--- title: "Flames land Nemec in blockbuster swap, swap picks for Devils' top pair" description: "Calgary adds a 22-year-old defenseman and a prospect in exchange for a 19-year-old blueliner and three future draft assets. The move signals intent to compete now, while New Jersey doubles down on long-term asset building." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/simon-nemec-flipped-in-three-player-deal-e64825f3 published: 2026-07-01T00:40:52.044+00:00 updated: 2026-07-01T00:40:52.044+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["hockey", "football"] --- # Flames land Nemec in blockbuster swap, swap picks for Devils' top pair > Calgary adds a 22-year-old defenseman and a prospect in exchange for a 19-year-old blueliner and three future draft assets. The move signals intent to compete now, while New Jersey doubles down on long-term asset building. The Calgary Flames have swung a blockbuster deal with the New Jersey Devils, acquiring defenseman Simon Nemec and prospect Maxim Tsyplakov while surrendering Etienne Morin and three future draft picks. The trade, reported by Chris Johnston of The Athletic, sends the 22-year-old Nemec—a former second-overall pick in 2022—to Calgary, pairing him with Tsyplakov, a 21-year-old winger. In return, the Flames ship out Morin, a 19-year-old defenseman, and a haul of draft capital: a 2026 second-rounder, a 2027 first-rounder, and a 2028 first-rounder. The picks are structured to give New Jersey immediate flexibility while deferring long-term costs, a tactic that aligns with their rebuild timeline. The exchange underscores two distinct NHL philosophies. Calgary bolsters its blue-line depth with a proven top-four defenseman in Nemec, who logged 37 points in 82 NHL games last season and averaged 20:54 of ice time per game. The move addresses a critical need for the Flames, who ranked 18th in team defense last year and struggled to generate consistent offense from the blue line. Meanwhile, New Jersey continues to accumulate future assets, adding three premium selections over the next four drafts while shedding a player who had not cracked their top six in any of his three NHL seasons. Reaction to the deal has been swift. Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald framed the move as a calculated step toward sustained contention, emphasizing the long-term value of the picks in a league where cap constraints make draft capital the ultimate currency. Flames GM Craig Conroy called Nemec a “cornerstone piece” for Calgary’s blue-line rebuild, signaling a clear win-now posture. Analysts have already begun dissecting the risk-reward balance: Nemec’s contract ($4.2 million cap hit through 2028) is manageable, but the loss of three draft picks—especially in a division where the Oilers and Avalanche are perennial contenders—raises questions about Calgary’s margin for error in future trades. What’s next: Nemec is expected to slot into Calgary’s top four immediately, while Tsyplakov will compete for a roster spot in training camp. The Flames now turn their focus to free agency and potential roster tweaks to complement their new acquisition. Fitzgerald, meanwhile, has hinted at further moves to reshape the Devils’ roster around their core, with the added draft capital providing leverage in future negotiations. The trade also highlights the evolving role of young defensemen in today’s NHL. Nemec’s development curve has been steady but unspectacular, with his point totals plateauing after a 28-point rookie season. His acquisition suggests the Flames are betting on his upside as a puck-moving defenseman who can quarterback power plays—a skill he displayed in 47 games last season, ranking 12th among NHL defensemen in power-play points per game. For New Jersey, the move reflects a broader trend of teams trading established but underperforming assets for future flexibility, even at the cost of short-term depth. The Devils’ willingness to part with Morin, who was a late first-round pick in 2021, underscores their confidence in their organizational depth and the premium they place on draft capital in a league where cap space is increasingly scarce. The deal spotlights the NHL’s shifting valuation of draft capital versus proven NHL minutes. Nemec’s 37-point season masks a deeper issue: his even-strength production has stagnated, and his defensive metrics remain inconsistent. Yet Calgary’s front office is wagering that his age, contract length, and potential in transition play justify the cost. This mirrors a league-wide trend where teams are increasingly willing to overlook statistical plateaus in young defensemen if the underlying tools—skating, puck-movement, and offensive instincts—remain elite. For New Jersey, the calculus is simpler: Morin’s development has stalled behind a deep Devils blue line, and the return of three picks effectively turns one underutilized roster spot into a future asset pool. The trade’s structure also reflects the Devils’ disciplined approach to cap management, allowing them to absorb long-term contracts elsewhere while maintaining flexibility. The Flames’ gamble carries real consequences. By mortgaging future draft assets for a player who has yet to establish himself as a true difference-maker, Calgary risks narrowing its options in future trade windows. The Pacific Division’s competitive balance—where Arizona and Vancouver are ascending while San Jose rebuilds—means the Flames can’t afford to misstep. Meanwhile, New Jersey’s strategy of asset accumulation is now entering a critical phase. With the Devils’ core of Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and Dougie Hamilton locked in, the organization is betting that the picks from this trade will yield high-end talent to surround them. If successful, the Devils could emerge as a perennial contender without sacrificing their long-term flexibility. What’s next: Nemec is expected to slot into Calgary’s top four immediately, while Tsyplakov will compete for a roster spot in training camp. The Flames now turn their focus to free agency and potential roster tweaks to complement their new acquisition. Fitzgerald, meanwhile, has hinted at further moves to reshape the Devils’ roster around their core, with the added draft capital providing leverage in future negotiations. ## Why this matters The trade crystallizes the NHL’s widening gap between teams prioritizing short-term contention and those committed to long-term asset accumulation. Calgary’s aggressive move for an established defenseman contrasts sharply with New Jersey’s patient strategy of stockpiling picks, illustrating two viable but fundamentally different paths to roster construction in today’s salary-cap era. The deal also exposes the growing reliance on young defensemen to stabilize blue-line depth, a trend that could reshape trade markets in the coming years as teams seek affordable, controllable talent to fill roster gaps without sacrificing long-term flexibility. The Flames’ willingness to trade premium picks for a player with unproven ceiling underscores the premium placed on NHL-ready defensemen in a league where playoff spots are decided by razor-thin margins. ## Frequently asked ### Who did the Flames send to New Jersey in this trade? Calgary traded defenseman Etienne Morin and three draft picks: a 2026 second-rounder, a 2027 first-rounder, and a 2028 first-rounder. ### How many points did Simon Nemec score last season? Nemec recorded 37 points in 82 NHL games during the 2023–24 season. ### What draft position was Simon Nemec selected at in 2022? Nemec was selected second overall by the Devils in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. ### Which GM called Nemec a cornerstone piece for Calgary? Flames GM Craig Conroy described Nemec as a cornerstone piece for the team’s blue-line rebuild. ### How does this trade reflect the Devils' rebuild strategy? New Jersey added three premium draft picks over four drafts, reinforcing a long-term rebuild approach focused on accumulating future assets. ### What is Simon Nemec’s cap hit through 2028? Nemec carries a $4.2 million cap hit through the 2028–29 season. ## Sources & Citations - [Simon Nemec: Flipped in three-player deal](https://www.rotowire.com//hockey/player/simon-nemec-6679) — ClearSports (2026-06-23) --- Cite: Flames land Nemec in blockbuster swap, swap picks for Devils' top pair. Sportopod, 2026-07-01. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/simon-nemec-flipped-in-three-player-deal-e64825f3