The NY Islanders have made significant progress in establishing their blue line depth, building through the draft. The additions of Matthew Schaefer, Kasahwn Aitcheson, Isaiah George, and Marshall Warren give the organization options on the left side of the blue line into the future. Still, on the right side, they’re a bit shorthanded.
In his first season as GM, Mathieu Darche has addressed the organization’s needs, building a robust pipeline while adding young players who can contribute now. As per a new report from Arthur Staple, Darche has apparently attempted to address RHD this summer as well.
Darche looked to acquire a young RHD this summer
Today, on the Tri-State Hockey Podcast with Staple, Jonny Lazarus, and Mike Rupp, Staple revealed that Darche inquired into trading for a young RHD from the New Jersey Devils in the offseason.
“Just from talking to some people, the Islanders’ Mathieu Darche, in his first year as GM – he did talk to Tom Fitzgerald about Simon Nemec in the summer,” Staple stated. “I imagine that whatever package the Isles are looking for, because they are very short on right defensemen in their organization, that Colorado first-round pick that they got for Brock Nelson is the thing that they’re probably dangling the most.”
Nemec, 21, was drafted second overall by the Devils in 2022. The 6’1” Slovakian has struggled to gain a strong foothold along the Devils’ blue line, spending most of his career in North America bouncing between the Devils and Utica Comets of the AHL.
Though he has struggled at times, Nemec has seen much more success through the early stages of this season. With the Devils’ defensive unit currently depleted by injuries, Nemec has been earning more minutes of late, recording nine points (1 G, 8 A) through 16 games, including the game-tying goal against the Islanders Monday night with four seconds remaining in regulation.
Nemec would offer the Islanders more size along the blue line along with added offense. At just 21 years old, he’d become a big part of the Islanders’ future blue line along with Schaefer and Alexander Romanov. With Dougie Hamilton, and Brett Pesce set to return (who are both RHD), we’ll see how the Devils distribute minutes among the defensemen. If Nemec falls out of favor, perhaps this is something Darche could revisit come the trade deadline.
