Hockey

Devils Deal Simon Nemec to Flames in Major Trade Move

by
Richard Hayes
June 23, 2026

In a significant move, Sunny Mehta has made his first trade as the general manager of the New Jersey Devils. On Tuesday afternoon, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun broke the news that the Devils are trading defenseman Simon Nemec to the Calgary Flames.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman quickly confirmed the details, revealing that Nemec, along with forward Maxim Tsyplakov, will head to Calgary in exchange for a second-round pick this season, a first-round pick in 2027, a first-round pick in 2028 (both top-10 protected), and defenseman Etienne Morin. The complexities of the trade include specific conditions on the first-round picks, which will be determined by Calgary’s previous trades with the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche.

The first-round pick from Vegas will be whichever one the Flames receive first between the 2027 and 2028 NHL Drafts, stemming from a trade made on January 18, 2026. Similarly, the first-round pick from Colorado will depend on which pick the Flames get first between the 2028 and 2029 drafts from a trade made on March 6, 2026.

This trade positions New Jersey favorably, as they now hold six picks in the 2026 NHL Draft, including one first-round pick and two second-round picks, one of which is from the New York Rangers.

Etienne Morin, a 21-year-old defenseman, spent last season with Calgary’s minor-league affiliates, the Calgary Wranglers in the AHL and the Rapid City Rush in the ECHL. Meanwhile, Simon Nemec has been a prominent figure for the Devils since being drafted second overall in 2022. The 22-year-old has played 155 NHL games and 112 in the American Hockey League with the Utica Comets. During the 2025-26 season, he appeared in 68 games for the Devils, notching 26 points with 11 goals and 15 assists.

Maxim Tsyplakov, who joined the Devils from the New York Islanders earlier this year, contributed minimally with one goal in 22 games.

This trade marks a pivotal moment in the Devils’ strategy as they look to reshape their roster for future success.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.

Related TopicsDevils Flames Hockey Hockey News

Richard Hayes

Richard Hayes is the go-to writer for all things soccer at 21Sports.com. His international perspective and in-depth knowledge of the game have made him a trusted voice in the industry. Richard’s experience covering major leagues around the world allows him to offer unique insights that resonate with both casual fans and die-hard enthusiasts. When not covering matches, Richard enjoys coaching youth soccer in his community.