Flames lock up Simon Nemec with a five-year extension after Devils trade

The Calgary Flames have signed defenseman Simon Nemec to a five-year contract extension, adding stability to a blue line that recently changed dramatically. The move follows Calgary’s earlier offseason trade for Nemec after New Jersey moved the former New Jersey Devils prospect to make cap and roster flexibility work, a decision framed by the original report as the product of a restricted free agent seeking a major pay raise.

Nemec’s new deal is reported to carry an average annual value of $7.25 million over five seasons, putting a firm price on the player Calgary believes he can become. The extension also closes the loop on what was already a major evaluation step for the Flames. By bringing Nemec in from New Jersey, Calgary indicated it was willing to bet on a young defenseman who can contribute offensive instincts, while also hoping his defensive responsibilities will keep evolving alongside a clearer opportunity set.

The context around the move matters for both franchises. The Devils’ decision to trade Nemec earlier in the offseason effectively redirected their plans at the position, rather than waiting for a potential RFA holdout or a costly price point. The Calgary side, meanwhile, viewed Nemec as a development project with upside tied to ice-time and defensive structure, especially after his time in New Jersey included opportunity shaped by established players ahead of him on the depth chart.

Nemec’s NHL résumé gives the Flames some statistical footing for the bet. The Hockey News, summarizing his background, noted he has played 155 NHL games through the latest totals referenced, compiling 16 goals and 33 assists for 49 points. It also pointed to a more productive stretch last season, when he recorded 11 goals and 15 assists for 26 points in 68 games, a sign that his transition to a more impactful role may already be underway.

Calgary’s challenge will be turning those sparks into consistent, complete play. Multiple reports in the coverage characterized Nemec as an offensive-capable defenseman who still needs to tighten his defensive game to truly “drive a pair” at the NHL level. That distinction matters because a long-term extension usually reflects trust in both end-of-game responsibility and day-to-day reliability, not just scoring flashes.

For the Flames, the extension also shifts the summer conversation from acquisition to fit. Nemec, a right-shot defenseman, is now more likely to be treated as a long-range piece of the team’s core rather than a temporary addition looking for a contract conclusion. The Flames can now plan their defensive group with more certainty, and Nemec can focus on building a role around his specific responsibilities rather than negotiating the next one.

What to watch next is how quickly Calgary’s coaching staff identifies the best minutes and matchup approach for Nemec. If he continues to earn meaningful power-play involvement while also reducing the defensive gaps that can still accompany young two-way growth, the extension’s value will look increasingly logical. If his development stalls defensively, the Flames will still have a commitment that extends well beyond a single season, making his progress this year especially important.