The New Jersey Devils trade Simon Nemec to the Calgary Flames

The New Jersey Devils traded Simon Nemec to the Calgary Flames on Tuesday afternoon. After a long and drawn out saga, this always felt like the end game with Nemec and the Devils. 

Tom Fitzgerald was trying to trade the second-overall pick in 2022 before surprisingly taking Nemec. Then, it seemed like Nemec and the Devils were apart in their thoughts about each other. Nemec always seemed like he was in trade rumors, and he never seemed happy with his position on the roster. 

Things came to a fever point after this season. An unfounded report came out that Nemec asked for a trade. And while everyone involved denied it being a formal trade request, Nemec’s contract demands still made a trade most likely.

The Devils had three right-handed defensemen on the roster prior to this trade, so it started to become a math problem for the Devils. They just had to get the best possible return. 

Most wanted the Devils to use Nemec as the centerpiece for a superstar trade for Quinn Hughes or Jordan Kyrou, but they went in a different direction. Reports say the Devils got two first-round picks, a second-round pick, and a prospect in return for Nemec.

Getting four really good pieces for Simon Nemec is a win for Sunny Mehta and the New Jersey Devils, but it can’t be the only move. The Devils now have multiple first-round picks in 2027 and 2028. They have two second-round picks in 2026, and they still have some interesting prospects they could make available.

This is the type of move that moves the needle when Nemec isn’t getting the calls for a superstar trade. If a team doesn’t like Nemec, they aren’t going to trade their best asset for him. However, everyone likes first-round picks. This is a trade that makes a lot of sense for the Devils, as long as this isn’t the only move.

We’d be very surprised if the Devils make those picks. These are great pieces for trades, similar to the deal the Panthers made for Mackie Samoskevich right before they traded for Brady Tkachuk. Is Sunny Mehta setting himself up to make a massive move? It appears so, at least on paper. 

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