Simon Nemec’s contract demand could ruin any return for New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils are in a pickle coming into this offseason. It’s the same pickle they had last offseason, but in true Tom Fitzgerald fashion, the Devils sat on their issue and hoped they could address it during the season.

The issue is that they have seven NHL defensemen. Last year, that narrative changed drastically when Luke Hughes signed a seven-year deal worth $9 million per season. It’s really easy to play with seven high-upside defensemen when two are on their entry-level deal. Now, with two players making $9 million and five players making $4 million or more.

The Devils had one of the most expensive defensive units in the league. That could get a lot worse with Simon Nemec’s entry-level contract ending. He’s due a massive raise, and reports say he wants to squeeze as much money out of this negotiation as possible.

Nemec is technically the Devils’ seventh defenseman. Sunny Mehta is going to figure something out this offseason to rectify that situation. For some reason, Fitzgerald gave out multiple long-term contracts to veteran defensemen while also prioritizing defense in the draft. Since taking over as GM, and eventually President of Hockey Operations, Fitzgerald used four of his seven first-round picks on defensemen. Overall, he used 14 draft picks on defensemen, including one that played zero games the season before he was drafted. 

The Devils have more defensemen than they know what to do with, and Anton Silayev is expected to join the roster this offseason. Seamus Casey is close to NHL ready if he stays healthy. There are options for Mehta.

This is why Nemec, trade request or not, is expected to be on the move this offseason. It’s becoming a math equation.

Speaking of math, Nemec might be a former second-overall pick, and he’s had some success in the NHL, but many teams would be hesitant to give him the same contract Luke Hughes got. Of course, there was more to the Hughes situation, as they were not going to give him a deal that coincided with Jack Hughes’s deal. Nemec doesn’t have that type of leverage. 

Will this Simon Nemec contract “demand” hurt a potential return for the Devils?

Teams looking to upgrade their defense while also getting younger would be interested in Nemec. However, the most viable option many believe with Nemec is using him to get a star forward. Whether it’s a move to get Quinn Hughes on the roster or to get someone huge like Jason Robertson or Robert Thomas, Nemec would be the central piece to the trade.

These teams would be looking to save money. If Nemec is asking for that sizable salary, does it make sense for Dallas or St. Louis to do that?

If they do, it would make the deal less desirable than Nemec on an entry-level contract. Heck, even Nemec on a $5 million per year contract would make him really desirable, even if it was a bridge deal. 

At the end of it, teams are going to take a chance on Nemec, including the Devils, if it doesn’t hit the price Mehta is looking for.