The Calgary Flames have acquired former second-overall pick Simon Nemec and Maxim Tsyplakov from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for two first-round picks, a second-round pick and Etienne Morin.
Nemec & Tsyplakov for 2nd (NYR) this year, Vegas 1st 2027, COL 1st 2028 (both top 10 protected) & Etienne Morin https://t.co/iJclSTQhWH
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— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 23, 2026
Nemec, 22, was selected second overall by the Devils in 2022 and recorded a career-high of 26 points last season. The first-round picks are the Vegas Golden Knights’ in 2027 and the Colorado Avalanche’s in 2028, both of which are top-10 protected.
Nemec adds a much-needed puck-moving ability to the Flames’ blue line and can help ease Zayne Parekh into NHL competition. For the Devils, the Luke Hughes contract signed last summer likely made Nemec expendable, and this gives them assets to improve the goaltending and the forward core.
After recording 35 points in his rookie season with the New York Islanders, Tsyplakov has struggled to impact the game offensively. He recorded four points in 49 games last year, splitting time between the Islanders and Devils.
This move could mean the Flames are prioritizing a forward at sixth overall in the draft on Friday.
