Calgary Flames sign defenceman Simon Nemec to five-year contract

New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec (17) during a hockey game, Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

The Calgary Flames have signed defenceman Simon Nemec to a five-year, US$36.25 million contract.

The Flames acquired Nemec, who was a restricted free agent, in a trade with the New Jersey Devils on June 23.

The 22-year-old from Slovakia was the second overall pick by the Devils in 2022, which made him the highest defenceman from his country ever taken in an NHL draft.

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Nemec, who is six foot one and 200 pounds, had 11 goals, 15 assists and 26 penalty minutes with New Jersey last season. He compiled 16 goals and 33 assists in 155 career games with the Devils.

He also had two assists in six games at the February Olympics, where Slovakia finished fourth. Nemec helped Slovakia win bronze at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

Calgary acquired Nemec and right-winger Maxim Tsyplakov from the Devils for conditional first-round draft picks in both 2027 and 2028, a second-round pick this year and prospect Etienne Morin.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 6, 2026.

The Canadian Press