Flames deal Bouwmeester to Blues
The St. Louis Blues acquired defenseman Jay Bouwmeester on Tuesday night in a trade with the Calgary Flames.
The Flames received defenseman Mark Cundari, goalie Reto Berra and a first-round pick in the 2013 draft as part of the deal. Should St. Louis fail to make the playoffs, Calgary would receive a fourth-round selection in this year's draft and the first-round pick to be deferred to 2014.
Bouwmeester, 29, has two years remaining on the five-year, $33.4 million deal. His salary counts $6.68 million annually against the capy.
The trade is the second major move for the Flames before Wednesday's trade deadline. A week ago, Calgary dealt longtime captain Jarome Iginla to Pittsburgh.
Bouwmeester, a 10-year veteran, led Flames defensemen this season with six goals and averaged more than 25 minutes per game. He's considered an iron man, having not missed a game since the 2003-04 season. But he has never made it to the playoffs.
The Blues are fighting to make the postseason. They're one point behind Columbus for eighth place in the Western Conference standings.
Cundari, 22, has seven goal, 18 assists and 80 penalty minutes in 56 games for Peoria of the American Hockey League this season.
Berra, a 27-year-old Swiss native, was drafted by the Blues in 2006 but has yet to play in North America. With Biel in the Swiss A League this season, he has a 3.01 goals-against average and .906 save percentage.
