In the 2022 NHL Draft, the New Jersey Devils wanted Juraj Slavkovsky. Instead he went to the Montreal Canadiens first overall. The Devils would take a defensemen with the second overall pick passing over the likes of Shane Wright, Logan Cooley and Cutter Gauthier. Immediate fan reception was mixed, to say the least.
That player the Devils took was Simon Nemec. The Slovakian defender seemed a little bit of an odd choice and ever since he was chosen he became the focal point of fan induced trade rumors for the Devils. Nemec's own comments on the matter didn't seem to help. More than three years removed from that draft Nemec has found himself firmly in the Devils lineup. That’s in no part aided by injuries to the likes of major defenseman such as Dougie Hamilton along the way. Nemec currently finds himself paired with Hamilton's usual partner Jonas Siegenthaler.
Is it fair to say Simon Nemec has arrived? Last season saw him score the overtime winner in the Devils only playoff victory, a win at home versus the Carolina Hurricanes. This past week saw Nemec find that same scoring touch he did on that Friday night last April. His hat trick, complete with the overtime winner, propelled the Devils to victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. It was his first career hat trick and the third in Devils history scored by a defensemen.
He scored another overtime winner in the next game against the Washington Capitals. Both games were a part of the Devils current road trip. Right before leaving the friendly confines of Prudential Center Nemec scored a goal that forced overtime against the New York Islanders. Nemec currently has four goals and eight assist for 12 points in 18 games so far this season.
Nemec’s hot stick is especially important to the Devils as they once again battle injuries. That includes a “freak accident” to star Jack Hughes courtesy of a stray restaurant glass. Nemec won’t be putting up the points in similar fashion to famous scoring defensemen like former Devil Scott Niedermayer, Eric Karlsson, or Brian Leetch, but any offense he generate will help the Devils pick up all important points as the team waits for reinforcements to come back from injury.
Perhaps more important is the vindication it gives general manager Tom Fitzgerald. Poor drafting in the post 2003 cup years is what heavily lead to the franchise’s downfall of a lengthy rebuild after that run to the 2012 Stanley Cup. Since Fitzgerald took over in early 2020 his draft results have not been stellar. Alexander Holtz, taken seventh overall in 2020, was shipped off to the Vegas Golden Knights. Shakir Mukhamadullin, taken 20th overall in that same draft, was shipped off to the San Jose Sharks as part of the Timo Meier trade. Don’t forget when he drafted Chase Stillman over Logan Stankhoven.
Fitzgerald’s list of first round draft successes is a rather short one, currently Luke Hughes and Dawson Mercer on a good day. The Devils have had seven picks in the last five first rounds. Two additional first round selections were shipped away as part of trades. If Nemec becomes a consistent high scoring defenseman like he’s been in the small sample size of a week and a half he can be called another draft success all the while helping New Jersey overcome their injured and patched up roster.
Will Nemec score more hat tricks like he did against Chicago? Probably not, but a high scoring defensemen is always welcomed and especially needed in Hamilton’s absence. Devils fans won’t complain as long as Nemec keeps finding himself on the scoresheet.