Eastern Conference GM Claims They Don't Need Their Top Draft Pick

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James Connelly
September 1, 2023 (1:40 PM)

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A recent interview has revealed that an Eastern Conference GM believes his team does not need their top draft pick.

Fitzgerald Claims Devils Don't Need Nemec

In a recent interview on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast, Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald opened up about the Devils. The most shocking portion of the interview was when Fitzgerald touched on 2022 2nd overall pick Simon Nemec.

Nemec played quite strong in the AHL last season posting 34 points in 65 games as an 18-year-old defenseman. He also impressed at the World Junior Championships with 5 points in 5 games as Slovakia's captain.

Here's what Fitzgerald had to say about Nemec:

"Do we need him to make our team? I don't need him to make our team. But, if he comes into camp and tells us �I'm not going down because my play deserves to be here,' we'll deal with that when the time comes. That's a good problem to have." - Tom Fitzgerald

Will Nemec Play?

While Fitzgerald claims that the Devils don't need Nemec, he does make it clear that if Nemec earns a spot he has it. Currently, they have Dougie Hamilton, John Marino, and Colin Miller on their right side. The left side is a bit weaker with Jonas Siegenthaler, 2020 4th overall pick Luke Hughes, and Brendan Smith.

With Nemec being a right-handed defenseman, he will either have to beat out Miller or play on his off-hand and beat out Smith. The Devils have shown a keenness to having their top defensive prospects develop longer as they let Luke Hughes marinate for two years in the NCAA before having him make the jump to the NHL.

One thing is obvious though, if Nemec does not make the NHL next season, he will make it the one after and will establish himself as a force to be reckoned with for years to come.

As seen on New Jersey Hockey Now - Fitzgerald: Devils «Don't Need» Nemec to Make the Roster