Simon Nemec [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/utica-comets-check-in-simon-nemec-making-strides-in-his-defensive-game-new-jersey-devils], 21, has been a player who, for better or worse, has been a storyline for the New Jersey Devils [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils] this season. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/f0e09dac-3ad4-4b72-b3a1-a6bf15341ecf.jpeg] Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images Most recently, he became the Devils' double overtime hero, scoring the game-winning goal to secure his team's victory in Game 3. "Nemec carries in. He scores! Simon Nemec gets the Devils back into the series!" MSG Networks play-by-play announcer Bill Spaulding made the call with the same electricity that flowed through the Prudential Center at 11:45 p.m. on Friday night. Nemec was immediately swarmed by his teammates as they celebrated their team's first win of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Carolina Hurricanes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/carolina-hurricanes]. It was one of the biggest moments of Nemec's young career and the highest point of what has been a rollercoaster of a season. Spending 34 games in the American Hockey League (AHL) and 27 games in the NHL this season, the 2022 second-overall pick has previously spoken about the highs and lows of the 2024-25 campaign. "It is not easy, but it is part of the business and part of hockey," Nemec said back in March [https://www.nhl.com/devils/video/nemec-pre-raw-3-13-25-6369971207112]. "I am a pro, and I am trying to figure it out. I think this season has helped me, and I am mentally stronger than I was last year." A young defenseman is expected to make mistakes as they navigate and learn what it takes to become a regular in the NHL. Some variables, like ice time and role, are simply out of the player's control, but a player can always control his effort. As Devils' head coach Sheldon Keefe [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/latest-news/new-jersey-devils-sheldon-keefe-toronto-maple-leafs-nhl] exclusively told The Hockey News on Saturday afternoon, that has been part of the young defenseman's development process. "I would say he has taken steps in that area, but that has been part of the development process for him," he said. "(Just) to embrace the work that needs to be done. "It is a hard league, and not everything works on the timeline that is in your mind," Keefe continued. "The league humbles you. You have the decision to either recognize this and get to work, or it is going to be a lot harder on you than you want it to be. That is what we are going through with (Nemec), and I have seen positive steps in this area." One of the low points of his season was March 7, when the Devils hosted the Winnipeg Jets [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/winnipeg-jets] at Prudential Center. In the span of five minutes in the third period, Nemec was on the ice for three goals against. "He is a better player than that," Keefe said after the game. "That player who played in the third period is in the wrong league. We have got to find some consistency. It is hard. This is not the league where you work through your growing pains on a team that has any sort of expectations. Players that aren’t quite ready to contribute to teams that have expectations, they play in the minors. We need more from everyone. (Nemec) is a confident guy that thinks he can help our team play in this league, he will have lots of opportunity to show us right now but that wasn’t it in the third and you can’t reward that effort." The biggest thing that stood out on all three of those Jets goals was Nemec's lack of urgency once the opposition had possession of the puck in the defensive zone. Now, two months later, Keefe says that is another area Nemec has focused on. "It has improved," he said of the defenseman's urgency. "There is a ways to go, but to me, it has improved, which is why you trust him in these games. You put him in (the lineup) in part out of necessity with the injuries, but the other part is that he has taken strides towards being a good player. Yesterday's positive result with the (game-winning) goal is going to help him take a big step in his confidence, but it's not going to change the work that needs to be done." Talent is different than effort and urgency. Some have the former and not the latter, while others put forth 100 percent effort without the luxury of having natural skills and abilities. Like every athlete, Nemec is developing in the public eye. Like any natural progression, there will be highs and lows, accompanied by good days and bad. There will be days when the opposition will be better than you, faster, stronger, and smarter. The effort will always need to be there, especially for a younger player who still has a lot to prove. It is a positive sign for the Devils to see Nemec progressing in areas that are sometimes publicly missed because they can't always be measured by analytics. On Friday night, he showed how valuable he can be, and the Devils will need him as the club continues to navigate the first-round series with a blue line riddled with injuries. Game 4 against the Hurricanes is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. ET. Fans can watch on MSGSN or listen on the Devils Hockey Network. Make sure you "bookmark" THN's New Jersey site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and more.
