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

[Devs3cups]

Nemec isn’t bad at all defensively. It might be his weakness but it’s not L. Hughes weak, far from it. Also we should keep in mind young players improve their weak areas.

 

[XBS93]

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

You're telling me Bailey Johnson, the legendary Bailey Johnson from the Columbus Dispatch thinks his defensive game needs work? That's all you have to say. Fitz, Brodeur, MacKinnon, Madigan, Dennehy, Castron, Dellow and Cane need to be fired immediately! Not only that, they should be forced to walk home from Montreal.

 

[Hisch13r]

Nemec isn’t bad at all defensively. It might be his weakness but it’s not L. Hughes weak, far from it. Also we should keep in mind young players improve their weak areas.

Disagree. It's just as bad as Luke

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

welcome to the team. We addressed a need with a talented and promising player.

 

[DerekDevils30]

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

1000%. That right side could be ridiculous in 2-3 years.

 

[Nocashstyle]

I still hope they legitimately think Nemec was the best player available.

But I could easily see this being the right move with hindsight. Usually when guys like Wright slip in drafts like this, it ends up being for a reason.

 

[glenwo2]

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.

That scouting report is all well and good. Now list his weaknesses which include DEFENSE.

I've said it before that my preference is Stay-At-Home Defensive-Defenseman kind of like Siegs.

Instead what we did was find a replacement for either Sevs or PK (I assume).

 

[Devs3cups]

Disagree. It's just as bad as Luke

Agree to disagree.

 

[Andre Palot]

I'll ask it.

How does Nemec compare to Owen Power?

 

[Devs3cups]

That scouting report is all well and good. Now list his weaknesses which include DEFENSE.

I've said it before that my preference is Stay-At-Home Defensive-Defenseman kind of like Siegs.

Instead what we did was find a replacement for either Sevs or PK (I assume).

18 year old players improve on their weaknesses and his defense isn’t that bad. He’s a complete d-man.

 

[Devils090]

Sure taking Wright might have been the easier move but Nemec is a huge need. It’s not like we passed on McDavid, we need difference makers on the back end, we have a few up front already.

 

[AfroThunder396]

Nemec compared to Quinn Hughes:

 

[Hisch13r]

I still hope they legitimately think Nemec was the best player available.

But I could easily see this being the right move with hindsight. Usually when guys like Wright slip in drafts like this, it ends up being for a reason.

I actually do think they had Nemec as the best player here. It's not like people were quiet about teams having concerns with Wright. I just disagree with them as him being the right guy

 

[severian]

We needed a RHD...I just hope we didn't leave too much talent on the table.

Agreed. The fact that Wright didn’t end up in Philly cushioned the blow. That would’ve been a tough pill to swallow.

 

[glenwo2]

You will love Nemec sooner than later.

I'll "like" him if he learned how to have Defense *NOT* be a weakness.

I mean....I've never seen that before where a D-man prospects Scouting report says THAT.

 

[Satans Hockey]

Find it absolutely impossible to get even remotely excited about draft picks. I basically say the same thing every year, I hope the guy that I've barely seen play turns out to be good.

I am absolutely sick of the draft being the only thing our pathetic franchise looks forward to every year though. Hopefully we don't suck again this season.

 

[glenwo2]

You...uhhh....didn't quote correctly.

 

[Devils731]

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.

That’s one outlet. Other outlets think his defense is good.

““His understanding of space is excellent and he uses his vision as well as his high hockey IQ on both the defensive and offensive sides of the puck. Defensively, he has great gap control and is great from a positioning standpoint, often disrupting passing lanes just by being in the right spots and using his stick properly. Offensively, he is extremely smart with super-precise passing ability. Nemec takes risks at times, but they often pay off.”– Samuel Tirpak, Dobber Prospects”

Simon Nemec – 2022 NHL Draft Prospect Profile - The Hockey Writers NHL Entry Draft Latest News, Analysis & More

The thing that stands out the most in regards to Simon Nemec's play, is his poise and confidence when he’s on the ice.

thehockeywriters.com

“Nemec’s defensive game is just as impressive as his offensive mindset. He has a very active stick, being able to get into the lane and break up plays in the middle of the ice with a block or perfectly timed stick check.

When he’s not forcing turnovers, Nemec does a great job with his positional play, keeping the puck carrier to the outside, applying pressure and converging on his opponents. I mentioned his body positioning when he has the puck, but Nemec is just as effective of getting the inside edge and battling for the puck to regain control. Even in one-on-one situations, he’s tough to go up against as he does a great job of tying up his man and boxing them out.”

 

[Devil made me do it]

People, listen to me. This pick was what the Seider pick was to Detroit. Just a wise non-conventional pick. It may have seemed bold and too early of a pick at the time but instinctly proved to be the right pick. That's how I feel about Nemec.
The kid is going to be really good and at his position and age, extremely hard to find unless you win the lotto.

 

[ChicksDigTheTrap]

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.

Analytics influence? Bader loved Nemec

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Where do I collect my prize?

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

does he strictly play RD or can he play LD?

Curious what his means for Sevo moving forward

 

[RememberTheName]

Disagree. It's just as bad as Luke

Disagree. It’s even worse than Luke.

EDIT: For anyone reading this now, this is not a true statement, just a heat-of-the-moment highly emotional reaction. Please disregard

 

[pkbrux]

I'll "like" him if he learned how to have Defense *NOT* be a weakness.

I mean....I've never seen that before where a D-man prospects Scouting report says THAT.

I do not agree with that scouting report you posting in term's of Nemec's defensive play. But as for not seeing a scouting report that has defense as a weakness for a dman, I'm assuming you read zero Luke Hughes scouting reports last year?

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

They wanted Slaf at 2 and MTL took their bluff, I like Nemec but I would’ve traded down for him