Goalie swap: Anaheim sends Curtis McElhinney to Tampa Bay for Dan Ellis

TAMPA BAY, Fla. - The Anaheim Ducks and Tampa Bay Lightning swapped backup goaltenders on Thursday.

Anaheim sent Curtis McElhinney to Tampa Bay for Dan Ellis. McElhinney is 6-9-1 with two shutouts in 21 appearances with the Ducks this season. He has a 3.43 goals-against average and a .890 save percentage.

McElhinney, a 27-year-old Calgary native, was drafted by the Flames with the 176th overall pick in the 2002 NHL draft. In 60 career games, he has a 15-22-4 record with a 3.21 GAA and .895 save percentage.

Ellis has a 13-7-6 record in 31 games this season with a 2.93 GAA and .889 save percentage. The 30-year-old Saskatoon native was drafted by the Dallas Stars with the 60th overall pick in the 2000 draft.

"We are excited to acquire a goaltender of Dan's calibre, someone we feel can help us immediately," said Ducks executive vice president and general manager Bob Murray. "He has experience playing in big games down the stretch."

Ellis is 63-49-14 in 142 career games with Tampa Bay, Nashville and the Stars with a 2.71 GAA and .907 save percentage.

The trade frees up some cap space for Tampa Bay ahead of the trade deadline on Monday. Ellis has one year left on his contract worth US$1.5 million. McElhinney is a free agent after this season.