Arizona Coyotes and Calgary Flames Complete Massive Deal
The Arizona Coyotes and Calgary Flames Made a Massive Deal Saturday Afternoon Involving Two Goaltenders.
The Arizona Coyotes have moved starting goaltender Mike Smith to the Calgary Flames for goaltender Chad Johnson, prospect Brandon Hickey, and a conditional third round pick, it turns into a second if the Flames make the playoffs.
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Smith played in 55 games last season for the Yotes and in doing so earned a record of 19-26-9 with 2.92 goals against average with a .914 save percentage. The 35-year-old has two years left on his six-year deal, that costs $5.66 million per season. Johnson played in 36 games last season for Calgary putting up a solid record of 18-15-1 with 2.59 goals against average with a .910 save percentage. However, Johnson is an unrestricted free agent on July 1st.
The key part of the deal is no doubt prospect Brandon Hickey who will most likely make an appearance next season for the Yotes since they are going the youth route extremely quick. Hickey put up four goals, 11 assists in 35 games last season for the University of Boston in the NCAA. Even if Hickey doesn't make the club he can always go down to Tucson in the AHL.
The draft pick is a solid one as well, the Coyotes will receive a third round pick in 2018 if the Flames fail to make the playoffs, however, if they do make the playoffs that third will then turn into a second round pick.
Calgary has finally received a starting netminder and with Smith now in town, this should push Brian Elliott even more and create a nice increase duel between the two in order for them to bring their best every night.
