As the 2026 NHL Draft continues into the third round, Steve Staios stayed with what has been a pretty clear theme for Ottawa, adding another forward by selecting Adam Nemec from the Sudbury Wolves.
Nemec started the season playing professionally with HK Nitra in Slovakia before making the move to Sudbury midway through the year. Once he got to the OHL, things seemed to click pretty quickly. He finished with 14 goals and 35 points in 31 games and, more importantly, looked comfortable playing on the smaller ice against a different style of competition.
You've probably already heard his name. He's the younger brother of Calgary Flames defenceman Simon Nemec, who was drafted by the New Jersey Devils years ago.
What Nemec brings to the Senators
He's the type of forward who is constantly moving his feet and making life difficult on defenders. He gets in on the forecheck, wins pucks back, and doesn't mind doing the little things that usually don't show up on the scoresheet. Those players aren't always the flashiest, but coaches tend to find room for them.
The biggest question is: will the offence translate?
That's probably the biggest concern surrounding him. But even if he never turns into a big point producer, there's still a path to the NHL because of the way he competes. He protects the puck well, doesn't back away from contact, and seems comfortable playing without it.
After moving on from Brady Tkachuk, the Senators have looked like a team trying to add players who can make them harder to play against. Eklund gives them another skilled piece. Nemec, among other draft picks, brings something a little different.
This pick fits what Staios has been doing all weekend. He has identified players that he and his scouting staff feel can fit in with what they are building here
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