The Calgary Flames have acquired defenseman Erik Gustafsson from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a conditional 2020 3rd round pick that will be the higher of Calgary\’s two third rounders this year.
Gustafsson is a solid second pairing defenseman, but he is not great defensively. However, he has shown flashes of being a great offensive defenseman. While he has not scored much this year, he had a 17 goal, 60 point season last year. He will be a UFA at the end of the year. Trading away a third rounder for a guy with those numbers last year and decent offensive numbers for a defenseman this year is a good bargain for Calgary. He provides depth as well. He is a more experienced option than Oliver Kylington and Alexander Yelesin, who are both on the current roster. The return might seem low for Chicago, but Gustafsson is on an expiring contract and is not having an amazing season currently. He will slot in behind Noah Hanifin and Mark Giordano when the latter returns from injury.
Gustafsson, 27, has scored six goals with 20 assists for 26 points in 59 games for the Blackhawks this year. In his NHL career, all in Chicago, Gustafsson has scored 28 goals with 88 assists for 116 points in 214 games.
CarterHud 