Nemec scored a goal on three shots in Monday's 3-1 loss to the Rangers.
Nemec ended Jonathan Quick's shutout bid with 2:34 remaining in the third period, firing a wrister from the point to cut the Devils' deficit to 2-1. It's the first goal in 27 outings for Nemec, who had just two assists in his prior 15 appearances. The 20-year-old blueliner now has three goals and 17 points through 43 games in his rookie campaign. While he's yet to produce at a sustained pace, Nemec offers eventual top-pairing potential, and he's averaged 21:56 of ice time, including 2:44 on the power play, over his last two contests.
Nemec notched an assist and two PIM in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Avalanche.
Since the start of January, Nemec has a goal and eight assists over 13 contests. The defenseman had a shot tipped in by Chris Tierney in the first period of Tuesday's win. Nemec has slotted right into a top-four role as a rookie, earning 14 points, 33 shots on net, 44 blocked shots, 12 PIM and a minus-6 rating over 27 appearances. With Dougie Hamilton (pectoral) out for at least another six weeks, Nemec should continue to see big minutes and power-play time.
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Devils' Simon Nemec: Good for two helpers
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Nemec posted two assists in Monday's 6-5 overtime home win against the Golden Knights.
Nemec ended the evening with a shot on goal, two blocked shots and a hit. His 21:40 of ice time Monday ranked third among New Jersey defensemen. The teen phenom has picked up the scoring pace in January, providing a goal and seven points across 10 games after managing a goal and five points in 14 outings in December, his first full NHL month.
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Devils' Simon Nemec: Teases upside in victory
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Nemec supplied a plus-3 rating to complement a goal. an assist and three blocked shots in Friday's 4-2 win over the Blackhawks.
This figures to be the first of many multi-point efforts for Nemec, who the Devils selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The Devils are putting a lot of faith in the 19-year-old by planting him on the top pair and having him work on the second power-play unit. The lofty assignments have a lot to do with Dougie Hamilton (pectoral) being out indefinitely, but Nemec is holding down the fort with two goals, five assists and 24 blocked shots through 16 games.
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Devils' Simon Nemec: First goal is game-winner
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Nemec scored a goal and blocked two shots in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Kraken.
Nemec has stepped right into a top-four role for the Devils. He checked off another milestone Thursday with his first NHL tally, which was also the game-winning goal. He's racked up three points, five shots on net, three blocked shots and a minus-2 rating through his first three appearances. Nemec looks like he belongs in the NHL, and with Dougie Hamilton (pectoral) out long term, the Devils will likely be leaning on their youth on the blue line to stay competitive in the Metropolitan Division.
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Devils' Simon Nemec: Stands out in debut
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Nemec registered two assists and three shots on goal in Friday's 6-3 loss to the Sharks.
Nemec set up Dawson Mercer's first-period power-play goal and an even-strength tally by Ondrej Palat in the third. Nemec led all Devils blueliners with 22:38 of ice time in his NHL debut. The 19-year-old should be on the radar in all fantasy formats with Dougie Hamilton (pectoral) sidelined indefinitely. Nemec and Luke Hughes are poised to battle for power-play time, but there's now enough room for both of them to also see top-four minutes at even strength.
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Devils' Simon Nemec: Ascends to top level
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Nemec was recalled from AHL Utica on Friday, according to the NHL media site.
Nemec will likely make his NHL debut Friday against San Jose as the Devils also placed Dougie Hamilton on injured reserve with an upper-body injury. Nemec is highly regarded as he was selected second overall in the 2022 Draft. The 19-year-old is a puck-moving defenseman and could become an offensive force in a couple of seasons. Nemec had two goals and eight points in 13 AHL games before his recall.
Nemec was among the final roster cuts and could be recalled in the near future. He was selected second overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and racked up 12 goals with 34 points in 65 AHL games last year. Nemec has not yet made his NHL debut.
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Devils' Simon Nemec: Back with AHL Utica
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Nemec was returned to AHL Utica following Slovakia's exit from the World Junior Championship, per CapFriendly.
Nemec will resume his AHL campaign after posting five points over five games with the Slovakian National Team. He has 11 points in 24 games at the AHL level as a rookie this year.
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Devils' Simon Nemec: Joining national team
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Nemec was loaned to Slovakia's National Team on Monday, Mike Morreale of NHL.com reports.
Nemec has played in 24 games for AHL Utica this season in which he recorded three goals and nine assists. At the 2021 World Junior Championship, the defenseman notched four assists in five games and will look to build upon his international career, having also played for Slovakia at the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Nemec's demotion shouldn't come as a huge surprise considering he will be playing in North America for the first time and may need some time to adjust. Select by the organization with the second overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, the 18-year-old Slovakian garnered 26 points in 39 games for Nitra MHC last season and could be called back up sooner rather than later if he can translate that scoring touch to the AHL level.
