Speculation: Nemec not happy with the Devils?

[HugeInTheShire]

Miller plus a pick for Nemec, Mercer and Siegenthaler? He'd look great as the C next to J. Hughes so he can play on the wing; Mercer is needed both for cap and because he's still young and Vancouver needs a C/ forward coming back, plus Jersey doesn't have the cap space so Siegenthaler and his $3ish going back would be a good add.

J. Hughes - Miller - Bratt
Palat - Hischier - Meier

____________________________________________

DeBrusk - Petey - Lekkerimaki
__________ - Mercer - Boeser

Q. Hughes - Hronek
Siegenthaler - Nemec
Soucy - Myers/ Desharnais

No chance NJ goes anywhere near that.

 

[Forge]

Miller plus a pick for Nemec, Mercer and Siegenthaler? He'd look great as the C next to J. Hughes so he can play on the wing; Mercer is needed both for cap and because he's still young and Vancouver needs a C/ forward coming back, plus Jersey doesn't have the cap space so Siegenthaler and his $3ish going back would be a good add.

J. Hughes - Miller - Bratt
Palat - Hischier - Meier

____________________________________________

DeBrusk - Petey - Lekkerimaki
__________ - Mercer - Boeser

Q. Hughes - Hronek
Siegenthaler - Nemec
Soucy - Myers/ Desharnais

Holy jesus ...I think you're going to be pretty disappointed with a Miller return if that is your expectation. Dear lord

 

[StreetHawk]

2022 draft is a weird one

It was. Nemec played over 60 games for NJ last season. They signed Pesce and had Hamilton but also added Kov who has been excellent for them.

It is challenging for a team to have a young player be an NHLer at 19 then at age 20 not crack the top 6 D, Korchinski is kind of the same thing for Chicago. These youngsters quickly get it into their head that they are NHLers when they are in the NHL at 19, but if the following season they aren't as good as other players, it's tough on the relationship when the team sends them down.

 

[dgibb10]

Miller plus a pick for Nemec, Mercer and Siegenthaler? He'd look great as the C next to J. Hughes so he can play on the wing; Mercer is needed both for cap and because he's still young and Vancouver needs a C/ forward coming back, plus Jersey doesn't have the cap space so Siegenthaler and his $3ish going back would be a good add.

J. Hughes - Miller - Bratt
Palat - Hischier - Meier

____________________________________________

DeBrusk - Petey - Lekkerimaki
__________ - Mercer - Boeser

Q. Hughes - Hronek
Siegenthaler - Nemec
Soucy - Myers/ Desharnais

NJD does not need or want to move Jack Hughes to the wing.

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

Relax. Like seriously.

Nemec is putting the pressure on the Devils to give him a chance. The days of telling young people to shut up and be patient are over. Now, quotes like Nemec’ are seen as competitive.

The truth is that Kovacevic has outperformed expectations and the Devils (correctly) thought that it’s better to send Nemec down to get playing time. One injury to a RHD and he’s back up. He is not worse than MacDermid and is also waiver-exempt.

The long-term situation is that the Devils have rewarded LHughes by cancelling out his first year on an ELC and probably reward him with a paycheck immediately. While Nemec most likely needs to get bridges (depends on if they keep Hamilton or not). So he could get kinda pissed at that but the Devils can also play hardball and say look, if you become really good we will pay you, just right now we’re up against the cap.

I don't look into much at all of what he said but he was given a chance and did not perform...He should know you have to be ready and perform or put in your bones nothing will be handed to you just because you open your mouth....He's been playing better but most of what Fitz criticized him for was his defensive play...He needs to continue to work hard and get better simple as that...

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

A disgruntled dude with disgusting term for a 1LHD, decent 6-9 forward granted who's been mid the past 2 years and a ELC RD 2nd overall pick from 2.5 years ago doesn't match up. Miller is going to get far less than Vancouver fans think they're getting. It's probably a ploy to get NYR to pay up by using a rival as a close proxy destination

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

I think it's more likely between Hamilton and Kovacevic as the odd man out in the offseason. I can't see them spending nearly $20M on the Right side alone and keeping all three of Pesce, Hamilton and Kovacevic, especially since that would mean moving Nemec and severely hampering the long term outlook on the right side.

I think if Kovy would sign for a reasonable amount Fitz might bite and trade Hams in offseason but I think that would cost too much to get rid of him more than likely Kovy walks.

 

[Michoulicious]

I don't get the excuse of 3 better RHDs... Kovecevic is far from an all star, and I know he's been good this year but that guy is is bottom pair D in his late 20s.

Are all 7 Ds in New Jersey better than him? Play someone on its off-side if Nemec is better, who cares.

Dillon, Siegentaler... Are they that much better than him?

If he's worst than all those defensemen then yeah, in his D+3 as a #2 OA it is a problem. It is not like he was injured for long stretches, etc.

If not, I get his frustration if he has been playing well in the AHL... I have not watched him in the AHL, but his production looks at least decent. Is it because he sucks defensively?

Say what you want, #2 OA get special treatments. Fact he has not even played ONE game in his whole D+1 while being great in the AHL sucks for him because his ELC sled a year and now he's only in his 2nd ELC year while his best friend Slafkovsky is at the end of his 3rd ELC getting paid NHL salary and just extended for 8 years at 7+ millions.

Most top 3 drafted prospects get a game at the end of the D+1 to make a year slide. When they don't (see Gauthier recently), they sometimes get pissed and ask for a trade.

Now the Devils either give him what he wants, or trade him like Jiricek before his value plummets next year when his ELC expires and he can threaten to sit out.

 

[McDuffz88]

He has a point. I know devs fans believe hes still bound to be a stud but it is really odd that he couldnt beat out a near league minimum dman for bottom pair minutes and that the devs felt obligated to sign vets in his place to block him.

I dont think his value is anywhere near where devils fans believe it is. Value is probably in the Kakko ballpark which if borgen is flipped for a 2nd is roughly a 2nd, 3rd and 6th

He didn't beat out any other man because he was injured. Even his AHL stats prove it. Beginning of the year his stats were stagnant now that he's healed his stats have exploded. It doesn't help his case that NJ's defense is stacked. The way Fitz is looking at the situation is he can afford to keep Nemec in the AHL this year. It's also crappy luck for Nemec that there hasn't been any injuries on our defense to warrant a call up. Fitz is also stashing Nemec away so when it comes time for contract he can give him a lower offer. Devils have nothing to lose but all to gain from keeping Nemec down this year (unless he demands a trade). Comparing him to Kakko is ridiculous. His value is far higher and Fitz wouldn't let himself get fleeced on a Nemec deal.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

He has a point. I know devs fans believe hes still bound to be a stud but it is really odd that he couldnt beat out a near league minimum dman for bottom pair minutes and that the devs felt obligated to sign vets in his place to block him.

I dont think his value is anywhere near where devils fans believe it is. Value is probably in the Kakko ballpark which if borgen is flipped for a 2nd is roughly a 2nd, 3rd and 6th

Stick to your awful Rags arm chair GM's

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

I don't get the excuse of 3 better RHDs... Kovecevic is far from an all star, and I know he's been good this year but that guy is is bottom pair D in his late 20s.

Are all 7 Ds in New Jersey better than him? Play someone on its off-side if Nemec is better, who cares.

Dillon, Siegentaler... Are they that much better than him?

If he's worst than all those defensemen then yeah, in his D+3 as a #2 OA it is a problem. It is not like he was injured for long stretches, etc.

If not, I get his frustration if he has been playing well in the AHL... I have not watched him in the AHL, but his production looks at least decent. Is it because he sucks defensively?

Say what you want, #2 OA get special treatments. Fact he has not even played ONE game in his whole D+1 while being great in the AHL sucks for him because his ELC sled a year and now he's only in his 2nd ELC year while his best friend Slafkovsky is at the end of his 3rd ELC getting paid NHL salary and just extended for 8 years at 7+ millions.

Most top 3 drafted prospects get a game at the end of the D+1 to make a year slide. When they don't (see Gauthier recently), they sometimes get pissed and ask for a trade.

Now the Devils either give him what he wants, or trade him like Jiricek before his value plummets next year when his ELC expires and he can threaten to sit out.

Nemec got f***ed this year by circumstances, he hurt his shoulder in the Olympic qualifiers in September and then came into camp with the injury and looked bad. Btw, the Devils did him a favor, they could've said we're not letting you play in those and you need to be ready for camp but the Devils let him play knowing how important those games meant to him. Anyway, he comes into camp with a banged up shoulder and the Devils decide ro give him some games and he looks brutal/below his standards. Kovacevic begins the year playing out of his mind, he's been the best shutdown defensive man in metrics for what it's worth, Pesce's spot was being held up by Casey for the time being who also outplayed Nemec in camp/preseason to be awarded more ice time and then obviously Dougie Hamliton was never gonna be in danger of not being a regular. Nemec has more opportunity next year to be a regular, Hamliton will be traded, Pesce will be a regular obviously, who knows what happens with Kovacevic but signs do point to him being back with the Devils on a new deal and Casey will push alongside Nemec for the last 3RD spot. He has next to no excuses next year not to be a good player since he's fully healthy from his shoulder + there's a legit chance he can be a top 4 in short order in NJ. If he botches it and Casey develops or outplays him, it'll be a Jiricek situation with a less return.

Also to your off hand question, I'd argue he's only better than Dillon at the current moment. Siegenthalar is back to being good and he's not better than Luke in any stratosphere.

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

In season 1, Nemec was sent down to Utica, because he needed to adjust to NA ice and work on his defensive play. He did not complain, worked hard and significantly improved his D.
Season 2- He was sent to Utica again, worked hard and waited for his chance. When he was called up, he quickly showed he can play at NHL level.
Season 3- Club decided to sign two RHD vets which pretty much indicates they have no trust with Nemec. He got injured and had a slow start.
He is not similar case as Jiricek because Jiricek never proved he can play at NHL level.
If defensive play is the reason why he cannot be in NHL, then what was Luke Hughes doing there last year? Why can they be 100% patient with Hughes, but have no trust with Nemec. I guess those are the bad signals he was getting, so he is obviously questioning their approach.

Luke has made huge strides this year as he also benefits from having Pesce as a partner...The signing of the vets was to help change the character of the team not necessarily just the defense and not many saw Kovy taking his shot and running away with the starters spot....Also I think Fitz was out to protect his job by getting an upgrade in goal and better depth and defensive play in front of that goalie....Imo let Nemec cook in the AHL this year unless he's needed for a call up...

 

[KovalchukFistPump]

I don't get the excuse of 3 better RHDs... Kovecevic is far from an all star, and I know he's been good this year but that guy is is bottom pair D in his late 20s.

Are all 7 Ds in New Jersey better than him? Play someone on its off-side if Nemec is better, who cares.

Dillon, Siegentaler... Are they that much better than him?

If he's worst than all those defensemen then yeah, in his D+3 as a #2 OA it is a problem. It is not like he was injured for long stretches, etc.

If not, I get his frustration if he has been playing well in the AHL... I have not watched him in the AHL, but his production looks at least decent. Is it because he sucks defensively?

Say what you want, #2 OA get special treatments. Fact he has not even played ONE game in his whole D+1 while being great in the AHL sucks for him because his ELC sled a year and now he's only in his 2nd ELC year while his best friend Slafkovsky is at the end of his 3rd ELC getting paid NHL salary and just extended for 8 years at 7+ millions.

Most top 3 drafted prospects get a game at the end of the D+1 to make a year slide. When they don't (see Gauthier recently), they sometimes get pissed and ask for a trade.

Now the Devils either give him what he wants, or trade him like Jiricek before his value plummets next year when his ELC expires and he can threaten to sit out.

Teams don't play defenders on their off-side anymore unless it's an emergency. LHD and RHD are basically separate positions now.

 

[devsfan8]

Exactly why should any Devils fan be concerned about this? I fail to understand why they wouldd expect a different answer when he was asked?? Is the expectation from The fan base that Nemec play in the AHL....and LIKE IT? I'd be concerned if he DID sound content snd happy! How's that? That would raise a flag for me. The guy is a competitor. For heaven sakes.

At the SAME time I also understand the Devils putting him in the A to develop his game more and getting consistent playing time.

Unless, im getting a star back in his prime i have zero interest in tradiing Simon Nemec right now.