5 Potential Trade Destinations for Devils' Nemec
Simon Nemec is once again the subject of trade rumors. If the New Jersey Devils move on, where could they trade him to?
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Are Šimon Nemec’s days with the New Jersey Devils numbered?
Last week, reports stated Nemec had requested a trade, but Elliotte Friedman quickly denied this on 32 Thoughts.
This is not the first song and dance with a Nemec trade request, however, even if it wasn’t true. He’ll be a restricted free agent on July 1, and it probably makes sense for the Devils to trade him before his value crashes, as they did with Ty Smith.
We already examined why the Devils should trade Nemec, but where are some potential landing spots? Let’s take a look.
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are perhaps the most obvious landing spot for Nemec, and that’s because Jordan Kyrou should be a top trade target for the Devils.
I’ve written about Kyrou ad nauseam since the trade deadline. Long story short, he is exactly what the Devils need, even though he’s coming off a down season. He has a strong track record of producing 30+ goals and 60+ points, and he’s also posted strong underlying metrics:
Nemec would likely be a part of any package for Kyrou, as would a draft pick and perhaps another asset. The Blues have drafted players from Slovakia in recent years. They selected Dalibor Dvorsky with a high pick and have Juraj Pekarcik coming up through their system.
The Blues may have some familiarity with Nemec because of their scouting roots in Eastern Europe, and there’s also a path to more playing time in St. Louis than in New Jersey.
Colton Parayko is the only right-handed defenseman of note on the Blues’ roster, and they nearly traded him at this season’s trade deadline. Swapping Nemec for Kyrou could make plenty of sense for both sides.
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks arrived a year ahead of schedule, qualifying for the playoffs and advancing a round. They will want to build off that this offseason.
GM Pat Verbeek could look to redo the right side of his defense a bit. John Carlson, Jacob Trouba, and Radko Gudas are all UFAs this offseason. I could see them re-signing Carlson, but it’s very possible all three don’t return.
That could make Nemec a fit for the Ducks. Troy Terry has surfaced in trade rumors before, but the player I wonder about is Mason McTavish.
McTavish signed a six-year, $42 million contract before the start of this season, but the Ducks may be more inclined to move him with Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier due for massive paydays as RFAs this offseason.
McTavish did not have the best season. He finished with 17 goals and 41 points in 75 games, but he’s only 23 and has posted some decent offensive metrics.
While he is a natural center, McTavish’s future may be as a winger due to his poor defensive game. He could be a good complement for Jack Hughes, and there’s always the bonus that he can play center if you need him to. A Nemec for McTavish swap could make plenty of sense for both sides here, too.
Ottawa Senators
Bruce Garrioch reported after this year’s trade deadline that the Ottawa Senators were one of the teams to inquire about Nemec and Dougie Hamilton.
Their search for a right-handed defenseman will likely continue this offseason, so it’s certainly possible they could revisit talks for Nemec (and Hamilton, too).
Drake Batherson is a year away from unrestricted free agency. Perhaps the Senators will unload him if they aren’t interested in paying him, but that doesn’t seem all that likely.
I know everyone is fixated on a forward for Nemec, but what about a right-handed defenseman for a right-handed defenseman swap?
Jordan Spence will be an RFA on July 1. Could he make sense for the Devils? He absolutely crushes third-pair minutes and would be a significant upgrade over Nemec:
If the Devils are trading both Nemec and Hamilton this offseason, they will need to find a right-handed replacement for their blue line.
Evolving Hockey has Spence signing for five years at a cap hit of $5.378 million. He would make plenty of sense for the Devils if the Senators aren’t intent on paying him.
San Jose Sharks
Along with the Blues, the San Jose Sharks may be one of the other most obvious fits for Nemec. They need help on defense, especially on the right side, and they’re likely looking to add someone who can grow with their young core.
A potential factor here is that the Sharks own the second overall pick in the 2026 draft. If they select Ivar Stenberg, they may be willing to part with one of their young forwards.
The name that comes to mind is William Eklund. He had a strong season with the Sharks, totaling 15 goals and 53 points in 78 games.
Eklund’s five-on-five impacts are quite good, but my concern is that he feels like a bit more of the same for the Devils. He’s certainly more of a playmaker than a finisher, and the Devils need a finisher.
Still, the Devils need more good players, and Eklund is certainly a good player. A trade revolving around Nemec and Eklund could work here.
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres were the feel-good story of the 2025-26 NHL season. They were one game away from advancing to the Eastern Conference Final, and they look like they have some staying power in the Atlantic Division.
One of their most pressing needs is finding another right-shot defender. Mattias Samuelsson and Owen Power, two lefties, played on their off-hands for most of the season.
Nemec’s best season with the Devils came when he was a rookie, Lindy Ruff’s last as the team’s head coach. Ruff seems to know how to get the best out of defensemen, too.
Bowen Byram and Samuelsson had breakout years in 2025-26, and Rasmus Dahlin earned a nomination for the Norris Trophy. Dougie Hamilton’s best season came in 2022-23 under Ruff’s watch as well.
Perhaps Ruff can get the best out of Nemec, especially since he’d likely be in a bottom-four role with the Sabres. The question is what could the Sabres offer in return?
The Sabres have a surplus of young forwards. Noah Ostlund finished with 11 goals and 27 points in 60 games this season, but is he someone the Sabres would be willing to part with? Perhaps he is with the emergence of Konsta Helenius.
Either way, I could see Ruff and the Sabres having some interest in Nemec.
It’s Decision Time
Trading Nemec may make the most sense because if he returns to the Devils and struggles as he has the last two seasons, his trade value will plummet.
And with the Devils needing some scoring help, Nemec may be their best trade asset. We’ll see what GM Sunny Mehta and the Devils decide to do.
The trade I really want, which came from JP's podcast, is Nemec and our 1st for SJ's 2nd. I mentioned it to a couple of SJ fans, and they surprisingly didn't hate it. Getting Stenberg would be a major coup, and a great way to start the Mehta era.
Thanks for the article Alex. Question:
Do you really think they could trade both Hamilton and Nemec? That's like a no-no IMHO, not only you're short a proven RD in Hamilton then you have Pesce and Kovacevic, not exactly two guys that set the world on fire offensively. Also you're short someone to QB a PP unit. We've seen crazier things take place though.