Calgary adds Bouwmeester on heels of NHL draft dealings

MONTREAL — The Calgary Flames have added Jay Bouwmeester to their already impressive defense corps, at least for the next four days.

Bouwmeester, who is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday, was acquired by Calgary in a trade with the Florida Panthers as the NHL entry draft wrapped up Saturday with the final six rounds at the Bell Centre.

Florida acquired Jordan Leopold — also on the verge of free agency — and a third-round pick, which the Panthers used to draft right wing Josh Birkholz 67th overall.

The trade gives Flames GM Darryl Sutter a window of exclusivity in negotiating a new contract with Bouwmeester and his agent, Bryon Baltimore.

“I think we have everybody under contract that we want under contract, and we’re trying to get him under contract,” Sutter said.

The suspense leading up to the start of the 2009 entry draft peaked at its outset Friday night when New York Islanders general manager Garth Snow tabbed high-scoring center John Tavares as the No. 1 pick overall.

Shortly afterwards, Philadelphia acquired defenseman Chris Pronger in a multi-player deal that saw Anaheim reacquire forward Joffrey Lupul.

Those who thought more trades would follow were sorely disappointed. With a few minor deals completed Saturday, aside from the trade involving Bouwmeester, Toronto GM Brian Burke noted that it’s difficult to find a trading partner willing to take on multi-year deals in the current economy.

“Right now, if you’ve got contracts of any term on them it’s really hard to move guys,” Burke said. “I thought there’d be more activity but I’m not quite sure why there wasn’t.”

With Dion Phaneuf and Robyn Regehr already anchoring their defense, the Flames decided to take an early run at one of the top young blueliners in the game.

“The test will be if they sign him,” Burke said. “If they sign him, then it was a very successful gamble. I mean, this kid’s a good player.”

A 6-foot-4, 214-pound native of Edmonton, the 25-year-old Bouwmeester had spent his entire career with Florida, which drafted him third overall in 2002.

“I chatted a couple of times with his agent and at that point in time it was just clear that they really wanted to have the opportunity to exercise his free agency right,” said Panthers acting GM Randy Sexton, a former St. Lawrence University player. “About 18 months ago they gave us a list of teams that they were interested in and Calgary was right at the very top. He’s an Alberta boy and Darryl’s an aggressive guy, he’s clever, he’s creative — I think he’ll find a way to get them.”

Bouwmeester, who had 15 goals and 27 assists last season, never made a playoff appearance in six full seasons with the Panthers. He has 53 goals and 150 assists in 471 games.

“To be able to play with guys like Dion and Robyn for a long time, that to me is pretty significant,” Sutter said.

Leopold, who has been traded four times, also is eligible for free agency next week.

“We’re going to try to sign him,” Sexton said. “We don’t know if we will or not but we’re going to try. We think he’s a mobile puck-moving guy who will be a really fine replacement for Jay.”

The Flames also traded defenseman Jim Vandermeer to Phoenix in exchange for center Brandon Prust.

MEGAN PICKED BY PANTHERS

The Florida Panthers chose Canton native Wade Megan in the fifth round of the NHL draft.

Megan, a forward listed at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, was the 138th overall draft pick. He played hockey at Canton High School until his sophomore year. He has spent the last two seasons at South Kent prep school in Connecticut.

Megan has committed to play at Boston University. He’s scheduled to compete for the national champion Terriers in 2010.

BRUINS TAKE CLARKSON RECRUIT

Future Clarkson player Ben Sexton was a seventh-round selection of the Boston Bruins at the NHL draft.

Sexton, the son of former St. Lawrence University player Randy Sexton, was the 206th overall pick in the draft. He competed with the Nepean Raiders of the Central Junior Hockey League last season. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound forward contributed 14 goals and 21 assists in 38 games. He’s expected to suit up for the Golden Knights in 2010.

SELANNE TO RETURN TO DUCKS

Ten-time All-Star Teemu Selanne has decided to play another season with the Anaheim Ducks.

Selanne’s decision, announced by the Ducks on Saturday, came a day after defenseman Scott Niedermayer, who turns 36 in August, told the team he’s coming back. Selanne turns 39 next week.

“Teemu is still playing at a high level, brings passion and energy to the locker room and is a loyal member of this franchise,” general manager Bob Murray said in a statement.

The Finnish-born Selanne has played 10 of his 17 NHL seasons with Anaheim and was signed for the 2009-2010 season.

He is the Ducks’ all-time scoring leader with 352 goals, including 59 game-winners, and 743 points. Anaheim was eliminated by Detroit in the second round of the playoffs this year.

“The way we played toward the end of last season, I’m excited about our chances,” Selanne said in the statement.

SABRES DRAFT FOLIGNO'S SON

Marcus Foligno vividly recalls attending the on-ice ceremony when his father, Mike, was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres’ Hall of Fame.

Little did the youngster realize then that some four years later he’d earn an opportunity to build on the family legacy in Buffalo. Foligno, the youngest son of the popular former Sabres captain, will get that chance after Buffalo selected him in the fourth round, 104th overall, in the NHL draft on Saturday.

“This is awesome. It just worked out perfect,” Foligno said by phone from the draft in Montreal. “It seemed like it was meant to be.”

Only time will tell whether he can come anywhere close to matching his father’s accomplishments.

Mike Foligno spent 10 of his 15 NHL seasons with the Sabres and became a fan favorite for his rugged and offensive style. He ranks sixth on Buffalo’s list with 247 career goals, eighth in career points (511) and second with 1,450 penalty minutes.

“Just knowing what my dad has done in Buffalo is something that’s pretty big, and I hope to do as well as he,” the younger Foligno said. “I’m looking forward to going to Buffalo and seeing what I can do to make my own shoes.”

Foligno has begun making an impression after his second season playing for the Ontario Hockey League’s Sudbury Wolves, a team that happens to be coached by his father.

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, the feisty forward had 30 points (12 goals, 18 assists) and 96 penalty minutes in 65 games last season. At 17, he’s expected to require a few more years to develop.

Mike Foligno couldn’t be more proud, especially after watching his son pull on the Sabres jersey at the team’s draft table.

“It’s beautiful. I’m very ecstatic right now. It’s such an incredible thing to happen,” said Foligno, who also played for Detroit, Toronto and Florida. “The memories that flashed through your mind as soon as he was selected. ... You just can’t say any words of what it means to us.”

As for his son’s potential, Foligno noted that Marcus is still growing and developing.

“I can only imagine what the upside is,” Foligno said. “I just hope that someday he gets the opportunity to help the Buffalo Sabres accomplish their goal by winning the Stanley Cup.”