Blackhawks should deeply consider making move for young Devils defenseman

The pressure is on for the Chicago Blackhawks to end this half-decade-long rebuild.

After finishing 29-39-14 and ending the season second-last in the NHL, the Blackhawks can no longer afford to remain in a rebuild for much longer. While the team does sit high in the draft once again, it'll look to make it the last time for a while and return to relevance.

The Blackhawks have spent years in trade speculation, and this might be the offseason that they go all out. If they pursue anybody, one of their first targets should be defenseman Simon Nemec from the New Jersey Devils.

Nemec fits exactly what Chicago's blueline needs

Nemec played 68 games this season for New Jersey, scoring 11 goals and 26 points with a plus-11 rating, a career year for him. The 2022 second overall pick has played 155 games in the NHL, tallying 16 goals and 49 points. In his first postseason appearance, Nemec posted two points in four games with a +3 rating; not bad for a first-timer.

It took him a hot minute to see success on the East Coast. Nemec rarely got the opportunity to shine under the Devils organization. A loaded blueline limited ice time for the youngster, consisting of Dougie Hamilton, Jonas Siegenthaler, Luke Hughes, and Brett Pesce. Thanks to injuries on the backend, Nemec finally got a chance to see the ice, and it clearly paid off.

Questions revolving around his availability and future in New Jersey emerged as the season went on. It's the perfect time for Chicago to make a splash for young defensive firepower.

Nemec is known for his puck-moving abilities. He thrives in transition, using his speed and puck movement to drive the play up the ice and create zone entries. The Blackhawks would benefit from having Nemec in the lineup. He'll guide the play for explosive players like Connor Bedard and Anton Frondell. Chicago already has young defenseman in the works, but Nemec would immediately become one of the best transition players amongst them.

Not only is he good with the puck, but he's also good without it. His 24 takeaways were deemed above average per MoneyPuck. He also averaged roughly 1.5 blocked shots per game, demonstrating his lack of fear for getting in a shot lane. Spencer Knight faced the fourth-most shots in the league this year, so it'll be in Chicago's best interest to find somebody, like Nemec, to stop some of them.

Nemec will be a costly, but worth-it asset for the Blackhawks

A trade would be costly for the Blackhawks. If Chicago does go after Nemec, New Jersey will likely want an equal return, such as a high-upside defender or top-end draft capital. With the Blackhawks drafting high this summer, a trade is possible, but it's up to both sides to meet in the middle.

One thing to note regarding Nemec's situation is his contract. His entry-level deal is set to expire this offseason, marking him as a restricted free agent. Given that New Jersey qualifies him, Chicago could take advantage of New Jersey's cap situation and offer him an offer sheet at a price the Devils can't afford. A deal worth $5 million AAV for three years would cost Chicago a first-round and third-round pick, a cost worth his capabilities.

The Blackhawks have spent years building through the draft, but the next phase of the rebuild will require proven NHL talent. If Chicago wants to accelerate its reconstruction efforts, targeting players like Nemec could be the exact aggression it needs to start seeing success beyond player development.

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