Simon Nemec is having a very rough start to his 2026-27 season. The Devils decision to trade him for futures, some of which turned into Luke Evangelista, has worked out very well so far.
Pucks and Pitchforks writer Nick Villano argues that the New Jersey Devils' decision to trade defenseman Simon Nemec to the Calgary Flames is already proving successful. Nemec has struggled to begin the 2026-27 NHL season, recording a league-worst minus-nine rating across his opening four games as the Flames fell to a winless 0-4 start. Villano views the trade as an early victory for New Jersey despite the inherent risk of dealing a former second-overall selection.
New Jersey general manager Sunny Mehta previously traded Nemec to Calgary in exchange for two first-round draft picks, a second-round pick, and Etienne Morin. After signing a five-year, $36.5 million contract with the Flames, Nemec recorded just one secondary assist in his first four contests. Villano suggests Nemec was hampered by poor development under former general manager Tom Fitzgerald and remains ill-suited for Calgary's struggling roster.
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