New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec was the most rumored player on the team near the NHL Trade Deadline. The Devils reportedly floated Nemec in a move to try and get a superstar winger. We understand that. We even advocated for that if it got the Devils a superstar forward prospect like James Hagens or Tij Iginla, but short of that, we’re passing on trading the second-overall pick.
However, it seems like it’s more of “when” and not “if” Nemec is playing for another team. Nemec’s entry-level contract ends this offseason, and he needs a new deal. Reports say he wants an eye-popping price, and the Devils aren’t paying for that when they have so many others under contract long term.
We do want to say that this seems like a very obvious bridge deal. Nemec hasn’t shown he is the superstar-in-waiting that a second-overall pick should be. He isn’t the brother of the team’s star, who is trying to convince their superstar brother to join the franchise.
Nemec doesn’t have that leverage. He was a healthy scratch earlier this season when all seven Devils’ defensemen were healthy. He wouldn’t be a healthy scratch today, but a guy who was once deemed replaceable by the team isn’t then getting $9+ million per season. That’s not happening even with a rising salary cap. Exactly zero teams in this league would pay Nemec $9 million per season. If they would, let them sign him as a restricted free agent, and the Devils would accept the draft pick compensation in return.
The Devils are also in a unique position with their defense. Not only do they have seven NHL defensemen on the roster, but they have used a ton of draft capital on the position over the years.
They have former 10th-overall pick, Anton Silayev, likely coming over from the KHL this offseason. He needs some time in the AHL to build into a great NHL defenseman.
Since Tom Fitzgerald took over in 2020, the Devils have drafted 14 defensemen in six drafts. That includes five of their 12 points in the first two rounds.
One player who has really worked out so far but doesn’t get a ton of publicity is former University of Michigan standout Seamus Casey. He’s currently injured in the AHL, but Casey already has NHL offensive instincts.
When people talk about why the Devils can’t trade Nemec, it’s because they would be losing an offensive play driver. That comes double time if they end up trading Dougie Hamilton on top of it.
What if the plan is for Seamus Casey to make the jump into the NHL?
In two games this season, Casey was not good. He was on the ice for six high-danger chances against, and he had none working in his favor. It was a rough start to the season, but Casey had good moments in the AHL. He had 19 points in 29 games. He was a -13, but the Utica Comets were a mess this season, so we’re not too concerned about that.
Casey needs some growth, but he clearly has skill. He was drafted in the same year as Lane Hutson, and he has the makings of a poor man’s version of the Montreal Canadiens’ top defenseman. Could he be the puck mover on the right side to replace Nemec next season? It isn’t a crazy proposition.