After a promising last season, the Slovakian defender in the services of the New Jersey Devils was expected to raise his performance to a higher level in the next season. Instead, Šimon Nemec did not fit into his NHL team’s lineup for four consecutive games. This is due to his current performance, as well as the intense competition in the defense of the “devils”.
Šimon Nemec found himself in a difficult situation in New Jersey. He didn’t play the last three games, the team didn’t even send him to the farm, so he’s just sitting in the stands. And what’s worse, in his situation, there is no short-term or long-term way out directly with the Devils.
After the 2022 entry draft, Slovak fans watched how our greatest talent among defenders will develop at the moment – Simon Nemecwho was chosen second in the aforementioned draft, immediately behind Juraj Slafkovský.
Šimon Nemec spent his first season in the AHL, where he scored 34 points (12+22) in 65 games, confirming his potential. In addition to his productivity, he also improved significantly in his defensive game, when he regularly got opportunities on weak points. After a great preparation last year, he had to start again on the farm due to competition from Dougie Hamilton and Luke Hughes.
During the season, he finally played for the Devils for the first time in the long-term absence of Hamilton, while he scored 2 assists in his debut. The native of Liptovský Mikuláš finally stayed in the first team until the very end of the year, playing a total of 60 games in his rookie season with 19 points (3+16), including considerable space on the ice, when his time exceeded the 20-minute mark many times.
Loss of place in the lineup
However, that changed in the ongoing season after Šimon Nemec’s pre-season didn’t go well. Probably, his recovery from the injury he sustained during the Olympic qualification in Bratislava could have prevented him from performing.
Subsequently, he was given space in nine games, where he spent an average of more than 16 minutes on the ice. In this period, he scored only one assist, 9 shots, 4 penalty minutes and 2 minus points. In the last 4 matches, the Slovak defender did not feature in coach Sheldon Keef’s lineup.
“The beginning of the season gave me the feeling that he has the potential to show even more than he has shown so far. Šimon Nemec is a highly competitive defender, but this quality was not fully visible in the first nine duels.
He’s gotten a little stronger in recent games as coach Sheldon Keefe has pressured him to add more. Despite this, he ended up losing his place on the blue line to Johnathan Kovacevic, who has been performing excellently so far.” reporter James Nichols from the New Jersey Hockey Now portal evaluated the performances of the 2022 draft pick for ŠPORT.sk.
“Honestly, his status as a healthy replacement is well-deserved. He showed much more during his rookie season. He may still be struggling with the effects of the injury he suffered while playing for Slovakia during Olympic qualification.
Despite this, he lost personal battles, made bad decisions and did not contribute much in the offensive zone. He didn’t seem like the same player who got Calder trophy attention in his rookie season.”
Competition in the Devils defense
Many fans are considering whether the German’s current status is related to a lack of confidence from the coach. For example, when Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce were injured, the youngster Seamus Casey got more confidence on the power play at the expense of the Slovak defender.
“I’m not sure if Keefe has lost faith in the German. I think it was more about Seamus Casey being a better fit for the role. Casey is more specialized on offense, while the German is a more versatile player who can be trusted more in the other two zones.
However, with players like Kovacevic, Pesce and Siegenthaler able to fulfill these roles better, Šimon Nemec was the weakest link who eventually lost his place.”
It is not usual for a draft number two in the NHL to meet a similar fate. However, James Nichols thinks this is only a short-term solution. Otherwise, the farm option would be offered.
“I don’t think Šimon Nemec should sit for too long. There are certainly lessons to be learned from watching the game from above. Take a look at the New York Islanders and how Noah Dobson’s development has gone.
However, Šimon Nemec must be able to apply what he sees to game activities directly on the ice. If the plan is for him to sit in the stands for an extended period of time, he might be better off playing in the AHL for the Utica Comets this season.”
The question about the Slovak defender was also heard in an interview with Sheldon Keef with the local media. The head helmsman of the Devils said that there are several reasons behind his absence. Whether it is the return of the injured players Hughes and Pesce, or the fact that other defenders were able to impress in comparison to Šimon Nemec.
“I agree with Keef. I don’t think the Devils expected Kovacevic to be as good as he is,” says James Nichols.
“Kovacevic has currently proven to be a better prepared player for the NHL. He formed an excellent pair with Siegenthaler and is part of the Devils’ best defensive pair.
Looking at the right side, Šimon Nemec is currently not a threat to Hamilton as the number one defender. As for Pesce, the Devils signed him to a 6-year contract. After returning from injury, he had a slow start, but he is improving with every game and is currently considered a better defender.”
Defenseman Šimon Nemec is in an unpleasant situation in the overseas NHL. He is healthy, but he watched his team’s last three games only from the stands. What is his situation? Before the Devils game against the Anaheim Ducks yesterday, head coach Sheldon Keefe talked about him.
The future in the Devils team
Despite the difficult season, the question remains as to what position Šimon Nemec can have in the New Jersey lineup in the future. Hamilton and Pesce will be long-term pillars of the team, and young Casey has also impressed with his performances. James Nichols emphasizes that despite this competition, the Devils value Šimon Nemec as an important part of the coming years.
“The Devils respect Šimon Nemec very much. He will be one of the main pillars of the organization for a long time. He is still only 20 years old, and while he is a very skilled player, there are still areas in which he needs to improve. Hughes’ place in the lineup should not affect Šimon Nemec, as he is left-handed.
It is the players on the right that he will have to overcome. Over time, Simon Nemec is expected to move up the lineup, while veterans like Hamilton and Pesce will move down. He will have competition in Casey, but the Devils see him as one of their top four defensemen going forward.”
Despite the fact that it is very early to talk about a possible trade, the reporter from New Jersey does not see this scenario as realistic at all. “I don’t think there would be an appetite for it. Tom Fitzgerald would have to be very convinced to even consider the idea.
The truth is that if Kovacevic didn’t show up the way he is showing up at the moment, Šimon Nemec would play. However, Kovacevic, 27, is on an expiring contract and his future with the organization remains uncertain. There is still much of the season ahead of us and the situation can change quickly. Players go through ups and downs, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Šimon Nemec regained his place in the lineup.”
Here’s your #NJDevils lines and pairings from todays practice in Vancouver.
Looks like Bastian will return and Dowling centering that spot previously held by Lazar.
MacDermid evening out things at practice as an 8th Dman: pic.twitter.com/Ldj8os13At
— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) October 29, 2024
Way back to the lineup
“Everything now depends on the German. Keefe rewards his players not only for their performance during games, but also for how they behave in practice and in the gym. Case in point is Kurtis MacDermid replacing Nathan Bastian even though Bastian played well. However, MacDermid’s hard work outside of matches gave him a chance.
I assume Keefe wants to see the same from the German. When given the opportunity, the Devils coach will expect from Šimon Nemec a reason why he should defend his place in the lineup.” concluded the overseas journalist for ŠPORT.sk.
