Trading season started with a bang Sunday. But the Hawks were not involved.
The Calgary Flames traded star defenseman Dion Phaneuf, a promising 24-year-old who will earn an average of $6.5 million a season until his contract runs out after 2013-14, to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Here is a clip of Phaneuf dropping the gloves with Brent Seabrook:
The Flames, whom the Hawks eliminated from the playoffs last season, added some depth up front in forwards Niklas Hagman (20 goals), Matt Stajan (41 points) and Jamal Mayers as they try to revive their floundering season. The Flames also received defenseman Ian White, while the Leafs got forward Fredrik Sjostrom and defenseman Keith Aulie.
Toronto GM Brian Burke wasn't done either. He also acquired Stanley Cup-winning goaltender J.S. Giguere from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for goalie Vesa Toskala and forward Jason Blake.
The trade deadline is March 3, but things should heat up before and after the Olympic roster freeze from Feb. 12-28.
We had the chance to catch up with Hawks GM Stan Bowman during the Hawks' eight-game road trip for some trade talk. Here is the link.
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