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

[TheUnseenHand]

I'm over passing on Wright already.

Can't wait to see Nemec on ice in a Devils uniform!

 

[Devils731]

Guy has potential to be special so satisfied with the pick.

 

[NJDevs26]

Huh what in the world are you talking about?
He’s 6’ 200lbs

Fine he’ll be Severson size…we’re gonna have five finesse D and Siegs

MUH ANALYTICS

 

[Emperoreddy]

Fitz said he might come over next year and try out for the big club or play in Utica

 

[glenwo2]

As is common for young, offensive-minded defensemen, Nemec's defensive game is his largest weakness. He often plays very large gaps when defending the rush, which gives the opposing forwards too much time and space to get around him and make plays toward the net.

In the defensive zone, he can appear tentative, which is in contrast to how he plays on the offensive side of the puck. His high hockey IQ means he understands how to follow the play, but he gets lost at times and can get caught puck-watching.

Why the Blue Jackets should consider drafting Simon Nemec, a puck-moving defenseman

Simon Nemec is one of the top two defensemen in the NHL draft. His puck-moving ability could make him a sought-after prospect for the Blue Jackets.

www.dispatch.com

THIS is who Fitz drafted, folks.

A d-man whose weakness is PLAYING F'N DEFENSE!

Seriously.

I mean are you kidding me here???

At #2.


What in the actual F***, FITZ?

We gave up Shane Wright for this guy?

I hope he pans out like some of you claim 'cause if he doesn't, we will forever regret this choice for a long-ass time.

 

[Saugus]

I'm not super happy about passing up on Wright for him, but I'm hoping that Nemec lives up to his billing and develops into an excellent defenseman.

 

[Normal Devil]

Disappointing day. Not getting Slaf sucks .. not getting DeBrincat sucked. Not getting Gaudreau will suck.

 

[Comparison Ford]

also we never draft defenseman. it’s SO nice to get objectively the best defenseman available in the draft

 

[Azathoth]

As is common for young, offensive-minded defensemen, Nemec's defensive game is his largest weakness. He often plays very large gaps when defending the rush, which gives the opposing forwards too much time and space to get around him and make plays toward the net.

In the defensive zone, he can appear tentative, which is in contrast to how he plays on the offensive side of the puck. His high hockey IQ means he understands how to follow the play, but he gets lost at times and can get caught puck-watching.

Why the Blue Jackets should consider drafting Simon Nemec, a puck-moving defenseman

Simon Nemec is one of the top two defensemen in the NHL draft. His puck-moving ability could make him a sought-after prospect for the Blue Jackets.

www.dispatch.com

THIS is who Fitz drafted, folks.

A d-man whose weakness is PLAYING F'N DEFENSE!

Seriously.

I mean are you kidding me here???

At #2.


What in the actual F***, FITZ?

We gave up Shane Wright for this guy?

I hope he pans out like some of you claim 'cause if he doesn't, we will forever regret this choice for a long-ass time.

Yea but a year ago I’d bet L. Hughes scouting report read very similar and no one is pissed of about that pick today.

I would have been happy with wright but if Nemec pans out our d should be pretty sick in a season or 2.

 

[Lou is God]

Well he better be Cale Makar 2.0 - ANOTHER midget

I could see him being more like Fox 2.0.

 

[RememberTheName]

I don’t care that we picked a defenseman. But David Jiricek is better at literally every single aspect of hockey except for transition offense than Simon Nemec. David Jiricek is exactly what this team needed from the back end. I don’t understand this team ever.

 

[Camille the Eel]

This draft is going to be fascinating to revisit in about 3 years. I wonder what level Wright reaches. If he becomes a sort of new edition of Ryan Getzlaf, Seattle is going to be very happy. I have a hunch that kid is going to be very very good. And that Montreal above all is going to regret their pick tonight.

Between Slaf and Nemec, I am happy we got Nemec.

We could have had both Rossi and Wright over the past 3 drafts. We passed them both up. Alexander Holtz what’s in your future too.

I would have loved us to take Wright actually.

 

[Lou is God]

Also yeah RD is our weakest positon prospects wise in the organization. Walsh is not that great and Mccarthy still has some time to impress. Outside of that we have nothing.

I hope McCarthy sticks around and doesn't go the UFA way from college, he is besties with Zegras. That makes me nervous.

 

[Hisch13r]

also we never draft defenseman. it’s SO nice to get objectively the best defenseman available in the draft

We didn't take Jiricek

 

[glenwo2]

I'm not super happy about passing up on Wright for him, but I'm hoping that Nemec lives up to his billing and develops into an excellent defenseman.

I actually feel the same.

Why?

Because I now have NO CHOICE but to HOPE with Nemec.

'Cause right now, he SUCKS at playing Defense.

Hope he doesn't suck when it's time to make the team but right now....sigh....

 

[pkbrux]

We didn't take Jiricek

No, we didn't. We took the best dman prospect in Nemec.

 

[RememberTheName]

also we never draft defenseman. it’s SO nice to get objectively the best defenseman available in the draft

We didn’t draft the best defenseman though which is the big issue here.

 

[glenwo2]

This is such a Buzzkill pick.

I feel so f'n down right now.

I'm going to just drink some Jack Daniels or some s--t (well...I guess Jack Daniels IS sh*t these days...lol) to just numb myself to the idiocy I just witnessed.

 

[AfroThunder396]

It's a fine pick, you people will bitch about anything. I would have taken Wright but Nemec is objectively an excellent prospect.

RHD don't grow on trees and we got the guy who is probably the best one in the draft. He's polished and will be in the NHL either this year or next. Steady, cerebral player.

Scott Wheeler at The Athletic had him going #2:

2. Simon Nemec — RHD, HK Nitra, 6-foot​

This kid turned 18 in the middle of February and he’s already registered 65 points in 112 games at a professional level as a defenceman! Nemec’s statistical profile is as strong as any draft-eligible defenceman we’ve seen in recent years — and stronger than any player in this draft class. A poll of NHL scouts still gives Czech defenceman David Jiricek the slight edge, but I’d argue Nemec only further stamped what I believe to be the better case with his exceptional, record-setting play in Nitra’s playoff run and into the men’s world championships. This is a kid who has looked a class above his peers whenever he’s played with them, has excelled against NHLers on the senior stage, and is already a top player at his position in his top domestic league (albeit a difficult one to evaluate).

Nemec is a calculated and poised three-zone defender who is capable of organizing play from the top of the zone, executing through seams in coverage at a high level, and starting and leading his fair share of rushes. He’s got great edges and four-way mobility. And he also regularly flashes sneaky deception, which blends beautifully with his rare maturity for his age. Though I wouldn’t say he’s a dynamic, game-breaking type offensively, I see plenty of calmness and talent, he knows when and how to push (and when and how to sit back and defend), he’s already got pro size, he plays a polished game, and he’s a righty. I expect him to become the best defenceman out of Slovakia since Zdeno Chara and a true No. 2 (and maybe even No. 1) guy who plays an effective, efficient, play-driving modern game. The game just comes easy to him.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

I love the player but I wanted Wright. We can say bye to Severson now.

 

[DerekDevils30]

This is such a Buzzkill pick.

I feel so f'n down right now.

I'm going to just drink some Jack Daniels or some s--t (well...I guess Jack Daniels IS sh*t these days...lol) to just numb myself to the idiocy I just witnessed.

You will love Nemec sooner than later.

 

[Hisch13r]

I love the player but I wanted Wright. We can say bye to Severson now.

Don't see bye to Severson if you can get him on a reasonable deal. Having Dougie, Nemec, Severson the right side while Nemec is on his ELC would be huge

 

[Homedresser]

drafte

also we never draft defenseman. it’s SO nice to get objectively the best defenseman available in the draft

what are you talking about? They've drafted 4 in the first round in the last 5 years.

 

[Japam]

Only 6'?!?! No grit

 

[Comparison Ford]

drafte

what are you talking about? They've drafted 4 in the first round in the last 5 years.

tried to edit, i meant in the top ten