Flames lock up Simon Nemec with five-year, $36.25 million extension after acquiring him from Devils

The Calgary Flames moved quickly to secure Simon Nemec after acquiring him from the New Jersey Devils, signing the 22-year-old defenceman to a five-year contract extension worth $36.25 million. The agreement carries an average annual value of $7.25 million, keeping Nemec under contract through the 2030-31 season and indicating that Calgary intends to build around the skill package the Slovak has shown as a young blueliner.

Nemec’s path to this deal runs through the Flames’ summer trade activity. Calgary acquired him via trade on June 23, and just weeks later reached agreement on a long-term contract. The extension matters beyond timing, because it converts a newly acquired piece into something more permanent, reducing the risk of the relationship ending after a short run and giving the organization time to shape roles and pairings around him.

Offensively, Nemec has been trending up. In 2025-26, he finished with a career-high 26 points, consisting of 11 goals and 15 assists, over 68 games, according to the reporting that accompanied the signing. At 6-foot-1 and about 200 pounds, he has also been described as a right-shot defender who combines mobility and on-ice vision with composure with the puck, a profile that aligns with teams trying to improve their puck-moving depth.

The Flames’ decision to commit long term also reflects how Nemec’s value was viewed immediately after the Devils deal. Reporting around the extension noted that he is expected to play a meaningful role on a retooled Calgary blue line. While Calgary’s broader defensive picture will depend on how the rest of its corps is shaped, locking up a young top-four type helps clarify the team’s development plan and can stabilize minutes for the season-to-season build.

Context from the trade that brought Nemec to Alberta underscores the stakes. Calgary reportedly gave up key future assets, including first-round selections in 2027 and 2028, in the package used to obtain the player. That kind of exchange typically comes with an expectation of impact, and this extension suggests the Flames believe Nemec is close to the level required to justify that investment.

The contract structure adds another planning element for the Flames. Coverage of the signing included details such as a multi-year salary breakdown and that the deal buys one year of unrestricted free agency before further restrictions take effect, though exact cap mechanics and timing should always be reviewed in the full league paperwork. For fans and analysts, the practical takeaway is that Calgary has now made Nemec a longer-term roster cornerstone rather than a temporary bridge piece.

Next, the focus shifts to how Calgary deploys him in camp and into the regular season. With the extension in place, the key questions become pairing assignments, power-play usage, and whether his role expands as the coaching staff settles its defensive strategy. If Nemec continues producing at a high pace, the Flames’ summer bet on youth and puck skills will look increasingly well-timed as they try to position the roster for sustained improvement.

(Correction note: none)