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Who is Simon Nemec? Why Flames paid big price for Devils' rising star in much larger deal originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Calgary Flames have taken a big swing.
They're getting Simon Nemec in a sizable trade from the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday.
The deal, reported by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, sends both Nemec and winger Maxim Tsyplakov to the Flames.
In return, the Devils get the Golden Knights' 2027 first-round pick (top-10 protected), the Avalanche's 2028 first-round pick (top-10 protected) and Etienne Morin.
Nemec is the headliner.
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Who is Simon Nemec?
Nemec is a 22-year old Slovakian defenseman who the Devils chose with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.
He's viewed as a rising star on the blue line, but he's been involved in trade rumors for a while now as New Jersey has tried to cash in on the hype.
Nemec is 6-foot-1 and a right shot.
In 2025-26, he played in 68 games and had 11 goals and 15 assists. The goal total was a career high. He also blocked 104 shots.
Nemec averaged 19 minutes and 40 seconds on the ice, and the hope for the Flames will be that he can develop into a first pairing defenseman.
Why did the Flames make this trade?
Calgary has spent time trading away veterans for assets, and now decided to cash in those assets for a young talent.
It's rare that a talented 22-year old becomes available, and so when the Flames had the chance to add Nemec, they didn't wait around.
The two picks they traded away were top-end contenders, so they're more likely than not to be at the back half of the first round, lessening the overall value going back to New Jersey.
Now, Nemec moves across North America to try and reach his NHL potential.
More NHL news:
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- Frederik Andersen heading toward an unceremonious exit
- Cale Makar is about to become a lot more expensive
- Sabres have reached the Alex Tuch pivot point
- Sidney Crosby trade plans did a 180 for the Penguins
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