Confirmed with Link: Nemec going, going, gone…to Calgary (for two future firsts and a second rounder)

[Clam Jensen]

Some acting like we traded Cale Maker away.

For real. Some people will just never be happy no matter what lol.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

Oh brother. If we are actually using any of these picks, we are frigging cooked bc the core will all be 30+ before they make an impact

We still have are own picks. The additional picks we acquired will probably be moved with this year 12th and possibly our 2nd, while we still have the 35th pick

 

[devilsblood]

Curious: can you post his 24-25 cards? What do they say? Since that was a team that was equally trash defensively, but offensively minded.

Is the analysis the same or does it say the exact opposite about Nemec's play? Since advanced stats always are right and tell all truths.

You think the Devils were trash defensively in 24-25?

They weren’t.

While Nemec was basically unplayable that regular season.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

Dougie is 33 and even in a down year still had more points and a better plus minus than the unicorn talent of Simon nemec

And he has a no move clause. Now with Nemec gone I doubt Dougie is going anywhere.

 

[Capt Nico Poo]

Luke Hughes is one of the greatest skaters I've seen. At no time had her looked like 'one of the better defensemen', but skating covers lots of ills and he's got a much higher ceiling. And hasnt matured much despite all of the extra opportunity.
I hope, and think you're right, but I still think we pooched it with Nemec.

Luke Hughes falls on his ass 1-2 times per game. Id say one of the worst skaters

 

[NJDevs26]

I mean TWO GM's both looking to move on from Nemec should tell you something, no? When one is Fitz, okay he might be a moron but when the next guy who has a good pedigree does it as move one that's a bit of a red flag tbh.

The charitable explanation is it tells you he was being unreasonable with his contract demands and a bit of a baby about not being given the country club gold pass. The more damning one is he just hasn't been good enough defensively or on the PP to have the odd goal counteract it. Maybe some of that is him just cheating more to get better offensive stats and juice up contract demands but I'm not sure I want that player around to try and help this team turn the corner. We're looking to get rid of the bad eggs here, why complain when an obvious one hits the road?

Some acting like we traded Cale Maker away.

No, they're just acting as if Fitz did the deal since we know Fitz has dealt and gotten rid of guys who've contributed elsewhere.

 

[Triumph]

I see that too.

They helped Bahl, and the are lots of things he does wrong that are clearly just uncorrected technique and incredibly fixable... Like having a stick on the ice or taking a better angle or getting better blocking shots.

It's not impossible for a 22 yr old guy who's always been 'the guy' and has never had to work on his game...to work on his game and that his defense improves rapidly this year.

That's the whole point, a lot of his mistakes are incredibly fixable, but he never showed any interest in fixing them. He was making the same mistakes as a 19 year old that he was as a 21 year old, very basic mistakes. It's possible that he figures that out and commits himself to learning the defensive zone. But if Calgary hands him a giant contract, why would he?

 

[Whaddagoal]

I get the less than exhilaration feelings at this trade being made. It's just one of those trades that had to be made (if you are going to get value from trading a young and promising D Asset of NHL caliber)

No one was going to take Dougies huge ass contract, not after last season.

We all want quinn, Nemec frees up 6 to 9 million AAV in future cap space.(Depending on how you valued him

Would I have liked to keep Nemec and see if he really grows into that top defender we hoped for? Yes.

In an ideal scenario I wouldn't have traded him, but it is better we got something for him now than 1.5 years if he didn't pan out further.

We only lose if he pans out to be a total stud, and if both picks we get are fails. Otherwise this gives the team some room to plan out the next couple seasons for expected core players (new and existing)

 

[devilsblood]

If only Nemec kept his stick on the ice. He could have been a real gem.

 

[JimEIV]

That's the whole point, a lot of his mistakes are incredibly fixable, but he never showed any interest in fixing them. He was making the same mistakes as a 19 year old that he was as a 21 year old, very basic mistakes. It's possible that he figures that out and commits himself to learning the defensive zone. But if Calgary hands him a giant contract, why would he?

That's a little harsh...not untrue, just seems overly critical for the amount of time that he's had.

First let me say that I really don't have a problem with any of this, I just would've liked to see a bigger body of work before we had to make the decision.

A 21 year old defenseman making the same dumb mistakes is more normal than not. We can pick apart his game and it would all be true but I'm just not going to believe that anyone can fully determine the trajectory of a 21 just turned 22 year old defenseman, new to North America, with 155 games played over parts of 3 seasons.

It's unfortunate timing perhaps.

Adam Larsson turned out to be a fine defender, his game at 21 was garbage. His skating was a major issue and his development looked stalled and was sent to Albany for 33 games. Two seasons later he turned in an excellent defensive performance. Not the same thing (style/circumstances) or personality type but it's a perfect illustration of the difference between 150-ish games played and about 200 for a young defender.

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

Anyone slightly disappointed that we couldn't use Nemec to get Chicago's 4th overall pick? I actually think he is comparable to Byram.

 

[Triumph]

I get the less than exhilaration feelings at this trade being made. It's just one of those trades that had to be made (if you are going to get value from trading a young and promising D Asset of NHL caliber)

No one was going to take Dougies huge ass contract, not after last season.

We all want quinn, Nemec frees up 6 to 9 million AAV in future cap space.(Depending on how you valued him

Would I have liked to keep Nemec and see if he really grows into that top defender we hoped for? Yes.

In an ideal scenario I wouldn't have traded him, but it is better we got something for him now than 1.5 years if he didn't pan out further.

We only lose if he pans out to be a total stud, and if both picks we get are fails. Otherwise this gives the team some room to plan out the next couple seasons for expected core players (new and existing)

I think plenty of teams would've lined up for Dougie's contract. I do not think that is why they made this move. It's possible Dougie would've blocked all trades, but he's only signed for one season past this one. If the Devils took a little bit of that deal it moves with a few picks in return.

 

[Triumph]

That's a little harsh...not untrue, just seems overly critical for the amount of time that he's had.

First let me say that I really don't have a problem with any of this, I just would've liked to see a bigger body of work before we had to make the decision.

A 21 year old defenseman making the same dumb mistakes is more normal than not. We can pick apart his game and it would all be true but I'm just not going to believe that anyone can fully determine the trajectory of a 21 just turned 22 year old defenseman, new to North America, with 155 games played over parts of 3 seasons.

It's unfortunate timing perhaps.

Adam Larsson turned out to be a fine defender, his game at 21 was garbage. His skating was a major issue and his development looked stalled and was sent to Albany for 33 games. Two seasons later he turned in an excellent defensive performance. Not the same thing (style/circumstances) or personality type but it's a perfect illustration of the difference between 150-ish games played and about 200 for a young defender.

The trajectory was very bad for Nemec. I agree that he could figure it out. That's the conundrum, right? His flaws are so obvious that if he just worked on them a bit, he could become decent, and then who knows if he continues to improve from there. It's a fine bet for Calgary, although I really think Calgary is just lost in the wilderness and will be for a long time.

Larsson wasn't garbage - even when he was sent down his xG was positive that season, relative to his peers - but the Devils basically made him unlearn what kind of defenseman he thought he was. They taught him to stop hanging on to the puck and to move it as quickly as possible. He's had a fine career as a 2nd pairing shutdown guy but that's not what he was drafted to be. The Devils sent Nemec down in 2024-25, while he had a good playoffs that year and obviously a hot start to this past season, his habits barely improved. He just shows no interest in learning what to do in the defensive zone.

I really don't think there is a significant difference between 150 and 200 games for a young defender, this is just something you've made up.

 

[dzubrus8]

Don't think he was close to being considered a "blue chip" any more. If he was, there'd have been a bigger return because more people would have wanted him and been willing to pay more

I don't see top pair upside with him any more personally either, though if he were the offensively inclined second pair #3 type, I don't think that would be crazy

That’s where I’m at. Rooting for the guy but I was becoming more convinced he’d top at as a Damon Severson type here. Still a helpful piece, not worth 2OA, and if someone offered the Devils 2 1s and a 2 for Damon Severson back then I’d move on too. Don’t think he was going to hit his full potential here after everything that happened the last 3 years.

I’d like to see the Devils use at least a few of those picks on Friday. If a big name pops up and the only way to bring them in is with pick 12 (Hughes, Robertson, Larkin, Thomas), I am willing to make that trade, otherwise use those future 1s in a trade for a McTavish / Benson type.

The only downside I see with this trade is that there are some teams that probably would give players up for Nemec that they wouldn’t give up for a smattering of picks, e.g. San Jose. Don’t see them wanting future 1s for Bystedt but could’ve seen them giving Bystedt++ for Nemec.

 

[devilsblood]

Anyone slightly disappointed that we couldn't use Nemec to get Chicago's 4th overall pick? I actually think he is comparable to Byram.

Chicago got Byram? Good for them.

He is a much more proven commodity though. Don't see Nemec as much of a comparable at the moment.

 

[devilsblood]

That's a little harsh...not untrue, just seems overly critical for the amount of time that he's had.

First let me say that I really don't have a problem with any of this, I just would've liked to see a bigger body of work before we had to make the decision.

A 21 year old defenseman making the same dumb mistakes is more normal than not. We can pick apart his game and it would all be true but I'm just not going to believe that anyone can fully determine the trajectory of a 21 just turned 22 year old defenseman, new to North America, with 155 games played over parts of 3 seasons.

It's unfortunate timing perhaps.

Adam Larsson turned out to be a fine defender, his game at 21 was garbage. His skating was a major issue and his development looked stalled and was sent to Albany for 33 games. Two seasons later he turned in an excellent defensive performance. Not the same thing (style/circumstances) or personality type but it's a perfect illustration of the difference between 150-ish games played and about 200 for a young defender.

This is the problem with drafting d-men that high. Forced to make that decision very early.

 

[MartyOwns]

This is the problem with drafting d-men that high. Forced to make that decision very early.

 

[Triumph]

I also forget if I said this in here, but Simon Nemec is just never on the same Devils team as Quinn Hughes, that wouldn't make much sense to have Nemec playing on the other side of either Hughes, or on a power play with one, which leaves him without much of a future if that's the direction the Devils are going. Hamilton probably isn't on that team either but he has a year left at season's end.

 

[Devils Trap]

Getting all the PP time. Even strength he had 25 points which is all of 1 more than Nemec 24 ev strength.

Paired with the actual best defensive defenseman in the league the year before.

I would debate that Hamilton was much better than Nemec this year, and I doubt he'll be better next. His contract is already an albatross.

Debating Hamilton was better then Nemec this year is just wrong There isnt a single metric where the opposite is close to true. And to add to this, it was Dougie's worst year maybe in his career and he still outplayed him by alot

People want to compete now, and they also want to trade the only D who played well last season. It will be a miracle if Nemec ever reaches Dougie's game last year. But Dougie's worst is still 5x what Nemec can do.


Also regarding the PP time, you want to know why Nemec gets ZERO PP Time !?? Because he just isnt very good at it - not in the NHL.

 

[devilsblood]

The only downside I see with this trade is that there are some teams that probably would give players up for Nemec that they wouldn’t give up for a smattering of picks, e.g. San Jose. Don’t see them wanting future 1s for Bystedt but could’ve seen them giving Bystedt++ for Nemec.

This assumes Mehta didn't make that phone call, and the reply from SJ was nah.

 

[devilsblood]

I also forget if I said this in here, but Simon Nemec is just never on the same Devils team as Quinn Hughes, that wouldn't make much sense to have Nemec playing on the other side of either Hughes, or on a power play with one, which leaves him without much of a future if that's the direction the Devils are going. Hamilton probably isn't on that team either but he has a year left at season's end.

Ya Quinn definitely needs to be in the back of the mind regarding this and any futures moves/non moves.

 

[dzubrus8]

This assumes Mehta didn't make that phone call, and the reply from SJ was nah.

Very possible. I have no bad words towards Mehta for this trade. Can’t imagine he gets more “value” for this pick but maybe he fills a need better in a ‘hockey’ trade than in a ‘player for picks’ trade.

 

[devilsblood]

View attachment 1258504

A)Not drafted quite as high.

B)Given 2 years in Russia and likely a year in Utica, we have more time to make this judgement.

I think Nemec was getting itchy already in year 2.

 

[theoptimist]

He wanted to be THE guy and that wasn't going to happen. I guarantee you he will be a better player in CGY.

 

[devilsblood]

He wanted to be THE guy and that wasn't going to happen. I guarantee you he will be a better player in CGY.

Well he should continue to progress, so it makes sense that he'll be a better player in a couple years if not immediately. And if he's given top PP1 and all the prime offensive ops 5v5, he'll put up better offensive numbers,

But also very possible he continues to put up lousy defensive numbers. Especially if they try to give him some difficult assignments.