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

[Devs3cups]

If NJ is feeling great and trusts the d they are going with to start the season and it continues to December then I could see him going, but I find it more likely they ask him not to play. Although I’m sure he’d push back on the strongly considering that team is a legit metal shot even if our best player will 100% not be there. I’d think the federation would be pretty upset with NJ but that’s on them. Radivojevic can handle PP1 fine. Anyways Nemec and Funtek together was basically him and a junior version of worherspoon together.

Nemec is most likely already better than both Smith/Miller, it's just that having 2 rookies on D to start the season is quite the risk. I wouldn't be surprised if Nemec is back before December, in fact it's pretty likely. Even then, as much as I'd like to watch Nemec at the WJC, I doubt NJ would let him go because he'll be the next man up in case of injury. I'm pretty sure Nemec is ok with this.

 

[My3Sons]

If NJ is feeling great and trusts the d they are going with to start the season and it continues to December then I could see him going, but I find it more likely they ask him not to play. Although I’m sure he’d push back on the strongly considering that team is a legit metal shot even if our best player will 100% not be there. I’d think the federation would be pretty upset with NJ but that’s on them. Radivojevic can handle PP1 fine. Anyways Nemec and Funtek together was basically him and a junior version of worherspoon together.

If Nemec is still in the AHL in December with no obvious call up my best guess is they will discuss the WJC with Nemec. I imagine the national federation will call his agent if he's still in the minors when the time comes. If he really wants to go and expresses that I'm skeptical the NJ brass would flat out say no.

 

[jkrdevil]

I can’t see them allowing him to go to the WJC even if he is in Utica. Remember last year they let him go and Graves and Marino went down in back to back games requiring a call up.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Think it's more likely he is playing in New Jersey during WJC time then going to WJC.

 

[Mgd31]

Wrong thread

 

[Antiillafire]

Nemec is most likely already better than both Smith/Miller, it's just that having 2 rookies on D to start the season is quite the risk. I wouldn't be surprised if Nemec is back before December, in fact it's pretty likely. Even then, as much as I'd like to watch Nemec at the WJC, I doubt NJ would let him go because he'll be the next man up in case of injury. I'm pretty sure Nemec is ok with this.

If he’s in the NHL at the time I completely understand. But if Nj is all healthy on the back end and he’s in the AHL, I’d have to guess he wouldn’t be ok with nj asking him not to go and captain maybe the best Slovak WJC team ever. Probably also impacted by his performance in Utica, best on best at that age is never development hindering, always it’s the opposite

 

[Goptor]

The Devils are at the stage where they are preparing for playoffs and aren't desperate to squeeze points in the regular season.

Keeping Nemec up means losing Miller or Smith through waivers. Its better to have all of them around for the grind into playoffs in case an injury comes up. In addition, the AHL depth is severely lacking at defense.

 

[BavelPure]

Both Nemec and Hughes showed high end skill and offensive flashes in preseason, and some errors and defensive struggles. I don't think having them trade off in the press box is ideal. Hughes has a year longer in the system so he's first in line for the gig. But great that Nemec gets at games as a #1 guy in Utica playing big minutes. I can see Nemec getting in a groove this season and filling in and sticking on the big club at some point.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Both Nemec and Hughes showed high end skill and offensive flashes in preseason, and some errors and defensive struggles. I don't think having them trade off in the press box is ideal. Hughes has a year longer in the system so he's first in line for the gig. But great that Nemec gets at games as a #1 guy in Utica playing big minutes. I can see Nemec getting in a groove this season and filling in and sticking on the big club at some point.

Not sure how you figured Hughes has "a year longer" in the system.

Nemec has a full year of pro hockey. Luke played five games at the end of last season.

 

[TBF1972]

He has a real chance to be better than Ben Lovejoy.

And I know it pains you to say that.

I'll do it.

He already is.

 

[BavelPure]

Not sure how you figured Hughes has "a year longer" in the system.

Nemec has a full year of pro hockey. Luke played five games at the end of last season.

He was drafted a year ahead of Nemec by the Devils organization. For Nemec to leapfrog Hughes in camp, and make the team over him, it would have needed to be decisive.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

He was drafted a year ahead of Nemec by the Devils organization. For Nemec to leapfrog Hughes in camp, and make the team over him, it would have needed to be decisive.

Nemec could have been Bobby Orr and Kevin Lowe reincarnated and he wasn't making the team ahead of Luke Hughes.

There are certain players in the organization to whom different standards apply.

 

[Call Me Al]

Nemec could have been Bobby Orr and Kevin Lowe reincarnated and he wasn't making the team ahead of Luke Hughes.

There are certain players in the organization to whom different standards apply.

you really gonna do this all season?

 

[Billdo]

Nemec could have been Bobby Orr and Kevin Lowe reincarnated and he wasn't making the team ahead of Luke Hughes.

There are certain players in the organization to whom different standards apply.

Not to mention there is Hamilton, Marino, and Miller to leapfrog while Hughes just had to be better than Brendan Smith...

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Not to mention there is Hamilton, Marino, and Miller to leapfrog while Hughes just had to be better than Brendan Smith...

Were either of those things true? Both Miller and Hughes had tenuous stretches during the preseason.

Same could not be said of Simon Nemec.

you really gonna do this all season?

Hopefully not. Would love to see Luke defend and prove me wrong.

 

[My3Sons]

Were either of those things true? Both Miller and Hughes had tenuous stretches during the preseason.

Same could not be said of Simon Nemec.


Hopefully not. Would love to see Luke defend and prove me wrong.

Nemec wasn’t perfect either. I’d put him at the same level as Hughes. Can see fhe promise can see thr flaws. The only one given a pass was Miller.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Nemec wasn’t perfect either. I’d put him at the same level as Hughes. Can see fhe promise can see thr flaws. The only one given a pass was Miller.

The thing that stood out most for me in the preseason in a positive way was the combination of Nemec and Kevin Bahl.

They not only looked good in transition but seemed to compliment each other seamlessly.

Didn't see the other pairs, including Hamilton and Siegenthaler, looking nearly as good in all three zones.

 

[Guttersniped]

The thing that stood out most for me in the preseason in a positive way was the combination of Nemec and Kevin Bahl.

They not only looked good in transition but seemed to compliment each other seamlessly.

Didn't see the other pairs, including Hamilton and Siegenthaler, looking nearly as good in all three zones.

Bahl & Nemec didn’t do all that well with each other.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Bahl & Nemec didn’t do all that well with each other.

View attachment 750964

Yeah they did.

Comparing apples and oranges with much of the various pairs facing far different competition and at different stages of the game.

Almost meaningless in such a small sample size.

 

[forceten]

So “I said so” is the validation …

 

[Billdo]

Yeah they did.

Comparing apples and oranges with much of the various pairs facing far different competition and at different stages of the game.

Almost meaningless in such a small sample size.

Correct... that's what you're not understanding.

 

[vlady]

ROZHOVOR Šimon Nemec: Dajte mi pár zápasov v NHL, nech vás môžem presvedčiť | Šport.sk

Interview with Simon in Slovak media. A short summary
- he's a little disappointed (but not angry) that he didn't get a chance to show if he is ready or not in at least a few games
- he said the organization didn't expect that he could have such a good camp
- Ruff talked to him personally and he said he was pleasantly surprised with his progress in his defensive game but that he needs more time in the AHL
- when asked what he has improved defensively he said that last year he had troubles with gap control, which is now much better, that his physical game is better, that he worked on getting opponents away from the front of the net and to battle for every puck
- he doesn't want to spend the whole year in Utica
- he says he wants to enjoy hockey down there and not think too much about when the call is gonna come from the Devils, which he did last year

 

[tailfins]

ROZHOVOR Šimon Nemec: Dajte mi pár zápasov v NHL, nech vás môžem presvedčiť | Šport.sk

Interview with Simon in Slovak media. A short summary
- he's a little disappointed (but not angry) that he didn't get a chance to show if he is ready or not in at least a few games
- he said the organization didn't expect that he could have such a good camp
- Ruff talked to him personally and he said he was pleasantly surprised with his progress in his defensive game but that he needs more time in the AHL
- when asked what he has improved defensively he said that last year he had troubles with gap control, which is now much better, that his physical game is better, that he worked on getting opponents away from the front of the net and to battle for every puck
- he doesn't want to spend the whole year in Utica
- he says he wants to enjoy hockey down there and not think too much about when the call is gonna come from the Devils, which he did last year

Interesting. Makes me a tad nervous - which maybe is a good thing.

I get the sense that 1) he likely feels he should have made the team out of camp; and 2) if he feels the Devils aren't giving him a fair shot, he won't take it quietly.

And, if the kid is going to be the star we think he can be, this is the kind of confidence he should have.

 

[Devs3cups]

Interesting. Makes me a tad nervous - which maybe is a good thing.

I get the sense that 1) he likely feels he should have made the team out of camp; and 2) if he feels the Devils aren't giving him a fair shot, he won't take it quietly.

And, if the kid is going to be the star we think he can be, this is the kind of confidence he should have.

On the contrary, I feel like he has a good attitude about it. It’s normal to be disappointed, and most top guys feel like they deserve to do the team, but he knows what he has to work on and he’ll be back soon enough. He’ll be a big player for us and he’ll most likely have a similar path to Luke to come in the NHL.

From what he’s said about his talks with Ruff, Ruff has been clear that he had a good camp and that he’ll be up with us soon.

 

[Classic Devil]

ROZHOVOR Šimon Nemec: Dajte mi pár zápasov v NHL, nech vás môžem presvedčiť | Šport.sk

Interview with Simon in Slovak media. A short summary
- he's a little disappointed (but not angry) that he didn't get a chance to show if he is ready or not in at least a few games
- he said the organization didn't expect that he could have such a good camp
- Ruff talked to him personally and he said he was pleasantly surprised with his progress in his defensive game but that he needs more time in the AHL
- when asked what he has improved defensively he said that last year he had troubles with gap control, which is now much better, that his physical game is better, that he worked on getting opponents away from the front of the net and to battle for every puck
- he doesn't want to spend the whole year in Utica
- he says he wants to enjoy hockey down there and not think too much about when the call is gonna come from the Devils, which he did last year

Unless Miller or Smith inexplicably become a star player, Nemec will definitely be in the NHL by the end of the season.