James Nichols
After a disappointing year, the New Jersey Devils are not going to be heading to the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, that doesn’t mean they aren’t going to try to take a transformative approach by Friday’s trade deadline in a potential Devils trade to help their future.
Simon Nemec’s name has been on the Devils trade rumor mill for the last few seasons. Earlier this year, Nemec was involved as a core piece in trade discussions with the Vancouver Canucks for defenseman Quinn Hughes.
That ultimately didn’t happen, and Nemec remains a Devils… for now.
However, the latest report suggests Simon Nemec could be on the move by the end of the week. So, what does that look like?
Why Would the Devils Trade Nemec?
There’s a few reasons why Fitzgerald would move Nemec in a Devils trade.
For starters, the obvious is you have to give to get in this league. The Devils are seeking a goalscorer that can play on a line with Jack Hughes.
New Jersey doesn’t have a ton of cap space. Thus, they’ve been trying to move out Dougie Hamilton.
However, he’s proven to be too difficult to trade. That’s partially due to his $9 million cap hit for the next two seasons and partially due to his $7.4 million signing bonus due on July 1st. Oh, and the trade protection.
Thus, Nemec is their most appealing piece to move. The Devils have plenty of right-handed defensemen in Hamilton, Brett Pesce, Brenden Dillon, and Johnathan Kovacevic.
There’s also Seamus Casey in the American Hockey League with the Utica Comets.
So, Nemec—a second overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft—could finally land the Devils the scorer they seek.
Plus, Nemec is an offersheet candidate this summer. With a plethora of right handed defensemen in the system, the Devils can afford to deal him in a position of strength to upgrade elsewhere, and avoid being put in an offer sheet situation.
What is Nemec’s Trade Value?
In the grand scheme of things, Nemec’s trade value is lower than it once was.
According to a source, Nemec was once viewed as a potential No.1 defenseman. However, team’s now view him with the ceiling of a solid No.2.
In hindsight, that’s still great value. Nemec’s value was once plummeted due to poor play as recently as last season.
However, his positive play in 2025-26 and standout Olympic performance for Slovakia have revitalized his stock where he could help net a star forward in the right deal.
What Does a Devils Trade Look Like?
A Devils trade involving Nemec is not going to be for anything other than a significant add up front.
If Fitzgerald believed Nemec was a core piece for a potential Quinn deal, then he’s not going to move away from similar value at the same position.
Because Nemec is seen as a No.2 as opposed to a No.1, he’ll have to remain in a package like he was for Quinn.
The St. Louis Blues make a lot of sense here. The Devils want a young scorer, and Jordan Kyrou has been available for the right price since Doug Armstrom waved the white flag.
If there’s one player the Devils should target using Nemec, it’s Kyrou.
Elsewhere, it’s tough to see division rivals helping each other out, but I do wonder about Owen Tippett here.
The Philadelphia Flyers are looking to move Rasmus Ristolainen, and Nemec taking his place on the blueline as a right-shot defenseman does make sense.
If Nemec is moved at the deadline, expect it to be in some sort of package for a goalscorer in his 20’s.
However, if it reaches the summer, perhaps there’s a deal to be made with Ottawa. Say, Brady Tkachuk?
Outside the Box Devils Trade Candidates
If the Devils don’t move Nemec for a Kyrou-like return, there’s some out of the box ideas that could work.
Nemec is trending away from a project and is establishing himself as an NHLer.
There are a few names out there right now who are in a similar boat that could match up with the Devils as outside the box trade candidtes.
Kent Johnson with the Columbus Blue Jackets was recently a healthy scratch as he’s struggled with just six goals and 18 points this season. You wonder about his future in Ohio, but just last season he scored 24 goals and 57 points.
A former teammate of Luke Hughes and Seamus Casey at the University of Michigan, Johnson would already be familiar with a few players in New Jersey, and has the upside of a goalscorer at the age of 23 years old.
On the other side of the country, perhaps the Los Angeles Kings want to improve the right side of their blueline. Nemec should usurp names like Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin.
Could the Devils and Kings swap former second overall picks, trading Nemec for Quinton Byfield?
Lot’s can happen in the next three days! Buckle up.
