Seattle Kraken Round Table: First Round Draft Predictions
Ciara Durant
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Simon Nemec is a Consensus Favorite
William Espy
The Kraken will almost certainly go with defenseman Simon Nemec. Especially if the first three picks play out as expected. Adding a quality right-handed defenseman is difficult. Adding one who could become your franchise’s backbone is even more difficult, and that could be what the Kraken have with Nemec.
Although I’ve always been on team Seamus Casey when it comes to my favorite defenseman in this year’s draft, Nemec is undoubtedly the most touted defensive prospect in this year’s draft. He has all the makings of an elite two-way defender, and he could easily be the next great Slovakian.
The Kraken already have their future first-line center with Matty Beniers. Now they can add their future top pairing defenseman and get a core in place that could become a mainstay of the next twenty years for Seattle hockey.
Ed Stein
For me, it has to be Simon Nemec. He’s the best defenseman prospect in this class, a position where the Seattle Kraken needs a legitimate number one guy. Only 18 years old, Nemec has played three seasons for HK Nitra in the Tipos Extraliga. That’s the highest level of professional hockey in Slovakia. A league that includes David Krejci, Peter Mueller, Roman Horak, Tomas Plekanec, and Martin Ruzika. And he’s more than held his own against grown men.
His ability to move the puck offensively and make the right pass shows a high hockey IQ. In addition, Nemec is a steady defender in his own zone who is rarely out of position. Nemec needs to add some bulk and get acclimated to North American ice. A little time in the AHL could solve both issues. But he won’t be there long.