Devils GM Reveals The Team Doesn't Need Recent Top Draft Pick
The New Jersey Devils have invested in building their defense in recent drafts. Players like Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec have completely changed the projection for the group. Now new comments from General Manager Tom Fitzgerald have cooled expectations on one of these top players.
Devils Don't Need Nemec
The New Jersey Devils drafted Simon Nemec second overall in the 2022 NHL Draft. Since then Nemec spent the 2022-23 season in the AHL with the Utica Comets. In his 65 games of AHL action he had 34 points. Nemec was also the captain of Team Slovakia at the most recent World Junior Championships where he had 5 points in 5 games.
Nemec's strong play this past season has left many wondering where he will play to start 2023. Recently Devils General Manager spoke about this and had some interesting comments.
These comments are very positive toward Nemec's development. He will get a shot to make the Devils roster but if he is not ready he will head back to the AHL.
Devils Defense Without Nemec
The Devils have a good group on the back end. Highlighted by players like Dougie Hamilton, Luke Hughes, Jonas Siegenthaler, and John Marino the defensive group is definitely capable of playing winning hockey. Where they may struggle is their depth.
Beyond the four mentioned the depth of the Devils' defense is a bit suspect. Players like Kevin Bahl, Colin Miller, and Brendan Smith have all played NHL minutes before on good teams but are inconsistent. This is where Nemec could find his way into the lineup to get some of his first NHL action.
Either way, the Devils are set for a long time on defense with pillars like Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec. Whether it is this year or five years from now Nemec will get his shot to prove why he was selected in the top five of the NHL Draft.
As Read On - New Jersey Hockey Now - Fitzgerald: Devils «Don't Need» Nemec to Make the Roster
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 1 | 76 ANSWERS Devils GM Reveals The Team Doesn't Need Recent Top Draft Pick Will Simon Nemec make the New Jersey Devils this upcoming season? | ||
| Yes | 42 | 55.3 % |
| No | 34 | 44.7 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Zachary Werenski | 2 | 3 | 5 | |
| Sean Monahan | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| Jesper Bratt | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Frederick Gaudreau | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Jack Hughes | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Nikita Kucherov | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Mackenzie Weegar | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Kent Johnson | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Alexander Wennberg | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Mitchell Chaffee | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Anthony Cirelli | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Matthew Coronato | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Marcus Foligno | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Nick Foligno | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Conor Geekie | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Brandon Hagel | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Stefan Noesen | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Corey Perry | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Igor Sharangovich | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Dmitry Voronkov | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 19 | 16 | 3 | - | 32 | |
Wild | 19 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 29 | |
Hurricanes | 19 | 14 | 5 | - | 28 | |
Devils | 22 | 13 | 7 | 2 | 28 | |
Capitals | 19 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 27 | |
Golden Knights | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Maple Leafs | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Rangers | 18 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 25 | |
Panthers | 20 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 25 | |
Flames | 20 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 25 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||