Red Wings Defensive Problems Solved With Simon Nemec

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The Detroit Red Wings currently hold the eighth overall pick in the 2022 NHL entry draft. The position in which they are picking could be better, but for a rebuilding team, having a top 10 pick is a must. That is exactly what the Red Wings have.

Looking ahead to the draft, there are a lot of questions that the Red Wings need to ask and answer. The first thing they need to do is figure out who the next head coach of the Red Wings is going to be. Second, they need to figure out who they want to bring back next season and who they don’t. Third, they are going to need to figure out if they want to utilize the free agency market or use the draft to fill some of the holes in their roster. Finally, they need to figure out what position they need most.

After reading those questions and statements I had, I’m sure you can understand why I try to give you all articles on players. It’s not because they are potential candidates, per say. No. It’s so that way you have something to look back to in case the Red Wings do something crazy and shock the world. Or even if they stay put. Because right now, the Red Wings are an absolute wild card as far as I’m concerned.

So, with that being said, the player that I wanted to break down today is defenseman, Simon Nemec.

Simon Nemec. (Photo by Jari Pestelacci/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) /

Simon Nemec Could Be a Problem Solver for the Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings organization has a lot of budding defenseman, but after taking a look at some of the top names, it appears as though most of them are left-handed defenseman. So, with that, I figured I’d take a look at a right-handed defenseman that the Red Wings should consider a top target with their first-round pick.

There was a couple names that I’d like to mention, but the one that I’ve seen pop up the most in Red Wings mock drafts is defenseman, Simon Nemec.

Simon Nemec Breakdown

Age: 18

Shot: Right-Handed

Height: 6’1″

Weight: 192 lbs.

Pro Scouts Opinions

Scott Wheeler of The Athletic:

“This is where things start to get interesting for me. I debated all eight of the players in the three-to-10 range here in just about every order you can think of. But Nemec’s name was the one I kept coming back to, in part because the more I’ve watched him over the last couple of years, the harder it has become to nitpick his game in ways that I do the others in this next group. “Nemec is an all-situations defender who has played (and produced) at an advanced age-adjusted level for his position, across an extended period, at the pro level. This is a kid who has looked a class above his peers whenever he’s played with them, has held his own on the senior men’s international stage already, and is already an established pro defender who has provided value at both ends in his top domestic league. Nemec is a calculated and poised three-zone defender who is capable of organizing play from the top of the zone, executing through seams in coverage at a high level, and starting and leading his fair share of rushes. He also regularly flashes some sneaky deception, which blends beautifully with his rare maturity for his age. Though I wouldn’t say he’s a dynamic, game-breaking type offensively, I see plenty of assertiveness, he’s already got pro size, he plays a polished game, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s a righty. “I think he’s got a really good chance of becoming the best defenceman out of Slovakia since Zdeno Chara and a true No. 2 guy for a long time in the NHL.”

Corey Pronman of The Athletic:

“Nemec is a very well-rounded defenseman. His puck game is great. He has the high-end brain to make a lot of tough plays often. Nemec can hit seams, make plays under pressure and makes a great outlet pass. He also shows individual skill which, when combined with good speed, allows him to be dangerous in transition too. Defensively he’s solid due to his skating, compete and brain even though he’s not imposing physically and can be trusted with tough responsibilities. Nemec projects as a very good top-four defenseman.”

My Thoughts

The Detroit Red Wings organization has a lot of budding talent in their system, but if you were able to add Simon Nemec to the already long list of defenseman you have, the defense would be able to take a huge step up.

One of the biggest problems that the Red Wings have had over the past couple seasons is the lack of defense in front of the goalie. It led to a lot of bad games by both Alex Nedeljkovic and Thomas Greiss. Furthermore, the goalies were blamed even though the defense should be help accountable for their horendous play. That’s why you need to get some better defenseman. I personally feel that Simon Nemec would be a good part to the solution.

Defensive Skill

Simon Nemec is a very good defenseman and has proven to be an incredibly skilled, patient defenseman while still remaining a very high IQ player. He shows consistently on film to have the defensive awareness to close gaps, when to press, when to give space, and when to make a hit. His game, for an 18 year old, is pretty impressive.

I take a look at some of the defenseman that have been drafted in the top 10 over the past couple seasons, and they show promise with a high ceiling, but they aren’t pro-ready. I feel that Nemec could be one of the defenseman that could go in day one and be a capable player for any organization due to his defensive ability but there is more to his game than that.

Offensive Skill

Nemec is a much more established defensive player in my opinion, but his offensive talent is not to be taken for granted. He does posses the tools to make him a threat in the offensive zone and on the power play.

This past season for his team in Slovakia, the HK Nitra, he was able to tally 25 assists in only 39 games. Which, for a defenseman is more than acceptable- it’s great.

Now, the concern with Nemec is the fact that he doesn’t score. Which, isn’t something that would drop his value much because he’s a defenseman. By that I mean, as a defenseman, I don’t expect you score. I expect you to stop the other team from scoring and act as a good puck mover when in transition. That’s what Nemec does.

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