Šimon Nemec (photo: X/New Jersey Devils)
The New Jersey Devils hit the bull’s eye when they drafted Nic Hischier and Jack Hughes first overall. Now overseas, it is also being decided whether it is not too early to conclude that he also hit the black mark when drafting defenders Luke Hughes and Šimon Nemec.
“At this point, I think you could start to say that the Devils really hit it off with those two picks as well. Both were used as defenders. The Devils needed to shore up the defense after dealing with offense and productivity with other top picks,” stated Alex Potts of All About The Jersey.
Potts recalled that Luke Hughes made his debut in the NHL at the end of last season and this season he definitely established himself fully. However, that was also expected of him, and so he just lives up to expectations.
However, in the case of the German, it was not known for certain whether he would be ready for the best league in the world at this point. However, after being called up to the first team, it only shows that he does not want to return to the AHL and that his drafting can be a huge success for the team.
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Potts also pointed to advanced stats from this season for both of them, in which the German overall outperformed Hughes in every aspect – an overall rating percentile of 87 vs. 68, offensive 78 vs. 58 and defensive 81 vs. 76.
“The German has a fantastic defensive impact and quality scoring production despite not being pigeonholed as an attacking defender. He’s solidified his role on the team with his play, and there’s no way Lindy Ruff and co. they could send back to Utica while playing,” noted the overseas author.
Both have quality numbers in positional play and expected goals. At the time of Potts’ analysis, Hughes was 14th among defensemen with at least 100 minutes played with a CF% of 58.25, the German was 28th with a CF% of 55.22. In xGF%, the German was 13th at 57.53 and Hughes was 22nd at 56.52.
“These are unbelievable numbers. Yes, both of them are attracted by being in a strong team, at least analytically, but it is not only the merit of their teammates. They also benefit. To be in the top 30 in positional play among 248 defensemen and to be in the top 25 in expected goals on the same roster is pretty remarkable,” Potts stated.
“Defenders take longer to develop than forwards, but they’re both here and playing so well. This is obviously massive progress for the team now and for the long-term future. They become part of the core and at their age they can be here for a very long time. When you have two such strong players anchoring the defense, a duo that can only get better, it’s extremely promising. So far, it looks like both of these elections are going to be wild successes and we couldn’t ask for more from them.”
2024-01-09 08:30:38
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