As the New Jersey Devils embark through the early portion of this season, they have already improved from last season with the number of players that they added to the current core who have improved on the hits and blocks column. That comes from a veteran defensive core led by new additions like Brenden Dillon and Johnathan Kovacevic.
Coach Sheldon Keefe has more experienced skaters here in New Jersey. A mix of young and much older, experienced players brings more certainty to goaltending, defense, and offense. The improvement on the penalty kill and the power play is proof that shows why the Devils built the defense this way.
Right now, this team is above .500, and they are looking to be back in the playoffs with their current play. There are a lot of good goaltending players in the pipeline.
There are a lot of really good defensemen in the pipeline, but the Devils need to acquire some solid third—and fourth-line centers. The other question is, “Can they do that from within or will GM Tom Fitzgerald acquire a few external pieces?” It remains to be seen.
The big conundrum that the Devils have is whether they should move Seamus Casey to play forward. That way, the Devils can solve the issue of too many tight-handed defensemen. Then, getting Simon Nemec to focus on defense. If you look at the Dougie Hamilton contract, it's coming close to time to plan for the next move in the next couple of seasons, and the cap will go up again. Plus having a cheaper contract around to succeed Hamilton is huge. The other thing to consider in a few seasons, Anton Silayev is coming up.
The Devils just announced that Nemec was sent down to Utica, where he can get regular minutes. He hasn't looked the same since he injured his shoulder during Olympic qualifiers,so this is welcomed news.
One thing Tom Fitzgerald shouldn't do is make any panic trade involving these defensive prospects. Between now and the 2030 off-season, guys like Jonas Siegenthaler, Brenden Dillon, Brett Pesce, and Dougie Hamilton's contracts are up. As an advocate for asset management, drafting, and acquiring talent to improve the team, it’s a formula that has to be followed over a period of time.
Only time will tell what the up coming season will dictate and what the Devils will do, whether it's now while dealing with injuries to Nathan Bastian and Curtis Lazar, or closer to the NHL Trade Deadline. But certainly not in favor of moving on from Simon Nemec and seeing him turn into Adam Larsson 2.0 type situation where the team fails a defenseman.
It is one thing having heard the Devils being rumored to be in the whole David Reinbacher for Simon Nemec blockbuster deal. Both defensive players play different styles because Simon Nemec is more physically defensive, blocks shots, is a good skater, plays a more simple game, and has the ability to quarterback a power play. David Reinbacher is a more fleet-footed defender who can dictate more pace of play and has the big clapper on offense.
Honestly, if a team like the Canadiens want to acquire a guy like Simon Nemec, it’s gonna truly cost GM Kent Hughes a lot. This could also cost Montreal more seasons behind schedule in their current rebuild. Montreal might need to give up Alex Newhook, David Reinbacher, and 2025 1st (Calgary 1st), which is via a “Sean Monahan deal” at minimum.
That’s just a hypothetical minimum starting package that is a hunch to try and see what GM, Tom Fitzgerald can swing.The Devils could use that high pick to package in another deal for a big playoff piece, use David Reinbacher to jump in and take over Seamus Casey’s spot on defense. Move Casey to forward and get Alex Newhook rounding out the bottom six center and wing spot.