Simon Nemec proves in his first Olympic appearance that he's a star in the right place

The first game of the 2026 Olympics was a shocker. Slovakia, a good team but not a juggernaut nation by most measures, upset Finland 4-1. The game brought to the spotlight some of the overlooked talents in hockey, with Simon Nemec being one of them. 

Nemec wasn’t the best player on the ice in the game. That was Juraj Slafkovsky, the winger who set the tone for the game and netted two goals. However, the New Jersey Devils defenseman was great in the game and showed that if he’s used correctly, he can be a star someday. 

Simon Nemec Will Make The Offense Better 

Nemec stood out at the point against Finland. Slovakia needed him to take on that role, as the defense drops off after him, and he didn’t let them down. Nemec had an assist and was a constant threat from the blue line in a game in which he played over 24 minutes. 

His scoring is unquestioned. After all, Nemec has eight goals this season with the Devils and is one of their bright spots in a rough season. The key, however, is utilizing his abilities. Nemec doesn’t drive play and shouldn’t be asked to do so. He does open things up, much like Evan Bouchard with the Edmonton Oilers, making him a valuable part of the play in the offensive zone. 

Simon Nemec Can Win Puck Battles Near The Net

The latest game saw Nemec stand out on the defensive end, which is a surprise for some Devils fans known for seeing him and the rest of the defense on the ice for goals. In a game where Finland was playing catch-up and had the skill to tie up the game, Nemec stepped up and limited the scoring chances in the dangerous ice. 

Nemec isn’t a big defenseman. However, he plays a heavier game where he can step up in the dangerous ice and win puck battles against power forwards like Mikko Rantanen. It helped him and the Slovaks against Finland. 

Part of his success will come from the buy-in. Nemec must be willing to play in the dirty areas and block shots, which he’s willing to do with Slovakia. The question is whether he does that with the Devils. 

The Devils Must Take Note

After watching the first game, the Devils must consider the right pairing for Nemec. Slovakia had him playing alongside Martin Fehervary, a well-rounded defenseman who can skate. For Nemec, it’s pivotal to have a great skater to play alongside him. 

The Devils have players who check that box, whether it’s Luke Hughes or Dougie Hamilton. The problem is that both defensemen cost the Devils on the defensive end. So, finding that shutdown option who can skate will go a long way, giving the team a top pair that they can lean on.