The Calgary Flames have acquired defenceman Simon Nemec from the New Jersey Devils. Let’s take a look at Nemec’s career thus far and examine what kind of player the Flames are getting.
Draft Year
Nemec spent his 2021–22 draft-eligible season with HK Nitra of the Slovak Extraliga, which is Slovakia’s top-tier professional men’s league. He put up one goal and 25 assists for 26 points in 39 regular season games. However, he truly elevated his game in the postseason, exploding for five goals and 12 assists for 17 points in 19 playoff games. His dynamic performance from the blue line led HK Nitra all the way to the league finals.
On the international stage, Nemec was just as dominant. He captained Slovakia to a silver medal at the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he was named the tournament’s most valuable player after scoring six points in five games. He also played at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, helping Slovakia secure its first-ever Olympic men’s hockey medal with a bronze finish. Nemec would then finish off his whirlwind of a draft year at the 2022 IIHF World Championship, where he put up six points in eight games.
His incredible body of work resulted in the Devils selecting him second overall in the 2022 NHL Draft.
First North American Season
The Devils chose patience over a rushed NHL entry, assigning Nemec to the AHL’s Utica Comets for the 2022–23 season, which was his first time playing on the smaller North American ice. He handled the rigorous jump effortlessly, showcasing his offensive instincts and steady blue-line poise by recording 12 goals and 22 assists for 34 points in 65 regular season games. He carried that momentum into the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs, adding another four points in six postseason games.
Additionally, Nemec played for Slovakia at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, after missing the tournament in 2022 due to a COVID-19 outbreak. In 2023, Nemec served as team captain and logged an impressive five points in five games. He also returned to the IIHF World Championship, where he played in five games.
First NHL Season
Nemec began the 2023–24 season in Utica. However, a long-term injury to Devils defenceman Dougie Hamilton forced New Jersey to recall Nemec to the NHL. He made his NHL debut on December 1, 2023, and made an instant impression by recording two assists. Just six days later, he scored his first career NHL goal, which was a clutch, game-winning tally in a 2–1 victory over the Seattle Kraken.
Nemec ended up logging 60 NHL games on the season. He chipped in three goals and 16 assists for 19 points while averaging 19:52 of ice time per game. His solid rookie season earned him a 14th-place finish in Calder Trophy voting. To close out the season, Nemec returned to the IIHF World Championship yet again, where he dominated with seven points in eight games.
Sophomore Slump
Like many young defencemen, Nemec’s sophomore season in 2024–25 featured a few developmental speed bumps and a dip in production. He dressed for just 27 games with the Devils, and his offensive production slowed to just four points. Additionally, his average ice time dropped to 14:59 per game.
To keep his development on track, the Devils loaned Nemec back to the Comets for 34 games, where he regained his offensive swagger by posting five goals and 18 assists for 23 points. Despite the regular season hurdles, the young blueliner still earned some valuable postseason reps. He appeared in four Stanley Cup Playoff games for New Jersey, where he contributed two points.
Breakout Season
The 2025–26 campaign was Nemec’s true arrival at the NHL level. He dressed for 68 games with the Devils and logged a demanding 19:40 of average ice time per game. He registered a career-high 11 goals and 15 assists for 26 points. Notably, he proved to be a clutch performer when matches hung in the balance, potting three game-winning goals in overtime.
Furthermore, Nemec was a crucial fixture for Slovakia at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics. He chipped in two assists across six games, guiding his country to a highly commendable fourth-place finish.
Conclusion
By acquiring Nemec, the Flames are getting a legitimate, blue-chip pillar for their defence core who is just scratching the surface of his prime. Nemec already boasts a historic draft year, success in the AHL, and a major NHL breakout season highlighted by clutch play under pressure. He is a smooth-skating, cerebral blueliner who has proven to excel when given more playing time.
Overall, Nemec is a young, dynamic, right-shot defenceman, which is a scarce asset in today’s NHL. Also, he is only 22 years old, which means that the Flames aren’t buying a finished product. If he is able to reach his potential, this trade could be an absolute steal for the Flames.
