NHL Trade Deadline: Flames Trade Jay Bouwmeester To Blues

Doug Armstrong announced during the broadcast of tonight's Blues at Wild game that the Blues acquired Calgary Flames defenseman Jay Bouwmeester for a first round draft pick, Mike Cundari, and Reta Berra, who is a goaltender over in the Swiss league. The first round pick is deferred a year if the Blues don't make the playoffs this season, and the Flames get a 4th rounder this year if that's the case.

Bouwmeester has another year on his contract at $6.68 million. He's now the highest paid person on the Blues and a big help on defense for the team. The thing is, this causes a huge logjam on the left hand side. Toss in Jordan Leopold, Wade Redden, Barret Jackman, Kris Russell, and Ian Cole, and you have about two too many. But hey, at least we have quality to choose from. Or quality to trade from; chances could be good that Armstrong is working towards acquiring a forward who can score on a regular basis.

Bouwmeester has six goals and nine assists on the season, and is a -11 on a pretty meh Calgary team. He waived his NTC to come to the Blues, probably because in 10 NHL seasons, he's never made the playoffs. Don't be a jinx, please.