Patrik Nemith
Team: AIK J18
Born: Feb 8, 1992
Hometown: Stockholm, Sweeden
Height: 6 foot - 3 inches
Weight: 212 pounds
Position: defenseman
Shoots: Left
NHL Central Scouting: 11th among European skaters
Why the Stars drafted him:
Well quite obviously defense is a need for the Stars. Size at the blueline is also a need for the team and Patrik already has decent size for an NHL defenseman. May not be as long term a prospect as some other defensemen picked ahead of him.
Was this a good pick?
Don't be surprised if the Stars go and use their next three picks on this day to stock up on the blue line. Nemeth by all accounts is big and mobile. A nice mix of being able to use a good physical game to clear out his end of the ice, but isn't a total loss when it comes to moving the puck around, though it's certainly not a strong point. Did the Stars just draft Nik Grossman 2.0? We'll soon find out.
A second opinion:
From our friends over at the Copper & Blue:
He's a physical force on the ice who moves well and will likely be a shut-down-type defender and penalty killing expert, yet he's going to last well into the second round because he has zero offensive ability. The closest comps that come to mind are Matt Greene and Jason Smith, prior to his knees totally failing him