The New Jersey Devils assigned 2022 second-overall pick Simon Nemec to the American Hockey League (AHL).
The New Jersey Devils assigned 2022 second-overall pick Simon Nemec to the American Hockey League (AHL).
Ahead of Thursday night's game, the New Jersey Devils announced that young defenseman and 2022 second-overall pick Simon Nemec had been assigned to the American Hockey League (AHL).
"Obviously, we have six defensemen that we like right now who are playing every day," head coach Sheldon Keefe said during his post-game press conference. "We have remained healthy."
Nemec has served as a healthy scratch since Oct. 24, when Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce returned from injury.
"The decision for (Nemec) to go down was made before we went on the road trip, quite honestly," Keefe said. "This decision was made because we were going so far away, and we wanted to keep him close in case we needed him. You don't know what you're going to encounter on a trip like that. (With) distance and time change and all that, it is hard to bring somebody in on the fly."
Keefe acknowledged that the 20-year-old has things to learn regarding his game and spoke about the importance of him getting adequate ice time.
"He needs to get down and get playing, and that is the biggest thing," Keefe said. "Our defense is a lot better and deeper this year than it was last season. Quite honestly, the standard and the expectations for every player and for our entire team are a lot higher."
As The Hockey News wrote in October, the Devils have an opportunity to send Nemec down right now because of the play of defensemen like Johnathan Kovacevic. Keefe made a similar point.
"All that is happening around us right now allows someone like Nemec to go down and really work at his game and play a lot," Keefe continued. "Just like Seamus Casey, just go down and worry about their game and not have to worry about adapting and adjusting to the NHL. Just work on their own development. It buys us some time that we have a good group going right now. We will continue to work with them, and he will be ready if or when we need him."
The Comets will play Friday night in Utica. The club hosts the Cleveland Monsters at 7:00 P.M. While there has not been confirmation, there is a belief that Nemec will be in the lineup.
Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
EXCLUSIVE: Q&A With MSG Networks Host & Analyst Rachel Herzog
Hischier’s Manager Patrick Fischer: 'He’s Driven to Succeed, but Not Easily Satisfied'
Seamus Casey Scores First NHL Goal In Devils Global Series Finale