Devils Mailbag: Trade Simon Nemec? Sign Mitch Marner? Buyout Ondrej Palat? & More

It’s certainly going to be an intriguing summer for the New Jersey Devils, isn’t it?

Last summer, general manager Tom Fitzgerald changed the landscape of the team. The once offensively supercharged Devils became defensively responsible with strong goaltending.

Their ability to put the puck in the net suffered, and this time, they can’t point to injuries as the reason for regression.

Instead, they identified it as a personnel issue. The depth scoring wasn’t there, and it’s likely some skaters were punching above their weight class which at least buoyed them into the playoffs.

Thus, Fitzgerald explained there will be changes.

That’s led to a plethora of questions. In fact, we got so many that this is just part one of a multi-part Devils mailbag.

Let’s dive in.

In your opinion, what are the chances that Ondrej Palat gets bought out by the Devils?—Stuart

Here’s the thing about Ondrej Palat.

Whether YOU like him or not, the Devils value him despite the disappointing offensive production in comparison to his contract. Therefore, I don’t see a buyout as a very likely option.

Does that mean he’s a staple in the lineup next season? Not necessarily.

Part of that value could be as a trade token. That option is now available with the change in his contract on July 1st.

Would the Devils like his $6 million in cap space? Perhaps. However, if the Devils don’t move on from Palat, he’s still valued as a veteran in the room and on the ice who does everything right but perhaps find the scoresheet consistently. Plus, he’s one of the first names young players spit out when they’re asked who is guiding them early in their NHL careers.

Palat holds value. It may be hard to see from a fan perspective. But, from an organizational perspective, it’s true. And that won’t be lost on teams who are perhaps interested on the NHL trade market.

What is your prediction on the defense, are they going to move on from (Simon) Nemec?—Christopher B.

The offense will change. But, honestly, I don’t see all that much changing for the defense.

That wasn’t the issue last season. In fact, it proved to be a strength. The injuries weren’t ideal late in the year, but there’s not much reason, other than to clear cap space, to make changes.

Johnathan Kovacevic might not be ready for the start of the season. We’ll have to get closer to September to get a realistic idea. But that’s already one defenseman who could be on the shelf. Brenden Dillon and Brett Pesce should be okay, and we know Dougie Hamilton and Jonas Siegenthaler are recovered.

The Devils have to decide on Brian Dumoulin, but I bet after his strong showing (and what they paid to get him), they’re going to do what they can to retain him.

Where does that leave Simon Nemec?

Well, his season was polarizing, but was capped off with a strong finish.

The Devils have continually believed in him, and despite those pesky rumors, didn’t have a desire to move him in the season.

Given the Kovacevic injury, Nemec will get first dibs at filling the Kovacevic void and build on his strong season-ending performance.

Devils management still see’s a top-tier defender in him, and it seems unlikely they part with him unless they’re blown away with an offer.

Perhaps there’s a J.J. Peterka—Nemec trade scenario if the Buffalo Sabres are also going to move on from Bowen Byram.

Otherwise, my prediction? Not much changes on the blueline. The usual suspects are back. I’ve seen many peg Hamilton as a trade candidate, but the fact of the matter is the Devils are a lot better with him than without him in the lineup.

Perhaps, don’t get comfortable with the idea of Seamus Casey or Anton Silayev in Devils sweaters.

Could the Devils be in play for (Mitch) Marner this off-season? Would be great for the top 6.—Patrick O.

It’s a good question.

I wrote a few weeks back that I think the Devils should avoid going this route. He’s going to cost A LOT on the open market. AFP Analytics projects him to make upward of $13 million over seven seasons.

READ MORE: Should Devils Reunite Sheldon Keefe with Criticized Maple Leafs Star?

That means when Jack Hughes’ contract is up in three seasons, he’s going to command, what, $15-$18 million a year as the cap continues to increase?

However, the reality is there is familiarity in New Jersey with head coach Sheldon Keefe. Adding another 100-plus point producer is never a bad idea.

Sure, there are the playoff narratives. However, there’s a chance that has to do more with Toronto than it does Marner.

It depends on your definition of “in play,” but at the very least, it seems likely Fitzgerald places a phone call to his agent to see if Marner is interested in the Devils at all.

And if the answer is yes, then why wouldn’t they be in play?

It seems more likely he ends up somewhere else (Vegas?), but things could always change.

What kind of big trade could the Devils realistically do this summer for a big scorer?—Angelo P.

Realistically?

Any kind they see fit.

Plenty are going to cite cap space and a pending Luke Hughes extension as an issue. However, there’s a reason why two heavy hitters against the Devils’ cap are on recent NHL trade boards.

The Devils know they need scoring. They also know they have an embarrassment of riches on the blueline.

Casey turned a lot of heads in his few NHL games. Nemec came on real strong at the end of the season and in the playoffs. They also have a behemoth of a defense prospect in Silayev which plenty of teams will covet.

With names like Peterka, Jason Robertson, and even Chris Kreider on the rumor mill and potentially on the block, the Devils can and should be involved in trade discussions with the intention of netting a scorer.

The scoring issues won’t resolve itself. If they want depth scoring, they have the pieces. They just need a few of their own to drop down a peg on the depth chart.

Does Fitzgerald use up all available cap space on July 1 then try to clear space later to extend Luke (Hughes) or does he take care of Luke before July 1?—Jim

It’s difficult to definitively say whether Fitzgerald will lock up Luke Hughes before free agency or not.

Ideally, Fitzgerald wants to get a contract hammered out before July 1st so that he can go into free agency prepared with his allotment.

However, that’s all dependent on negotiations, of course.

Hughes can command a lot moving forward. His direct comparable is probably Brock Faber. The Minnesota Wild defenseman is going into the first year of an 8x$8.5 million deal.

That’s probably the benchmark for Hughes’ agent, Pat Brisson. And seeing Hughes outperform Faber (at least offensively) in their respective sophomore seasons is certainly helpful for the Hughes camp.

However, would it be a surprise to just see Fitzgerald copy and past Jack Hughes’ second contract (8x$8M) and slide it across the table to Luke?

That would be a home run for the Devils if he signed it.

There’s still just about a month until the start of free agency. One of Fitzgerald’s top priorities between now and then is to get Hughes locked up. However, Hughes and his agent know there’s time.

So, will he get Hughes done before free agency? Hard to say. Does he want to? Yes. Time will tell how it shakes out.

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