Jerzey Devil
Jerzey-Duz-It
Honestly Brady Tkachuk really seems like he wants to be a Devil. He’s declining penalties from us and he really seems like he wants to be a part of the Devils/Rangers rivalry. 
Speculation: Nemec not happy with the Devils?
- Thread starter RoyIsALegend
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NJDevils17
Going Up?
So much talk about backsliding and his value cratering as if he didn’t get injured and that disrupted the whole start to his season. Now he’s on the AHL All-Star team and picking up a ton of points, which isn’t even really his whole game.
I thought his 2nd half of NJ last year was pretty poor but his 1H showed a player who very clearly belonged. He started the year in New Jersey paired with Casey (who’s awesome but not ready for NHL minutes defensively) and still recovering from the injury.
The entire defense staying healthy + Kovacevic emerging as a legit shutdown guy has made it impossible to bring him up. There’s no space and they’re not going to have him sit for weeks. He’ll be up in the playoffs.
Being in the A is a luxury not an indictment.
I thought his 2nd half of NJ last year was pretty poor but his 1H showed a player who very clearly belonged. He started the year in New Jersey paired with Casey (who’s awesome but not ready for NHL minutes defensively) and still recovering from the injury.
The entire defense staying healthy + Kovacevic emerging as a legit shutdown guy has made it impossible to bring him up. There’s no space and they’re not going to have him sit for weeks. He’ll be up in the playoffs.
Being in the A is a luxury not an indictment.
Next year I'd agree it's an issue. I think it gets resolved over the summer. Let's see if NJ can even get Kovacevic to agree to terms. If not the issue takes care of itself.
This is something that will be addressed one way or another this offseason. Devils will either trade Hamilton, allow Kovacevic to walk or trade Nemec. There's no chance Nemec is not a full time NHLer at the start of next season.
There's little reason to move Nemec this season. He's essentially NJ's #7 defenseman on the depth charts right now - any injury on defense and he draws into the lineup. There's just no reason to have him up on the NHL roster to be a healthy scratch when he can get big minutes and keep developing in the AHL. Devils have been very fortunate with a lack of injuries for much of this season, but it's only a matter of time before someone goes down. You also need to have depth for a playoff run - if the Devils were to trade Nemec for forward help, they'd also have to acquire a depth defenseman at the deadline with Nemec no longer in the mix.
You also create a potential whole in next season's lineup if Nemec is gone, Kovacevic walks and Casey is not ready to be a full-time NHL defenseman on a team chasing a Cup. Nemec will get another chance soon enough in NJ. Understandable that he's a bit frustrated with the current situation, but I don't have any problem with what he said (much of which is seemingly overblown).
There's little reason to move Nemec this season. He's essentially NJ's #7 defenseman on the depth charts right now - any injury on defense and he draws into the lineup. There's just no reason to have him up on the NHL roster to be a healthy scratch when he can get big minutes and keep developing in the AHL. Devils have been very fortunate with a lack of injuries for much of this season, but it's only a matter of time before someone goes down. You also need to have depth for a playoff run - if the Devils were to trade Nemec for forward help, they'd also have to acquire a depth defenseman at the deadline with Nemec no longer in the mix.
You also create a potential whole in next season's lineup if Nemec is gone, Kovacevic walks and Casey is not ready to be a full-time NHL defenseman on a team chasing a Cup. Nemec will get another chance soon enough in NJ. Understandable that he's a bit frustrated with the current situation, but I don't have any problem with what he said (much of which is seemingly overblown).
Habs Halifax
Loyal Habs Fan
Does either of Hamilton or Pesce have ability to play LD? That might unblock the issue at RD. But then I wonder, who doesn't play on the LD side? Siegenthaler?
Monsieur Verdoux
Registered User
Pesce has played on the LD side earlier. And maybe they can trade Dillon?
Habs Halifax
Loyal Habs Fan
Someone posted on the Devils board they believe Kovacevic likely priced himself out of the Devils future. I tend to agree (though he has been really freaking good for us).
If you're looking at Kovacevic as getting (I'm totally making up a number here) $4.5m per at the age of 27 (still young enough) vs. Nemec next year at 900k at the age of 20... i take Nemec.
I think the original intent was Kovacevic to be a stop-gap, injury insurance. His breakout season is creating a good problem. But depending on his salary demands - in my opinion i think he walks and we stick to the original plan.
Plus I don't think Nemec has regressed (admittedly there is debate on our board on this). He had an up/down season last year, on a team decimated with injuries where the most experienced Dmen playing more than 50 games were John Marino, Brendan Smith and [an injury-plagued season] Jonas Siegenthaler. Before the season started some users predicted a rough defensive year (losing Severson and Graves who were good for us the year prior). Understandably his season was mixed.
Then he got injured to start this year - and feels like he's finally coming out of it. He's 20 years old. He has some great talent. I think his quote is being blow out of proportion.
If you're looking at Kovacevic as getting (I'm totally making up a number here) $4.5m per at the age of 27 (still young enough) vs. Nemec next year at 900k at the age of 20... i take Nemec.
I think the original intent was Kovacevic to be a stop-gap, injury insurance. His breakout season is creating a good problem. But depending on his salary demands - in my opinion i think he walks and we stick to the original plan.
Plus I don't think Nemec has regressed (admittedly there is debate on our board on this). He had an up/down season last year, on a team decimated with injuries where the most experienced Dmen playing more than 50 games were John Marino, Brendan Smith and [an injury-plagued season] Jonas Siegenthaler. Before the season started some users predicted a rough defensive year (losing Severson and Graves who were good for us the year prior). Understandably his season was mixed.
Then he got injured to start this year - and feels like he's finally coming out of it. He's 20 years old. He has some great talent. I think his quote is being blow out of proportion.
As a Sharks fan, I think I'd be pretty happy with signing Kovacevic to a 4.5-5.5 mil cap figure depending on the term. A four or five year deal at that rate would be something I'd want Grier to offer him if he makes it to free agency. It does make sense for New Jersey to pass up on that sort of investment with Nemec and Casey there.
Golden_Jet
Registered User
- Sep 21, 2005
- 27,776
- 14,734
I guess we will, you thought it was fans saying it, Nemec says if this situation continues, it will have to be addressed, but it’s ok to pretend he didn’t say it.
I said fans are wish casting that Nemec wants out. Where did he say he wants out? Be specific. I left it alone last time saying I'm open to revisiting it and you double down with a petty childish trollish take rather than answer my question. I've been civil and you now have to make it personal. Do better.
yea but the 'situation' continues for how long? Rest of the season? Fine we address it going into next year. Into next season? Then i can see his point.
But his quote does not specify the timeline. I personally don't think he was referring to this specific year.
Forge
Blissfully Mediocre
I think the Jake Middleton contract makes a ton of sense as the baseline for a Kovacevic contract extension. He got like 4 x 4.5 I think.
I would be happy to sign Kovacevic to such a contract this offseason especially if the Sharks end up drafting Schaefer. Schaefer with Kovacevic as the middle pairing next season would be a huge improvement now and long term for the Sharks.
New Jerseys Devil
Folk Legend
- Nov 25, 2024
- 172
- 219
Nemec was directly asked about requesting a trade, referring to draft-mate David Jiricek; he didnt himself bring up the conversation!
I thought Simon's response was quite mature and shows a sense of confidence but also understanding. Hes only just turning 21! Id have probably said worse things
Wouldn't blame Kovacevic for going with the largest offer this offseason, which is highly unlikely to come from NJ. He'll be 28 this offseason and has a great opportunity to sign a long-term deal at good money after barely making more than league minimum this season. Maybe he'll take a Siegenthaler-like deal (longer years, lower AAV) with NJ knowing that he's in a good fit (system and partner-wise) and has a chance better to win a Cup than most other places he could go, but if there's a lot of money being left on the table that's hard to look past.
Kovacevic leaving would open up a spot next season for Nemec and put Casey is Nemec-like role next year, where he could likely be playing in the NHL on a lot of teams but would find himself as the odd-man out as the 7th defenseman and a young player that would be better served getting lots of ice time in the AHL versus being a healthy scratch at the NHL level.
Kovacevic leaving would open up a spot next season for Nemec and put Casey is Nemec-like role next year, where he could likely be playing in the NHL on a lot of teams but would find himself as the odd-man out as the 7th defenseman and a young player that would be better served getting lots of ice time in the AHL versus being a healthy scratch at the NHL level.
So in actual terms, in the present day he’s made zero demands, and at some yet to be determined future date where the situation hasn’t changed, he says it “will have to be addressed” - also not a trade demand.
Thanks for playing.
dirtydanglez
Registered User
- Oct 30, 2022
- 5,774
- 5,845
devils are better off moving him in a package for a bigger piece like a tkachuk or rantanen.
Yeah, cup chasing over for example 5 mill over the life of a contract doesn't seem like it'll sell for a guy with like 2.5 mill in career earnings
No. And why does everyone assume Evans comes with an extension to pump up his trade value? When does this ever actually happen? Am I missing all those examples when pending UFA's sign an extension and immediately get dealt? Devils also aren't interested in getting draft picks back at this stage.
BigDaddyLurch
Exiled from Reality
...sign & trades happen...not that I suggest the Devils do it, but they do happen...
Pavlikovsky
Registered User
Habs Halifax
Loyal Habs Fan
The "better off" narrative has flaws and you know it.
Rantanen won't be traded. You can forget about that. Maybe he reaches UFA and you can sign him
Tkachuk will require a proven young roster player. Nemec and late 1st's won't do it. Nemec has to be playing in the NHL and showing his #2OA potential. And that's if the Sens even want to trade Tkachuk. They are chasing the playoffs bud.
Any other ideas?
Habs Halifax
Loyal Habs Fan
Agreed. He's a good young piece still yes but come on man... we are talking about Rantanen who the Avs won't trade. And Tkachuk who has term left and the Sens are chasing the playoffs.
Nemec and a late 1st might get Miller but the Canucks probably want proven pieces coming back so they stay competitive now vs later.
Well if he didn't come with extension and the Devils prefer it, maybe they pass. It's not that complicated.
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