The Calgary Flames wasted no time locking up their newest defensive addition, signing Simon Nemec to a five-year, $36.25 million contract on Monday — weeks after acquiring the young blueliner from the New Jersey Devils in a blockbuster trade.
Nemec, who is 22 years old, was selected second overall in the 2022 NHL Draft. In the 2025-26 season, he put up 26 points — including 11 goals and 15 assists — across 68 games. Since breaking into the league in 2023, he has tallied 49 total points, with 16 goals and 33 assists.
The Slovakian defenseman expressed his enthusiasm about the new deal and his future in Calgary. “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 gave up a significant haul to land Nemec, sending New Jersey two first-round picks, a second-round pick, and prospect Etienne Morin. The Flames also received forward Maxim Tsyplakov as part of the same deal.
The new contract makes Nemec the highest-paid defenseman on Calgary’s roster at $7.25 million per season — a clear signal of how much the organization values him as they look to snap a four-year playoff drought heading into next season.
Nemec said the timing of the contract works in his favor. “It’s good to have the contract right now, in this part of the summer,” he said. “Now we can plan everything else.”
He also shared his ambitions for the upcoming campaign: “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.”
