Oct 17, 2024; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec (17) skates in the first period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

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Simon Nemec Voices Discontent with AHL Stint in Devils System

Simon Nemec Struggles with AHL Role as the Devils Prioritize His Development

Simon Nemec, the top prospect for the New Jersey Devils, shared some thoughts about his future with the Devils earlier this week and his present situation in the AHL. The defenseman expressed his dissatisfaction with his current role in the AHL, articulating his frustration and asserting that he has demonstrated he deserves a spot in the NHL. He further mentioned that while it’s premature to seek a trade, the issue would eventually need to be dealt with.

The second-overall selection from 2022 is currently in his third year as a professional, primarily playing with the AHL’s Utica Comets. Nevertheless, during the previous season, the 20-year-old participated in 60 NHL games with New Jersey. It proved effective, recording three goals and 16 assists while earning some Calder Trophy recognition for top rookie.

Simon Nemec is not happy with his situation with the Devils 😬 pic.twitter.com/ZWiOSnIO45
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) January 17, 2025

James Nichols from New Jersey Hockey Now contacted the Devils organization to inquire if they knew about any issues with Nemec, and they responded that they were unaware of any but acknowledged that he was unhappy about playing outside the NHL.

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In his interview, Nemec noted that he felt he was progressing after one of the most challenging periods in his hockey career, as he managed an upper-body injury he sustained during the 2026 Olympic qualifiers earlier this season. Nemec managed to make the roster from training camp, but he had a sluggish beginning in the NHL, registering only one assist in nine games before being sent down to Utica.

He has performed well in the AHL, accumulating 16 points over 23 games. Nevertheless, the challenging aspect for Nemec is that the Devils’ defense is robust, and they are performing exceptionally well this season, making it harder to return to the NHL.

Image Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

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Simon Nemec

Anamika Shrivastava

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