{"time":1779379637942,"blocks":[{"id":"6vbjV6pG-k","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Boston Bruins have made no secret of what they're targeting this summer to improve the team."}},{"id":"8RepqAVD9l","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The team desperately wants a long-term solution on the right side of their defense, perfect for the top four spot behind Charlie McAvoy."}},{"id":"TwFfeXg-xZ","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"One pipe-dream has always been acquiring someone like Simon Nemec of the New Jersey Devils."}},{"id":"eRFgYkLjb2","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Nemec, 22, would be a dream acquisition for the Bruins. Nemec plays an unbelievably strong two-way game for a 22-year-old defenseman in the NHL."}},{"id":"_fclLRM1_6","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"His blend of speed, skill, and grit would be a dream for Boston's defense. "}},{"id":"enqI8ryEyr","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The former second-overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft has clear offensive upside with some work needed defensively."}},{"id":"gNwu7TLwJ-","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Still, the Devils likely wouldn't want to give up on the young talent this early in his career."}},{"id":"ixC8cyx0XW","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"However, Nemec's name has been thrown into trade speculation for much of this past season, and now Nemec has reportedly requested a trade. (Another Slovak insider has now discredited the rumor after initially sharing the same rumor)."}},{"id":"mpfmhqrw","type":"video","data":{"url":"https://us-central1-deweb-519a7.cloudfunctions.net/mediaService-api/videos/45fab8cc-abee-415f-982d-59671eed32d4/mp4","caption":"","autoplay":false,"controls":true,"muted":false,"stretched":true,"width":0,"height":0,"image":{"url":"https://us-central1-deweb-519a7.cloudfunctions.net/mediaService-api/videos/45fab8cc-abee-415f-982d-59671eed32d4/thumbnail"},"cdn":{"videoId":"45fab8cc-abee-415f-982d-59671eed32d4","libraryId":"372172","collectionId":"30032062-eefd-4041-a355-12ad05bc987b","cdnBaseUrl":"https://vz-052fc010-b27.b-cdn.net","mp4Url":"https://us-central1-deweb-519a7.cloudfunctions.net/mediaService-api/videos/45fab8cc-abee-415f-982d-59671eed32d4/mp4","thumbnailUrl":"https://us-central1-deweb-519a7.cloudfunctions.net/mediaService-api/videos/45fab8cc-abee-415f-982d-59671eed32d4/thumbnail","previewAnimationUrl":"https://vz-052fc010-b27.b-cdn.net/45fab8cc-abee-415f-982d-59671eed32d4/preview.webp"}}},{"id":"xtYJtmTBP_","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Nemec wasn't exactly put in a spot to succeed with the Devils. Nemec consistently played behind both Luke Hughes and Dougie Hamilton, which also cost him valuable power-play opportunities. "}},{"id":"3eMbUbJh68","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Nemec's true skill comes out in those situations, something he showed off at the 2026 Olympics, where he and Slovakia finished fourth."}},{"id":"82eMJ0HbKx","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"It's incredibly rare a defenseman with Nemec's potential shakes loose at a young age. Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney has five first-round picks in the next three drafts at his disposal to help get a deal done."}},{"id":"zmKbPGZEqe","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"It's an avenue the Bruins absolutely must explore this summer."}},{"id":"szHUkZ0wTB","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Last season, the New York Islanders traded Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens for the 16th and 17th overall picks, plus Emil Heineman."}},{"id":"UAwnU0L-1d","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Dobson had shown much more than Nemec at the NHL level, and thus the cost of acquisition would be higher."}},{"id":"06uGRMbHYT","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"But, could a package of Mason Lohrei, the 23rd overall pick plus a roster forward like Mikey Eyssimont get the job done?"}},{"id":"JgC8tizffk","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"It's distinctly possible."}},{"id":"f74_x1YkA0","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Before any deal comes to fruition, it's worth remembering that Nemec will be a restricted free agent this summer."}},{"id":"a1lDZnctbC","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Dobson used that to engineer his way to Montreal, despite league-wide interest."}},{"id":"gpE4xPedTi","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Nemec's contract ask will be a heavy factor in any deal, with a bridge deal likely becoming the resolution."}},{"id":"2roQm-Od1U","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Nemec posted 11 goals and 26 points in 68 games this past season with the Devils."}}],"version":"2.31.5"}

Insider: Bruins Promising Prospect Won't Sign, Will Hit Free Agency