Dave Pagnotta of Fourth Period on TFP The Hotstove was asked about the New Jersey Devils and why they were so quiet at the trade deadline. Their goal is to get one of the top six, first-class players.
Writing for NHLRumors.com
Peter Berce: “Same thing goes with the Devils. New Jersey Devils fans aren’t sure what the direction is with Tom Fitzgerald, then he said I wasn’t looking to pedal Dougie Hamilton. The Devils were quiet last time, Dave.”
Dave Pagnotta: “They rejoined, like many teams, there was a lot of work, all day and all week. But obviously, everyone wants action. Yes, the Devils, they were just engaged.
NHL Rumors: Will New Jersey Devils Trade Simon Nemec Or Other Defensemen?
And Simon Nemec, his name, appeared a few times. And I think one of the reasons why there is no appetite, but at least the willingness to listen to Simon Nemec and, they want a first-class player. So if they were going to move Nemec, that would be it.
And part of the reason why it seems like they’re comfortable going that way, in getting a body out on that back end, a young body on that back end, is because they’ve got Anton Silayev, who’s in Russia right now, 19 years old, left shot D who’s doing well there. What is expected is that he will be with a team or sign with a team after his season.
His contract in Russia expires, I believe it expires after the season, and I’m sure they will look closely at the matter of bringing him to this side so that he can be with the Devils organization in some way. So watch out for that in the summer or spring maybe. But it looks like that is something that will be on the horizon. Now. He is a left shot. Nemec is right.
Then, (Jonas) Siegenthaler, his name was there. They were listening to him. (Johnathan) Kovacevic, I think, to some extent, although he doesn’t have a complete trade. But they had pieces they were willing to talk about. And they also wanted that piece of the first line. I think that’s something they’re going to start again in the summer.”
NHLRumors.com Note: It is clear that Simon Nemec’s time with the New Jersey Devils may be coming to an end. As GM Tom Fitzgerald said Friday, following the trade deadline, he’s part of our organization until he’s gone. There is a belief that you are willing and open to trade. Nemec is an RFA and he saw what Luke Hughes got and may ask for the same. Nemec just wants a chance to play more minutes.
NHL Rumors: Rangers, Trocheck, Schmaltz, Hurricanes, and Trades Too Late
Regardless of what happens with Hamilton, the New Jersey Devils will pay his July 1 signing bonus of $7.4 million and try to move him. But they want to make a hockey trade that makes sense. Is William Eklund the Devil’s first-rate forward? New Jersey should move Nemec in a deal for Jordan Kyrou, Robert Thomas, or someone of that ilk.
Also, Fitzgerald is in sync with Devils ownership and David Blitzer, so it will be interesting to see what he does and if he’s there.
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