Devils trade defenseman Simon Nemec to the Flames for three high draft picks

New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec (17) controls the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, March 20, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

NEWARK, N.J. — The New Jersey Devils traded Simon Nemec to the Calgary Flames on Tuesday, getting draft picks for the 22-year-old defenseman.

In new general manager Sunny Mehta’s first major roster transaction, the Devils received two future conditional first-round picks, as well as No. 35 overall this year and prospect Etienne Morin for Nemec and winger Maxim Tsyplakov.

There had been buzz in recent weeks that Nemec was interested in a change of scenery. The right-handed shooting Slovak is just 22 years old and 159 games into his NHL career since New Jersey selected him with the second pick in the draft in 2022.

The first-rounders are top-10 protected, with Calgary potentially parting ways with one in each in some combination of 2027, ‘28 and ’29.

Morin, 21, is a left shot defenseman who spent last season in the minors.

The Associated Press