Devils Eye Trade Moves: Markstrom on the Block, Nemec Drawing Interest

The Carolina Hurricanes may have just claimed the Stanley Cup, but the off-season rumor mill is already buzzing, with the New Jersey Devils at the center of the action. Speculation surrounding two key players has emerged, as Kevin Weekes of ESPN and NHL Network reported that the Devils are actively shopping goaltender Jacob Markstrom.

Markstrom, who signed a two-year contract extension worth $12 million during the 2025-26 season, is now on the trading block. Despite the investment, the Devils are looking to move him, as his performance last season didn’t meet expectations. With a goals against average of 3.07 and a save percentage of just .883, Markstrom’s struggles have prompted New Jersey to explore other options.

According to Weekes, while a deal isn’t imminent, the Devils are gauging interest from other teams regarding Markstrom. Moving him would not only provide the team with much-needed cap space but could also pave the way for an upgrade in net.

In a separate development, Weekes also mentioned that defenseman Simon Nemec is drawing interest from other clubs. Unlike Markstrom, Nemec’s potential makes him a valuable asset. The second overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, Nemec has faced challenges in his transition to the NHL, with his usage on the Devils being inconsistent.

Despite these hurdles, Nemec had a solid 2025-26 campaign, recording 11 goals and 15 assists for 26 points over 68 games. At just 22 years old, his defensive skills are still developing, but his upside has made him an attractive target for teams looking to bolster their rosters.

Should the Devils decide to trade Nemec, they could seek high-end help at forward, particularly in the form of a goal-scoring winger, an area where the team is seeking improvement. Meanwhile, the fate of Dougie Hamilton remains uncertain, as he has been mentioned in trade rumors, though discussions have quieted recently.

With regards to goaltending, the Devils have Jake Allen signed to a long-term deal, along with Nico Daws, leaving the door open for potential trades to enhance their lineup further.

In addition to the Markstrom and Nemec situations, Weekes also reported ongoing contract negotiations with captain Nico Hischier. Speculation suggests the two sides could agree on a medium-term deal in the range of $11-13 million. Securing Hischier’s future is critical for the Devils, especially as he is entering the final year of his current contract, which carries a cap hit of $7.25 million.

Hischier, known for his two-way game and ability to impact all facets of play, is a crucial complement to the offensive prowess of Jack Hughes. Extending Hischier should be a top priority for the Devils as they navigate a pivotal offseason.

One thing is clear: General Manager Sunny Mehta is committed to improving the Devils’ roster and is not wasting any time in the process.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.