Flames' Simon Nemec: 'I want to prove New Jersey Devils wrong'

The New Jersey Devils essentially gave up on defenceman Simon Nemec, and consider the 2026-27 season a revenge year for the now Calgary Flames' blueliner. Nemec admitted he's as motivated as ever to prove to the Devils that they made a massive mistake, and he's hopeful some more playing time for the rebuilding Flames, will lead to more production.

Nemec caught up with The Hockey News' David Alter, and opened up about what it was like to be traded for the first time, and seeing the organization that drafted him, give up on him this offseason. "I just want to prove to everyone that New Jersey wasn't right," Nemec told The Hockey News' David Alter.

"I think I couldn't play my best hockey," Nemec said. "I wasn't given the opportunity that I want, and at the end of the day, they decided it's best for me - and for them - to get traded. And I'm happy with that."

Nemec is expected to play a major role for the Flames, and now doesn't have to worry about Luke Hughes or Dougie Hamilton taking all of his power-play minutes. Nemec was the second overall pick at the 2022 NHL Draft, and recently signed a five-year, $7.25 AAV contract in Calgary, before even playing a game. The Flames acquired Nemec and forward Maxim Tsyplakov from the Devils for two conditional first-round picks, a second-round pick, and prospect Etienne Morin in June.

"I want to be on the No. 1 power play," Nemec told NHL.com's Tom Gulitti. "I think Calgary can offer me that. I need to fight for that, but I will be ready for it. ... We were three guys in New Jersey. We all wanted to play first power play, and it didn't work well for me. I think in Calgary, I can show that I can be a No. 1 power-play guy. That was a good spot for me, for the team. I feel like they need a player like me. I can play a lot of minutes there. I can be part of the future there and be one of the leaders of the team."