RD Simon Nemec (2022, 2nd, NJD)

[Devils731]

Nemec has been the best Devils defender both defensively and offensively the last 3-4 games.

Nobody on the team is carrying him, he’s elevating the players around himself to higher levels.

Nemec’s NHL play has been extremely impressive so far.

 

[HBK27]

If the coach places the best defender (in the definition of the verb defend) of the team next to him, there is a reason.

The reason is that Nemec immediately showed he deserved top pairing minutes while matching each of NJ’s young defenders (Nemec, Luke & Bahl) with a veteran partner.

 

[Jersey Fresh]

If the coach places the best defender (in the definition of the verb defend) of the team next to him, there is a reason.

Slafkovsky will always be underestimated because he doesn't score a lot of points. But yes, he is better than Nick Suzuki. All Montreal fans will tell you that. If Montreal had to make the No. 1 pick again, management would take the same player. This is an extremely rare profile. Whereas a Nemec... you can have the same type of player more easily. Levshunov for example.

I know I would have a different opinion if I didn't watch all of Montreal's games... but even yesterday, with a 2-point game, Nemec didn't make as strong an impression on me as Slafkovsky usually does.

Points are really very deceptive in hockey.

There are plenty of players that I underrate because of the points and the fact that I only watch them 2-3 times a year (especially Western Conference players). I am more aware of this than ever because I know that in Montreal, there is a big gap between the statistics and the overall level of play. Guhle is the same. Fewer points than Matheson but better.

By the same way, Siegenthaler is also very undervalued by points.

Siegenthaler is anything but the best defender on the team. Especially so this season where he has been quite frankly more bad than good.

I very much question this Slafkovsky narrative. How much could he possibly be affecting the game at his scoring rate? Its not like any of his possession numbers are otherworldly and he has over 60% OZ starts.

 

[Antiillafire]

I wonder if Nemec success will convince more Slovak youngsters to stay and develop in Slovakia and then go to AHL post draft year.

Let’s see how Pobezal and Dravecky Jr turn out on draft day.

Would Dvorsky have been better off staying and playing pro in Slovakia after he played those 20 games in 20-21 season?

Zlnka -> should have stayed in Slovakia.
Strbak -> should have stayed in Slovakia.

 

[Devils Trap]

Devils patience with Nemec is paying off so well. He probably could of made the team 2 years ago, and 100% was good enough to make it this year.

He spent extra time crafting his defensive game, now he is a penalty killer, #1 pairing Dman who is on the ice with the game on the line for NJ

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

Siegenthaler is anything but the best defender on the team. Especially so this season where he has been quite frankly more bad than good.

I very much question this Slafkovsky narrative. How much could he possibly be affecting the game at his scoring rate? Its not like any of his possession numbers are otherworldly and he has over 60% OZ starts.

Evaluation question. I wouldn't question yours but I'll keep mine.

Look at Montreal. Look at Slafkovsky's involvement on the ice, the efforts he makes to win fights, put his team in a position to carry the puck. It's not about a statistic. Yet it is obvious that he brings more than Suzuki and Caufield who benefit from his efforts.

I notice that many confuse points with level of play. The number of points does not mean the level of a player.

There are 20 point players who are better than 60 point players. It can go that far.

If Siegenthaler is paid 3.4 million and lined up next to a rookie offensive defender on the 1st defensive line, obviously he can't be bad.

Yes he doesn't score a lot of points but he's a very good defender. From my point of view.

The dictatorship of points... So players who play a match that ends 1-0 are less strong than players who finish a match 7-6 ? The points just indicate an action on a scored goal. You can be ultra individualistic and end up being the best passer on your team. This is a very misleading statistic

 

[Hisch13r]

Evaluation question. I wouldn't question yours but I'll keep mine.

I notice that many confuse points with level of play. The number of points does not mean the level of a player.

There are 20 point players who are better than 60 point players. It can go that far.

If Siegenthaler is paid 3.4 million and lined up next to a rookie offensive defender on the 1st defensive line, obviously he can't be bad.

Yes he doesn't score a lot of points but he's a very good defender. From my point of view.

The dictatorship of points... So players who play a match that ends 1-0 are less strong than players who finish a match 7-6 ? The points just indicate an action on a scored goal. You can be ultra individualistic and end up being the best passer on your team. This is a very misleading statistic

This is so dumb. Devils fans do not underrated Siegenthaler because ptzzzzzzzzzz. Siegenthaler this year is not Siegnethaler of previous years. He's not been good this year at all really. The main reason for our big struggles defensively this year is that Siegenthaler and Marino are not Siegnethaler and Marino. They've both been pretty bad.

 

[Hisch13r]

Nemec has been the best Devils defender both defensively and offensively the last 3-4 games.

Nobody on the team is carrying him, he’s elevating the players around himself to higher levels.

Nemec’s NHL play has been extremely impressive so far.

Luke was definitely better offensively outside of last night but defensively yeah

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

This is so dumb. Devils fans do not underrated Siegenthaler because ptzzzzzzzzzz. Siegenthaler this year is not Siegnethaler of previous years. He's not been good this year at all really. The main reason for our big struggles defensively this year is that Siegenthaler and Marino are not Siegnethaler and Marino. They've both been pretty bad.

He's only been playing for 2 years. Still, he is aligned on the first defense next to an offensive defender starting by the coach. So it must not be that bad. In his alignment with Nemec, he is the one who provides most of the defensive efforts, you are not going to tell me otherwise. If Smith or Bahl were considered better than him, they would play in his place.

 

[Jersey Fresh]

Evaluation question. I wouldn't question yours but I'll keep mine.

Look at Montreal. Look at Slafkovsky's involvement on the ice, the efforts he makes to win fights, put his team in a position to carry the puck. It's not about a statistic. Yet it is obvious that he brings more than Suzuki and Caufield who benefit from his efforts.

I notice that many confuse points with level of play. The number of points does not mean the level of a player.

There are 20 point players who are better than 60 point players. It can go that far.

If Siegenthaler is paid 3.4 million and lined up next to a rookie offensive defender on the 1st defensive line, obviously he can't be bad.

Yes he doesn't score a lot of points but he's a very good defender. From my point of view.

The dictatorship of points... So players who play a match that ends 1-0 are less strong than players who finish a match 7-6 ? The points just indicate an action on a scored goal. You can be ultra individualistic and end up being the best passer on your team. This is a very misleading statistic

It has nothing to do with points in a vacuum. The idea is that for a 20-point player to provide more value than a 60-point player (I’d love for you to name these mythical 20 and 60 point players you talk about in your comparison) they would need to bring an insane amount of value elsewhere to make up a 40 goal difference. There is nothing statistically that suggests (read: not points) Slafkovsky is providing that.

You want us to take your word for it, but you can’t point to anything other than nebulous “battles” that he wins.

 

[Devils Trap]

Evaluation question. I wouldn't question yours but I'll keep mine.

Look at Montreal. Look at Slafkovsky's involvement on the ice, the efforts he makes to win fights, put his team in a position to carry the puck. It's not about a statistic. Yet it is obvious that he brings more than Suzuki and Caufield who benefit from his efforts.

I notice that many confuse points with level of play. The number of points does not mean the level of a player.

There are 20 point players who are better than 60 point players. It can go that far.

If Siegenthaler is paid 3.4 million and lined up next to a rookie offensive defender on the 1st defensive line, obviously he can't be bad.

Yes he doesn't score a lot of points but he's a very good defender. From my point of view.

The dictatorship of points... So players who play a match that ends 1-0 are less strong than players who finish a match 7-6 ? The points just indicate an action on a scored goal. You can be ultra individualistic and end up being the best passer on your team. This is a very misleading statistic

Lol Slaf isnt a top 5 player on MTL let alone his best players. His advanced stats arent particularly good for someone who gets 60/65% Offensive zone starts.

But sure, I guess convince yourself hes worth the #1 somehow.

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

It has nothing to do with points in a vacuum. The idea is that for a 20-point player to provide more value than a 60-point player (I’d love for you to name these mythical 20 and 60 point players you talk about in your comparison) they would need to bring an insane amount of value elsewhere to make up a 40 goal difference. There is nothing statistically that suggests (read: not points) Slafkovsky is providing that.

You want us to take your word for it, but you can’t point to anything other than nebulous “battles” that he wins.

All the Montreal specialists who appear in the media, guys who are 50-60 years old, very renowned, who have played hockey will tell you that Slafkovsky has just established himself as the best player in Montreal and that he is doing excellent season. And precisely, each time, they say: those who do not watch the matches will not be able to understand. Everything he brings to Montreal is obvious.

Points don't mean much. In fact hockey is not really a sport suitable for statistics, like Soccer or Rugby.

To get Ekholm, Edmonton had to give up Barrie, a 1st rounder (Ty Molendyk), a prospect selected in the 1st round (Reid Schaefer) and a 4th rounder. Yet at the time of the trade Ekholm had 18 points, Barrie 43.

As long as you evaluate players based on points, you will follow a reasoning that is not validated by the thinking heads of the NHL.

Lol Slaf isnt a top 5 player on MTL let alone his best players. His advanced stats arent particularly good for someone who gets 60/65% Offensive zone starts.

But sure, I guess convince yourself hes worth the #1 somehow.

You look at the statistics, I watch the matches and my opinion is shared by the entire community of Montreal.

If I was not a supporter of Montreal and my opinion was different from the analysts, I would not be so peremptory. I'm giving you this information from Montreal: Slafkovsky is very strong. Give up your stats.

 

[LesCanadiens]

Siegenthaler is anything but the best defender on the team. Especially so this season where he has been quite frankly more bad than good.

I very much question this Slafkovsky narrative. How much could he possibly be affecting the game at his scoring rate? Its not like any of his possession numbers are otherworldly and he has over 60% OZ starts.

FYI, Slafkovsky has absolutely been a force and difference maker. I don't care what the stats or analytics say, good or bad. He's been a monster player in all 3 zones. Creating plays, breaking up plays, forechecking nightmare for d-men, first man back on the backcheck on a regular basis. He's been the best player on a line that includes Caulfield and Suzuki. He started on a line with Dach who went down, and then Newhook and then wound up with Anderson who was on a season-long drought and muffed numerous setups from Slaf. Slaf could easily have 10 more pts if his linemates converted even some of his passes.

Having said that, looks to me like him and Nemec will wind up being the cut above, cream of the crop of that draft. Based on the Devils games I've watched him in, Nemec is already playing a pro game. Poised and smart. That's a huge accomplishment for such a young, Euro D prospect. I'm not a big fan of Cooley's game. Stats or no stats.

 

[HBK27]

There are a lot of advanced stats available now that go well beyond points. Surely there’s SOMETHING in there that speaks to this amazing level of dominance Slafkovsky is providing that is supposedly only known by watching every Habs game, right?

I’m not doubting he’s been good (I have no idea) but the way it’s being described, some metrics would surely have to capture it somewhere.

 

[LesCanadiens]

There are a lot of advanced stats available now that go well beyond points. Surely there’s SOMETHING in there that speaks to this amazing level of dominance Slafkovsky is providing that is supposedly only known by watching every Habs game, right?

I'm not going to let some nerdy analytics try and tell me I'm not seeing what I'm actually seeing. All I can say, is drop in on a couple Habs games if you really want to understand how he's playing. And this isn't meant to be offensive, but unless one is actually doing that, they really don't have a clue. Even some of his very harshest critical Hab fans (and there were many) have acknowledged his play.

 

[Mirka the Turka]

I feel bad for Montreal, taking Slafkovsky over Nemec. Gonna be one of those draft disaster videos in a few years.

Nemec is probably the best second overall in 10 years just judging his play right now

 

[LesCanadiens]

I feel bad for Montreal, taking Slafkovsky over Nemec. Gonna be one of those draft disaster videos in a few years.

Nemec is probably the best second overall in 10 years just judging his play right now

Good luck with that. This is clearly coming from a guy who doesn't watch Slafkovsky play. Just like his hab fan critics who are eating heaps of crow right now, you will too once his play continues it's current trajectory. But having said that, I am a big enough man to be honest and say that BOTH he and Nemec will be great and both teams come out winners.

 

[Xirik]

Why is there Slafkovsky talk in Nemec's thread?

 

[Sergei Shirokov]

Devils patience with Nemec is paying off so well. He probably could of made the team 2 years ago, and 100% was good enough to make it this year.

He spent extra time crafting his defensive game, now he is a penalty killer, #1 pairing Dman who is on the ice with the game on the line for NJ

Agreed. Nemec is a better & higher end all around player than I was expecting, who knows where his game would be if he was thrown into it right away. Good on the Devils, him & Hughes are looking like top pairing guys just beginning their careers.

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

The reason is that Nemec immediately showed he deserved top pairing minutes while matching each of NJ’s young defenders (Nemec, Luke & Bahl) with a veteran partner.

Laterality and profile differences do not play a role. The coach only makes his choices based on age. Odd.

In any case, you confirm what I said when I talked about tutoring.

 

[MNRube]

You look at the statistics, I watch the matches and my opinion is shared by the entire community of Montreal.

If I was not a supporter of Montreal and my opinion was different from the analysts, I would not be so peremptory. I'm giving you this information from Montreal: Slafkovsky is very strong. Give up your stats.

if he’s your best player (he’s not), I don’t ever want to hear another Bergeron - Suzuki comparison.

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

if he’s your best player (he’s not), I don’t ever want to hear another Bergeron - Suzuki comparison.

Talk to the person who made this comparison who is very far from my mind. Suzuki is more compared to Plekanec in mine.

 

[MNRube]

Talk to the person who made this comparison who is very far from my mind. Suzuki is more compared to Plekanec in mine.

You just said that your opinion is shared by the entire community of Montreal. So why would I need to talk to that person?

 

[Guttersniped]

If the coach places the best defender (in the definition of the verb defend) of the team next to him, there is a reason.

Slafkovsky will always be underestimated because he doesn't score a lot of points. But yes, he is better than Nick Suzuki. All Montreal fans will tell you that. If Montreal had to make the No. 1 pick again, management would take the same player. This is an extremely rare profile. Whereas a Nemec... you can have the same type of player more easily. Levshunov for example.

I know I would have a different opinion if I didn't watch all of Montreal's games... but even yesterday, with a 2-point game, Nemec didn't make as strong an impression on me as Slafkovsky usually does.

Points are really very deceptive in hockey.

There are plenty of players that I underrate because of the points and the fact that I only watch them 2-3 times a year (especially Western Conference players). I am more aware of this than ever because I know that in Montreal, there is a big gap between the statistics and the overall level of play. Guhle is the same. Fewer points than Matheson but better.

By the same way, Siegenthaler is also very undervalued by points.

The best defender (in the definition of the word defend) is Marino.

 

[Forge]

Why is there Slafkovsky talk in Nemec's thread?

Every time I check in on this thread, it's a disaster lol

I'm very happy with Nemec so far, I have to say. It's been awesome.