Well, after much speculation that the Calgary Flames would make a trade for a goaltender before the trade freeze, it ended up being true.
Remember about an hour ago when I was just minding my business and nothing was happening on trade freeze day? Yeah me too. But, after everyone thinking that the Calgary Flames could make a trade right before the trade freeze, it’s a done deal. The trade freeze would happen at 3 pm EST and teams would have to submit their protected and exposed lists by 5 pm EST.
After rumors and stories first broke on Twitter via multiple different people at Sportsnet and TSN, it was finalized. The story initially broke about the Flames possibly acquiring G Mike Smith in a trade from the Arizona Coyotes. Leaving Flames fans going crazy online.
Then finally about a half hour later, it was a done deal. The Flames get Mike Smith and Arizona will retain 25% of his salary. The Coyotes will get the rights to G Chad Johnson since he doesn’t officially become a free agent until July 1st, they’ll get prospect Brandon Hickey, and a conditional 2018 3rd round pick. It’ll become a second round pick if the Flames make the playoffs.
Bye bye Chad. On the plus side, at least the Flames get yet ANOTHER Mike to add to their already full of Mikes roster.
Mike Smith is a 35-year old goaltender from Kingston, Ontario who’s been playing with Arizona/Phoenix since the 2011-2012 season. He had a good season last season, considering what team he played for. But he’s been somewhat inconsistent the last few seasons. Let’s hope that Flames GM Brad Treliving hasn’t made a mistake.
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Every season the Calgary Flames seem to have problems with their goaltending. Especially the fact that it’s because it’s inconsistent goaltending. Let’s hope this trade will completely will prove a lot of us wrong.