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Flames ink trade acquisition D Simon Nemec to 5-year deal

By Thomson Reuters Jul 6, 2026 | 7:32 PM

The Calgary Flames signed defenseman Simon Nemec to a five-year, $36.25 million contract on Monday after acquiring him in a trade with ​the New Jersey Devils last month.

Nemec, 22, ‌is just over four years removed from being the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. He recorded 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) in 68 games in ‌2025-26 ​and has 49 points (16 goals, ⁠33 assists) since making ⁠his NHL debut in 2023.

“I’m really happy and really excited for the next five years in Calgary,” Nemec told NHL.com on Monday. “I’ve heard ​so many good things from all the players so I’m really excited.”

Calgary paid a hefty price ⁠to acquire the Slovakian standout, ⁠sending New Jersey two first-round picks, ​a second-round pick and prospect Etienne Morin while also ​acquiring forward Maxim Tsyplakov.

That deal, paired with ‌the contract which makes him the Flames’ highest-paid defenseman at $7.25 million annually, speaks highly of how Calgary views him as it sets out to snap ⁠a four-year playoff drought next season.

“It’s good to have the contract right now, in this part of the summer,” ⁠Nemec said. “Now ‌we can plan everything else.

“If you ⁠see that D corps, I think ​it’s ‌pretty good. I think it’s going ​to be ⁠great competition for me and the other players. I feel confident to play a lot of minutes and be one of the leaders of the team. That’s going to be my goal for next season.”

–Field ​Level Media