Mark Dennehy:
"He never seems to be in a hurry. He makes good breakout plays, sees the ice well, he's able to get to pucks first. I think he's a really good team defender. He's quick to outnumber people, he gets to loose pucks. He reads the plays and has high, high intellect for a young man.
Simon is the modern day puck moving defenseman. His vision in all three zones plus the ability to pass off either forehand or backhand allows his team to transition from Defense to offense. It say a lot that not only did he play on the world championship, but he was in the PP and 6x5 when they needed a goal. Right shot D are difficult to get. We got a good one!"
Scouting Report & Notes: Greg Royce, Director, European Scout:
"Right shot D with elite puck moving instincts who can snap the puck around, and one of, if not the smartest player in hockey IQ in the draft. Excellent (dynamic and quick) skater who is fantastic in breakouts.
Two way defenseman, who plays with calm and poise. Quarterbacks the power play with a shot that has eyes to get through to the net which sets up tips, rebounds and second chances.
Played with men as an 18 year old, including World Juniors, World Championships, and Olympic Games, (all three the same as Slafkovsky) besides Slovakian men's League.
In the World Championships, Bronze Medal game, against all men, and they needed a goal- he was on the ice as an 18 year old.
Set records for defenseman scoring in the Slovak League.
As a defender, great spacing against opposition forwards coming down, plays them towards the outside. Great stick, adept at playing a forward taking the puck and transitioning to offense quickly.
NHL body at closer to 6'1, 200lbs., right-shot defenseman are rare to get with this talent.
Plan is to be at NHL Development Camp next week. He wants to come to North America and play over here next year- whether that be Utica or he pushes in training camp.
We would look at a future pairing of L. Hughes-Nemec would be the way we look at it.
Favorite players/likes: Dougie Hamilton and Victor Hedman.
External Comps: Adam Fox"
Daily Faceoff's Matt Larkin
"Nemec, 18, was considered the best pure puck-mover and top overall blueline prospect in the 2022 field, along with Czech D-man David Jiricek, by most prognosticators throughout the Draft scouting season. Nemec joins Luke Hughes, last year's No. 4 overall pick, to give the Devils an exciting backbone to build around on defense - on top of a young forward corps that includes Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier and Alexander Holtz."
Sportsnet's Jeff Marek
"Devils really trying to cement the future of the blueline...this is a very elite pick."
Jason Bukala on Sportsnet
"Elite pick. I mean we are talking about a top two NHL defenseman on the horizon. He is going to eat up even strength minutes, run your power play and he's 200 pounds already. He's close to NHL ready right now."
Cam Robinson, Elite Prospects
"The statistical comparables to Nemec's draft year in the Tipos Extraliga are basically non-existent. He broke nearly every U21 record for defenders in the top Slovak league and shone for his nation in most international events. Nemec is a right-shot kid with swagger and a mind for play creation…He added creativity and shiftiness throughout the seasons. There's top-pair upside here."
