More trades expected from the Flames
Posted Feb 1, 2010 7:40 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
After pulling the trigger on one big deal, the Flames may be firing off another trade as early as today.
There are reports that the team may be inking a deal with the New York Rangers.
Olli Jokinen and Brandon Prust could be heading for Manhattan in exchange for Ales Kotalik and Christopher Higgins.
TSN is reporting that this is almost complete, although Calgary has yet to sign on the dotted line.
“It’s a minor trade and Brandon Prust is a minor player, but he’s beloved in that dressing room and that’s the one thing that concerns me,” Calgary Sun Sports Columnist and Jack FM Host Eric Francis tells 660News.
Rogers Sportsnet is reporting that the deal is being held up thanks to a limited no-trade clause that Kotalik has in his contract. Calgary is one of just three teams he does not want to be traded to, although the two teams are still in talks.
Kotalik has just eight goals with the Rangers this season while Jokinen has eleven.
These rumours are swirling just a day after GM Darryl Sutter shook things up in the dressing room by trading three flames to the Maple Leafs, including Dion Phaneuf and Fredrick Sjostrom.
In the deal, Niklas Hagman, Matt Stajan, Ian White and Jamal Mayers will be flying in from Toronto.
The new Flames players are expected in the line up tonight when Calgary hosts the Philadelphia Flyers.
Defenceman Ian White says he’s excited about joining the “C” of red, but doesn’t want to live in Phaneuf’s shadow.
“I have my own style of game and I play a certain style. I’m pretty sure they didn’t bring me in just to replace him. I have some attributes that can really help the team,” White tells the Fan 960.
Darryl Sutter says this move was all about balance for the team.
Phaneuf will debut as a Leaf Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils.
