Flames add grit
18.08.00 14:30MST
Flames and Sharks swap wingers
Dave Fyvie has announced that 14yr veteran Dave Lowry (pictured) has been acquired from the San Jose Sharks for winger Nils Ekman. The left winger produced 7 goals and 18 points in 71 games last season and is known for his grit, leadership and defensive acumen. He will join his new teammates in time for Training Camp held in just over a month.
On the other side, Nils Ekman of Sweden will join the Sharks. Last season, the skilled winger split his time between the big club and the minors and produced 2 goals and 9 points in 28 games for the Flames where he played predominately on the 4th line.
"We need someone like Lowry on this team." Noted GM Fyvie. "He brings a lot of qualities that our younger players need right now. There's no doubt Ekman will be a strong player down the line, but he was really getting lost in the numbers game with all the other young wingers we already have on this team."
11 years younger than Lowry, Ekman will join a Sharks team in transition as they attempt to get younger, whereas the Flames have quite a bit of youth on their side and are trying to augment the mix a bit.
The 35yr old Lowry is the 4th new player brought in by the new General Manager, joining fellow forwards Martin Gelinas, Jeff O'Neill and rookie Andy MacDonald. The Flames is his 5th stop on his NHL career that began in Vancouver in 1985. Lowry was an integral member of the Cinderella Florida Panthers team that made the Stanley Cup finals in 1996 where the winger netted 10 goals and 17 points in 22 playoff games.