The New Jersey Devils didn’t exactly shock the world when they announced that Simon Nemec was not going to be a part of the team’s future. What was surprising is the trade that actually made it happen. Nemec was traded to the Calgary Flames for two first-round picks, a second-round pick, and a defensive prospect.
The former second-overall pick was going to face an uphill battle for minutes this season. Dougie Hamilton seems to have his mojo back with a new regime in place. Brett Pesce is expected to return to the lineup full healthy, and Johnny Kovacevic has a full no-trade clause and no interest in waiving it. That fills up the right side.
Nemec heading to Calgary makes sense. He has an opening to push for a top-line role. He’s going from a team where he might not make the top six to a team where he could be on the top line.
During the NHL European tour, Nemec spoke publicly for the first time since the trade went down. He mentioned that, while he didn’t ask for a trade, he certainly welcomed it.
“I didn't ask for a trade, but there were some conversations that it didn't work out for me, for the team," Nemec said. "New Jersey got a new GM, and he decided to go this way and I'm totally fine with that."
Simon Nemec shows that he is happy that he was traded away from the New Jersey Devils
Nemec went on to say he was “happy” after the trade that it was “finally figured out.” Unfortunately, while he wasn’t demanding anything, the way he’s talking about it now, Tom Fitzgerald left Sunny Mehta with an untenable situation. He had to get what he could for Nemec, and he got a pretty good return knowing the circumstances.
Nemec mentioned he wanted to play on the first power play, an that just wasn’t happening with Dougie Hamilton and Luke Hughes in New Jersey. He does have Zayne Parekh to compete with in Calgary, but it’s not as tall a climb as getting past two All-Star caliber talents to get power-play minutes.
Nemec has moved on to what he perceives as greener pastures. He is happy in his new home, and honestly, we’re happy for him. We’ll always have the overtime goals. And he'll hopefully get a chance to take on that power-play opportunity. The Devils are a little weak with offensive defensemen after the Nemec trade, but this could open an opportunity for Seamus Casey.
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