The New Jersey Devils traded Simon Nemec to the Calgary Flames on Tuesday, acquiring a ton in value. They got two first-round picks, although it’s Vegas’s in 2028 and Colorado’s in 2027, the New York Rangers’ second-round pick this year, which is 35th overall, and prospect Etienne Morin. Morin is a 2023 second-round pick, but he had a rough year in the AHL last season.
The Devils didn’t get what many wanted from a Simon Nemec trade. Fans were hoping they could dangle Nemec in a trade for a superstar. Whether it was Quinn Hughes or Robert Thomas, this trade needed to net the Devils something that helps them win now. On paper, none of what the Devils got helps them win now. With where the picks are expected to come, it might never help them win based on the statistics behind those late first-round picks.
However, it’s not that the Devils got just picks and a prospect for Nemec, it’s that they got trade assets. The Devils already have some quality trade assets in all their future first-round picks, including the 12th overall this year, and a decent pool of prospects, but this adds to what they could possibly trade for a star player. Now, the Devils could realistically trade five first-rounders for a player that turns them into contenders.
The Simon Nemec trade feels like the start of a domino effect for the Devils' roster
Most teams prefer first-round picks over prospects, unless that prospect is considered a sure thing. Now, the Devils have first-round picks they can offer in spades. It’s the whole “we could take the boat, but what’s in the mystery box could be anything, even a boat,” joke from Family Guy. First-round picks could be a boat, or it could be tickets to a comedy show.
Let the Devils trade away the mystery box and get the boat, as long as that boat is someone who leads them to constant contention. Sunny Mehta’s first massive move as GM of the Devils feels like “part one” of a much bigger move, similar to the series of moves the Florida Panthers made on Sunday.
If this is the entire trade and the Devils moved Nemec at the nadir of his value for a bunch of draft picks that are unlikely (based on protections) to turn into a superstar, then the value is underwhelming. That's why we don't think this is going to be the only move we see this week. There is still a few days until the NHL Draft. Let's hope an even bigger move is on the horizon.
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