Simon Nemec has stepped it up for the New Jersey Devils of late. It’s a welcomed development in the wake of key injuries, which has helped the Devils remain atop the Metropolitan Division. Imagine a world where the Devils didn’t have Nemec, however? It was nearly a reality.
According to a report, the Devils, and New York Islanders discussed a trade over the summer that could have sent Nemec to Long Island.
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On the pilot episode of Tri-State Hockey, a Nation Network and Daily Faceoff podcast, long-time Islander reporter, Arthur Staple revealed that trade discussions between the general managers were discussed, even if only preliminary.
“I know just from talking to some people, the Islanders, Mathieu Darche in his first year as GM, he did talk to Tom Fitzgerald about Simon Nemec in the summer,” Staple started.
Staple explained the situation was one where the Islanders approached the Devils in need. What New Jersey would have received in return, Staple speculates, it would have started with their extra first-round pick in 2026.
“I would imagine that whatever package the Islanders were looking for, because they were very short on right-handed defensemen in their organization, that Colorado first round pick that they got for Brock Nelson is probably the thing that they’re dangling the most. Clearly, the Devils didn’t feel like they were ready to give up on Simon Nemec for that kind of package.”
Staple continued by saying that he wouldn’t be surprised to see something between the Devils and Islanders revisited. The veteran reporter accurately points out that the Devils’ center depth could deplete quickly if further injuries pop up, noting how it’s happened already.
He even goes as far as to connect the Devils to Islanders center, J.G. Pageau.
“But now as we’re getting into the season, and [Mike] Rupp is talking about the third line and Cody Glass, a guy who has been injured a lot, has already been injured this season,” Staple continued. “If the islanders are still bobbing along at .500, or maybe even below it, is J.G. Pageau a guy that can slot right in for the Devils. That’s a guy who that they’re missing in New Jersey. A guy who is kind of like an [Ondrej] Palat. Not with the cups, but with a lot of playoff success, a guy who can play anywhere in your lineup, he wins face-offs, he kills penalties, he can take the heat off of some of their top six guys in terms of penalty killing and difficult defensive situations.”
Staple admits that the Islanders are unlikely to reel in Nemec at this point. In the absence of Brett Pesce and Dougie Hamilton, he’s begun to prove himself. In fact, he’s certainly increased his value with the organization, perhaps to a point where they wouldn’t entertain training him at all. However, he also points out that there is a trade history with the Devils and Islanders, and those lines of communication could open once again.
“I don’t know that there’s a match there that the Islanders can pry Simon Nemec out for J.G. Pageau,” Staple concluded. “But I feel like we’ve seen it go the other way. Lou (Lamoriello) called up his old team twice when the islanders were going well to get Andy Greene, Kyle Palmieri, and Travis Zajac, too.”
