So Long, Simon: New Jersey Devils trade former 2nd Overall Pick to Calgary Flames

The episode begins with Zach Berman reacting to the New Jersey Devils’ first major move under new general manager Sunny Mehta: trading former second overall pick Šimon Nemec and Max Tsyplakov to the Calgary Flames. In exchange, the Devils received significant draft capital—a pair of first-round picks (2027 from Colorado via Calgary, 2028 from Vegas via Calgary), the 34th overall pick in this year’s second round, and prospect Étienne Morin. Zach Berman analyzes the components of the deal, noting that while Morin is a throw-in, the value lies in acquiring such high draft picks for a player the Devils no longer saw as a core defenseman. Zach Berman expresses mixed emotions about Nemec's departure, acknowledging both his memorable highs in New Jersey and his inconsistent performance. Citing Nemec's less-than-stellar analytics and possible locker room friction, Zach Berman frames the trade as timely—maximizing Nemec’s value before his potential further decline. He reasons that the Devils must act aggressively with their new assets, forecasting that these draft picks are more likely to be flipped in trades for established talent rather than used to select prospects. The episode also recaps other notable league moves, including the Washington Capitals’ acquisition of Jordan Kyrou, a player Zach Berman had hoped could land in New Jersey. He details the return St. Louis received for Kyrou and discusses San Jose’s surprising trade of William Eklund to Ottawa. Reflecting on missed opportunities, Zach Berman emphasizes how fast the landscape can shift and laments that the Devils were outbid or left out of contention for top wingers, underscoring the necessity for their front office to act decisively and creatively with their current trade ammunition. Turning forward, Zach Berman speculates on possible targets for the Devils using their new draft capital, mentioning names like Jason Robertson, Kirill Marchenko, and Jared McCann, among others. He is adamant that the Devils are unlikely to keep the twelfth overall pick, suggesting a major trade is probable. Zach Berman concludes with optimism about the Devils’ future under Sunny Mehta, recognizing the competence of the new general manager and setting fan expectations for more pivotal moves in a rapidly evolving NHL offseason. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.