COMETS CHECK-IN: Simon Nemec Making Strides In His Defensive Game
Simon Nemec's head coach shares an update on his defensive game.
In September, New Jersey Devils prospect Simon Nemec entered training camp, hoping to continue his NHL career after making his debut on Dec. 1, 2023.
The competition to secure a top-six spot on New Jersey's blue line was intense as Johnathan Kovacevic took the Devils front office by surprise, as did rookie defenseman Seamus Casey.
After a rocky start to the 2024-25 campaign, Nemec was assigned to the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League on Nov. 7.
"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," Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe said of the re-assignment. "Just like 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."
Nemec played his first AHL game with the Utica Comets on Nov. 8, paired with 21-year-old Topias Vilen. Over the next 31 games, the 2022 second-overall pick notched 21 points (five goals, 16 assists).
After the Comets' 2-1 loss to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Jan. 25, Utica's interim head coach Ryan Parent provided The Hockey News with an update on Nemec's play.
"He knew from camp, when he first came back here, what was expected of him," Parent said. "What he really needs to work on and build off of his game was the defensive side of it.
"It was a pretty clear message from camp, and it has been something that he has been working really hard on," he continued. "He has had a lot of success on the offensive side the last few weeks, and he will be the first to tell you that he gets those opportunities because of the effort that he is putting into our own zone."
Nemec's season has been highlighted by a five-point performance on Jan. 15 against the Hartford Wolf Pack. The 20-year-old finished the game with two goals and three assists.
There have been noticeable improvements in his play in his own zone. The youngster is showing more patience with the puck, is not chasing the play, and is on the right side of his check. His box-outs have also vastly improved.
Since Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce returned from their respective injuries, New Jersey has used the same six defensemen. There has not been an opportunity for Nemec to return to the NHL and get consistent ice time through the first 53 games of the season.
It may be frustrating for Nemec, who already got a taste of the NHL lifestyle, but the work he has put in these past few months could, and should, pay off dividends in the future.
"For him, and everybody individually, there is a big emphasis on their development," Parent said. "He is a guy we put a lot of focus on, working on the things he needs to work on."
Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
