Flames get: Defenseman Šimon Nemec, right winger Maxim Tsyplakov

Devils get: Vegas’ first-round pick in 2027, Colorado’s first-round pick in 2028, New York Rangers’ second-round pick in 2026, defenseman Etienne Morin

Harman Dayal: Moving Nemec for a large haul is a smart decision for New Jersey for a variety of reasons.

Nemec’s offensive production, ice time and pedigree mean his next contract, provided it’s a long-term one, will be expensive; he’s projected to carry an $8.06 million cap hit on a seven-year deal, according to AFPAnalytics. There was even speculation that he was eyeing something in the Luke Hughes range, which is $9 million. That kind of enormous contract was always going to be a near-impossible fit for a Devils team that has limited cap space and already has five defensemen on the roster making at least $4 million against the cap.

With Hughes garnering most of the prime power-play and offensive opportunities in New Jersey, Nemec’s path to maximizing his value and potential was blocked. On top of that, he owns some of the worst defensive metrics in the league (he was on the ice for 3.19 goals against per 60 minutes at five-on-five this season). As of now, he isn’t worth anywhere close to an $8 million to $9 million cap hit, according to colleague Dom Luszczyszyn’s Net Rating model.

This trade ensures the Devils avoid a risky contract and arms them with draft picks that can be leveraged as currency to add top-six winger help.

However, the appeal from Calgary’s perspective is also clear.

The Flames have stockpiled an embarrassment of draft picks and prospects — it was time to cash in some of that for young blue-chip NHL talent. Nemec has intriguing upside because of his smoothness and puck play, and could still take a two-way leap forward considering how young he is and the ample opportunity the Flames can provide him.

It’s a bit surprising that they bet on another offensively-oriented righty with defensive question marks, since Zayne Parekh is also emerging. However, the Sabres are an example of a team that had success this past season with many offensively-tilted, puck-possession-based top-four defensemen.

Most importantly, while there will be some initial sticker shock in surrendering two first-round picks and a second-rounder, both of those firsts will likely be late, and by that point in the draft, the expected value of those picks falls off pretty hard.

Flames grade: B
Devils grade: B+

Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers

Sean McIndoe and Sean Gentille

Corey Pronman: Nemec has had some struggles at the NHL level after being the No. 2 pick in 2022, but he’s still a solid prospect who has had good stretches. Nemec is an intelligent puck mover with good poise and vision with the puck. He can run a power play and makes a great outlet pass. His pure athleticism and skill don’t jump off the page, though. He can make stops because of how smart he is and having a solid compete level while being a decent enough skater. The toolkit leaves some to be desired, and without off-the-charts offense, which he’s yet to show as a pro, he projects as more of a second-pair defenseman.

Nemec is a good player, but as a 6-foot defenseman who is not an elite defender, it was always going to be tough for him to find a power-play spot in New Jersey on a team with Dougie Hamilton and Luke Hughes. He should get more opportunities to play that role in Calgary.

Tsyplakov is a big, heavy winger whose foot speed is an issue, but he has good secondary skill. He’s a useful bottom six/depth piece.

Morin is a throw-in contract-wise. He was a good prospect in junior due to an intriguing combination of skill and goal-scoring ability from the blue line, but his defense and skating are issues, and he struggled in his rookie pro season.

The real value to the Devils is roster and cap flexibility, along with the two first-round picks. Nemec wasn’t going to be maximized on this roster. Incoming young defenseman Anton Silayev fits into his role better and they don’t need to give Nemec real money now. It’s still a tough pill to swallow that this is what a No. 2 pick within the last five years has turned into.

Flames grade: B+Devils grade: C+