Much of the trade talk chatter at the 2016 NHL Entry Draft has surrounded the Calgary Flames and their search for a quality starting goaltender after posting the worst team goals against in the league during the 2015-16 season. Flames General Manager Brad Treliving didn’t disappoint, picking up veteran St. Louis Blues netminder Brian Elliott in exchange for a the 35th overall pick and a conditional 3rd round pick in 2018.
Calgary Flames Acquire Goaltender Brian Elliott
Brian Elliott will be traded to CAL
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 25, 2016
STL gets 35h pick from CAL
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 25, 2016
Elliott was originally drafted 291st overall, the second to last selection, by the Ottawa Senators in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He spent the last five seasons with the Blues, largely playing in a platoon, never starting more than 45 games in a season. However, he posted excellent numbers as a Blue, with a .925 save percentage and 2.01 GAA and 104 wins in 180 appearances.
Elliott’s best year came in 2011-12, when he lead the league with a .940 save percentage and a 1.56 GAA, winning the Jennings Trophy and finishing fifth in Vezina Trophy voting.
The 30-year-old Canadian has one year remaining on his contract, with a cap hit of $2.5 million. He now becomes the starting goalie for the Flames, who are hoping he can improve on their league-worst 3.13 goals against per game, as the team looks to be on the rise.
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