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Upper Deck's Young Guns subset continues to unearth NHL blueliners with top-pair upside, and Simon Nemec's #727 from the 2023-24 Extended Series is a standout—debuting the Slovak phenom as New Jersey's 2022 #2 overall pick amid his AHL-to-NHL transition. Graded PSA 9 Mint, this slabbed rookie balances near-gem condition with attainable pricing, reflecting Nemec's sophomore hurdles but immense long-term potential. For Devils rebuild enthusiasts, European defenseman collectors, or investors eyeing entry-level contracts, this card is a grounded entry: pedigree over polish in a market favoring proven vets. Here's the scoop as of October 7, 2025.

Card Description

• Player & Design: Spotlights Simon Nemec, the 6'1", 190-lb Liptovsky Mikulas native with smooth skating and puck-moving poise, in a sleek action pose—gliding up ice in Devils black-and-red, stickhandling with confidence. The front channels Young Guns' classic energy: crisp white borders, bold NJ logo, gold-foil rookie badge, and a glacial blue fade that highlights his Euro flair. At 2.5" x 3.5", card #727 from Extended Series packs foundational heat, with the back detailing his HK Nitra Extraliga roots (e.g., 2 goals, 11 assists in 43 games, 2021-22) and draft lore as Slovakia's highest-ever pick. No autos or relics—just pure prospect promise from a set that spotlighted Celebrini precursors.
• Condition & Grading: Locked in a PSA 9 Mint slab, the hobby's Mint benchmark: 65/35 centering, sharp corners with subtle touch, flawless edges, and a glossy surface untouched by print defects or scratches—vastly superior to raw pulls that edge-wear quickly. PSA 9 pop hovers around 800-1,000 for #727, striking a value chord without PSA 10's rarity premium.
• Rarity & Parallels: From Extended Series' moderate print (later-season focus keeps bases scarcer than Series 1), #727 is the core rookie with parallels like Clear Cut (/100, $100+) or Outburst Red (/25, $200+) driving rainbows. This base PSA 9 serves as the affordable anchor—pairs with Nemec's SP Authentic Future Watch auto (/999) for a Devils D-core build.

Why Buy This Card for Your Collection?

• Player Potential on Ice: Nemec, "Simi," is New Jersey's blue-line heir—debuting in December 2023 with 2 assists in his first game (vs. San Jose), followed by his first goal (game-winner vs. Seattle on Dec. 7). Through 2024-25, he's logged 87 NHL games with 5 goals and 18 assists (23 points, +12 rating), stepping up amid injuries to Dougie Hamilton but hitting a sophomore wall (limited to 27 games before AHL recall to Utica Comets, where he's honing offense with 34 points in 65 AHL games back in 2022-23). At 21, his 2025-26 preview screams breakout: preseason logs (e.g., team-high ice time vs. Islanders, on-ice for two goals in a 6-2 win) show polished NHL readiness, with projections for 20-30 points in a full role alongside Brett Pesce or Johnathan Kovacevic. Internationally, he's a Slovak medalist (2022 Olympics bronze, first for his country) and World Juniors captain (2021 bronze), evoking Hronek comps for his right-shot stability. ELC wraps after 2025-26 ($918K cap hit), setting up RFA buzz—trade whispers or bridge/extension loom if he doesn't lock top-4 minutes.
• Investment Upside: Young Guns PSA 9s hold steady for top prospects like Nemec, up 10-15% YOY. His AHL recall adds caution, but preseason polish and Devils' D-needs signal 1.5-2x potential by 2027 (top-pair lock? 40 points?), especially post-ELC extension talks (~$5-6M AAV projected). PSA's liquidity fuels flips or upgrades, a dip-buy vs. flashier forwards like Slafkovsky.
• Collection Fit: Vital for Devils prospect PCs, Slovak stars sets (with Slafkovsky or Studnicka), or 2023-24 Young Guns completists (~$200 NM base). Its Mint slab fits binders, frames, or registries—newbies grab a #2 pick rookie cheap; vets speculate on his trade/breakout narrative in a Hughes-heavy market.
• Market Snapshot: Demand ties to Nemec's preseason surge and Devils' wildcard chase—no hype, just developmental traction.

Snag this PSA 9 Mint Nemec #727 and you're investing in New Jersey's future—a slabbed rookie with Slovak shine, Olympic bronze, and top-pair tease. Devils depth loading! 😈