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5 New Jersey Devils Players Who Could Steal A Playoff Roster Spot

By Nick Villano

Luke Hughes #43 of United States breaks his stick during the game against Czechia in the IIHF World Junior Championship on August 17, 2022 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Photo by Andy Devlin/ Getty Images)
Luke Hughes #43 of United States breaks his stick during the game against Czechia in the IIHF World Junior Championship on August 17, 2022 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Photo by Andy Devlin/ Getty Images) /
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New Jersey Devils
Simon Nemec #5 of the New Jersey Devils. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Getty Images) /

Simon Nemec

Simon Nemec has been one of the best players on the Utica roster all season. He was also one of the best players in the World Junior Championship. Nemec, the Devils second-overall pick in this past NHL Draft, came right over to North America despite not making the NHL roster right off the bat. The Devils did give him an extended look, but he hasn’t sniffed an NHL game since the preseason.

Nemec will go right to the NHL roster when the AHL season ends. Then, he will likely stay there for the next 20 years. Nemec has plenty of tools that look NHL-ready.

The Devils could seriously use someone like Nemec on the roster. He’s an offensive dynamo that isn’t a complete mess in his own zone. He has nine goals and 15 assists. He also has six points in his last six games. Nemec is heating up at the right time.

Obviously, Nemec could be a game changer. He has the talent to swing a series. He has to make sure he isn’t going to play like a 19-year-old defensemen when it matters most. He has to be special if he’s going to make the postseason roster. He might get a chance to prove that at the end of the season.

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