2. Simon Nemec
Simon Nemec is a promising young player who the Devils had high expectations for heading into this season. Now, he’s lost his spot in the lineup. Nemec has played nine games this season, and he was underwhelming.
Nemec hasn’t shown the same ability he displayed last year to defend in his own zone, and he hasn’t been able to win puck battles. He has the third-worst CF% at 41.37. Nemec has just one point this season. His average ice time dropped from 19:52 last season to 16:07.
With the returns of Brett Pesce and Luke Hughes, as well as how good Johnathan Kovacevic has been, Nemec became the odd man out among defensemen. It’s not clear when he’ll get another chance on the ice in the NHL. He’s become a regular healthy scratch, and the Devils should send him down to the AHL to get some playing time so that his development isn’t stunted.
There may not be an opportunity right now, but one day there will be. If he’s sent down, Nemec can work on showing readiness to get back in an NHL lineup. When he gets another chance, Nemec must show he’s ready for it.