RD Simon Nemec (2022, 2nd, NJD)

[Dirtyf1ghter]

One of his minuses is an empty netter and the other was Schmid's misplay after the puck was basically shoveled towards him after Nemec cut off the route towards goal leaving the Shark only this low percentage play.

Nemec didn't have a flawless game defensively but by all means played well. Saying he is defensive liability based on the -2 is kinda like saying you expect him to finish the season on 122 points based on his current pace.

I didn't see the match, I was defending the point of view of those who said that he could have had a bad match. Anyway, this isn't the year I'm going to criticize Nemec in the NHL. He is only 19 years old, time is not running out. Strategically, NJ has an interest in not burning a contract year and finding itself managing the signings of L.Hughes and S.Nemec at the same time.

 

[Guadana]

He still finished the match at -2 against the worst team in the league. However, to see if he is defensively responsible for these goals.

It's undoubtedly in the game without the puck that Nemec will have the most difficulty.

Defensive play is at least as important as offensive play. For me, it's even more so.

For me, there is nothing to rush. Play 9 games in NHL against weak teams and play in AHL until the end of the season.

Luke Hughes, born 1 year before him, only really started this year.

When you will watch game, we will talk about his defensive problems.

We are talking about hockey, not about fairy tales. Even if I like them.
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Great game on the both ends. Most time on ice, did everything well in GA. Was two way dynamo and involved everywhere.

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

When you will watch game, we will talk about his defensive problems.

We are talking about hockey, not about fairy tales. Even if I like them.
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Great game on the both ends. Most time on ice, did everything well in GA. Was two way dynamo and involved everywhere.

You're cute, I've known Simon Nemec for years. I was one of the first on the site to jump on the Slovak hype train. He is less strong in defensive play than in offensive play. I don't think it changed in one NHL game.

 

[Guadana]

You're cute, I've known Simon Nemec for years. I was one of the first on the site to jump on the Slovak hype train. He is less strong in defensive play than in offensive play. I don't think it changed in one NHL game.

Like every young QB. But you could watch his AHL season and his recent game. May be one year in AHL games AND one game in NHL could effect on what you wrote here. But who knows.
No one said he is Brook Fabre in defensive zone and it’s not like Fabre was crystal clear in own zone from day one. But its not that hard to watch games, at least one actual game and compare his game with Luke Hughes.

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

Like every young QB. But you could watch his AHL season and his recent game. May be one year in AHL games AND one game in NHL could effect on what you wrote here. But who knows.

No, I saw him in the AHL this year. It's still too light in the physical commitment and it's a problem that dates back.

 

[Guadana]

No, I saw him in the AHL this year. It's still too light in the physical commitment and it's a problem that dates back.

When he returned from an injury? Mmm, that’s solid.

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

When he returned from an injury? Mmm, that’s solid.

He has been injured for several years so

 

[Forge]

Me reading half the posts in this thread going back like 8 pages

 

[Captain3rdLine]

The goalie's performance is also dependent on the defensive efficiency of the skaters.

Nemec's relative defensive problems are not new.

He was very good in every aspect last night. Was on for 3 against but the only one I think he could’ve done slightly better on is the 5th. Was a little too casual coming back and could’ve been more in Duclair’s face but he still did enough to stop him in the end before our goalie gave them a freebie.

But he was very solid defensively last night although he didn’t get tested defensively all that much throughout the game.

In terms of his overall defensive game coming in I don’t have that much concern with it. Sometimes he’s a little too casual, not aggressive enough and doesn’t close and finish plays. Thinks that’s learning and also effort thing and actually think he’s been better at it in his NHL preseason and now one regular season showing. And he generally makes good defensive reads, is positionally sound and doesn’t get beat too often. When’s he’s playing hard and at his best he’s good defensively and great offensively.

 

[Devs3cups]

Does Nemec have an injury history? I don’t believe he got injured last year or in his draft year? So yeah, I don’t think he does.

 

[Emperoreddy]

 

[Rusty7550]

Does Nemec have an injury history? I don’t believe he got injured last year or in his draft year? So yeah, I don’t think he does.

No, always healthy. And playing a lot of games every year, both for his club and national Team.

 

[Devs3cups]

No, always healthy. And playing a lot of games every year, both for his club and national Team.

That’s what I thought! Thanks a lot!

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

Him being a righty and Luke being a lefty is big since they will be able to be paired together and both be on their comfortable side. Having them each playing 25ish minutes a night on separate pairings down the line will be big. They both need time but they should be effective players somewhat soon. It sucks Dougie will be out for awhile but that opens up a spot for Nemec to hold down. He should be able to get time on the 2nd powerplay unit too.

 

[GaboriklessWild]

Game 2, another big TOI. Third most on his team with 21:45 minutes + 2:52 PK time, second most among Ds.

He is clearly given more responsibility than the older other rookie D

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Coaches trust him a lot right off the hop. Some mistakes here and there but he was getting the tough defensive matchups last game and was solid. Was particularly good on the pk.

 

[MasterofGrond]

He is clearly given more responsibility than the older other rookie D

Nemec is absolutely being given more defensive responsibility. But the offense runs through Luke.

He saw more time than Luke last night because the Devils were up and didn't see a ton of powerplay time.

Absolutely no shade towards Nemec by pointing this out though. He's been great for a 19 year old with zero NHL experience. Thank goodness he was so well prepared by the AHL.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Nemec is absolutely being given more defensive responsibility. But the offense runs through Luke.

He saw more time than Luke last night because the Devils were up and didn't see a ton of powerplay time.

Absolutely no shade towards Nemec by pointing this out though. He's been great for a 19 year old with zero NHL experience. Thank goodness he was so well prepared by the AHL.

I mean apart from Luke running pp1 and Nemec pp2 they’re both very offensively gifted defensemen. Both played just over 22:30 against SJS when we were chasing and trying to score all game.

They even put Nemec out with Jack and Co instead of Luke for a while after the late game timeout with the goalie pulled.

 

[Jersey Fresh]

Please tell me the new Slovak homer move isn't going to be mowing down Luke Hughes to try and prop up Nemec. Just let the kids play hockey.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

I didn't see the match, I was defending the point of view of those who said that he could have had a bad match. Anyway, this isn't the year I'm going to criticize Nemec in the NHL. He is only 19 years old, time is not running out. Strategically, NJ has an interest in not burning a contract year and finding itself managing the signings of L.Hughes and S.Nemec at the same time.

You're probably right. But I think you do a disservice to the club in the long run when you make these decisions based on budgetary issues and not hockey ones.

Sends a message to your players - but more importantly other players and their agents - that the club on the ice (and pursuing a championship) is not the top priority.

 

[PensandCaps]

Honestly shocked to see an NHL coach give 20+ mins to a 19 year old from the jump.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Honestly shocked to see an NHL coach give 20+ mins to a 19 year old from the jump.

It’s a little surprising but probably due to the fact that he looks really good and he deserved to be on the team out of camp.

Was one of the Devils better D in preseason but they sent him down so they could keep Colin Miller and Brendan Smith around. And because he wasn’t necessarily gonna get any pp time. Now they’ve finally called him up and thrown him right into the fire.

Don’t forget he’s a 2nd overall pick. And he seems to be a really confident kid.

 

[GaboriklessWild]

Nemec is absolutely being given more defensive responsibility. But the offense runs through Luke.

He saw more time than Luke last night because the Devils were up and didn't see a ton of powerplay time.

Absolutely no shade towards Nemec by pointing this out though. He's been great for a 19 year old with zero NHL experience. Thank goodness he was so well prepared by the AHL.

What is your point here? Nemec on the second PP, if the Devils had a lot of PP like they did against the Sharks then he probably would have had the most ice time of any Devils defenseman. Just like against the Sharks.

At even strength, Nemec was constantly playing against the opponent's top two lines and top defensive pairing.

While L. Hughes only got very sheltered minutes:

 

[PensandCaps]

It’s a little surprising but probably due to the fact that he’s looked really good and he also deserved to be on the team out of camp.

Was one of the Devils better D in preseason but they sent him down so they could keep Colin Miller and Brendan Smith around. And because he wasn’t necessarily gonna get any pp time. Now they’ve finally called him up and thrown him right into the fire.

Don’t forget he’s a 2nd overall pick. And he seems to be a really confident kid.

Yah, but even ultra talented Dmen like Makar don't get to the league until 22. This is very rare.

No clue how they are gonna manage the offensive opportunities for Hamilton, Hughes and Nemec. I would probably trade Hamilton for a good haul in the summer.

 

[MasterofGrond]

What is your point here? Nemec on the second PP, if the Devils had a lot of PP like they did against the Sharks then he probably would have had the most ice time of any Devils defenseman. Just like against the Sharks.

At even strength, Nemec was constantly playing against the opponent's top two lines and top defensive pairing.

View attachment 778552

While L. Hughes only got very sheltered minutes:
View attachment 778553

First off, the Canucks were at home and had last change. So if line matching was happening, it was happening the other way. I.e. the Canucks were trying to put out their top players against Nemec, and not Luke.

Second, even if the Devils were line matching, I would also be putting my best offensive defenseman against the opponents weaker matchups, because I want him to feast.

Third, you just exactly showed what I was saying. Nemec has more defensive responsibility, I said it. Right there. In my post. That's a compliment! My point was that defensive responsibility is not the only kind of responsibility and getting offensive minutes is not necessarily sheltering. Sometimes you want to emphasize player strengths.