Turmoil and Trade Requests: Another Friday of Fitz Fallout?

About this episode

Zach Berman discusses the turmoil within the New Jersey Devils, focusing on trade rumors surrounding Simon Nemec and locker room dissatisfaction.

n this episode, Zach Berman dives into the recent wave of turmoil surrounding the New Jersey Devils, focusing especially on locker room issues and the persistent trade rumors surrounding defenseman Simon Nemec. Zach Berman notes that veteran Brendan Dillon’s recent candid comments on Vancouver radio revealed unresolved “elephants in the room” this past season, with specific hints about player dissatisfaction over ice time and defensive pairings. Although Dillon praised Nemec, Zach Berman interprets much of the underlying tension as centering around the former second overall pick, who has struggled to secure a consistent role and has repeatedly been connected to trade speculation. The episode unpacks Nemec’s tenure with the Devils, highlighting how he has not quite fit in as expected for a high draft pick. Zach Berman observes that Nemec has been unhappy with his usage and contract status, especially compared to Luke Hughes, who earned a significant extension. Multiple Slovakian reports again resurfaced, alleging that Nemec requested a trade; however, Zach Berman cites denials from local and national sources, suggesting that while Nemec hasn’t officially asked out, both he and the…

People in this episode

Host: Zach Berman

Topics covered

• New Jersey Devils
• trade rumors
• locker room issues
• Simon Nemec
• Brendan Dillon comments
• player dissatisfaction
• hockey

Keywords

• New Jersey Devils
• Simon Nemec
• trade requests
• Brendan Dillon
• hockey
• locker room issues
• player dissatisfaction

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: New Jersey Devils, Vancouver radio

Places: Slovakia

More episodes of Locked On Devils - Daily Podcast On The New Jersey Devils

• Sunny Speaks: Recapping the New Jersey Devils GM's Town Hall · June 11, 2026 · 30 min
• Yzergeddon: Dylan Larkin DEMANDS Trade out of Detroit, could the New Jersey Devils be an Option? · June 5, 2026 · 29 min
• Anton's Arrival: New Jersey Devils 2024 9th Overall Pick Signs ELC · June 2, 2026 · 30 min
• For Captain and Country: Nico Hischier & Timo Meier Advance to Finals at Worlds · May 31, 2026 · 29 min
• Terrible: New Jersey Devils Legend Claude Lemieux Dead At 60 · May 29, 2026 · 29 min
• Duggan Departs: The New Jersey Devils Need a New Director of Player Development · May 25, 2026 · 30 min