Today we have news of a signing of a player recently acquired via trade in late June. The Simon Nemec contract has been announced today. This is exciting for Calgary Flame fans, as they had just picked up him and Maxim Tsyplakov from the New Jersey Devils. Now, they have Nemec inked to a five-year deal, worth an average annual value of $7.25 million. He had been a restricted free agent. Let’s discuss what it means.
Credit Image: © Andy Martin Jr./ZUMA Wire
The Simon Nemec Contract Signed With Calgary Flames
The Flames have signed Simon Nemec to a five-year deal worth $7.25M per season 🔥
Calgary acquired Nemec from the Devils on June 23. pic.twitter.com/3UU2KWfGR4
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 6, 2026
Nemec carries a high degree of pedigree with him, as he was the second-overall draft pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, behind fellow Slovak Juraj Slafkovsky. Also, his brother Adam Nemec was selected in this year’s draft by the Ottawa Senators in the third round. Therefore, it makes sense that the Flames organization and general manager Craig Conroy have high hopes for the young, Slovak defenceman. This contract is proof of that belief in the older Nemec.
Nemec’s Career Highlights
Before Nemec came over to North America, he had already a couple years of professional experience in the top division in Slovakia.
Now since Nemec has been playing professionally in the Devils system, he has split four years between the AHL’s Utica Comets and the big club. The 2025-26 season was only his second full-NHL season. Needless to say, the Devils had been fairly slow in pushing along the young defender. In saying that, it does seem Calgary timed this acquisition well and he might be ready for a breakout.
He had 11 goals, 15 assist, for 26 points in 68 games. Calgary is going to give him the opportunity to be a top-four guy. With Zayne Parekh and a couple more veteran type pieces, this presents an excellent situation for Nemec to grab the bull by the horns and try to wrangle him like a rodeo show at the famous Calgary Stampede. Saddle up!
Main Photo Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
