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Flames Get Nemec, Tsyplakov; Devils Receive Picks, New GM

6/24/2026

Summary

Flames Acquire Nemec

Calgary Flames acquired defenseman Simon Nemec and winger Maxim Tsyplakov from New Jersey on Tuesday.
New Jersey received 2027 and 2028 first-round picks (top-10 protected), a 2026 second-round pick, prospect Etienne Morin, and hired Sunny Mehta as GM on April 16 after firing Tom Fitzgerald days earlier.
Nemec posted 26 points in 68 games in 2025-26 and Tsyplakov had two goals, two assists in 49 games and a one-year US$2.25 million contract.

Summary

Flames Add Nemec

New Jersey traded defenseman Noah Nemec because its cap space was $13.2 million, making his $8-$9 million contract impossible.
The trade gave New Jersey two 2027-28 first-round picks and a 2026 second-round pick, five first-round selections in three years.
Calgary added Nemec by surrendering two protected first-round picks and a second-round pick.
Because Nemec remains a restricted free agent, the Flames must negotiate a contract before July 1, affecting their 2026-27 cap plan.

History

Historical Context

After the 2004-05 lockout ended on February 16 2005, the NHL imposed a hard $39 million salary cap, forcing teams to reshape rosters. Today, the Calgary Flames' acquisition of defenseman Simon Nemec—two protected first-round picks and a second-rounder—echoes the cap-driven asset-selling strategies that emerged from that 2005 agreement, and illustrates how cap compliance still dictates front-office decisions.

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Flames Acquire Nemec

Calgary Flames acquired defenseman Simon Nemec and winger Maxim Tsyplakov from New Jersey on Tuesday.
New Jersey received 2027 and 2028 first-round picks (top-10 protected), a 2026 second-round pick, prospect Etienne Morin, and hired Sunny Mehta as GM on April 16 after firing Tom Fitzgerald days earlier.
Nemec posted 26 points in 68 games in 2025-26 and Tsyplakov had two goals, two assists in 49 games and a one-year US$2.25 million contract.

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