The 2026 off-season wasn't the busiest one for the Calgary Flames, but across the past few months, the team have done some tidy business, opening up some spots ahead of what will be a critical 2026/27 season.
Most expected a Blake Coleman deal to be the biggest of the off-season, and while the team did get three solid assets in return for the veteran winger, it wasn't the biggest deal of the summer for General Manager Craig Conroy. That would have been the move to send several draft picks to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Simon Nemec, a player they hope can live up to his draft stock as a former No. 2 overall selection.
Simon Nemec Reveals his Thoughts Ahead of First Calgary Flames Season
In Calgary, Nemec is expected to get the opportunities that he was not afforded with the New Jersey Devils, and with a five-year deal signed shortly after the trade, the Flames will be patient with him, hoping the 22-year-old can find his footing in the NHL.
Now, he's opened up on the year ahead, the transition to Calgary and what he expects of himself this season in an interview with NHL.com, and one thing is for certain, Nemec remains confident he can live up to his potential with the Flaming C on his chest.
"I want to be on the No. 1 power play. I think Calgary can offer me that. I need to fight for that, but I will be ready for it. We were three guys in New Jersey. We all wanted to play first power play, and it didn't work well for me. I think in Calgary I can show that I can be a No. 1 power-play guy."Simon Nemec
In recent times, there has been speculation that the Flames could play both Nemec and Zayne Parekh on the top power play unit, but given his exprience edge in the NHL, it may be the former No. 2 overall pick that gets that opportunity first.
Can Simon Nemec Live up to his Potential With the Calgary Flames?
Last season with the Devils was the best of Nemec's career, as he posted 11 goals and 26 points across 68 games played, and as he mentions in the interview, that production was disrputed due to not getting consistent time as the QB of the top powerplay unit.
In Calgary however, Nemec should get plenty of opportunities, as he will not only get the chance on the PP1, but he'll be on the Flames top line at 5v5, and if that means significant time out there with players like Matt Coronato, Matvei Gridin and Morgan Frost, he could be putting up major numbers. During the Olympics with Slovakia, Nemec posted 2 assists in 6 games played, while being ranked top-two among defensemen at the tournament in goal chances created, and in Calgary, he'll be given free reign to finally achieve his offensive potential.
Ultimately, the stars are aligning for Nemec to put together a career best season in his first with the Flames, and given how confident he is that the team can allow him a huge role on the top PP unit, there's a chance we can finally start to see him live up to the hype.
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