Locked On Devils - Daily Podcast On The New Jersey Devils

Zach Berman opens the episode by reacting to a report that Simon Nemec, a restricted free agent defenseman, is allegedly asking the New Jersey Devils for a contract starting at a $10 million annual average value. Zach Berman finds this figure surprising and excessive, especially for a player who, in his assessment, has not lived up to the expectations of a former number two overall draft pick. He details Nemec’s inconsistent performance, pointing to both flashes of brilliance and ongoing struggles with play style and reliability. Zach Berman suggests that such a high ask could lead to Nemec being traded, rather than retained by the team.
The discussion then shifts to Nemec’s trade value and market perception. Zach Berman notes that while some NHL general managers still believe in Nemec’s upside, he personally remains skeptical about Nemec’s future as a top-tier defenseman. He speculates about potential trade partners, mentioning the New York Islanders’ reported interest but emphasizing the likely high asking price in any division-internal deal. There’s also debate among fans about the idea of swapping Nemec for Anaheim’s Mason McTavish, a young center, but Zach Berman is critical of McTavish’s inconsistencies and questions whether that trade would benefit the Devils.
Later, Zach Berman analyzes a recent trade between the Buffalo Sabres and San Jose Sharks involving right-handed defenseman Michael Kesselring. He points out that Kesselring, a reliable but not superstar-level defenseman, fetched significant value on the market, highlighting a possible opportunity for the Devils to garner a similar return if they decide to move one of their own right-handed defensemen. Zach Berman touches on the Devils’ depth at the position and speculates on whether veterans like Dougie Hamilton could also be on the move, given the current market dynamics.
The episode concludes with reflections on the overall NHL trade landscape, Zach Berman’s desire to see bold, unexpected moves from GMs, and a review of Corey Pronman’s seven-round mock draft, focusing on potential Devils selections. Zach Berman highlights the calm before the storm of offseason activity, encourages fans to stay tuned for updates, and wraps with sponsor acknowledgments and reminders for listeners to engage with the Locked On Devils community.
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The episode marks the 10th anniversary of the Locked On Podcast Network, with Zach Berman celebrating by counting down the top ten New Jersey Devils moments since June 16, 2016. He opens the show reflecting on the network’s growth and sharing some recent NHL news, including trade activity and Devils-related rumors. Zach Berman notes that while the Devils' offseason is expected to be active, significant moves are still pending as the franchise awaits the first "domino" to fall.
Before diving into the countdown, Zach Berman reviews notable league developments, such as player trades involving the Flyers and Maple Leafs, and speculates about coaching changes, including John Tortorella’s future. He also discusses ongoing negotiations within the Devils organization, especially contract talks and potential roster overhauls, while highlighting the air of unpredictability surrounding the new front office leadership.
The main segment features Zach Berman’s ranking of the Devils’ top ten moments over the past decade. The list includes drafting Jesper Bratt in 2016, the outdoor victory at MetLife Stadium, acquiring Timo Meier, winning the 2017 draft lottery for Nico Hischier, and the signing of Dougie Hamilton. Other highlights are Taylor Hall's MVP season, the 13-game win streak in 2022-23, and crucial draft decisions such as picking Jack Hughes over Kaapo Kakko, with particular emphasis on Hughes’ iconic golden goal in the Olympics and the emotional Game 7 win over the New York Rangers in 2023.
Concluding, Zach Berman expresses both nostalgia and frustration, acknowledging that despite some memorable moments, the past decade has often been difficult for Devils fans. He thanks the Locked On Network for the opportunity to share these experiences and looks forward with hope that the team’s next ten years will feature more postseason success and possibly a Stanley Cup victory.
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The New Jersey Devils are entering a pivotal offseason following a disappointing 25-26 NHL campaign, described by Zach Berman as a "campaign from hell." With a new general manager and front office in place, expectations are sky-high to not only return to the playoffs but to start laying groundwork for a Stanley Cup run. One major immediate challenge is the status of goaltender Jacob Markstrom. Despite his full no-movement clause not expiring until July 1st and a sizable contract in place, there are reports that other teams have shown interest in acquiring Markstrom, with Florida being a speculative suitor, especially as their own goaltending situation is in flux.
Zach raises the critical issue of how the Devils would replace Markstrom if a trade materialized. Backup Jake Allen isn't considered a full-season solution, and prospects like Nico Dawes may not be ready for an elevated role. The goaltender free-agent market also appears thin, and potential trade options, such as Connor Hellebuyck, would be pricey in terms of both assets and cap space. Accordingly, any move off Markstrom must be paired with a clear and viable plan for securing reliable goaltending—a scenario Zach stresses as essential before making any decisions.
The podcast also delves into contract speculation around Devils captain Nico Hischier. According to Sunny Mehta, a medium-term extension in the $11-13 million range appears likely, reflecting both the rising cap and the fact that the team hasn't won enough to justify a team-friendly deal. There's a sense that Hischier's continued presence in New Jersey may hinge largely on the change in GM leadership, and that player retention in general will become more challenging unless the Devils start winning consistently.
Finally, Zach reflects on the lessons the Devils can learn from the Carolina Hurricanes, recent Stanley Cup winners. The Hurricanes' success—built on analytics, cap flexibility, aggressiveness in transactions, and organizational alignment—offers a blueprint for the Devils under Sunny Mehta’s stewardship. emphasizes the need for a smarter, more adaptable front office and a focused, winning culture as critical for closing the gap between the Devils and perennial contenders like Carolina. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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In this episode, Zach Berman recaps the recent town hall where New Jersey Devils GM Sunny Mehta spoke to season ticket holders for the first time since his introductory press conference. Zach Berman highlights that Sunny Mehta managed to say a lot without revealing much, describing him as a poker player who keeps his cards close. Key takeaways from the town hall included Sunny Mehta's belief that the Devils already possess many "championship caliber ingredients," especially with talents like Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier at center, though he openly acknowledged that the team needs to improve and is not yet at a championship level 03:32.
Zach Berman shares Sunny Mehta's attitude toward challenges, quoting him as viewing obstacles as "opportunities," which Zach Berman found refreshing and motivating compared to past Devils leadership 07:10. Sunny Mehta expressed optimism about contract extension talks with both Arseny Gritsyuk and Nico Hischier, though Zach Berman remains cautiously optimistic, acknowledging that some comments were made for the benefit of the season ticket holder audience 05:04. Zach Berman also notes that Sunny Mehta has kept future move intentions tightly guarded, unlike previous regimes where targets were often known far in advance.
The episode transitions to league-wide updates, including discussion about Dylan Larkin's trade preferences and how the Devils might act as a facilitator in a potential deal, possibly landing middle-six pieces from Florida like Evan Rodrigues or Eetu Luostarinen 14:14. Zach Berman touches on the prevalence of no-movement clauses in the NHL, warning that these should be reserved for only top players and expressing hope that Sunny Mehta will be more careful than his predecessor about handing them out 17:55. He also briefly discusses the coaching situation, supporting the organization's decision to retain Sheldon Keefe rather than chase subpar options.
The episode closes with Zach Berman's recap of his selection for the Locked On Podcast Network mock draft, where he chose Wyatt Cullen at 12th overall for the Devils, citing his two-way ability and high hockey IQ as aligning with what the franchise should prioritize 22:04. He reviews how other outlets and mock drafts see the Devils' options, stating a preference against selecting players "big and mean" without sufficient skill, which he doubts would be Sonny Maida's approach. As the draft and the offseason approach, Zach Berman expresses anticipation for further moves and announcements from the Devils, especially regarding key staff positions and potential trades 28:50.

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Zach Berman opens the episode by addressing the recent news that Dylan Larkin, captain of the Detroit Red Wings, has requested a trade away from his hometown team after 11 seasons. Larkin, who signed an eight-year extension in 2023, reportedly wants out despite being the franchise’s face and the only remaining player from Detroit’s last playoff run in 2016. He holds a full no-trade clause, giving him significant control over where he might go next. The situation is described as a nightmare for Detroit fans, as it signals a lack of confidence in the team’s immediate future and reflects ongoing organizational struggles 02:19.
The conversation then turns to whether there might be a fit for Larkin on the New Jersey Devils. While Zach Berman acknowledges past speculation about a Nico Hischier-for-Larkin deal, he stresses that he’s strongly against trading Hischier. Instead, he explores scenarios where the Devils could potentially acquire Larkin while keeping their core centers intact, imagining a formidable center group of Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Dylan Larkin, and Cody Glass 06:43. However, he ultimately suggests that teams with a more urgent need for top-six center help and more to offer—like the Rangers, Wild, or Flyers—are likely to be stronger contenders for Larkin, especially given the Red Wings’ limited leverage due to Larkin’s contractual protections 07:40.
Shifting topics, Zach Berman briefly touches on rumors surrounding the Devils’ own franchise center Nico Hischier, noting that there is no real indication Hischier wants out or is seeking a move. His agent recently compared him to Aleksander Barkov, and extension talks appear to be going well, making a departure unlikely for now 14:35. Nonetheless, Zach Berman emphasizes that things in the NHL can change quickly, and the Devils’ lack of recent success means they need to shore up the team around their young stars to keep them happy and committed 17:21.
To close, the episode offers an update on contract negotiations for Arseny Gritsyuk, a promising young Devils forward. Extension talks with Gritsyuk reportedly are progressing smoothly, with his camp interested in a deal longer than two years and projections putting a potential contract at about six years for $5 million AAV 22:53. Zach Berman highlights Gritsyuk as a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season and applauds the organization’s ability to develop talent like him internally, which is vital for roster depth and cap flexibility as the franchise looks to build for future contention 23:24.
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