New Jersey Devils Second Overall Pick Simon Nemec Threatens to Demand Trade
The New Jersey Devils' second overall pick Simon Nemec threatened to demand a trade in a recent interview in a Slovak outlet.
It hasn't been easy for the 2022 second overall pick Simon Nemec since coming over to North America.
The 20-year-old defenseman took part in 69 NHL games with the New Jersey Devils in the past three seasons. This year, after tallying one assist in nine games wit the Devils, he was sent down to the AHL and admitted it was the worst time of his hockey career.
Now, after scoring 16 points, including five goals in 23 games with the Devils' AHL affiliate team, the Utica Comets, it appears the worst of it is behind him:
It's behind me now, and I'm playing hockey again. I'm doing the things I know how to do. It's not yet in the league I want to be in, but it's better."
When he explained why he was sent down, he understood that it was better for him to go in the AHL than remain benched in the NHL, but it was still hard for him:
I think that with time, I showed progress in games, even though I didn't have a defined role. I had to adapt. I felt better, and my confidence rose. Then the coach decided to send me down. I had to deal with it and move on. It's behind me now."
"I tried to focus on myself. I calmed down before reacting and didn't overthink. I concentrated on my own performances."
Later, he was asked if he'd request a trade if the Devils were to keep him in the AHL, like his fellow countryman David Jiricek did with the Columbus Blue Jackets, to which he replied that the situation would be dealt with if the situation continued:
"I've proven I belong in the NHL, but I try not to dwell on it. I take things as they come. I believe that when the opportunity arises, I'll seize it."
"It's a business, but on the other hand, I can't recall a second-overall pick spending their third year in the minors. Devils are doing well, so I have to wait, even though it's not the most ideal situation."
While second overall picks don't usually remain in the AHL for so long, he's still 20 years old. And with the Devils performing well, keeping him in the AHL for now makes sense.
If an injury occur at the Devils' blue line, it'll be interesting to see if he gets another shot at the NHL.
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Seth Jarvis | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Zach Benson | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Cody Glass | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Bryan Rust | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Matthew Grzelcyk | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Jordan Martinook | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Anthony Beauvillier | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jackson Blake | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Tomas Hertl | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Owen Power | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Rickard Rakell | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Shea Theodore | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Michael Bunting | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Bowen Byram | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Pavel Dorofeyev | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Jack Eichel | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Victor Olofsson | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Dmitry Orlov | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Alex Pietrangelo | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Jaccob Slavin | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Capitals | 45 | 30 | 10 | 5 | 65 | |
Jets | 46 | 31 | 12 | 3 | 65 | |
Golden Knights | 44 | 29 | 12 | 3 | 61 | |
Oilers | 45 | 29 | 13 | 3 | 61 | |
Wild | 45 | 27 | 14 | 4 | 58 | |
Maple Leafs | 46 | 28 | 16 | 2 | 58 | |
Devils | 47 | 26 | 15 | 6 | 58 | |
Stars | 44 | 28 | 15 | 1 | 57 | |
Kings | 42 | 25 | 12 | 5 | 55 | |
Hurricanes | 45 | 26 | 16 | 3 | 55 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||