Interesting Trade Option Involving Juraj Slafkovsky's Best Friend Surfaces
At the second spot in the 2022 NHL Draft, the New Jersey Devils selected defenseman Simon Nemec. Since then, he has only played 69 games in the NHL and is currently enduring a tough season in the AHL.
The defenseman is definitely not happy with this situation, and he recently made his displeasure known to his boss, Tom Fitzgerald.
Simon Nemec on his situation with the Devils
The fault of Johnathan Kovacevic and a potential trade for Simon Nemec?
The fact is that a former Montreal Canadiens player, Jonathan Kovacevic, is partly the reason why Nemec is stagnating in the AHL.
We remember that last June, just before the NHL free agency market opened, Kent Hughes traded Kovacevic to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2026 draft.
Since then, the 27-year-old right-handed defenseman has been having a good season. So much so that the Devils' GM is reportedly considering extending him for several more seasons.
This could delay Nemec's arrival in the Devils' lineup in the short term.
Adding to this is the fact that their defense has great depth with Dougie Hamilton, Brett Pesce, Luke Hughes, Jonas Siegenthaler, Brenden Dillon, and Seamus Casey, who is doing very well as a rookie. This means that Nemec could be waiting for a long time.
A possible reunion between Simon Nemec and Juraj Slafkovsky
We all know that Simon Nemec and Juraj Slafkovsky are very good friends.
So it's no surprise that the name of the Devils' defenseman has often been linked to the Montreal Canadiens, especially at the start of this season.
However, the arrival of Alexandre Carrier on the team's blue line has changed things. Since then, every Canadiens defenseman has found his place on the chessboard.
Adding another defenseman, like Nemec, could significantly harm the current cohesion of Martin St-Louis' squad.
That being said, Kent Hughes could be tempted to contact his counterpart to inquire about the asking price.
A price that certainly won't be very high given the circumstances. Also, as Pierre Lebrun reported, the Devils could be interested in Jake Evans, to solidify their depth at centre.
Knowing that David Savard won't be around forever and that the future of Logan Mailloux and David Reinbacher is somewhat uncertain, having another option on the right could be a good thing.
But Kent Hughes will certainly not be the only GM interested in giving this talented defenseman a second chance.
