Did the Flames Just Create a PP1 Disaster? Nemec’s Arrival Might Blow Everything Up

The Calgary Flames made one of the boldest moves of the offseason, swinging a blockbuster deal with the New Jersey Devils to acquire Simon Nemec — the 22‑year‑old right‑shot blue‑chip defenceman who was supposed to be their future cornerstone. Calgary also added winger Maxim Tsyplakov in the deal, but the price was steep: former second‑round pick Etienne Morin, a 2026 second‑round pick, and conditional first‑rounders in 2027 and 2028 (via Vegas and Colorado, both top‑10 protected).

The Flames didn’t stop there. They immediately committed to Nemec long‑term, signing him to a five‑year contract worth $7.25 million AAV. For a team trying to rebuild on the fly, it was a curious — but undeniably ambitious — bet. Nemec fits their youth movement, and his 11 goals and 26 points in 68 games last season suggest there’s real upside still to unlock.

But the moment the ink dried on that contract, one question loomed over everything.

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Who Runs PP1?

Calgary didn’t trade for Nemec just to be a steady 5‑on‑5 defender. They paid for upside and ceiling. They paid for a power‑play quarterback.

And that’s where things get complicated.

Because the Flames already have a young, gifted, offensively tilted right‑shot defenceman who thrives on the man advantage: Zayne Parekh.

Parekh, 20, is electric with the puck. He’s creative, fearless, and sees plays most defencemen don’t. But he’s also still raw — prone to defensive lapses, vulnerable to big hits, and very much a work in progress at even strength. The power play is where he becomes a weapon. It’s where Calgary gets the most value out of him.

Parekh needs PP1 to be effective. Nemec expects PP1 to justify the trade and contract. And both shoot right.

This is exactly the situation Nemec wanted to escape in New Jersey. Speaking with Tom Gulitti of NHL.com, Nemec made his expectations crystal clear:

“I want to be on the No. 1 power play, 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.”

He didn’t just hint at it — he spelled it out. Nemec came to Calgary for PP1.

Now he’s walking into a situation where another young defenceman already has a claim to it.

A Brewing Battle for Ice Time

Nemec is 22. Parekh is 20. Both are right‑shots, and both are offensively driven. Both have defensive question marks. And both want the same minutes.

This isn’t a gentle competition. It’s a collision course.

If Nemec doesn’t get PP1 — after the Flames traded major assets and handed him a $36M contract — it’s hard to imagine he’ll be thrilled. If Parekh loses PP1, his development could stall, and his value could dip. Calgary is trying to build around both players, but the overlap in skill set makes the fit awkward.

You can never have too many good defencemen, especially right‑shot ones. But you can have too many players who need the same role to succeed.

And Calgary might be right on that edge.

Insulating the Duo — Or Exposing Them?

The Flames plan to insulate their two offensive weapons with Kevin Bahl, Zach Whitecloud (who has been in trade rumours), and Jacob Middleton. That’s the idea: shelter Nemec and Parekh so they can focus on what they do best.

But if Whitecloud is moved — and there’s real smoke there — suddenly both Nemec and Parekh get pushed higher in the lineup. More defensive responsibility. Tougher matchups. More exposure.

That’s where things could unravel.

If both players are forced into roles they aren’t ready for, Calgary’s defensive structure could crack. And if the team struggles, the PP1 debate becomes even more volatile.

How Does Ryan Huska Solve This?

Ryan Huska has a delicate decision to make.

Who gets the covered PP1 minutes?

Does he hand the keys to Nemec, the prized acquisition who came here specifically for that role? Does he stick with Parekh, the homegrown offensive engine who needs PP1 to maximize his value?

Is a two‑defenceman setup in the cards — a rare but intriguing option — and hope the two young stars develop chemistry?

There’s no easy answer. But there is a clear risk.

If Nemec isn’t the one getting the bulk of PP1 time, Calgary could face real turmoil. Not locker‑room chaos, but frustration, stagnation, and tension between development paths. The Flames are trying to rebuild with two talented right‑shot defencemen who want the same job.

It’s a good problem to have — until it isn’t.

Next: ‘Canada Wasn’t Their Thing’: Sutter’s Explosive Take on Gaudreau and Tkachuk’s Exit