RD Simon Nemec (2022, 2nd, NJD)

[My3Sons]

As a Slovak I choose the first option. But that doesn't change the fact that one day, with the right development, he will be a quality NHL player, but he was obviously a bit overhyped.

He played pretty well as a 20 year old rookie on a pretty bad team. I doubt he got worse this season. What he did do is get hurt just before camp and then had to adjust to a new system and play with a rookie who himself was sent to the AHL. It's hard to fault Nemec for any of that. Beyond that, no other defender from that draft is standing out yet in the NHL. I mean Seamus Casey is still leading the draft class in goals by a defender this season and tied for second in points and he has been in the AHL for a while. They are kids and it can take time. On a rebuilding team Nemec is playing a regular role. NJ happens to have a glut of veterans ahead of him and are in win now mode despite missing the playoffs last season.

 

[Xirik]

Forgive me if I'm wrong, because I was a new teenage hockey fan during the late stages of Rafalski's career and didn't know that much about hockey, but didn't he put up many 55+ point seasons in the dead puck era? I don't think you can say "Nemec projects as a 30-40 point defenseman in today's extremely high scoring NHL" and then compare him to Rafalski in the same post.

three seasons,

Rafalski is the ceiling of Nemec but I didn't put those high totals for Nemec simply because throwing up such numbers on a rookie always is met with derision on these forums. Better to put a bit under so you don't have to deal with the trolls.

comparisons are tricky and when you are posting in a thread on the Devils board it's best to use former devils players people recognize.

 

[Juxtaposer]

three seasons,

Rafalski is the ceiling of Nemec but I didn't put those high totals for Nemec simply because throwing up such numbers on a rookie always is met with derision on these forums. Better to put a bit under so you don't have to deal with the trolls.

His career average pace was 51 points per 82 games during the dead puck era. That was elite production for a defenseman at that time. If you don't think Nemec will be a 60-70 point defenseman now, then I really don't think the comparison is remotely valid.

 

[Xirik]

His career average pace was 51 points per 82 games during the dead puck era. That was elite production for a defenseman at that time. If you don't think Nemec will be a 60-70 point defenseman now, then I really don't think the comparison is remotely valid.

okay?

congrats on figuring out the comparison isn't perfect which everyone who knows comparisons is that there rarely is an exact fit.

 

[Oneiro]

Nemec is fine. I'd say the pre-draft criticisms of his lack of urgency in puck battles hold true, but otherwise, he's had his ups and downs. When he looks great, he looks like that steady 30 minutes in the playoff top pairing guy. The bad moments are just inexperience, not ability. I don't think his offense is going to be all too special, though.

Whatever disappointment people have is related to NJ's roster situation rather than the player. Development time is over in NJ, it's about the playoffs now and slow cooking all prospects not named Luke Hughes, who has handily outplayed Hamilton. They were never going to keep Casey or Nemec up this year unless they were absolutely flawless. Injuries will happen, and they'll step in.

 

[Xirik]

Nemec is fine. I'd say the pre-draft criticisms of his lack of urgency in puck battles hold true, but otherwise, he's had his ups and downs. When he looks great, he looks like that steady 30 minutes in the playoff top pairing guy. The bad moments are just inexperience, not ability. I don't think his offense is going to be all too special, though.

Whatever disappointment people have is related to NJ's roster situation rather than the player. Development time is over in NJ, it's about the playoffs now and slow cooking all prospects not named Luke Hughes, who has handily outplayed Hamilton. They were never going to keep Casey or Nemec up this year unless they were absolutely flawless. Injuries will happen, and they'll step in.

I really like how the Devils are developing prospects, especially after seeing so many teams throw their prospects and rookies to the wolves and hoping they survive and become something

 

[Oneiro]

I really like how the Devils are developing prospects, especially after seeing so many teams throw their prospects and rookies to the wolves and hoping they survive and become something

To me, it's just a context thing.

5 years ago Nemec would have been playing 20+ a night. Ditto for Holtz, who would've gotten Zacha-like minutes. But we're not there anymore.

 

[Juxtaposer]

okay?

congrats on figuring out the comparison isn't perfect which everyone who knows comparisons is that there rarely is an exact fit.

There's a difference between "not an exact fit" and comparing a guy you're calling 'not a points machine, just an all-around good player' to one of the most prolific offensive defensemen of the dead puck era.

No big deal, just pointing it out.

 

[Forge]

Is Nemec just nowhere as talented offensively as originally thought because the Slovak league isn't as good as some think? Or just issues of a young defenseman still adjusting to North American pro hockey?

I think he does okay...needs to work on when to pinch and get aggressive as he makes some bad choices, but he's definitely shown some good mental aptitude offensively. More so last year, obviously.

That said, he's not a PP guy I think, so his point totals are always going to be suppressed if that holds. I also think that his best offensive attribute is probably his mental game...he doesn't have a cannon shot or a super sexy wrister or something. I feel like he's going to be one of those guys who puts up like 27-35 points at 5 on 5 but people think he lacks offensive talent because in those years he's only going to have like 33-38 points total. Last year he had 15 points at 5 on 5 in 60 games as a 19 year old. Out of those 15, 11 were primary assists and two were goals. So I think the offensive game is there, but I think it'll always be capped because I expect him to spend most of his time at EV and on the PK