The Calgary Flames have secured defenceman Simon Nemec with a five-year contract worth US$36.25 million. Nemec, 22, joined Calgary after being acquired in a trade with the New Jersey Devils on June 23.
Selected second overall by New Jersey in the 2022 NHL Draft, Nemec is the highest-drafted defenceman from Slovakia in league history. Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 200 pounds, he contributed 11 goals, 15 assists, and 26 penalty minutes for the Devils last season. Over 155 games with New Jersey, Nemec has tallied 16 goals and 33 assists.
Internationally, Nemec has represented Slovakia at multiple Winter Olympics. He recorded two assists in six games during the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, where Slovakia finished fourth. He was also part of the Slovak team that won bronze at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
The Flames acquired Nemec along with forward Maxim Tsyplakov in exchange for conditional first-round draft picks in 2027 and 2028, a second-round pick in 2026, and prospect Etienne Morin. The deal reflects Calgary’s commitment to strengthening their defensive core as they look to compete at a higher level in coming seasons.
