The New Jersey Devils will have a few tough decisions to make regarding their roster this summer. Among the decisions will be a contract extension with 22-year-old defenceman Simon Nemec.
Defenceman Wanting Top Tier Money
Reports indicate that Nemec wants a similar contract to the one the Devils gave Luke Hughes last summer. A $9-million pricetag would certainly handicap a New Jersey roster that was up against the cap all season.
With Hughes, and teammate Dougie Hamilton each taking up $9 million already, there isn’t room for another loaded contract on the back end. The Devils’ new general manager will negotiate with Nemec, but the team will likely push for a more affordable bridge deal.
Nemec filled in for injuries over parts of the past three seasons. The blueliner, who appeared in 68 games, even found the back of the net 11 times while playing just under 20 minutes. At times this season, he even quarterbacked the Devils second power-play unit.
The Slovakian Olympian showed clear upside, but he also made mistakes that occasionally cost the team. While he has the potential to become a number one defenseman, the Devils may view long-term negotiations at this stage as premature.
Devils Swimming in Young Defenceman
The Devils took Nemec with the second overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Level Draft with hopes he would complement the Devils blue-line for years to come. In reality, the Devils have drafted heavily on puck-moving, mobile defencemen in recent drafts, Now, the cupboard is more than stocked.
They also drafted Anton Silayev in 2024 and Luke Hughes in 2021, in addition to Seamus Casey and Ethan Edwards, who are currently developing in AHL Utica.
Nemec undoubtedly has great upside and could develop into a top NHL blueliner as he continues his career. He and the Devils might have to realize that might not happen in Newark. If Nemec is unwilling to budge on contract negotiations and demands top dollar, the Devils might have to walk away or find suitors. Nemec is a restricted free agent, meaning the Devils could sign and trade with a team to return assets to New Jersey.
Devils Potential Pivot
No matter the situation in New Jersey, they will always be tied to the Quinn Hughes saga as long as brothers Jack and Luke are there. They missed out on the sweepstakes this season when Quinn ultimately ended up in Minnesota. He is due a new contract after next year, and as long as he hasn’t committed to Minnesota, the Devils talk will continue.
(Credit Image: © Steve Roberts/Cal Sport Media)
The Devils Have Options with Defenceman
The Devils still have Hamilton under contract for two more seasons. The future of Hamilton is unknown, and he and his agent have voiced displeasure dating back to a healthy scratch in February. Hamilton fared well since the trade deadline passed.
The relationship between the Devils and Hamilton is as tense as it could be. It remains to be seen if new General Manager Sunny Mehta will try to salvage the relationship or ship Hamilton and his cap hit elsewhere.
Should New Jersey decide to stick with a more experienced defensive core, they still have the option of a sign-and-trade. Former GM Tom Fitzgerald did so in the 2023 offseason, with Damon Severson allowing Columbus an eighth year of control.
Regardless of what the Devils, Nemec, or the fanbase want, these contract negotiations will prove to be a significant decision for the franchise. Nemec can be another franchise defenceman alongside Luke Hughes. He could also be a high-value asset in bringing in a solid return for the future. Mehta will quickly need to make that decision.
Main photo by: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
