Certainly, this is the kind of thing the New Jersey Devils want to see. Via social media, defenseman Simon Nemec can be seen participating in off-season training, and by the look of it, the Slovakian defenseman has put on some muscle.
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Via Liptov Sport Institute’s Instagram (@liptov_sport_institute), a slideshow of photos encapsulates the off-season training regiment Nemec has gone through that’s resulted in a bulkier version of the former second-overall selection in the 2022 NHL Draft.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DNygegNWCga/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
The Devils have high hopes for Nemec to develop into a long-term, top-pairing defenseman. The 21-year-old blueliner showed a ton of promise in his rookie season, capturing three goals and 19 points in 60 games, essentially serving as a replacement for an injured Dougie Hamilton.
His sophomore season was far less encouraging, however. As the result of an injury while competing for Slovakia in an Olympic qualifying match last summer, Nemec suffered an upper-body injury which he claimed hampered his confidence. As a result, despite making the opening night roster, Nemec was moved to the American Hockey League to play for the Utica Comets before his services were required again in New Jersey.
Upon returning to the NHL level, Nemec eventually found his footing and began to look like the confident rookie from the 2023-24 season. In fact, he performed as one of the Devils’ best defensemen down the stretch of the regular season, and in the playoffs.
Now, coming into training camp this fall, Nemec has the opportunity to reclaim his spot on the blueline that was essentially swept out from under him one year ago, with Johnathan Kovacevic sidelined with an injury to start the season.
The added size should help the already intelligent two-way defenseman who can both handle and distribute the puck, while adding the muscle necessary to defend in his own end.
Nemec finished last season with two goals and four points in 27 NHL games. The wave of confidence he rode at the end of last season, and the added muscle this summer, Nemec is a prime candidate to be a breakout performer in 2025-26.
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