BUFFALO – If anyone looked out of place on the opening day of the Buffalo Prospects Challenge, it was New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec.
Just 19, he already has four years of pro experience, including the last year with the AHL’s Utica Comets. So when he took to the ice for his first game against Ottawa, filled with a combination of junior and other minor pro players, Nemec – the highest draft pick of any player in the tournament – looked a cut above the rest.
There was one instance on the power play where he rushed in, got the puck in the slot and made a slick behind-the-back pass. Nobody was there, but an NHLer would have seen it happening and made himself available. Nemec finished with an assist, but given the lopsided 5-2 loss, he was one of the few Devils who stood out.
Playing in this tournament isn’t an experience he isn’t taking lightly. He knows he still has a lot to prove.
For starters, Luke Hughes was originally named to the tournament roster, but won’t participate. Hughes is a step ahead on the depth chart, but Nemec’s inclusion in this tournament gives a solid indication that Nemec might not be in the Devils’ lineup for Game 1. And that’s fine; the Devils are a strong team with a good back end. But Nemec is going to do whatever it takes to put himself in the conversation.
“He slows the game to a crawl to his benefit,” a scout said. “He doesn’t look like your average U-20 defenseman. He’s mature beyond his years.”
The 2022-23 season was all about adjusting to life in North America. He lived independently, bought his own car, cooked for himself and gained some independence. It’s a lot to ask for an 18-year-old to move halfway across the world to an unknown place, travel on buses and fight for every opportunity. But he made the most of it, finishing the year with 12 goals and 34 points in 65 games. That put him fifth among U-20 AHLers and second behind Cleveland’s David Jiricek (38 points) among junior-aged defenders.
The second overall pick in 2022 looked good out there, but he still said it was a challenge trying to adjust to a different style of hockey than he’s used to.
“I think I improved my defensive game, the penalty kills… I didn’t play the penalty kills before,” Nemec said. “Sometimes (Utica) didn’t put me on the power play because they wanted me focusing on defensive zone and penalty kills and stuff.”
Nemec credits Tyler Wotherspoon – a 30-year-old with 11 seasons of pro hockey experience – as being a big mentor while playing together in Utica. And it’s valuable experience like that that can have a big impression on a young defender.
Comets coach Kevin Dineen is the man in charge of New Jersey’s rookie roster. He got an up close look at New Jersey’s next young star defenseman, seeing him not only mature as a player, but a person, too. Dineen said he saw his maturity grow as the year went on, and he started to look up for the challenge physically, as well.
“You guys have this lectern up here, so you didn’t see the size of his bum and his legs,” Dineen said in a media scrum. “He just looks like a hockey guy.”
Nemec has never been afraid to move the puck and take risks. Against junior kids, it’s easy. But it can become a downside against older, stronger, better competition in the NHL. For Nemec, the 2023-24 season will be about cleaning up his game and getting him ready for big-time action – whether that’s in New Jersey or with Utica for another season.
“Sometimes, I need to play safer,” Nemec said. “And with more pace.”
“He likes to have an idea what his options are and likes to make good plays,” Dineen said. “Sometimes, as a defenseman starts getting into NHL exhibition games, he needs to get that feel as well. Sometimes, the best play is just to get it out. You can never fault a guy when they’re trying to make a statement and try to make plays.”
As for the next steps?
“My feeling is, 'OK, are we looking at the next 6-8 months? Or are we looking at the next 10-15 years?' I’m not worried about when it happens. I know it’s going to happen just because he’s such a dedicated kid,” Dineen said. “For us as an organization, we know we have a special player.”
The Devils are looking at a top four of Jonas Siegenthaler, Dougie Hamilton, John Marino and Luke Hughes. Kevin Bahl will likely line up on the left side of the bottom-pairing, with Nemec potentially fighting Brenden Smith for the final spot. Nemec is the one with the higher ceiling, for sure, but Smith’s veteran presence could allow for Nemec to take his time.
Nemec is 19; there’s no reason to rush him any time soon, especially with the Devils being a serious Cup contender. But there’s no questioning his star potential. It’s only a matter of time until he’s successfully pulling off spins against the game’s elite – and coming out on top.
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