Calgary Flames defenceman Simon Nemec is heading into the 2026-27 season with plenty to prove, and he’s not hiding it.
The 22-year-old never formally asked out of New Jersey, but he made it clear he was relieved when the move finally happened. After four seasons with the Devils, Nemec says he felt boxed in, and Calgary gives him the kind of runway he wanted all along.
“I think I couldn’t play my best hockey,” Nemec told The Hockey News’ David Alter last week at the NHL/NHLPA European Media Tour. “I wasn’t given the opportunity that I want, and at the end of the day, they decided it’s best for me and for them to get traded. And I’m happy with that.”
That frustration came through in his time with New Jersey. Even in 2025-26, when he put up a career-high 26 points, Nemec was still a healthy scratch twice. The Flames are betting that won’t be the story in Calgary.
They paid a premium to get the 2022 second-overall pick, then backed it up with a five-year, $36.25-million extension. That kind of commitment says everything about how they see him: a young defenceman with room to grow and a real chance to become a major piece of their blue line. He’s expected to play heavy minutes at even strength and should also land on the top power-play unit.
“I just want to prove to everyone that New Jersey wasn’t right,” Nemec said.
There’s already some familiarity helping him ease into the new situation. Devils teammate Maxim Tsyplakov was included in the deal, and Nemec also knows Martin Pospisil from playing together for Slovakia at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
That comfort should help as he settles in, even if there are bumps ahead. But for now, Nemec arrives in Calgary as the face of a young, promising group - and as a player determined to show he can handle top-pairing responsibility.
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