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

[Forge]

I'm pretty sure that McKenzie said that Nemec was ranked as high as three, not two. And again, none of the scouts had Nemec ahead of Wright.

He had at least one vote for #2 in Mckenzie's poll

Wright had 2 #3 votes; impossible to say that "none of the scouts had Nemec ahead of Wright". The scout that had Nemec #2 could have easily had 1. Slaf, 2. Nemec 3. Wright (maybe he worked for us! lol)

 

[Blackjack]

Super concerning to me that MTL and ARI passed on Wright given their extreme lack of depth at C.

MTL picked the other guy that was right up there. McKenzie's scouts had it at a virtual dead heat. So the only team that passed on Wright besides our own drooling jackass was Arizona. OOOOHHH, that means a lot.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

I'm pretty sure that McKenzie said that Nemec was ranked as high as three, not two. And again, none of the scouts had Nemec ahead of Wright.

Yes, Nemec was consistently ranked above guys like Nazar, Yurov, and Miroshnechenko. The point is that the gaps in ability are highest at the very top of the draft. That's why winning the lottery and going from 5 to 2 was a big deal. Or at least if was until Fitz shit the bed.

I know that Carolina, Tampa, and Colorado use scouts, what an absolutely moronic comment. They also don't pass on obviously superior players for perceived need, or because they want "their guy". They leave that kind of pants shitting idiocy to the Arizona and Fitz tier GMs. I'm no Ron Francis fan, but it's amazing that he could figure out that you don't pass on Shane Wright just because you took Matty Beniers last year.

It's just amazing that were talking about what Arizona was going to do or where they had guys ranked. They're playing next season in a high school auditorium and haven't hit on a draft pick in six years. Who gives a f*** what Arizona thinks or does?

Why do I give a shit who the Devils "liked"? I could not f***ing care less. Everything you're saying here could have been said if Shero took Bowen Byram at #1 instead of Jack Hughes. "Oh, that's who they liked." "Oh, but [shit tier team] had Bowen ranked highly too, we would have missed out on him if we traded down".

I was okay with the goalie trade because they already passed on Wright so it didn't really matter anymore. If they had done the right thing and taken Wright, then no, I would not have traded #37 with Chesley on the board. You figure out a different package for Vanacek or get a different goalie.

It's way too early to say that Wright is not a franchise player. His draft year production suggests it's not likely, but he probably has a better shot than anyone else in the draft, and that's why he should gone 1 or 2. And even if he's not, it's simply a matter of fact that it's harder to get 1st line centers than any other position. I know we have Hughes and Hischier already. Pittsburgh famously picked Jordan Staal when they already had Crosby and Malkin, and Staal was far less impressive than Wright.

But go ahead, keep justifying this dumb pick, because the alternative is to recognize that Fitz is a crappy gm who is arrogant and overconfident in his abilities.

Nope he said very clearly as high as 2 and you have no clue if he was ahead of Wright in any of them.

It was a big deal because it gave us the opportunity to pick our 2nd favourite player.



Your entire post is moronic. Wright isn’t a clearly superior player. Hence why he went 4th overall. Nothing said or shown has suggested we took Nemec over Wright because of need.
Once again that is your own personal speculation.


And yes Arizona hasn’t hit on a draft pick in 6 years. Chychrun doesn’t exist, Keller doesn’t exist. Also completely ignores the fact that it’s a completely different staff. But go off man.

Lol that Byram comparison is hilariously bad because once again it’s pure speculation but also because Nemec was consensusly way closer to Wright than Byram was to Hughes.

You have no clue what they would have done man. They very well may have liked Casey more than Chesley like a lot of scouts do. Once again everything you’ve said is completely speculation without a ounce of basis.

It has nothing to do with Wright being a Center. Wright wasn’t a slam dunk pick and the Devils wanted Nemec more.

Nemec could very possibly be a better player than Wright. So let’s see how it plays out.

Stop talking about what the supposed good teams do. Because, news flash, they do the exact same thing as the devils with different people. They scout the prospects and pick the players they think will be best. And guess what else, they’ve missed on picks too.


You didn’t make a single good point here. A stupid comparison and a bunch of pure dumb speculation.

 

[Blackjack]

He had at least one vote for #2 in Mckenzie's poll

Wright had 2 #3 votes; impossible to say that "none of the scouts had Nemec ahead of Wright". The scout that had Nemec #2 could have easily had 1. Slaf, 2. Nemec 3. Wright (maybe he worked for us! lol)

You're right, I went back and re-read the article.

That said, how you can read this and come away the impression that there is not a clear 1-2 at the top of the draft is absolutely beyond me.

Bob McKenzie's Final 2022 Draft Ranking - TSN.ca

It’s a photo finish for the No. 1 spot on TSN’s 2022 NHL Draft Final Ranking and, by the slimmest of margins, it’s Juraj Slafkovsky over Shane Wright.

www.tsn.ca

 

[Devs3cups]

MTL picked the other guy that was right up there. McKenzie's scouts had it at a virtual dead heat. So the only team that passed on Wright besides our own drooling jackass was Arizona. OOOOHHH, that means a lot.

If Wright and Slaf were that close on their board I bet MTL would’ve went C with their absolutely horrendous centre depth. Anyways, there is absolutely no way to convince you Nemec was a fine pick, which is fine, you have a right to your opinion. But I won’t even attempt to.

 

[glenwo2]

I'm pretty sure that McKenzie said that Nemec was ranked as high as three, not two. And again, none of the scouts had Nemec ahead of Wright.

Yes, Nemec was consistently ranked above guys like Nazar, Yurov, and Miroshnechenko. The point is that the gaps in ability are highest at the very top of the draft. That's why winning the lottery and going from 5 to 2 was a big deal. Or at least if was until Fitz shit the bed.

I know that Carolina, Tampa, and Colorado use scouts, what an absolutely moronic comment. They also don't pass on obviously superior players for perceived need, or because they want "their guy". They leave that kind of pants shitting idiocy to the Arizona and Fitz tier GMs. I'm no Ron Francis fan, but it's amazing that he could figure out that you don't pass on Shane Wright just because you took Matty Beniers last year.

It's just amazing that were talking about what Arizona was going to do or where they had guys ranked. They're playing next season in a high school auditorium and haven't hit on a draft pick in six years. Who gives a f*** what Arizona thinks or does?

Why do I give a shit who the Devils "liked"? I could not f***ing care less. Everything you're saying here could have been said if Shero took Bowen Byram at #1 instead of Jack Hughes. "Oh, that's who they liked." "Oh, but [shit tier team] had Bowen ranked highly too, we would have missed out on him if we traded down".

I was okay with the goalie trade because they already passed on Wright so it didn't really matter anymore. If they had done the right thing and taken Wright, then no, I would not have traded #37 with Chesley on the board. You figure out a different package for Vanacek or get a different goalie.

It's way too early to say that Wright is not a franchise player. His draft year production suggests it's not likely, but he probably has a better shot than anyone else in the draft, and that's why he should gone 1 or 2. And even if he's not, it's simply a matter of fact that it's harder to get 1st line centers than any other position. I know we have Hughes and Hischier already. Pittsburgh famously picked Jordan Staal when they already had Crosby and Malkin, and Staal was far less impressive than Wright.

But go ahead, keep justifying this dumb pick, because the alternative is to recognize that Fitz is a crappy gm who is arrogant and overconfident in his abilities.

Well I wouldn't go THAT far.

He did find great value in the latter rounds, imo.

And getting that Goaltender through trade and drafting the #1 Goaltender was pretty damn good.

It's the decision in the first round that is pretty irksome but what can you do?

Nemec was BPA on *his* list so....it is what it is.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

MTL picked the other guy that was right up there. McKenzie's scouts had it at a virtual dead heat. So the only team that passed on Wright besides our own drooling jackass was Arizona. OOOOHHH, that means a lot.

If you’re operating from the assumption that Fitz is an imbecile that can’t run a team, then any pick would necessarily lead to this reaction. I’ve never heard this rule that you have to go with the exact consensus every single draft. I wonder if there are any notable examples of this not working out? Examples involving our own team, even.

 

[glenwo2]

Your entire post is moronic.

Excuse me but are we going to start doing this?

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Excuse me but are we going to start doing this?

I mean it was in response to him saying my comment was moronic. So when his posts is that off the rails and ridiculous and he’s calling a comment I made moronic than absolutely.

 

[glenwo2]

I mean it was in response to him saying my comment was moronic. So when his posts is that off the rails and ridiculous and he’s calling a comment I made moronic than absolutely.

Oh! So he had done that to you?

Nevermind then. You simply returned fire. lol

I thought it was unprovoked.

 

[DevilDog]

The further we get from the draft the more this pick grows on me. Kudos to Fitzgerald for disregarding the “consensus “ to go with his guy.

I think Wright would have been a luxury pick anyway. Considering our talent differential at the two positions at the time, if the rankings are close enough (And in this case I believe they were), fill the glaring need.

 

[Blackjack]

Nope he said very clearly as high as 2 and you have no clue if he was ahead of Wright in any of them.

It was a big deal because it gave us the opportunity to pick our 2nd favourite player.



Your entire post is moronic. Wright isn’t a clearly superior player. Hence why he went 4th overall. Nothing said or shown has suggested we took Nemec over Wright because of need.
Once again that is your own personal speculation.


And yes Arizona hasn’t hit on a draft pick in 6 years. Chychrun doesn’t exist, Keller doesn’t exist. Also completely ignores the fact that it’s a completely different staff. But go off man.

Lol that Byram comparison is hilariously bad because once again it’s pure speculation but also because Nemec was consensusly way closer to Wright than Byram was to Hughes.

You have no clue what they would have done man. They very well may have liked Casey more than Chesley like a lot of scouts do. Once again everything you’ve said is completely speculation without a ounce of basis.

It has nothing to do with Wright being a Center. Wright wasn’t a slam dunk pick and the Devils wanted Nemec more.

Nemec could very possibly be a better player than Wright. So let’s see how it plays out.

Stop talking about what the supposed good teams do. Because, news flash, they do the exact same thing as the devils with different people. They scout the prospects and pick the players they think will be best. And guess what else, they’ve missed on picks too.


You didn’t make a single good point here. A stupid comparison and a bunch of pure dumb speculation.

Nemec was ranked in front of Wright by at most one scout. I don't give a shit who Fitz's favorite player is. I want the better player. Not the favorite of some pants shitting moron like Fitz. Not the favorite of a guy who fails on drat pick after draft pick.

Chychrun and Keller were six years ago, they're obviously who I was referring to. Again, I don't care who they "liked" at #37, I only care who was available and who they should have taken.

Yes, Nemec could possibly be better than Wright. So could Yurov, and so could Lambert. But Wright has the best odds, and that's why McKenzie's scouts had him in front.

They've missed on way, way fewer picks than Fitz has.

 

[youryeah]

guys I don't think blackjack likes tom fitzgerald very much

 

[Devs3cups]

Nemec was ranked in front of Wright by at most one scout. I don't give a shit who Fitz's favorite player is. I want the better player. Not the favorite of some pants shitting moron like Fitz. Not the favorite of a guy who fails on drat pick after draft pick.

Chychrun and Keller were six years ago, they're obviously who I was referring to. Again, I don't care who they "liked" at #37, I only care who was available and who they should have taken.

Yes, Nemec could possibly be better than Wright. So could Yurov, and so could Lambert. But Wright has the best odds, and that's why McKenzie's scouts had him in front.

They've missed on way, way fewer picks than Fitz has.

What picks, especially in the first round, has Fitz missed in the 2 years he’s been GM?

 

[Forge]

You're right, I went back and re-read the article.

That said, how you can read this and come away the impression that there is not a clear 1-2 at the top of the draft is absolutely beyond me.

Bob McKenzie's Final 2022 Draft Ranking - TSN.ca

It’s a photo finish for the No. 1 spot on TSN’s 2022 NHL Draft Final Ranking and, by the slimmest of margins, it’s Juraj Slafkovsky over Shane Wright.

www.tsn.ca

Oh no, I definitely think that there was a clear cut 1/2...leading up to the draft, I was positive that we should come away with one of the two because I felt that they were the best two players in the draft. I would have taken Wright, I'm just not apoplectic that we took Nemec, who would be #3 for me. I just don't feel like passing up Wright is that big of a deal. Reportedly, teams feel he's basically a 2c. Even though I would have taken Wright, I don't think he's a good enough prospect that I feel like we left an overwhelming amount of money on the table by passing on him.

I feel like the most likely projection for those two guys would be a #2 Center and a #3 defenseman (playing the right side). They both can be better or worse, both seem like relatively safe prospects to succeed in some manner in my opinion. If they end up a 2c and 3d, it's just really not that big of a deal to me.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

I don’t understand how people can be this fired up about this pick. It wasn’t consensus but it clearly wasn’t that big of a reach. You can wish they had picked another guy, have your concerns about the pick and voice them to be absolutely freaking out, calling it a terrible pick and all this before things even play out is dumb.

As I’ve said before people would’ve probably been even more pissed if we took Makar in 2017 or Philly would’ve if they had. But guess who the best player from the draft is and who the best pick would’ve been. And how stupid so many people would look years later.

I really like Nemec as a prospect (my #3 after Slafkovsky and Wright), this is a great for our d core and I actually respect Fitz for not going with consensus.


I would’ve been disappointed if Jiricek (wouldn’t take him in the top 10) or Gauthier were the pick and I would’ve had my concerns but I wouldn’t even be freaking out like this because at the end of the day this is all about projection and we no clue who’s gonna turn out the best.

Fitz and the devils could look like genius’s in 5 years with this pick or they could look bad. We’ll see but hopefully it’s the first.

Nemec was ranked in front of Wright by at most one scout. I don't give a shit who Fitz's favorite player is. I want the better player. Not the favorite of some pants shitting moron like Fitz. Not the favorite of a guy who fails on drat pick after draft pick.

Chychrun and Keller were six years ago, they're obviously who I was referring to. Again, I don't care who they "liked" at #37, I only care who was available and who they should have taken.

Yes, Nemec could possibly be better than Wright. So could Yurov, and so could Lambert. But Wright has the best odds, and that's why McKenzie's scouts had him in front.

They've missed on way, way fewer picks than Fitz has.

No one has any clue who the better player will be man. It’s all about projecting. There’s a reason teams have scouts. If the Devils project Nemec as the better player than they should take him.

You’re basically saying you just want them to draft the consensus best player everytime and not use their scouts.


And what picks has Fitz missed one? He’s only been a GM for two years. Far to early to judge. If anything he’s made some great picks so far (Mercer)

 

[Blackjack]

If Wright and Slaf were that close on their board I bet MTL would’ve went C with their absolutely horrendous centre depth. Anyways, there is absolutely no way to convince you Nemec was a fine pick, which is fine, you have a right to your opinion. But I won’t even attempt to.

My guess is that Montreal wishes that Slaf was a center. There was a CLEAR top two at the draft, and Montreal to the guy that they think is going to be better, even though he wasn't playing a position of need. (Fitz should take notes)

I suspect they're right, I think Slaf is likely the better player. That doesn't mean the Wright isn't the second best player.

Well I wouldn't go THAT far.

He did find great value in the latter rounds, imo.

And getting that Goaltender through trade and drafting the #1 Goaltender was pretty damn good.

It's the decision in the first round that is pretty irksome but what can you do?

Nemec was BPA on *his* list so....it is what it is.

He did okay in the later rounds. Better than I thought he would for sure. I'd still say it wasn't as good as Shero's mid to late round picks.

If you’re operating from the assumption that Fitz is an imbecile that can’t run a team, then any pick would necessarily lead to this reaction. I’ve never heard this rule that you have to go with the exact consensus every single draft. I wonder if there are any notable examples of this not working out? Examples involving our own team, even.

You don't have to go with the exact consensus every single draft. But when your record is as poor as Fitz, no, you shouldn't leave Shane f***ing Wright on the board.

I would have preferred Sykora at #46 to Casey, but there's not enough difference in potential there to be really annoyed. It's a different story if Yurov was there.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

Picking Cutter Gauthier #2 would have been a reach for need. You miss the big physical winger, panic and go for the next best one. If anything Nemec is a real "I don't care what anyone else thinks this is our bpa" pick. Whether they are right or wrong remains to be seen.

After all the top picks we've seen struggling in the last decade; Laf, Byfield, Kakko, Dach, Kotkaniemi, Patrick, Puljujärvi, Strome, Bennett, Reinhart, Dal Colle, Drouin, Yakupov, Murray, Galchenyuk.. And all the surprise risers like Seider, Zegras, Q. Hughes, Makar.. I can't believe people are still this tied to pre-draft rankings and so arrogant with their personal rankings.

We can bitch about this in few years if it hasn't worked out, but right now there's nothing that suggests that Nemec can't be the best player from this draft.

For me, it's not even about people being arrogant with their personal rankings. It's people who just follow the "consensus" rankings and stubborn about it, as if there were no consensus ranked prospects that failed horribly before.

My other issue is people seem to be content with a prospect failing if the team goes for the consensus prospect. I am completely opposite. I think the team was lazy if they go that route.

Perfect example is 2012 Nail Yakupov. The only defense they have for that is the 2012 draft was crap.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

My guess is that Montreal wishes that Slaf was a center. There was a CLEAR top two at the draft, and Montreal to the guy that they think is going to be better, even though he wasn't playing a position of need. (Fitz should take notes)

I suspect they're right, I think Slaf is likely the better player. That doesn't mean the Wright isn't the second best player.



He did okay in the later rounds. Better than I thought he would for sure. I'd still say it wasn't as good as Shero's mid to late round picks.



You don't have to go with the exact consensus every single draft. But when your record is as poor as Fitz, no, you shouldn't leave Shane f***ing Wright on the board.

I would have preferred Sykora at #46 to Casey, but there's not enough difference in potential there to be really annoyed. It's a different story if Yurov was there.

It hasn’t been close to long enough to judge Fitz’s draft record.

 

[Devs3cups]

It hasn’t been close to long enough to judge Fitz’s draft record.

Pretty much and except for Stillman, who I still think can be a fine bottom 6 guy, I'd say his first round track record is more than good.

 

[Blackjack]

guys I don't think blackjack likes tom fitzgerald very much

I'm sure he's a fine human being. I wish he was the Rangers GM.

What picks, especially in the first round, has Fitz missed in the 2 years he’s been GM?

None, they've all been great.

I don’t understand how people can be this fired up about this pick. It wasn’t consensus but it clearly wasn’t that big of a reach. You can wish they had picked another guy, have your concerns about the pick and voice them to be absolutely freaking out, calling it a terrible pick and all this before things even play out is dumb.

As I’ve said before people would’ve probably been even more pissed if we took Makar in 2017 or Philly would’ve if they had. But guess who the best player from the draft is and who the best pick would’ve been. And how stupid so many people would look years later.

I really like Nemec as a prospect (my #3 after Slafkovsky and Wright), this is a great for our d core and I actually respect Fitz for not going with consensus.


I would’ve been disappointed if Jiricek (wouldn’t take him in the top 10) or Gauthier were the pick and I would’ve had my concerns but I wouldn’t even be freaking out like this because at the end of the day this is all about projection and we no clue who’s gonna turn out the best.

Fitz and the devils could look like genius’s in 5 years with this pick or they could look bad. We’ll see but hopefully it’s the first.


No one has any clue who the better player will be man. It’s all about projecting. There’s a reason teams have scouts. If the Devils project Nemec as the better player than they should take him.

You’re basically saying you just want them to draft the consensus best player everytime and not use their scouts.


And what picks has Fitz missed one? He’s only been a GM for two years. Far to early to judge. If anything he’s made some great picks so far (Mercer)

I mean, if Fitz was pulling rabbits out of his hat every year a la Yzerman, then sure, he's earned the benefit of the doubt. Makar would have been tough to swallow with Patrick and Hischier available, but I would easily trust him on Nemec.

Fitz absolutely does not have that kind of track record. Every time he reaches for someone it blows up in his face, that's a big reason I'm so irritated.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Pretty much and except for Stillman, who I still think can be a fine bottom 6 guy, I'd say his first round track record is more than good.

It’s too early to say if it’s good or bad IMO. Stillman looks bad. Holtz is on the fence. Has great production in the AHL but some skating concerns. Mukhammadullin is yet to be seen. Hughes is clearly very talented but we’ll see how he turns out. And then Mercer looks really good so far.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

Oh great, another guy who praises Colorado and Tampa. Where the hell were you when they were sucking for 5+ years.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

You don't have to go with the exact consensus every single draft. But when your record is as poor as Fitz, no, you shouldn't leave Shane f***ing Wright on the board.

I would have preferred Sykora at #46 to Casey, but there's not enough difference in potential there to be really annoyed. It's a different story if Yurov was there.

I don’t know how you have any strong opinions about Fitz’s drafting at all. It’s way too early. I don’t feel strongly about the man one way or the other. I don’t think the Nemec pick warrants a strong positive or negative reaction either. He was very much expected to be picked in that range and the first dman selected. It’s hard to even do a value comparison between a center or a defenseman.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

I'm sure he's a fine human being. I wish he was the Rangers GM.



None, they've all been great.



I mean, if Fitz was pulling rabbits out of his hat every year a la Yzerman, then sure, he's earned the benefit of the doubt. Makar would have been tough to swallow with Patrick and Hischier available, but I would easily trust him on Nemec.

Fitz absolutely does not have that kind of track record. Every time he reaches for someone it blows up in his face, that's a big reason I'm so irritated.

Fitz has made 5 first rounds picks before this draft. Nothing has blown up in his face yet so I’m not sure what you’re talking about.

Holtz is an unknown at this point. But that wasn’t against consensus.

Mercer looks great so far.

Mukhammadullin is an unknown at this point that remains to be seen.

So one of those picks looks really good so far and it’s too early on the other two.

Luke Hughes looks good so far and is clearly very talented but he still remains to be seen.

Stillman remains to be seen but was certainly a reach and doesn’t look like a great pick at this point. But as I said he still remains to be seen and he was the 29th pick.


Only 1 of the 5 picks is on a bad track at this point.
There’s nothing horrible about this track record right now. Certainly nothing that’s blown up in his face either.