The Calgary Flames made a splash during the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft selecting a highly coveted prospect and trading for a proven goaltender.
With the sixth overall pick, the Flames drafted left-winger Matthew Tkachuk of the London Knights. Tkachuk, the son of former NHL great Keith Tkachuk, was expected to be a top five pick but remained available when Flames GM Brad Treliving took to the podium to announce the team’s selection.
"I'm just so excited to be drafted by such a really good organization," said Tkachuk. "They have so many great players."
"it's going to be an exciting time and I hope to make the team sooner than later and help the team win."
Less than 30 minutes after the Tkachuk pick, the Flames made a move to bolster their goaltending situation sending the team’s second round pick, 35th overall, in the 2016 draft and a conditional third round pick in 2018 to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for veteran netminder Brian Elliott. The third round pick is contingent on the Flames signing Elliott, an unrestricted free agent after the 2016-17 season, to an extension
Elliott's 2016-17 salary of $2.7 million carries a $2.5 million cap hit..
The 31-year-old goaltender had a 38-23-8 record with the Blues during the 2015-16 regular season posting a .930 save percentage and four shutouts.
