Devils Reassign High Value Defenseman to AHL Club

NEWARK — The New Jersey Devils announced on Thursday that they’re reassigned sophomore defenseman Simon Nemec to the American Hockey League, Utica Comets.

Nemec hadn’t played in a single game over the last 17 days, serving as a health scratch after both Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce returned from their respective injuries.

Through nine games in 2024-25, Nemec registered just a single point, and saw his fair share of struggles.

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For the most part, Nemec was paired with rookie Seamus Casey before he was reassigned to the Devils’ AHL club himself. The Slovakian defenseman hadn’t quite performed like his rookie self, lacking compete and defensive awareness he’s previously shown.

Now, Nemec heads to Utica, where the Comets are winless through nine games.

MORE: Devils Make Surprising Minor Coaching Change, Fire Winless AHL Coach

Recently, Devils management made the decision to relieve former Comets head coach, Kevin Dineen. Ryan Parent has been promoted as Interim Head Coach for the rest of the 2024-25 season.

It’s the right move by GM Tom Fitzgerald and Co. to send the former second overall selection down to the AHL. Sitting on the sideline for more than two weeks wasn’t helping Nemec’s development, a mistake that Fitzgerald conceded he’s made before.

With the unexpected factor that is Johnathan Kovacevic and his positive impact he’s had on the ice, Nemec’s spot in the lineup was pulled out from under him.

“We’ve got great depth on defense. [Nemec], Casey and Kovacevic got really good opportunities early in the season because of our [injuries],” Keefe explained. “Kovacevic, to me, has really taken off and capitalized on it, and there’s not as much opportunity here now. So it’s more of a number’s situation.”

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