Calgary Flames sign defenceman Simon Nemec to five-year, $36.25-million contract extension
The 22-year-old Slovakian blueliner becomes the second-highest paid player on the Flames, just weeks after being acquired from the New Jersey Devils.
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The Calgary Flames have signed defenceman Simon Nemec to a five-year, $36.25-million contract, just weeks after acquiring him from the New Jersey Devils.
The 22-year-old Slovakian blueliner will earn $7.25 million annually through the 2030-31 season, making him the second-highest paid player on the Flames roster behind Jonathan Huberdeau ($10.5 million).
Nemec was originally a second-overall pick by the Devils in 2022 and was projected to be a top-pairing defenceman. He bounced between the AHL and NHL for his first few years before becoming a full-time member of the Devils last season, recording 11 goals and 26 points in 68 games.
The Flames acquired Nemec and right-winger Maxim Tsyplakov on June 23 in exchange for conditional first-round draft picks in 2027 and 2028, a second-round pick in 2026, and prospect Etienne Morin.
Nemec also represented Slovakia at the 2026 Winter Olympics with two assists in six games, and helped the country win bronze at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
The signing is a calculated bet by Flames GM Craig Conroy on a player who still has significant upside. At 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, Nemec fits the Flames' rebuild strategy focused on loading up on young talent. The move doesn't substantially hinder Calgary's cap flexibility — the team is projected to have about $14.8 million in remaining cap space after the signing.
