Nico Hischier Injury Update NEWARK, N.J. -- Simon Nemec [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/latest-news/utica-comets-check-in-simon-nemec-making-strides-in-his-defensive-game-new-jersey-devils] will finally get his opportunity. Ahead of Thursday's morning skate, the New Jersey Devils [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/] announced that the 20-year-old has joined the team. He replaces Jonas Siegenthaler, who sustained an injury in the club's last game against the Pittsburgh Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/]. "We need a guy (and) we are very fortunate to have somebody of his talent available to us," head coach Sheldon Keefe said to NJD.TV [https://www.nhl.com/devils/video/keefe-pre-raw-2-6-25-6368380988112]. "Rather than him being here, in our mind, he is in a lot of ways always has been the seventh defenseman here. Just so happens that he’s been in Utica and benefiting from playing a lot and the extra practice time, all the things that come outside of the NHL, so I feel like he has benefitted from that." Nemec will start the game paired with Luke Hughes, who he has familiarity with. "(Luke and I) played a couple of games last year together and I think we know each other pretty well," Nemec said to NJD.TV [https://www.nhl.com/devils/video/nemec-pre-raw-2-6-25-6368378090112]. "I am just excited to play with him. He is a great player and a great skater." Nemec is coming off an appearance at the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic, where he replaced injured teammate Seamus Casey [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/players/it-was-a-really-positive-conversation-1-on-1-with-new-jersey-devils-prospect-seamus-casey]. Through 32 games in the American Hockey League with the Utica Comets, the 2022 second-overall pick has 22 points (five goals, 17 assists). He is riding a three-game assist streak dating back to Jan. 29. "It means a lot, because we have so many good players (in Utica),” Nemec continued. "I feel ready for this opportunity, and the organization feels (that) too. I just want to show how I improved this season in the AHL, I just want to be myself.” Tonight would mark Nemec's 10th game of the 2024-25 season and first since Oct. 22, 2024, when he picked up a secondary assist on a Timo Meier [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/latest-news/new-jersey-devils-home-ice-prudential-center-timo-meier-sheldon-keefe] power play goal. It was his lone NHL point this season. Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/] for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. The Mental Side of the Game: Devils Players & Mental Skills Coach Andy Swärd Take You Behind the Scenes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/players/new-jersey-devils-jesper-bratt-alexander-holtz-nico-hischier-andy-sward] EXCLUSIVE: Q&A With MSG Networks Host & Analyst Rachel Herzog [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/latest-news/exclusive-q-a-with-msg-networks-host-analyst-rachel-herzog-new-jersey-devils] Hischier’s Manager Patrick Fischer: 'He’s Driven to Succeed, but Not Easily Satisfied [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/features/hischiers-manager-patrick-fischer-hes-driven-to-succeed-but-not-easily-satisfied]' [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/features/hischiers-manager-patrick-fischer-hes-driven-to-succeed-but-not-easily-satisfied]
