Flames received a 2024 fifth-round pick and 2026 third-round selection for the big blueliner
The list of potential unrestricted free-agents is down by one after the Calgary Flames traded defenceman Nikita Zadorov to the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday.
Calgary receives a fifth-round pick in this year's draft and a third-round selection in 2026.
Zadorov, 28, had collected one goal, five assists, 23 penalty minutes and a minus-6 rating in 21 games this season. He is in the final season of a deal with a $3.75-million salary cap hit. In a twist of fate, he is likely to make his Canucks debut on Saturday at the Saddledome against the Flames.
The fifth-round pick was acquired by the Canucks earlier this week in a deal that sent forward Anthony Beauvillier to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Zadorov had asked for a trade with the hopes of receiving more ice time heading into free agency, which became public three weeks ago.
“First, I’d like to thank Nikita for his commitment to the Flames and his professionalism through this process,” said Flames general manager Craig Conroy said via statement.
“Our hockey operations group works every day to find opportunities that make our team better today and for the future. This trade provides us with important draft assets, cap space and the opportunity for another one of our young prospects to prove himself in the NHL.”
The Flames (9-10-3) heading into Thursday night's clash with the Dallas Stars, have a couple of other key pending UFAs in defensemen Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev, as well as top-line centre Elias Lindholm.