The one big question i have now, i wonder what this ultimately means for Severson? Do we really commit a long term extension to him when we already have Dougie locked up and now we just used the #2 overall pick on Nemec?

For anybody that wants come copium to feel better about the pick:

- https://twitter.com/Byron...tatus/1545190722009124864

- https://twitter.com/TopDo...tatus/1545190192235020289

- https://twitter.com/Hocke...tatus/1545190792649515010

- https://twitter.com/Thiba...tatus/1545190441293066242
- vlongo4419

The more it sinks in, the more I like the pick a lot. With Jack, Nico, Jesper, Holtz, Mercer, there is only so many minutes available for top players. We are good on O. If this dude turns into something special, with Luke, holy hell this could get really, really good.

The one big question i have now, i wonder what this ultimately means for Severson? Do we really commit a long term extension to him when we already have Dougie locked up and now we just used the #2 overall pick on Nemec?
- vlongo4419

Im glad you brought Sev up.

TRADE him.

For someone thats been in the league as long as him, he still makes such stupid mistakes. It's like for every good thing he does, 2 1/2 bad things happen.

The one big question i have now, i wonder what this ultimately means for Severson? Do we really commit a long term extension to him when we already have Dougie locked up and now we just used the #2 overall pick on Nemec?
- vlongo4419

Hughes and now Nemec on the horizon with Graves and Severson UFA at seasons end and Siegenthaler needing an extension. I'd say Severson and Graves are as good as gone, as soon as the trade deadline if the Devils are out of it again.

Im glad you brought Sev up.

TRADE him.

For someone thats been in the league as long as him, he still makes such stupid mistakes. It's like for every good thing he does, 2 1/2 bad things happen.
- Leniwm1

I think Severson's downside is overplayed because he's essentially been forced to play against better comp his entire career since the Devils' defense has been so thin for so long. But clearly the plan isn't to have him long term if you're drafting multiple defensemen Hughes/Nemec this highly. Opens up Severson to be traded for a winger, for example.

I think Severson's downside is overplayed because he's essentially been forced to play against better comp his entire career since the Devils' defense has been so thin for so long. But clearly the plan isn't to have him long term if you're drafting multiple defensemen Hughes/Nemec this highly. Opens up Severson to be traded for a winger, for example.
- Pomegrant

Exactly, it’s like we drafted Severson’s replacement. How does that make us any better?

Exactly, it’s like we drafted Severson’s replacement. How does that make us any better?
- Crushers68

Yeah, I don't know. Maybe he's projected to be better than Severson, I don't really know. But if Chicago can trade Debrincat to Ottawa for the 7th we definitely could've traded the 2nd and gotten a proven offensive talent.

https://thehockeywriters.com/simon-nemec-2022-nhl-draft-prospect-profile/
- Leniwm1

Maybe not as bad a pick as I originally thought but not loving it. Seemed like a little bit of a reach for a need

Can only think they wanted slaf and thought we were set at center and didn't want to convert a center to the wing

Let's hope for the best and that nenec is better than expected. Someone said he is another Severson



Not sure how true it is but there was a rumor that Wright turned teams off during his interviews due to his attitude but still surprised he dropped to 4

Maybe? But with McLeod, Zacha, Smith, not being great and suspect picks like Stillman and Mukhammadullin we're looking at potentially years of setback when we should be building.
- Pomegrant

This is going to be so fun

Still some good talent available for when we come up to pick, if we actually hold onto our 2nd for once lol. If we don't go off the board, which if probably a big if, then we should be able to get a borderline 1st round talent.

I assume we lean forward since we took Nemec, so im looking at Trikozov and Firkus first and foremost. But other than those two maybe Beck, Lutz, or Sykora(would absolutely love to get Trikozov or Firkus though, theyre by far my top 2 targets). If we double dip on D theres still plenty of options like Casey, Chesley, Hutson, Grudinin, Odelius, and Havelid.

Still some good talent available for when we come up to pick, if we actually hold onto our 2nd for once lol. If we don't go off the board, which if probably a big if, then we should be able to get a borderline 1st round talent.

I assume we lean forward since we took Nemec, so im looking at Trikozov and Firkus first and foremost. But other than those two maybe Beck, Lutz, or Sykora(would absolutely love to get Trikozov or Firkus though, theyre by far my top 2 targets). If we double dip on D theres still plenty of options like Casey, Chesley, Hutson, Grudinin, Odelius, and Havelid.
- vlongo4419

we'll probably trade it for a poopty goalie.

Per Bruce Garrioch on Insider Trading, before round 1 got underway the Devils made a pitch to the Flames for Tkachuk that included the #2 pick. The deal didn't come to fruition and then the Flames went out of their way to shut down any Tkachuk talk.

.... welp. This guy better be the next Scott Niedermayer. Shane Wright .. poof. Could’ve traded down to 4 and still drafted Nemec .. and by some travesty be wouldn’t be there we’d just take Wright or Cooley. Idk how we didn’t trade down. Can’t make a deal if no deal to be had.. but who wouldn’t want to jump from 4th to 2nd??

.... welp. This guy better be the next Scott Niedermayer. Shane Wright .. poof. Could’ve traded down to 4 and still drafted Nemec .. and by some travesty be wouldn’t be there we’d just take Wright or Cooley. Idk how we didn’t trade down. Can’t make a deal if no deal to be had.. but who wouldn’t want to jump from 4th to 2nd??
- MartysBetter88

I don't think trading down was possible. If Coyotes/Kraken know you want to trade down to take a defenseman why would they care. Both teams probably valued Wright/Cooley as about the same so instead of using assets to take one the burden is on the Devils to either take a player at a position they are really strong at or gamble and trade even further back into the round.

Yeah, I don't know. Maybe he's projected to be better than Severson, I don't really know. But if Chicago can trade Debrincat to Ottawa for the 7th we definitely could've traded the 2nd and gotten a proven offensive talent.
- Pomegrant

Wait WHAT??? Sorry, I’ve been busy all day. A 7th, 39th and 2024 3rd. Wonder if we offered 2nd and they went with Ottawa’s deal? Ya think Nemec will be more valuable than DeBrincat within the next decade?? Eh, but then again he only has 2yrs. I just can’t wrap my mind around this pick. It’s one thing to flub 6th or 10th overall.. but 2nd?? The pick right after 1st?? Painful

I don't think trading down was possible. If Coyotes/Kraken know you want to trade down to take a defenseman why would they care. Both teams probably valued Wright/Cooley as about the same so instead of using assets to take one the burden is on the Devils to either take a player at a position they are really strong at or gamble and trade even further back into the round.
- Pomegrant

Yup. I say the same thing to everyone that doesn’t understand why trading back doesn’t always happen.

Per Bruce Garrioch on Insider Trading, before round 1 got underway the Devils made a pitch to the Flames for Tkachuk that included the #2 pick. The deal didn't come to fruition and then the Flames went our of their way to shut down any Tkachuk talk.
- vlongo4419

Wonder how many calls they got about Tkachuk. Probably got annoyed since every GM knows they can’t sign him and Jonny Hockey.

This from Rotoworld:
"Nemec going second overall is quite the surprise, especially given that Shane Wright was still available. Nemec had a busy season, playing in the top pro league in Slovakia. He set a league record for points in the postseason by a defenseman with 17 in 19 games. He also played at the World Juniors, the Olympics and the World Championship. Nemec’s poise with the puck makes him excellent in transition and he has great awareness in his own end. He can also quarterback the power play and kill penalties, while seeing ice time as a top-pairing defender. Nemec’s hockey smarts, mobility, passing ability and versatility combine to make him a potential stud blueliner in the NHL. He has all the makings of a talented two-way defender and the fact that he shoots right-handed is a cherry on top. Nemec has a very bright future ahead of him and should fit in nicely with the Devils".

So what's not to like about this guy, isn't this exactly what we've been looking for in a Dman?

The Devils drafted Ryan Murray, no superstar traits but "really high hockey sense". Congratulations.

This from Rotoworld:
"Nemec going second overall is quite the surprise, especially given that Shane Wright was still available. Nemec had a busy season, playing in the top pro league in Slovakia. He set a league record for points in the postseason by a defenseman with 17 in 19 games. He also played at the World Juniors, the Olympics and the World Championship. Nemec’s poise with the puck makes him excellent in transition and he has great awareness in his own end. He can also quarterback the power play and kill penalties, while seeing ice time as a top-pairing defender. Nemec’s hockey smarts, mobility, passing ability and versatility combine to make him a potential stud blueliner in the NHL. He has all the makings of a talented two-way defender and the fact that he shoots right-handed is a cherry on top. Nemec has a very bright future ahead of him and should fit in nicely with the Devils".

So what's not to like about this guy, isn't this exactly what we've been looking for in a Dman?
- FAZOOL

He doesn't have presence or any superstar traits. He just doesn't make many mistakes. Basically he's like Hampus Lindholm.

I used to be all over Severson, but he actually played like a decent top 4 defenseman this season, so I'm laying off. He plays well with Graves... I think they're a good match.

This from Rotoworld:
"Nemec going second overall is quite the surprise, especially given that Shane Wright was still available. Nemec had a busy season, playing in the top pro league in Slovakia. He set a league record for points in the postseason by a defenseman with 17 in 19 games. He also played at the World Juniors, the Olympics and the World Championship. Nemec’s poise with the puck makes him excellent in transition and he has great awareness in his own end. He can also quarterback the power play and kill penalties, while seeing ice time as a top-pairing defender. Nemec’s hockey smarts, mobility, passing ability and versatility combine to make him a potential stud blueliner in the NHL. He has all the makings of a talented two-way defender and the fact that he shoots right-handed is a cherry on top. Nemec has a very bright future ahead of him and should fit in nicely with the Devils".

So what's not to like about this guy, isn't this exactly what we've been looking for in a Dman?
- FAZOOL

Not when you have Wright available, who seemingly has a greater chance at being a top line F than Nemec does at being a top pair D.

The Devils drafted Ryan Murray, no superstar traits but "really high hockey sense". Congratulations.
- archromat

We did it

This from Rotoworld:
"Nemec going second overall is quite the surprise, especially given that Shane Wright was still available. Nemec had a busy season, playing in the top pro league in Slovakia. He set a league record for points in the postseason by a defenseman with 17 in 19 games. He also played at the World Juniors, the Olympics and the World Championship. Nemec’s poise with the puck makes him excellent in transition and he has great awareness in his own end. He can also quarterback the power play and kill penalties, while seeing ice time as a top-pairing defender. Nemec’s hockey smarts, mobility, passing ability and versatility combine to make him a potential stud blueliner in the NHL. He has all the makings of a talented two-way defender and the fact that he shoots right-handed is a cherry on top. Nemec has a very bright future ahead of him and should fit in nicely with the Devils".

So what's not to like about this guy, isn't this exactly what we've been looking for in a Dman?
- FAZOOL

People can complain all they want. After Montreal shocked the world and took my guy Slaf #1OA, Nemec was the best choice for NJ. A right handed d-man with his skill and potential is what every team has to pay out the ass for in free agency. Our defense core is BALLER now.

The "you HAVE to draft the best player available, not based on need" argument is stupid imo. Drafting best player available is how teams took Heiskenan over Makar and Reinhart over Draisaitl. It's not a fool proof strategdy either.

As for Wright, I HIGHLY doubt Fitzy and Bill Armstrong weren't trying to trade back when Wright fell to them. Obviously no one thought the kid was worth trading up for. Not sure why, his OHL numbers were beastly, but you can't force teams to trade with you. The league's interest in him wasn't there. Fitzy made the right call taking Nemec.

Welp, there goes Husso