Devils deal Simon Nemec to the Flames, collecting three high draft selections

The New Jersey Devils have traded defenseman Simon Nemec to the Calgary Flames, a move that swaps a young, top-end building piece for draft capital as both clubs shape their long-term rosters. The agreement, reported Tuesday by Yahoo Sports, sends Nemec to Calgary in exchange for three draft picks, including two future conditional first-round selections and the No. 35 pick in this year’s draft.

For New Jersey, the transaction is a clear emphasis on replenishing the pipeline. Conditional first-round picks can carry substantial value because their protections and conversion rules are tied to future performance or other agreed conditions. While the exact protections were not detailed in the available report, the Devils’ willingness to package a No. 35 selection along with two conditional firsts indicates the trade is designed to maximize their ability to add premium young talent across multiple years.

The No. 35 pick this year provides a near-term entry point into the prospect pool. Draft position at the top of the second round matters because clubs often target players who can contribute within a couple of development seasons, particularly skaters who fit a team’s system. For the Devils, adding that slot helps offset the immediate loss of Nemec as they balance patience with the need for organizational depth on the blue line.

Calgary’s side, meanwhile, is taking a more player-forward approach. Nemec, a 22-year-old defenseman, represents a controllable asset in age and role, and the Flames will be aiming to convert his development trajectory into NHL results. For a team building around a mix of established talent and incoming prospects, adding a young defenseman can shift both the short-term defensive stability and the longer-term identity of the group.

The broader NHL context is that teams regularly trade between roster strength and future assets depending on how they view their competitive window. Draft picks, especially first-round selections, are often viewed internally as the most reliable path to restocking star potential. By acquiring two conditional firsts plus a mid-first-to-early-second range pick (No. 35), New Jersey is betting that its next waves of players can arrive in time to sustain contention.

What to watch next is how each organization uses the haul. New Jersey will likely face questions about the path from draft choice to the NHL lineup, particularly which prospects the club targets at No. 35 and how the conditional first-round picks factor into its planning. For Calgary, the focus shifts to how Nemec is integrated into defensive assignments and whether the Flames’ style of play can accelerate his impact as he adjusts to a new system.