Egresch
Registered User
- Jul 10, 2022
- 1,184
- 1,640
Just correction, he did not play in Europe post his draft, he immediatelly moved to Utica.Nemec’s development has be abnormal for lack of a better phrase. Year one post draft in Europe, year 2 he was in Utica and then played a huge piece of the season due to Hamilton’s injury, and then this year, he had a rocky start for multiple reasons and Kovacevic came out of nowhere. He really has had a strange path. He needs consistency and time to develop into a defenseman in the North American game and the AHL is the place to do that.
I can see a shake up coming and he gets some time up in New Jersey this season, but I truly think he plays next year and the Devils let Kovacevic walk.
If the Devils move on from him, he should be packaged with Mercer and a pick to go after an elite forward such as Brady Tkachuk if he ends up being available. That’s just an example, but something of that nature.
NJD have few options in the summer, but the ideal solution for them would be to trade away Hamilton and Palat. Extend Kovacevic, and Hughes of course. Nemec would replace Hamilton and they would get a lot of cap space to attract some help in offense (3C, scoring winger...).