NJ Devils take Simon Nemec, pass up Shane Wright with No. 2 pick in 2022 NHL Draft

Simon Nemec: 3 things to know about NJ Devils’ pick in 2022 NHL Draft

Following weeks of speculation and trade rumors, the second overall pick remained in the possession of the New Jersey Devils. After Montreal selected Juraj Slafkovsky with the first overall pick, the Devils used the pick that the rest of the league has tried acquiring, selecting Slovakian defenseman Simon Nemec.

Nemec is seen as the best defenseman in the draft, but has had his gameplay overshadowed by fellow countryman Juraj Slafkovsky. The 18-year old has played beyond his years, often playing at levels where he is one of the youngest in the field.

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Nemec is a strong, NHL-ready defensemen. A sound passer and a smooth skater, Nemec’s edge is in his strong track record and his ability to show success on multiple levels. Nemec is off the charts in terms of evaluation, drawing comparisons to Victor Hedman, another former second overall pick.

Nemec brings stability to a Devils defense that just lost veteran P.K. Subban to free agency and takes some of the pressure off of fellow youngsters like Ty Smith and Kevin Bahl. Nemec would be an ideal candidate alongside Smith in a defensive pairing, complimenting the offensive skills of Smith while not sacrificing defense and limiting turnovers.

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This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ Devils go Simon Nemec in 2022 NHL Draft over Shane Wright