
The Calgary Flames have traded defenceman Jordan Leopold and a second-round pick in the 2006 NHL draft to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Alex Tanguay. The Avalanche also get a conditional second-round pick in either the 2007 or 2008 entry draft.
Tanguay, 26, is a restricted free agent and his qualifying offer will have to be $3.23 million US.
The six-foot, 190-pound left-winger from Ste.-Justine, Que., was second behind Joe Sakic in points for the Avs with 29 goals and 49 assists in 71 games during the 2005-06 regular season.
Colorado took him 12th overall in the 1998 draft and played in the 2004 NHL all-star game.
Leopold, 25, had two goals and 18 assists and had a plus-minus of plus-6 in 74 games for the Flames. He averaged 22 minutes per game. He also played for the U.S. at the Olympics in February and had a goal in six games. Leopold was a second-round pick of Anaheim in 1999 and was dealt to Calgary at the 2001 NHL draft.
This is another suprising move from Darryl Sutter. Who said he was going to leave the team the way it was. But with Dion Phanuef anchoring the powerplay, Leopold was expendable. Here's hoping Tanguay can stay healthy for a full season and give the Flames that extra scoring punch, besides Jarome Iginla.