15 most important people in New Jersey Devils organization: 10. Simon Nemec

You know you’re a good NHL player when you are considered to be one of the top guys on your team when you’re a season into your career. That is the case for New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec. 

New Jersey selected Nemec with the second overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. The Slovakian defenseman has been developing well since then. He was very good in the preseason last year, but he didn’t break the 23-man roster on opening night. It wasn’t until Dougie Hamilton’s season-ending injury that he finally got his first career call-up to the NHL. 

Nemec played so well that he was never sent down again. Not bad for a rookie. He belongs in this league and will play there for a long time. The New Jersey Devils are hoping to turn him into a star. 

The New Jersey Devils are asking a lot of Simon Nemec these days

Coming into 2024-25, Nemec is the 10th most important person in the New Jersey Devils organization. There is a chance that this is the lowest he is ever ranked again but it’s a good spot for him right now. 

With all of the other good players that the Devils have on the blue line, there isn’t much pressure for Nemec to carry the load. He knows what to expect now and will come in knowing he’s on the team if he’s healthy. 

It will always take time for these kid defensemen to fully grow into their NHL game. There will be mistakes for him just as there were in his rookie season. With that said, being another year better should increase this team’s chances of being elite. 

What are the skill sets that make Nemec so good? Well, he is a two-way defenseman who can do a little bit of everything. In 60 games played last year, Nemec scored three goals and had 16 assists for 19 points. He was also great in his defensive zone when it came to positioning and helping shut opponents down. 

As mentioned already, there is room to grow but he has a lot of time. From the start, the team around him will be much better (and healthier). Nemec has an incredibly high ceiling and he will help the Devils get back to the playoffs ASAP.