Red Wings defenseman Patrik Nemeth spoke with HockeyNews.se’s Henrik Sjoberg regarding his offseason work trying to improve his game for the 20-21 NHL season. You won’t get much out of this Swedish-language video…
But here’s a rough translation of Sjoberg’s article:
Nemeth is a new father–now the focus is on technique: “I’ve come a long way”
Patrik Nemeth is preparing for his 9th season in the NHL.
The 28-year-old has used the long break to improve and refine the details of his game with the puck–and his technique in general.
He is also a new father.
“My wife and I had a son in March and I have been with him every day. It’s worked surprisingly well, there haven’t been many sleepless nights,” says Nemeth to HockeyNews.se.
It has been seven months since he last played a hockey game.
The coronavirus situation has contributed to a long and challenging break that is important to take advantage of–not the least for a new father like Patrik Nemeth.
“We had a son in March and I have been with him every day, so it’s something that is very good in this,” he states.
“From purely a hockey point of view, it is a much longer break than you are used to and you have to make sure to practice the things you need to develop because you have had a long time off.”
In Patrik Nemeth’s case, his main focus is really on his techniques and his game with the puck.
“I feel a difference, and am more efficien,t and do not mess around as much with the puck. There is more to learn when it comes to this, but I’ve come a long way,” says the AIK Hockey product
The technical practicing is undertaken with the leadership of Mattias Persson Ulvegård.
“We have been working together for four years. I like the training; it has a lot to do with learning good habits and honing small details in your game. We have looked at what I need to improve and the guys do a really good job,” says Nemeth.
But the wait has been long, and when it’s time to go over to North America and start working again, his wait will be in the form of the continued rebuild of the Detroit Red Wings.
“We’re trying to bring in many young players who will take the next step, and we have some interesting players, and a high draft selection this year (Lucas Raymond). It’s important for all the young players to learn good habits and become professionals to help the organization for a long time to come,” says Nemeth.He’s entering the final year of his current contract, and he knows he needs to perform in a tough and competitive situation.
“It feels like I’m getting used to it now. You always have to perform in the NHL, and it’s the same thing this year. I’ve had a good preseason thus far, and I just need to continue on this track, and do as well as possible when I go over.”
