The 2026 off-season was always going to be a big one for the Calgary Flames, and with eight picks in the first 70 overall in the NHL Draft, many expected them to go to work there. However, there was always a chance that things could get done before then, and on Tuesday, the Flames made a shock trade.
With just days before the 2026 NHL Draft, the Flames have reportedly acquired RFA defenseman Simon Nemec from the New Jersey Devils, first reported by Pierre LeBrun and Elliotte Friedman.
Hearing the Devils are trading Simon Nemec to Calgary.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 23, 2026
In return for Nemec, the Flames are sending a haul to the Devils, with the full trade being:
Flames acquire: D Simon Nemec, RW Maxim Tsyplakov
Devils acquire: 2026 second-round pick (No. 35 overall) 2027 first-round pick (Vegas), 2028 first-round pick (Colorado), D Etienne Morin.
Nemec & Tsyplakov for 2nd (NYR) this year, Vegas 1st 2027, COL 1st 2028 (both top 10 protected) & Etienne Morin https://t.co/iJclSTQhWH
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 23, 2026
According to reports, both first-round picks are top-10 protected, which is a great move for the Flames who give up significant draft capital to land Nemec.
The former No. 2 overall pick showed immense potential in New Jersey, but after falling behind Luke Hughes in the Devils lineup, he struggled to find a consistent role. When given the chance however, he's produced well, with 11 goals and 26 points in 68 games played this past season, and given the size (6-foot-1) and the age (22), he's the perfect fit for the Flames future.
On top of this, the team have also acquired winger Maxim Tsyplakov, who followed up a 35-point rookie campaign in 2024/25 with a disappointing season a year ago, but with a forward logjam, he's not likely to stay in Calgary for long, or this will lead to another move.
The Flames were always going to need to give up a haul to get Nemec, and now they've ponied up, using the draft capital acquired by GM Craig Conroy to land one of the brightest young names in the NHL.
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