Inside Scott Wheeler’s Bold 2022 NHL Draft Shake-Up: Which Stars Rise and Fall?

7. Chicago Blackhawks: RHD Simon Nemec

Actual draft pick: No. 2 (change: -5) to New Jersey
My final ranking: No. 2 (change: -5)

I’m sure there will be some who think this is a little high. But I’d argue that that perception is driven mostly by where Nemec was drafted. If he were taken No. 7 and had had three very successful seasons for an 18-20-year-old D in the AHL, and had registered 23 points in 87 NHL games at his age, and had played well in playoff games, the perception would surely be a little different. Despite some of the ups and downs and the ongoing crowd on the Devils’ blue line, there have still been some real high highs for Nemec in the NHL, AHL and at men’s worlds, and I predict that he takes a step this season between the NHL and the Olympics and goes on to have a long career as a productive top-four D in the league.

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