Jonathan Kovacevic’s journey to becoming a key piece of the New Jersey Devils' blue line is a story of perseverance, opportunity, and the perfect fit. The 6-foot-5 defenseman started his professional career with the Winnipeg Jets organization, joining their AHL affiliate after being drafted in the third round of the 2017 NHL Draft. Despite showing promise as a steady, physical presence on the back end, Kovacevic struggled to secure a consistent spot in the Jets' NHL lineup, finding himself on the waiver wire ahead of the 2022-23 season.
The Montreal Canadiens seized the opportunity, claiming Kovacevic off waivers. In Montreal, he began to flourish, playing two solid seasons and establishing himself as a reliable defender with a mix of grit and composure. Kovacevic’s time with the Canadiens gave him valuable NHL experience, but as the team retooled for the future, the Devils saw an opportunity to acquire him for a 2026 fourth-round draft pick during the 2023 offseason.
Since joining New Jersey, Kovacevic has become an indispensable part of the roster, adding physicality and defensive responsibility that has elevated the team's overall toughness. His journey from a waiver pickup to a core piece in New Jersey exemplifies the value of persistence and finding the right environment to thrive. Now, as the Devils look to solidify their roster for years to come, keeping Kovacevic in the fold remains a priority for Devils' general manager Tom Fitzgerald.
Starting Contract Talks
Fresh out of his team’s pro scouting meetings, Fitzgerald is looking ahead to the March 7 NHL Trade Deadline but also the 2025 offseason.
Fitzgerald confirmed to RG that he is ready to try to lock up potential 2025 unrestricted free agent defenseman Jonathan Kovacevic.
“Not yet,” Fitzgerald replied when asked if contract talks had begun with Kovacevic. “Just getting back from our scouting meetings in Florida. Wanted to get this meeting out of the way before calling.”
That’s not surprising considering that (pun very much intended) the Devils and Kovacevic have been a match made in heaven after Fitzgerald acquired him in exchange for a 2026 fourth round draft pick last June 30. The 27-year-old, 6-foot-5, 223-pound rearguard has one goal and 11 assists through 46 games. However, his physical presence and grit are now part of a Devils’ roster that is much tougher to play against this season.
“He was one of the players we had identified who would fit in with what we were trying to do and become this season, and he’s helped us transform our identity,” Fitzgerald said. “He’s one of those players who maybe flew under the radar, and I think he looked at this as a chance to become part of a team that had a chance to contend, and he could play a role in that. It’s been an excellent fit for the team and the player.”
One of, if not the best, attributes that Kovacevic has brought to the Devils is that, with his size and tenacity, he’s hard to play against in the defensive zone.
“His reach, size, and just the style he plays doesn’t leave much room for the opponent, and he can just make them miserable when they’re trying to find space and create offense,” Fitzgerald pointed out. “We needed more players to play like that, and he’s come in and provided that.”
A Much-Needed Style Change
The New Jersey Devils felt themselves too soft to keep up with the rest of the NHL, especially in the later stages of the season. The solution was to bolster their roster with more sandpaper, and that’s exactly what they went out and did.
Regarding the blue line, Kovacevic and Dillon are rubbing off on young defensemen like Luke Hughes.
“Those guys have reminded the younger guys that yeah, you may be a great offensive defenseman, but if the offense were all we wanted from you, you’d be an offenseman, not a defenseman,” Fitzgerald pointed out.
Outside Looking In
By going out and singing Brett Pesce for six seasons, having Dougie Hamilton signed for another three seasons, Fitzgerald’s desire to re-sign Kovacevic can also have some repercussions within the organization.
The right side of their defense seems set for the foreseeable future, if they can lock down Kovacevic to a team-friendly number.
But then what does that mean for top prospects Simon Nemec and Seamus Casey? Casey has seemingly passed Nemec in the org chart in the AHL
One source has confirmed belief that Simon Nemec could very well soon become available on the trade market, especially after some comments made earlier on Thursday to Dennik Sport’s Tomas Prokop.
“It’s hard to say, it’s still too early to request a trade. If this situation continues, it will have to be addressed, but, for now, this is how it stands.” said Nemec of his current standing with the Devils. “I believe I’ve proven multiple times that I belong in the NHL. I just have to wait for another chance.”
But if Kovacevic is signed to a long-term deal, that opportunity, especially considering the Devils’ desire to get tougher, will become non-existent.
“I wouldn’t say I’m an ultra-offensive defenseman. I’d love to have a balanced role in the NHL,” said Nemec to Dennik Sports.
As multiple NHL executives and pro scouts have pointed out to RG recently, given the Devils' all-in approach they have moving forward, some prospects may soon be made available for the right price.
But that will only truly become a problem if the Devils and Kovacevic can find common ground on a deal; but, clearly, the outcome of these negotiations could have a significant impact further down the team’s depth chart.
James Murphy
