The Calgary Flames signed restricted free agent defenseman Simon Nemec to a five-year, $36.25 million contract on Monday, securing the blue-liner through the 2030-31 NHL season.
The deal carries an average annual value and salary cap hit of $7.25 million, according to team announcements.
Nemec, 22, was acquired by Calgary on June 23 alongside forward Maxim Tsyplakov in a trade with the New Jersey Devils.
The Flames sent defenseman prospect Etienne Morin, a 2026 second-round draft pick, and two top-10 protected conditional first-round selections in 2027 and 2028 to New Jersey.
The Slovakian native completed his entry-level contract last season, recording a career-high 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) in 68 games.
The 2022 second-overall draft pick has 49 points in 155 regular-season NHL games and helped Slovakia win its first Olympic hockey medal at the 2022 Beijing Games.
"It's good to have the contract right now, in this part of the summer," Nemec said. "Now we can plan everything else.
I'm really happy and really excited for the next five years in Calgary. I've heard so many good things from all the players, so I'm really excited."
Nemec is currently conducting off-season training before traveling to Alberta for training camp.
"I'm doing my off-ice stuff and on-ice too; I'm on the same plan as last year," he said.
"I started skating a little bit earlier, a month after the season.
I felt pretty good last year, so I just wanted to do the same thing this year."
The contract gives Nemec an opportunity to take on a prominent role in Calgary's revamped defensive lineup.
"I'm working hard right now and waiting for the new season," he added.
New Jersey general manager Sunny Mehta said the trade was mutually beneficial.
"I just felt like the return that we got from Calgary was just kind of too good to pass up," Mehta said.
"They kind of stepped up with their offer to get him, and I just thought it was ultimately the right thing for the organization to move on."
Mehta clarified that Nemec did not request a trade but noted a change of scenery could help the defenseman achieve his professional goals.
"He just wants a path," Mehta said.
"He wants a path to develop and a path to grow into the role that he foresees for himself."
Nemec plans to arrive in Calgary from Slovakia in mid-August, ahead of the Flames' preseason opener against the Seattle Kraken on Sept.
20.
