Inside Wheeler’s Shocking Summer 2025 NHL Prospect Rankings: Who’s the True Future Star?
He’s a calculated and poised three-zone defender who is capable of organizing play from the top of the zone, executing through seams in coverage at a high level and starting and leading his fair share of rushes. He has good edges and four-way mobility, which he uses to manipulate and steer play through intelligent routes on and off the puck. He also regularly flashes sneaky deception, poise and even ambition. Though I wouldn’t say he’s a dynamic, game-breaking type offensively, he’s plenty calm and talented. He knows when and how to push. The challenge Nemec has faced is that while he played a fairly polished defensive game at a very early age, his play defensively hasn’t found another level beyond that, and his NHL results in his own zone have been just OK (though, again, the playoffs were really promising). I still expect him to become the best defenseman out of Slovakia since Zdeno Chara and a No. 2 (or high-end No. 3) guy who plays a play-driving modern game. The game just comes easily to him when he’s at his best, with everything happening in front of him and the ice tilted in his favor. It happens so subtly, too, with occasional flashes when he’s really dialed in as well. It’s short little passes, quiet steering of play, little skill plays and then a big moment when the team needs him, rather than constant flashes. His type of game is the direction the position should be going. Now it’s up to him to show it consistently at the NHL level, which I think he will do next season.
Post Comment