The 26-year-old forward scored 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) in 64 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season. The Penguins did not give Simon a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent. He signed with the Flames as an unrestricted free agent.
"I'm so excited to meet everyone in there," Simon told the Flames website. "Can't wait to get in there, meet the whole team and get going. ...I just really liked the interest they had in me. You could see there was some space in the lineup, some (forward) spots and I liked that."
Simon said he learned a lot from Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, who also was his linemate at times.
"At the time, you don't realize it," Simon said. "How fortunate (you are). It's amazing. You don't think about that you're playing with one of the best in the game. He was an amazing teammate and an amazing player to play with. I was extremely lucky I was able to play with him."
Selected by Pittsburgh in the fifth round (No. 137) of the 2015 NHL Draft, Simon has scored 64 points (19 goals, 45 assists) in 173 regular-season games and has four assists in 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
"There's a bunch of really skilled guys (with the Flames)," he said. "Great names, great players. Guys that are known around the League. I'm excited to meet all them, to be honest, and playing with them. Like I said, it's really exciting for me. Right now, I'm very pumped."
