RD Simon Nemec (2022, 2nd, NJD)

[Classic Devil]

What are the odds he plays with the Devs this season?

For a few games? High. For the whole season? I'd put it around 30%. That said, we do have an opening at RHD.

Our defensive depth looks like:

LHD: Siegenthaler, Graves, T. Smith, B. Smith, Okhotiuk/Bahl
RHD: Hamilton, Severson, Walsh

As of today I'd expect Brendan Smith to fill the third pairing RHD spot, but it is not inconceivable that Nemec performs really well in training camp and earns that roster spot.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

What are the odds he plays with the Devs this season?

GM said he would have shot to make it out of camp. Could happen. He looked a level above everyone else today including some guys who have played NHL games even though it looked like he was coasting.

This is how the devils do group looks right now.

Siegenthaler Hamilton
Graves Severson
B.Smith(plays both sides)

So right now it’s gonna be between Nemec, T.Smith, Okhotiuk, and Bahl for the final 2 D spots.

Bahl (2018) and Okhotiuk (2019) are both former 2nd round picks who had strong stints in the NHL to finish the season. Okhotiuk is one of my (and other devils fans) favourite prospects.
Him and Bahl are probably both better fits than Ty Smith for the devils.

Smith had a horrible last season. Has some nice skill but is a bit slow and not good enough defensively. Also isn’t really a great fit and he’s a powerplay guy but the Devils don’t really need him for the powerplay right now or in the future with Hamilton and Severson and with Hughes and Nemec coming. He’s a former first round pick who had a strong rookie season and will have a chance at making the team and bouncing back.

I could see Nemec making it as the 3RD alongside Brendan Smith if he has a good camp.

 

[Clam Jensen]

GM said he would have shot to make it out of camp. Could happen. He looked a level above everyone else today including some guys who have played NHL games even though it looked like he was coasting.

This is how the devils do group looks right now.

Siegenthaler Hamilton
Graves Severson
B.Smith(plays both sides)

So right now it’s gonna be between Nemec, T.Smith, Okhotiuk, and Bahl for the final 2 D spots.

Bahl (2018) and Okhotiuk (2019) are both former 2nd round picks who had strong stints in the NHL to finish the season. Okhotiuk is one of my (and other devils fans) favourite prospects.
Him and Bahl are probably both better fits than Ty Smith for the devils.

Smith had a horrible last season. Has some nice skill but is a bit slow and not good enough defensively. Also isn’t really a great fit and he’s a powerplay guy but the Devils don’t really need him for the powerplay right now or in the future with Hamilton and Severson and with Hughes and Nemec coming. He’s a former first round pick who had a strong rookie season and will have a chance at making the team and bouncing back.

I could see Nemec making it as the 3RD alongside Brendan Smith if he has a good camp.

The world is a better place when the Devils have a bright looking future on D.

 

[Tetsuo]

Long term I hope the Devils split Hughes and Nemec onto different pairings. I want the Wings to do the same with Seider and Edvinsson. 50 minutes of (potentially) elite defense > 25 minutes of one dominant pairing.

While Nemec wouldn't have been my pick at 2, but I respect the hell out of the vision. The Devils young core is going to be very fun once Hughes and Nemec are on the team full time, which could be as early as the end of this next season. All that they need now is a goalie and they could really start to make some noise in the Metro.

 

[Bcap88]

What are the odds he plays with the Devs this season?

Probably small now that the devils aquired Marino. Unless he blows the doors off during camp or gets an injury call up and blows the doors off then. Realistically severson would need to be traded as well

 

[Hisch13r]

That pinch at 1min16s was rewarded but IMO it was a dumb play (the other team had possession), 3 on 1 going the other way if he misses to intercept that pass.

And I'm not a fan of those weak shots from the point (0m35s), nothing there.

I like him for his mobility and his IQ, the floor is a 2nd pair D which is great. Can't miss pick.

I would however gamble more with the upside of Jiricek if I had to pick the first D of that draft. He has more physicality, a better shot and is still quite mobile, even if less gracious with his stride. I see a Seider kind of upside with Jiricek... More a Leddy kind of player in Nemec? Maybe he'll turn out to be a Karlsson and the Jiricek pick will turn out to be the wrong one.

Both of these players will play in the NHL.

Just going through the thread now and seeing this. I don't understand how that play is dumb at all. It was a very smart pinch. It was low risk high reward. At worst it turns into a 3 on 3 not a 3 on 1. He has 1 opponent behind him and 2 in front of him. He has 3 teammates behind him. Even if his pinch fails he has more than enough teammate support to make sure a rush the other way isn't dangerous.

 

[MichaelFarrell]

I like his game but I think he’ll need to bulk up. He is a solid play maker and he clearly has the offensive IQ and skating to carve out a role in the NHL soon.

If he does reach his potential, I’m very curious how the Devils will do their power play. That D to D pass from Nemec to Luke Hughes in the offensive zone is going to generate a lot of goals and rebounds.

 

[QJL]

This is going to be the best player from the 2022 draft. Don’t be surprised if he sticks as an 18 year old to start the season.

 

[QJL]

This is going to be the best player from the 2022 draft. Don’t be surprised if he sticks as an 18 year old to start the season.

Nemec will start the season with the Devils

 

[Brodeur]

Nemec will start the season with the Devils

I'm curious to see if he'll see many games with Hamilton/Severson/Marino ahead of him. Or perhaps it was a temporary move to maximize LTIR since Nemec has a more sizable contract than say Kevin Bahl.

 

[megajake]

Still cannot believe the Devils took him, this is going to rest their 10 year rebuild even longer.

 

[Kcoyote3]

Still cannot believe the Devils took him, this is going to rest their 10 year rebuild even longer.

Huh?

 

[TheGreenTBer]

Still cannot believe the Devils took him, this is going to rest their 10 year rebuild even longer.

That's right Devils fans you heard it right goddamn here:

YOUR REBUILD IS f***ING RESTED.

What you got to say now, chumps?

 

[Wierzbowski426]

He's an Anti-Nemec crusader apparently.

Seems strange to me. I get not liking the pick maybe but seems like an overreaction.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

He's an Anti-Nemec crusader apparently.

Seems strange to me. I get not liking the pick maybe but seems like an overreaction.

Don't fault him for spitting hard, white-hot facts.

Your rebuild is rested. Period. Don't know where you go from here, homie.

 

[Torts]

I think it's just for cap purposes. However, I would like to see Nemec get in around 5 NHL games to get a brief feel of the league before going down to Utica.

 

[Colezuki]

How has he looked devils fans?

 

[Devils731]

How has he looked devils fans?

It’s preseason so you take everything with a grain of salt but he’s looked pretty good but also wildly aggressive with his choices. Pinching frequently, jumping up in the play, and attacking deep in the offensive zone at times.

He hasn’t shown any exceptional physical gifts but he looks to be pretty good at most physical things.

He seems to have a really good sense of where the other 9 players on the ice are. He’s made some unusual choices in some situations but in retrospect they made sense based on where everyone was.

His passes have been on people’s tape.

He’s had some turnovers and been out of position (or out of sync with his partner) a few times.

—————-

Ultimately he’s pretty exciting but who knows where he is at 3 years from now. His mindset gives him the potential to be dominant in all 3 zones but that same mindset also gives him the potential to be a loose cannon that hurts as often as helps.

So far, with his few games with the Devils, he makes plays work much more often than they don’t. If that continues and/or improves he’s going to be very good.

 

[Nocashstyle]

How has he looked devils fans?

The poster above summarized it pretty well.

You could see glimpses of his potential and how special he can be. He doesn’t “wow” you with skill, but he looks like he can be very good at just about everything - a true two-way top pair guy.

But he’s raw. Anything more than a 9 game dress rehearsal would probably be a mistake. I don’t anticipate the Devils rushing him either. He’s likely bound for the AHL sooner rather than later.

 

[QJL]

Still cannot believe the Devils took him, this is going to rest their 10 year rebuild even longer.

I agree, he shouldn’t have gone #2. He should’ve gone #1.

 

[Mrb1p]

It’s preseason so you take everything with a grain of salt but he’s looked pretty good but also wildly aggressive with his choices. Pinching frequently, jumping up in the play, and attacking deep in the offensive zone at times.

He hasn’t shown any exceptional physical gifts but he looks to be pretty good at most physical things.

He seems to have a really good sense of where the other 9 players on the ice are. He’s made some unusual choices in some situations but in retrospect they made sense based on where everyone was.

His passes have been on people’s tape.

He’s had some turnovers and been out of position (or out of sync with his partner) a few times.

—————-

Ultimately he’s pretty exciting but who knows where he is at 3 years from now. His mindset gives him the potential to be dominant in all 3 zones but that same mindset also gives him the potential to be a loose cannon that hurts as often as helps.

So far, with his few games with the Devils, he makes plays work much more often than they don’t. If that continues and/or improves he’s going to be very good.

Nemec has slightly above average physical skills but hes way, way above the mean mentally. He has a similar stat distribution to Wayne, if you want.

 

[Elvs]

He's an Anti-Nemec crusader apparently.

Seems strange to me. I get not liking the pick maybe but seems like an overreaction.

Seeing the lenghts some people will go to shit on 17 and 18 year old prospects, is pretty creepy.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

It’s preseason so you take everything with a grain of salt but he’s looked pretty good but also wildly aggressive with his choices. Pinching frequently, jumping up in the play, and attacking deep in the offensive zone at times.

He hasn’t shown any exceptional physical gifts but he looks to be pretty good at most physical things.

He seems to have a really good sense of where the other 9 players on the ice are. He’s made some unusual choices in some situations but in retrospect they made sense based on where everyone was.

His passes have been on people’s tape.

He’s had some turnovers and been out of position (or out of sync with his partner) a few times.

—————-

Ultimately he’s pretty exciting but who knows where he is at 3 years from now. His mindset gives him the potential to be dominant in all 3 zones but that same mindset also gives him the potential to be a loose cannon that hurts as often as helps.

So far, with his few games with the Devils, he makes plays work much more often than they don’t. If that continues and/or improves he’s going to be very good.

They shouldn’t rush the kid. Give him a year in Utica. It will only help with his growth.

 

[goonybird]

looks good but he's only on the roster as a placeholder to maximize LTIR headroom + his call-up later in the season would cost a fortune with his performance bonuses. He'll maybe get a game or two and go down for Bahl.

 

[Rhodes 81]

Already swaped with Bahl so him being on the opening day roster was for cap purposes, which is what everyone expected. He should get a few games throughout the season unless he struggles in Utica.