Former 2nd overall pick placed on trade block days ahead of trade deadline

With the March 6 deadline just two days away, New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald is officially listening to offers for one of the organization's most prized young assets.

According to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun, the Devils are actively fielding calls on defenseman Simon Nemec, the second overall pick from the 2022 NHL Draft.

While New Jersey is reportedly "happy to keep him," they are willing to pull the trigger if a rival GM can offer a massive upgrade to their forward group in a "real way."

For head coach Sheldon Keefe, the priority is clear. Despite boasting a talented roster, the Devils have occasionally lacked the "solid execution" and consistent secondary scoring needed to dominate the Metropolitan Division.

Keefe requires a heavy, top-six forward who can provide an immediate "bump" and thrive in high-leverage transition games.

Trading a 22-year-old, right-shot defenseman with elite puck-moving abilities is incredibly rare. Nemec possesses all the tools to anchor a top pairing for the next decade, making him a blue-chip asset that rebuilding teams would salivate over.

However, Fitzgerald operates in a strict win-now window. Sacrificing a piece of the future for a proven offensive game-changer might provide the "clean slate" this roster needs to mount a serious Stanley Cup run.

If the Devils decide to move Nemec, they won't settle for draft picks or depth pieces. The return will have to be a premier offensive star, someone who can seamlessly integrate alongside Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier.

The clock is ticking rapidly toward Friday's 3:00 PM cutoff. With no shortage of teams checking in, Nemec has instantly become the ultimate wildcard of the trade deadline. Whether he stays in Newark or headlines a blockbuster, all eyes are on Fitzgerald's next move.

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