Flames Sign Šimon Nemec to 5-Year Contract

Calgary Flames acquire defenseman Šimon Nemec from New Jersey, signing him to a five-year, $36.25 million deal to bolster their roster.

The Calgary Flames have secured defenseman Šimon Nemec with a five-year deal valued at $36.25 million, featuring an annual average value of $7.25 million, as announced by the team on Monday.

This 22-year-old player was recently acquired in a trade from the New Jersey Devils on June 23 and entered the agreement as a restricted free agent. Last season, Nemec notched 11 goals and 26 points in 68 games with the Devils.

Selected as the second overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft by New Jersey, Nemec has spent three seasons with the team, racking up a total of 16 goals and 49 points over 155 games. He has also showcased his skills internationally, having been a bronze medalist with Slovakia at the 2022 Olympics.

In joining the Flames, he is expected to play a crucial role in the team’s offensive strategy as they continue their rebuilding phase. His scoring potential is especially promising; last season, his 11 goals would have topped Calgary’s defensemen leaderboard over Rasmus Andersson, who managed just 10 in 48 games before being traded to the Vegas Golden Knights. Nemec is anticipated to contribute significantly to the power play while mentoring emerging talent Zayne Parekh on the team.

Calgary currently has more than $14 million in cap space available this offseason. The franchise has been active, notably trading winger Blake Coleman and defenseman Olli Määttä to the Minnesota Wild for Jake Middleton and future draft picks.

As the Flames prepare for the upcoming season, Nemec stands out as their most seasoned offensive defenseman in a roster increasingly focused on youth development. General manager Craig Conroy has prioritized onboarding players aged 18 to 23, making Nemec’s arrival particularly fitting as he is eager for more responsibilities after his tenure with the Devils.

With both Nemec and Parekh, the Flames now possess two capable puck-moving defenders they can nurture for future offensive contributions. Starting the season, Nemec could very well find himself in a top-pairing position alongside Kevin Bahl or Middleton as part of the team’s defensive strategy.

Despite projections from AFP Analytics suggesting a longer contract might have granted him a cap hit of $8.06 million across seven years, the deal he signed is shorter with a manageable cap hit. His average annual value of $7.25 million fits within Calgary’s salary structure, particularly as they remain cautious spenders while they rebuild. Nonetheless, the Flames are likely to remain on the lookout for further young talent, similar to their recent acquisition of Nemec.