Flames acquire Alex Chiasson from Senators; signs $800K deal

The Ottawa Senators were expecting big things from Alex Chiasson. He was one of the key pieces going from the Dallas Stars to the Ottawa Senators in the trade for Jason Spezza nearly two years ago. However, Chiasson just never seemed to catch on with the Sens.

Per the collective bargaining agreement, the Senators would have had to qualify Chiasson at the bare minimum of $1.2-million; what he made last season. Teams have until 5:00 p.m. EST on Monday, June 27 to make qualifying offers to their RFAs in order to retain their rights.

According to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports, Chiasson had yet to receive his qualifying offer from the Senators and hinted that a trade could be in the works.

A few hours later, the trade came down with Chiasson going to the Calgary Flames in exchange for defenseman Patrick Sieloff. Shortly thereafter, the Flames signed Chiasson to a one-year, $800,000 contract.

Essentially, he took a $400,000 discount for a change in scenery. His offensive production was stagnant in Ottawa with 40 points in 153 games.

The fresh start is welcomed by Chiasson.

Getting Chiasson at a discount is incredibly helpful to the Flames financial situation. The team is currently negotiating extensions for RFAs Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan.

In Calgary he's reunited with new Flames head coach Glen Gulutzan who was his coach while they were with the Dallas Stars. Under Gulutzan, Chiasson had the best offensive season of his NHL career of 35 points in 79 NHL games.

As for the return in the trade, Ottawa picks up Patrick Sieloff with one year remaining on his RFA contract at $894,166, per General Fanager.

The 22-year-old defenseman played in one game for the Calgary Flames, netting one point. He spent the rest of last season with the Stockton Heat (AHL). He had 11 points in 52 games with 54 penalty minutes. He's been at the wrong end of the injury bug throughout his career.

From Flames Nation post 'Realistic expectations for Patrick Sieloff' back in July 2015:

Patrick Sieloff hasn’t had hurdles in his short hockey career, he’s had walls – gigantic walls that have impeded his progression and have left many questioning his future.

The truly disappointing part isn’t what he’s endured the last three years, it’s the fact that he has all the parts to the car, but hasn’t had the time to put it together yet. I know he’s not the shiny new toy anymore, and heading into the upcoming draft he’ll surely fade even farther out of the collective eye, but let’s not give up on a kid who hasn’t given up on himself yet.

Making the leap from perennial minor league to Senators Top 6 seems unlikely unless he shows something we haven't seen yet.

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Jen Neale is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @MsJenNeale_PD.

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