RD Simon Nemec (2022, 2nd, NJD)

[Junohockeyfan]

funny to read this, on one hand you have a journeyman D who maybe found his stride at 27 in a contract year after being a waiver claim and 7th D sitting in the press box and on the other you have a 21 year old who’s hit some speed bumps in his development and possibly sulking a bit is a bust. Great to see Kovy doing well, was a likable player in Montreal but by your logic he busted a half dozen years ago.

To me, "bust" only refers to players that were highly touted (like a 2OA). They don't pertain to journeyman players like Kovacevic who has far exceeded expectations. Kovy is a wonderful story and i am really happy that he has found success in Jersey. He's a good guy and plays to his strengths. Good team guy.

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

One guy was selected 74OA. The other guy was picked 2OA. Hugely different expectations with these two players. The 37 year old journeyman playing ahead of the 2OA is actually an indictment of the younger player’s poor play.

Or a coach wired to win now and not develop a 2OA

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

To me, "bust" only refers to players that were highly touted (like a 2OA). They don't pertain to journeyman players like Kovacevic who has far exceeded expectations. Kovy is a wonderful story and i am really happy that he has found success in Jersey. He's a good guy and plays to his strengths. Good team guy.

I’m saying D+2 1/2 is too early to call anyone a bust

 

[KILLger]

People acting like you can't express valid concerns over high picks after 3 years: are you new at this? There are red flags that top picks usually aren't showing by this time. Is he a confirmed bust? No, but you don't like seeing a player at this stage of his career regressing. Hopefully he goes somewhere else and gets back on track.

There are means to express valid concerns without being a troll.

I see a few individuals in here who's sole purpose seems to be to stir shit up.

I guess one tries to compensate however he can for whatever he has to deal with IRL. This should not be it.

 

[Hisch13r]

Nemec is a more committed defensive player. And since his offensive potential is also very good, he is above Mateychuk for me.

Casey has shown offensive things in the NHL while Mateychuk has not shown much yet. Bichsel is a defensive monster.

Mateychuk, I see him as a poor man's offensive defenseman in the NHL. Usually, he only comes out with one really effective one per year and I think Hutson showed the huge difference.

While Nemec I still see him as a top 4 all-around defenseman.

Nemec is not committed defensively. Never has been either.

 

[De Montreal]

That requires maturity and professionalism. Does he have it?

It does seems like he might lack maturity right now but again that’s not unusual for a 21 year old. I’m not overly concerned and I still believe the Devils can turn him into a good dman if he help himself

 

[Hisch13r]

It does seems like he might lack maturity right now but again that’s not unusual for a 21 year old. I’m not overly concerned and I still believe the Devils can turn him into a good dman if he help himself

The way he sulked about going down to the AHL after playing like dog shit in the NHL was insane. Then he proceeded to not show he was above the AHL level and was again dog shit when he got another NHL shot. He’s a whiny entitled baby who will fail if he doesn’t dramatically improve his attitude.

I think he needs a change of scenery. He’s the 5th best RD the Devils have. Even if the Devils do the right thing and move Dougie this summer he’s the 4th best RD. Deal him for help up front and let him try to work out his problems elsewhere.

 

[MoneyManny]

Nemec is a top two pick. Was there another top two selected D who has struggled like this? Barker was picked 3OA. But for top two picks I’m not remembering one. D picked that high are sure bets. They’re not projects, which Nemec appears to be.

To be fair, that was a horrible Covid draft with very hard to predict outcomes. Probably the hardest-to-scout bunch of prospects we had in a long time. Judging him based on his draft position is a little unfair under the circumstances.

 

[Hisch13r]

To be fair, that was a horrible Covid draft with very hard to predict outcomes. Probably the hardest-to-scout bunch of prospects we had in a long time. Judging him based on his draft position is a little unfair under the circumstances.

Yeah it’s not like he was a lock top 2-3 pick. A not insignificant amount of people had him as a latter half of the top 10 guy. Those guys are far from locks and especially in a weak draft.

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

Nemec is not committed defensively. Never has been either.

Not what I saw in the last game.

Not what I've seen from this player since he was a kid.

How does a guy who isn't committed to defensive play block 4 shots in a game and 105 in his rookie season (best NJ player in this category with 22 games missed) ?

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Not what I saw in the last game.

Not what I've seen from this player since he was a kid.

How does a guy who isn't committed to defensive play block 4 shots in a game and 105 in his rookie season (best NJ player in this category with 22 games missed) ?

Because he's consistently flying the zone thinking he's Luke Hughes with the foot speed of Will Butcher to back check. He's mediocre, maybe he proves me wrong elsewhere but it's not happening in NJ

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

Because he's consistently flying the zone thinking he's Luke Hughes with the foot speed of Will Butcher to back check. He's mediocre, maybe he proves me wrong elsewhere but it's not happening in NJ

I'm talking about defensive play. Not offensive play.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

I'm talking about defensive play. Not offensive play.

His bad defensive play stems from his penchant for wanting to create offense at every turn. Like I said, he thinks he's Luke Hughes as a skater when he's not.

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

His bad defensive play stems from his penchant for wanting to create offense at every turn. Like I said, he thinks he's Luke Hughes as a skater when he's not.

I'm talking about defensive play and you keep talking to me about offensive play.

 

[Hisch13r]

His bad defensive play stems from his penchant for wanting to create offense at every turn. Like I said, he thinks he's Luke Hughes as a skater when he's not.

I remember saying after he was drafted the footspeed was going to be a problem for him.

Defensively even at the lower levels I never liked how he defended. That lack of urgency that everyone seems to have picked up on how is a staple of his game. He wasn’t a good rush defender because he had such a relaxed gap and would easily let guys enter the zone generally opting to try and force guys to the outside rather than kill plays at the line. Then in zone he’s just all over the place and out of position a ton

Offensively his lack of elite tools and especially footspeed scared me. He was a guy I felt was a lot better as a puck rusher than passer in transition. That worked at lower levels because his skating was enough at that level. It’s not in the NHL. Even the way he handled the puck in transition felt choppy and sloppy to me and would be easier to shutdown in the NHL if he didn’t clean that up.

Now I’m not trying to say all hope is lost. He was a solid player (if overrated) last year at 19/20. I think he could still definitely develop into a very solid top 4 guy. Maybe even a complimentary #2. I think it’d be a stretch for him to end up as a star or legit #1. He’s also not the traditional two way D a lot of people touted him as. He’s a complimentary offensive piece with some big holes defensively you’ll want ironed out.

 

[Jersey Fresh]

I remember saying after he was drafted the footspeed was going to be a problem for him.

Defensively even at the lower levels I never liked how he defended. That lack of urgency that everyone seems to have picked up on how is a staple of his game. He wasn’t a good rush defender because he had such a relaxed gap and would easily let guys enter the zone generally opting to try and force guys to the outside rather than kill plays at the line. Then in zone he’s just all over the place and out of position a ton

Offensively his lack of elite tools and especially footspeed scared me. He was a guy I felt was a lot better as a puck rusher than passer in transition. That worked at lower levels because his skating was enough at that level. It’s not in the NHL. Even the way he handled the puck in transition felt choppy and sloppy to me and would be easier to shutdown in the NHL if he didn’t clean that up.

Now I’m not trying to say all hope is lost. He was a solid player (if overrated) last year at 19/20. I think he could still definitely develop into a very solid top 4 guy. Maybe even a complimentary #2. I think it’d be a stretch for him to end up as a star or legit #1. He’s also not the traditional two way D a lot of people touted him as. He’s a complimentary offensive piece with some big holes defensively you’ll want ironed out.

He’s trending like Ryan Murray at best without the injury excuse. I had similar skating concerns as you, even taking into account his play at 19 (which I also agree was mostly overrated).

At this point, I dont see a path forward in NJ. He hasn’t helped himself with his public comments/attitude and ultimately it might be best for the player and the team at this point to part ways.

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

That requires maturity and professionalism. Does he have it?

Time will tell just like with other prospects not all but many battle this...

 

[AfroThunder396]

I'm talking about defensive play and you keep talking to me about offensive play.

His offensive play is a big reason for his poor defense. He constantly cheats in the defensive zone and makes poor decisions at the offensive point leading to breaks the other way. He is very bad at playing the body and only makes weak stick plays in his own zone and doesn't seem to understand defensive positioning or leverage. Nemec constantly overcommits and doesn't have the skating ability to recover. He plays like a boy, not like a man.