Prospect Info: New Jersey Devils Draft Simon Nemec, 2nd Overall

[4check22]

I'm very split on what to root for with Nemec this season. Would be great for him to play so well that he grabs a top 6 spot...but if he gets another season in the AHL and his contract slides (as long as he plays less than 10 games this season), having him on his ELC through the 2026-2027 season could be massive for cap purposes. Would obviously suck for Nemec though, as that's one less season of making big money in his career.

Same. I also think his play in Utica would help Utica be a more competitive team, which potentially helps the development of other Utica players. For me, Nemec has to be a clear choice over Miller for Nemec to make the opening night roster.

 

[HBK27]

 

[Devs3cups]

Fair enough hahah!

 

[My3Sons]

ya we are pretty much on the same page. I do want him to start in the AHL. Seems i think we will see him in NJ earlier then you do, Jan or Feb imo, but general idea seems pretty similar.

Without knowing the team's thought process it's hard to say. There might be one small thing they want him to perfect before joining NJ even if he is otherwise ready. Didn't he get some criticism for puck retrieval last season? Maybe they want that to pick up a bit quicker to avoid him getting hit behind the net? Just an example. He's going to improve by leaps and bounds and I'd be surprised if he doesn't finish the season with NJ. Now, do they stifle him for the contract staggering? Hopefully not but Mike Dunham might say they would.

 

[NjDevsRR]

No One:

Nemec deciding on a jersey number:

 

[My3Sons]

No One:

Nemec deciding on a jersey number:
View attachment 743065

Are you saying he’s got hand?

 

[Guttersniped]

I can't either.

Googled it and looks like Hronek wears #17.

Yes, it’s a winger number but it was also (one of) Lubomir Visnovsky’s number(s), and he was born in the Slovakian part of Czechoslovakia.

Visnovsky also wore 12, but maybe that’s still technically Thompson’s number. Not sure people would like that more, many defensemen wore that either, but Lovejoy did.

 

[My3Sons]

Yes, it’s a winger number but it was also (one of) Lubomir Visnovsky’s number(s), and he was born in the Slovakian part of Czechoslovakia.

Visnovsky also wore 12, but maybe that’s still technically Thompson’s number. Not sure people would like that more, many defensemen wore that either, but Lovejoy did.

How anyone can forget Lovejoy's storied tenure with NJ is beyond me.

 

[Nubmer6]

How anyone can forget Lovejoy's storied tenure with NJ is beyond me.

Who?

 

[The Wumpus]

Ew Simon no

 

[Devilsgrl35]

77 would've looked awesome on Nemec.

 

[My3Sons]

Who?

You are dead to me. Turn in your fan card and leave the message board.

 

[Hisch13r]

If Nemec didn't play a single NHL game this year I wouldn't have anything resembling a concern.... Provided he doesn't poop the bed it Utica.

Don't have to bring him up and play him just to play him. Our worst right handed D is Colin Miller who is a non awful 8 year vet who will likely break 500 games this year. Man was a perfectly cromulent defenseman for a playoff team last year

Him becoming an elite two way all situations 1D at the AHL level and not having to play in the NHL next year to me would be the ideal scenario. He'd slide another year and it'd mean we're healthy at the NHL level and we have no issues with Miller as the 3RD (I don't see why we really would with him). The idea that his next cheaper would be substantially cheaper to me if we burned an ELC year just doesn't really make sense to me. Maybe it's a slightly less but I don't think it'd make much of a difference. Having that extra ELC year where he's making 6-7 mil less than he would be on his 2nd deal would make a huge difference though.

 

[Stephen Gionta]

This kid is going to be an elite defenseman in this league...

 

[JimEIV]

Nemec has earned an opportunity for this season...He did the work riding the buses for a year and proved he could play at the pro level in North America...he may not be ready for full time NHL duty, but he has definitely earned a shot.

I'd like to see him in Newark before Thanksgiving.

 

[Saugus]

Nemec has earned an opportunity for this season...He did the work riding the buses for a year and proved he could play at the pro level in North America...he may not be ready for full time NHL duty, but he has definitely earned a shot.

I'd like to see him in Newark before Thanksgiving.

I think we probably will see him before 2023 is out, especially if there is an injury or if any of Miller/Bahl/Hughes struggle early.

 

[Classic Devil]

Nooooo he can’t wear 17, there’s already so much competition for the number on the All-Time Team

 

[TBF1972]

17 is a good number to retire some day.

can you see the problem now? god, it's the end, when the next batch of devils fans has to look at players with numbers like 113 or 86*, because all the single and double digit numbers have been retired.

 

[TBF1972]

Who?

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

 

[Guadana]

can you see the problem now? god, it's the end, when the next batch of devils fans has to look at players with numbers like 113 or 86*, because all the single and double digit numbers habe been retired.

Optimistic side of my individuality hopes that 13, 86, 17, 43, 91, may be 63 and 96/28, and even a couple of another players(6? 7? 71? 81? 29? 88? 38? 62? Changed 26?) will win enough and/or will produce enough to retire all of their numbers after long and successful career with the club. Just imagine the Devils will be so good to retire 5 or more numbers. They need to be close to our previous 5 players with retired numbers.

 

[TBF1972]

Optimistic side of my individuality hopes that 13, 86, 17, 43, 91, may be 63 and 96/28, and even a couple of another players(6? 7? 71? 81? 29? 88? 38? 62? Changed 26?) will win enough and/or will produce enough to retire all of their numbers after long and successful career with the club. Just imagine the Devils will be so good to retire 5 or more numbers. They need to be close to our previous 5 players with retired numbers.

which of those numbers belong to gritsyuk and bardakhov?

 

[Guadana]

which of those numbers belong to gritsyuk and bardakhov?

If they didn’t retire the number of Brylin, I don’t think that they will retire Bardakov’s number, even if he will play full career as a Devils player. Gritsyuk is 81.

 

[longislanddevil]

Thought I’d share this article from Mike Morreale.

Nemec ready to take next step with Devils after improving defense | NHL.com

No. 2 pick in 2022 NHL Draft credits time on penalty kill in AHL

www.nhl.com

 

[Lou Bloom]

Thought I’d share this article from Mike Morreale.

Nemec ready to take next step with Devils after improving defense | NHL.com

No. 2 pick in 2022 NHL Draft credits time on penalty kill in AHL

www.nhl.com

It was a great development decision to have Nemec focus more on his defensive game and play him on the PK. He's not a Luke Hughes level offensive threat, the appeal of him always was his potential to impact in all areas of the game.

 

[JimEIV]

Defensemen should only wear 2 through 7 and 23 through 29.

That's it.