During his post-trade deadline press conference, Tom Fitzgerald basically told every other general manager that he plans on trading defenseman Simon Nemec this summer.
“We have seven NHL everyday players on our backend,” the Devils general manager said. “Trying to shake one of those loose here in the offseason will be my goal, maybe to give us some help up front, maybe a top-six winger or something.
“With Simon, yeah, he did change agencies. We went through what he means to us. He’s a good young defenseman. He’s part of our organization until he’s not.”
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Nemec, the No. 2 pick in the 2022 draft, publicly voiced his frustration with the organization in the past. He switched agents before the trade deadline. He’s likely going to demand more than Luke Hughes’ contract in the offseason.
So, yeah, a trade is very likely — and everyone in the locker room knows it.
“You know, Fitzy already said he wants to make some moves or change something up,” said defenseman Brenden Dillon. “So, for the defense, there’s been a regular guy out almost every night. I’m sure guys aren’t happy with that.”
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So, who might the Devils be trading him for? Fitzgerald obviously wants a scoring winger he can plunk next to Jack Hughes, but every team wants more scoring. Who are the most realistic options?
It’s clear who one of their top choices is. Two people with knowledge of the situation told NJ.com that the Devils’ interest in Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies is “very real.” Multiple other reports have linked the Devils to the former second-round pick too. Knies is a 6-foot-3, 232-pound power forward who scored 29 goals and 58 points in 2024-25 and 20 goals and 59 points in an injury-riddled year this season.
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Sending Nemec and a few sweeteners for Knies — who would pair nicely next to Hughes — would benefit both clubs.
Knies isn’t the only option Fitzgerald (or his replacement) will look into. Don’t be stunned if the Devils kick tires on St. Louis’ Jordan Kyrou, Seattle’s Shane Wright and aging Nashville center Steven Stamkos.
But the most realistic one seems to be the power forward in Toronto. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman further stoked the flames on this in his latest 32 Thoughts blog.
“Teams that showed serious interest in Matthew Knies included Anaheim, Chicago, Montreal, New Jersey and Utah,” he wrote. “Everyone has denied that the Canadiens went far down the road, but … we’ll see. There were some teams who didn’t believe the Maple Leafs were serious about it, but now recognize the possibility.”
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