Flames acquire Chris Simon
The Calgary Flames have added some extra grit for their playoff drive, acquiring rugged winger Chris Simon from the New York Rangers.
The Flames also received a conditional seventh-round draft pick. In exchange, Calgary shipped goaltender Jamie McLennan, centre Blair Betts and forward prospect Greg Moore to New York.
- RELATED:
- NHL Trade Deadline 2004
- Player bio: Chris Simon
- Player bio: Jamie McLennan
- Player bio: Blair Betts
- Player bio: Greg Moore
"We have been interested in Chris for sometime," said Flames general manager and head coach Darryl Sutter.
"He is a big strong player who will also provide us with an offensive contribution and is having a good season. Chris has been a member of a Stanley Cup team and has experience that will benefit our club."
The 32-year-old Simon has built a reputation as a quality tough guy and an above-average-scoring enforcer.
The Wawa, Ont., native signed with the Rangers as an unrestricted free agent this past summer. He collected 14 goals, 23 points, 224 penalty minutes and a plus-14 in 65 games with the New York this season.
Simon has played with four franchises since breaking into the NHL in the 1992-93 season. His stops have included Quebec/Colorado, Washington, Chicago and New York.
The 32-year-old McLennan became expendable after Roman Turek cleared waivers this week and with Miikka Kiprusoff's emergence as Calgary's No. 1 netminder.
McLennan appeared in 26 games for Calgary this season, compiling a 12-9-3 mark and 2.19 goals-against average.
The 24-year-old Betts was Calgary's second-round choice in 1998. He had one goal and two assists through 20 games this season, but is currently on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.
Moore, 19, was Calgary's fifth-round selection in the 2003 draft.
The move is the latest in the Rangers' housecleaning in advance of Tuesday's 3 p.m. EST trade deadline. Simon joins Alexei Kovalev, Brian Leetch, Peter Nedved and Jussi Markkanen as ex-Rangers dealt this week.
The Rangers added a player Saturday, claiming forward Josh Green off waivers from the Flames. The 26-year-old had two goals and four assists in 36 games with Calgary this season.