Let's talk Simon Nemec
There are a laundry list of reasons the New Jersey Devils should strongly consider trading him.
Follow along on Twitter @ToddCordell | @InfernalAccess
There have been conflicting reports about Simon Nemec and whether he requested a trade from the New Jersey Devils.
Regardless, I think there is a very real chance Sunny Mehta trades Nemec this summer – and rightfully so.
The 22-year-old is a flawed player and hasn’t come close to living up to the expectations that come with being selected 2nd overall in the draft.
He’s had some fun moments in overtime and proven to be a strong finisher for a defenseman, sitting tied for 32nd in shooting WAR over the past two years.
The list of positives more or less ends there.
Nemec has gotten absolutely steamrolled at 5v5 over the last couple of seasons. He has been out-scored by 0.97 goals per 60 minutes, the worst mark among 172 defensemen to log 1,500+ minutes.
Alex Vlasic may well be the only ‘good player’ on that list and he played a ton of minutes for the worst team in the league by goals and xG.
Nemec is not keeping great company league-wide, and that goal differential puts him on an island relative to his teammates in New Jersey.
Brenden Dillon and Brett Pesce were the only two defenders out-scored by even half a goal per 60 minutes.
Dillon spent a healthy chunk of ice playing alongside Nemec, and Pesce played the hardest minutes possible.
Usage matters as well. Unfortunately for Nemec, it only makes him look worse.
