A Future Nemisz-Is: Flames Draft Pick Greg Nemisz Is So Hot He's Spitting Fire

The dictionary defines a nemesis as an opponent whom a person cannot best or overcome, and if the Calgary Flames' first round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Greg Nemisz, continues to grow in size and skill that definition will be accurate in describing him as well.

At 6'4", 200 pounds, Nemisz is a true power forward that has an uncanny resemblance to Columbus Blue Jackets star Rick Nash in both size and appearance. He is excellent in front of the net, hard to move, and his hands are softer than a James Taylor song.

Last season he helped the Windsor Spitfires win the Memorial Cup, and this year he was selected to represent Canada at the World Junior Championships in Saskatoon after putting up 24 goals and 24 assists in 34 games thus far for his junior squad.

And while the 19-year-old didn't exactly light it up at the World Junior's, scoring just one goal in six games, he may be your classic "better in the pro's" type player, like Colorado's Ryan O'Reilly.

There is little doubt he already has NHL size, and his skills continue to improve year after year, which means the Flames got a steal when they selected him 25th overall.

The Sutters must be salivating at the thought of finally getting a big skilled centre in their lineup...oh yeah, that is what Olli Jokinen is supposed to be.

While the argument may be made that Nemisz plays with some pretty good wingers in Adam Henrique and the consensus 2010 No. 1 pick overall Taylor Hall, you could also say that he makes his all-star wingers that much better.

I mean come on, as good as Hall and Henrique are, they didn't score 26 goals and 28 goals respectively on their own. It isn't a "donut line" in Windsor, they do indeed have a center, and he is pretty darn good.

While the Flames have the luxury of being competitive every year, it has allowed them to let their draft picks season in the minors as of late. But if Jokinen and Craig Conroy aren't resigned come July, then Nemisz and Calgary's 2007 first round pick Mikael Backlund will most likely challenge for a spot on the roster.

With young teams like Chicago, Los Angeles, Colorado, Pittsburgh, and Washington all among the top of the standings, there is no need to press the panic button if that is the route Calgary chooses to take.

Especially when that route may well include Greg Nemisz.

There is no such uncertainty as a sure thing, but in Nemisz the Calgary Flames have themselves a player that is willing to do what it takes to succeed.  That is why he will be a star one day in the National Hockey League.

Greg Nemisz is a Windsor Spitfire, that is soon to be a red hot Flame.