Flames busy on Draft Day
03.07.01 18:27MST
Housley and Shantz moved for prospects and picks
Calgary Flames General Manager announced a pair of trades on the Draft Day floor today, in Miami Florida. Eager to acquire a few picks, spent earlier in the season to upgrade the lineup, Fyvie moved veteran defenseman Phil Housley and centre Jeff Shantz (both pictured) to Pittsburgh and Boston respectively.
Coming back from Pittsburgh was a 3rd round draft pick the Flames will use tomorrow, along with Boston's 6th round pick Calgary received for Jeff Shantz. Calgary also received 22yr old prospect defenseman Tom Preissing.
Both trades occurred just prior to Calgary taking the podium to announce their first round selection for 2001: Czech defender Zbynek Michalek at 14th overall.
Michalek is a physically mature right-handed defenseman that Fyvie believes has an opportunity to step right into an NHL roster this season. "We were keen to add to our blueline in the first round this year and Zbynek is unique in that he could potentially start the season in the big leagues. He's smart, and physical. We're very happy to get him."
Michalek has a legitimate chance of joining the big club as Calgary dealt veteran Phil Housley earlier in the day creating a hole in the lineup that could be filled by the rookie.
Going first overall this season was Finnish netminder Pekka Rinne to the Carolina Hurricanes. Defenseman Duncan Keith went to Boston and forward Tomas Plekanec was selected by the Buffalo Sabres to fill out the top 3 picks.
The entire first round went as follows:
1: Rinne,P Carolina
2: Keith,D Boston
3: Plekanec,T Buffalo
4: Greene,A Minnesota
5: Niemi,A Atlanta
6: Spezza,J Columbus
7: Emery,R Florida
8: Pominville,J Phoenix
9: Hamhius,D Chicago
10: Kovalchuk,I Tampa bay
11: Tyutin,F Nashville
12: Koivu,M Dallas
13: Laich,B New York Rangers
14: Michalek,Z Calgary
15: Wideman,D Montreal
16: Koshechkin,V Washington
17: Gilbert,T Toronto
18: Greene,M Anaheim
19: Ruutu,T Pittsburgh
20: Glencross,C New Jersey
21: McClement,J New York Islanders
22: Roy,D San Jose
23: Whitney,R Los Angeles
24: Jokinen,J Vancouver
25: Hemsky,A Philadelphia
26: Ebbett,A Edmonton
27: Ballard,K Ottawa
28: Goc,M St.Louis
29: Gleason,T Detroit
30: Clowe,R Colorado