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

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bossram said:
Pre-draft I was super, super, super high on Nemec. Still am.

But I think this is kind of the wrong read on him. His upside is, no question, a high-end offensive defenseman. But I don't think he's bust-proof. He's a bit of a riverboat gambler - he always activates to create chances. But that creates a lot of rushes against. And Nemec himself is a very poor transition defender. He's prone to the occasional bonehead turnover/gaffe.

If he hits, I think you have a Morgan Rielly. But he'll need to improve his spot-picking and transition defense. Otherwise, North American coaches might not trust him enough to play him.
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To be fair, he's 18 and was being leaned on in a men's league and on a national team. If he's smart and coachable (which anecdotal evidence suggests he's a humble self aware kid) you have to think he can clean up anything technique wise. If he was too slow to keep up or too small to use his stick or position himself correctly I'd say it's a big ask but what you mention sounds more like just learning to pick your spots. We saw Jack having to go through that when he arrived. I'm sure Nemec will have to as well. He oozed skill and smarts at the prospect scrimmage against kids who for all intents and purposes were all older than him. That's a good start. I don't see anyway NJ doesn't pour coaching time and effort into him. If he doesn't improve where he needs to it will be a surprise unless he's not willing to put in the effort which seems unlikely to me.
 
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My3Sons said:
To be fair, he's 18 and was being leaned on in a men's league and on a national team. If he's smart and coachable (which anecdotal evidence suggests he's a humble self aware kid) you have to think he can clean up anything technique wise. If he was too slow to keep up or too small to use his stick or position himself correctly I'd say it's a big ask but what you mention sounds more like just learning to pick your spots. We saw Jack having to go through that when he arrived. I'm sure Nemec will have to as well. He oozed skill and smarts at the prospect scrimmage against kids who for all intents and purposes were all older than him. That's a good start. I don't see anyway NJ doesn't pour coaching time and effort into him. If he doesn't improve where he needs to it will be a surprise unless he's not willing to put in the effort which seems unlikely to me.
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Graves is fine

But he’s one of the players I’ve named that’s heading into UFA years that really shouldn’t be here after this year.

Zacha was at the head of that list and he’s gone now. The others were Wood and Blackwood.

I feel he’s a stop gap like Ryan Murray was, only he’s much better than Murray and he cost more than Murray (because he’s much better) did. And I see us letting him walk the same way we let Murray walk. And I think that will be the right move.
 
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ninetyeight said:
Ok, I like Graves.



You don't know if Luke is ready next year, maybe it takes him a year or two to adapt..



I definitely think Graves is better than Smith, Okhotyuk, Bahl at this point. Shouldn't you want to ice the best possible team, does it matter if he doesn't fit our long term plans.
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Although it’s a small sample size Bahl and Okhotiuk (very short) were both easily better than Graves at the end of the season. They are young defensmen just getting into the league and if they can carry that over and Graves doesn’t improve they should surpass him very quickly.

Graves has more or a track record but they could very well be better than him.
 
Captain3rdLine said:
Although it’s a small sample size Bahl and Okhotiuk (very short) were both easily better than Graves at the end of the season. They are young defensmen just getting into the league and if they can carry that over and Graves doesn’t improve they should surpass him very quickly.

Graves has more or a track record but they could very well be better than him.
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Yes I definitely agree. Like I said Graves is better, at this point. Bahl looked the best he's ever looked at the end of last season, but we've also seen him look bad earlier. With Okhotyuk we still haven't seen enough. They definitely have the potential to be better than Graves. But unless you want to tank, you should try to ice the best possible lineup and not force some kind of future lineup today.
 
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Bleedred said:
Graves is fine

But he’s one of the players I’ve named that’s heading into UFA years that really shouldn’t be here after this year.

Zacha was at the head of that list and he’s gone now. The others were Wood and Blackwood.

I feel he’s a stop gap like Ryan Murray was, only he’s much better than Murray and he cost more than Murray (because he’s much better) did. And I see us letting him walk the same way we let Murray walk. And I think that will be the right move.
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If we're not in a playoff spot come the deadline (knock on wood), I could see Graves netting us a 1st round pick.
 
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bossram said:
I've never liked Graves, and I've said that since before he put on a Devils sweater. It's good Luke will be in the fold before the end of next season, and we'll be able to jettison the guy.

Siegs - Hamilton
Luke - Marino
X - Nemec

That's a nice long-term defense core. As Hamilton ages, the Devils can increase Nemec's minutes and reduce Hamilton's.


Because he's not particularly good, he could fetch an asset (and create cap space) back in a trade, and I think his quality of play is somewhat easily replaceable. And the Devils' long-term top-four LHD will arrive before the end of the season.

Now I know this is a Nemec thread, so I'll leave it at that.
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We are going to have so many options with those 5 Dmen. And I'd agree, Graves is not a fit long-term given what he will get on his next contract and the role he would have on this team. We are better off using one of our prospects or signing a cheap free agent for that #6 Dman role.
 
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RSeen said:
We are going to have so many options with those 5 Dmen. And I'd agree, Graves is not a fit long-term given what he will get on his next contract and the role he would have on this team. We are better off using one of our prospects or signing a cheap free agent for that #6 Dman role.
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I think it's a safe bet that by 2023-2024 one of Okhotiuk, Bahl, or Mukhamadullin is occupying that roster spot. If they're not, then we've probably acquired someone to fill it and we should start shopping those three for the best possible return.

Offensive LHD: Hughes
Defensive LHD: Siegenthaler, Okhotiuk

Offensive RHD: Hamilton, Nemec
Defensive RHD: Marino

Spare: Smith

That looks like a balanced defense to me. The only question is are Hughes, Nemec, and Okhotiuk good enough to fill their roles fast enough, and what do we choose to do with Severson and Graves (keep them for a playoff run? Sell them? Re-sign them and move someone else?)
 
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Classic Devil said:
I think it's a safe bet that by 2023-2024 one of Okhotiuk, Bahl, or Mukhamadullin is occupying that roster spot. If they're not, then we've probably acquired someone to fill it and we should start shopping those three for the best possible return.

Offensive LHD: Hughes
Defensive LHD: Siegenthaler, Okhotiuk

Offensive RHD: Hamilton, Nemec
Defensive RHD: Marino

Spare: Smith

That looks like a balanced defense to me. The only question is are Hughes, Nemec, and Okhotiuk good enough to fill their roles fast enough, and what do we choose to do with Severson and Graves (keep them for a playoff run? Sell them? Re-sign them and move someone else?)
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Seeing the sudden depth this draft and FA makes me think McCarthy will opt for FA himself. It would be nice to have the depth in Utica tho.
 
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4. Simon Nemec, RHD, 18 (New Jersey Devils — No. 2, 2022)

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 — stamped by an exceptional, record-setting performance 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, which he uses to manipulate and steer play through intelligent routes on and off the puck.

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 defensive game, and he’s a righty. I expect him to become the best defenceman out of Slovakia since Zdeno Chara and a first-pairing guy who plays an effective, efficient, play-driving modern game. The game just comes easy to him, with everything happening in front of him and the ice tilted in his favour. His type of game is the direction it’s going.
 
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Classic Devil said:
I think it's a safe bet that by 2023-2024 one of Okhotiuk, Bahl, or Mukhamadullin is occupying that roster spot. If they're not, then we've probably acquired someone to fill it and we should start shopping those three for the best possible return.

Offensive LHD: Hughes
Defensive LHD: Siegenthaler, Okhotiuk

Offensive RHD: Hamilton, Nemec
Defensive RHD: Marino

Spare: Smith

That looks like a balanced defense to me. The only question is are Hughes, Nemec, and Okhotiuk good enough to fill their roles fast enough, and what do we choose to do with Severson and Graves (keep them for a playoff run? Sell them? Re-sign them and move someone else?)
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Definitely agree that it is a balanced group but I will interested to see how we deploy the pairs. You can create a shut-down pair with Siegs and Marino or you can split them up to play with Nemec/Hamilton or Luke. It could certainly depend heavily on Luke and Nemec's progression and Hamilton's ability to bounce back.
 
Triumph said:
I don't see why, McCarthy is 3 years older than all of those people.
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The original thought was he would be ready to come in and play a 3RD defensive role but Marino and Nemec definitely could have changed those plans even if he was willing to sign. I see your point with Utica.
 
Hockey Sports Fan said:
Every day that goes by, i find myself loving this pick more and more. Reminds me so much of Heiskanen. Seeing both Nemec and Hughes in the top 4 of Wheeler’s latest ranking put a big smile on my face.
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I don't see how he's like Heiskanen at all. Heiskanen's defense first. Nemec is offense first with shaky defense. I don't see Heiskanen level skating either. Nemec is a good skater but Heiskanen is an exceptional one.
 
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