanders have been linked to Nemec in previous trade talks. According to The Athletic’s Arthur Staple, the Islanders initiated contact last offseason regarding a possible deal for the defenseman. As the trade deadline nears, the Islanders remain a team to watch, especially as the Devils gauge the market value of Nemec amid the Simon Nemec trade rumors.
Devils’ Recent Performance and Playoff Prospects
The Devils secured a 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers recently, a game highlighted by an empty-net goal from Nemec. However, despite the victory, New Jersey remains outside playoff contention with 21 games left in the regular season. With a record of 30-29-2, the Devils sit 11 points behind the Boston Bruins and six spots back of the final Wild Card position in the Eastern Conference.
The dwindling chances of reaching the postseason are fueling the team’s focus on reconstructing their lineup to better compete in upcoming seasons. General manager Tom Fitzgerald faces a critical decision on whether trading a key defensive prospect is worthwhile to help address ongoing offensive struggles ahead of the deadline.
Offensive Challenges Driving the Need for Change
Offense has been a notable weakness for the Devils this year. Although they generate plenty of attempts with 29.4 shots per game—ranking sixth in the NHL—they produce just 2.51 goals per game, ranking 30th in the league. Their shooting percentages are among the lowest across the NHL, with a 6.6 percent conversion rate at even strength, falling further to 3.12 percent when considering all shot attempts.
Such inefficiency in scoring highlights the need for roster adjustments. Improving offensive output is seen as a priority if the Devils aim to contend once again, especially as the team awaits a bounce-back season from goaltender Jacob Markstrom, who has struggled this year with a .888 save percentage over 33 games.
Goaltending Stability and Contract Considerations
Markstrom remains under contract with two years left and holds a no-move clause this season along with a 20-team no-trade list heading into the 2026-27 campaign. This likely limits the Devils’ ability to alter their goaltending situation at the deadline, thus increasing the importance of enhancing offensive support around him. Any offensive improvements could ease pressure on Markstrom and help New Jersey return to contention.
Strategic Decisions Ahead of the Trade Deadline
As the Devils approach the trade deadline, Tom Fitzgerald must evaluate whether dealing a young defensive asset like Simon Nemec provides enough value to improve the team’s scoring. Balancing the need for immediate offensive gains with the long-term development of the defensive roster will be central to the organization’s strategy moving forward. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely how these decisions unfold in the final days before the deadline.
“If there’s a deal that upgrades their forwards in a real way, they’re going to listen,”
Pierre LeBrun, TSN
