Devils' Nemec: 'I've proven multiple times that I belong in the NHL'

New Jersey Devils defense prospect Simon Nemec is getting impatient with his extended time in the AHL.

"I believe I've proven multiple times that I belong in the NHL," he said Wednesday to Slovak outlet Dennik Sport, as translated by Tomas Prokop. "I just have to wait for another chance and grab it when it comes."

Nemec has spent the majority of the 2024-25 campaign with the AHL's Utica Comets, where he's flourished with 16 points in 23 games. He played nine games with the Devils earlier in the campaign, collecting one assist while averaging 16:07 per contest.

The 20-year-old's demotion comes after he logged 60 games with the Devils last season, registering three goals and 16 helpers while averaging 19:52 per appearance.

The trajectory is rather unusual for a player selected second overall, as Nemec was in 2022.

However, Nemec believes it'd be premature to request a trade.

"It's hard to say, it's still too early to request a trade," Nemec said. "If this situation continues, it will have to be addressed, but for now, this is how it stands."

The Devils' strength on defense is part of the reason for Nemec's extra seasoning in the minors. There's a logjam in front of him on the right side of the blue line, with Dougie Hamilton ($9M cap hit) and Brett Pesce ($5.5M) as the team's two highest-paid defensemen. The third righty, Johnathan Kovacevic ($766K), has been a revelation and a crucial member of New Jersey's shutdown pairing.

The left side of the blue line, featuring Jonas Siegenthaler, Brenden Dillon, and Luke Hughes, has been healthy since the latter's early-season injury.

There could be an opening next year if Kovacevic, the only pending unrestricted free agent of the group, isn't re-signed. Or, of course, this season if injuries strike.