Flames, Lightning Swap Players In Minor Deal

Trade Details:

Calgary Flames acquire Blair Jones from the Tampa Bay Lightning for Brendan Mikkelson

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Calgary Flames Acquire:

F. Blair Jones Age: 25 Height: 6-2  Weight: 216 CONTRACT:  Cap-Hit: $525,000 Expires: 2012 (RFA) Important Facts: -Has a Two Way Clause in his contract ($105,000 AHL Salary) -Ten points in 78 NHL Career Games -319 Games Played In The AHL

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Tampa Bay Lightning Acquire:

D. Brendan Mikkelson Age: 24 Height: 6-3 Weight: 205 CONTRACT:  Cap-Hit: $721,875 Expires: 2012 Important Facts: -Has a Two Way Clause in his contract ($62,500 AHL Salary) -Has played 86 NHL games in his career -Has played 150 AHL games in his career

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Analysis:

This may seem like a very minor move, but there may be some interesting ramifications stemming from it. A few media personnel have stated that they believe this move is a precursor to a much larger and much more significant trade involving the Calgary Flames. For right now, this gives the Flames a depth player in Blair Jones that can play any forward position and provide a good two-way game. They have been looking for some help up front, and they are hoping that he can be a useful player. To acquire Jones they sent Brendan Mikkelson to the Lightning. The Lightning have been having some serious troubles on their back-end as Victor Hedman and Mattias Ohlund have gone down with injuries. They have been looking for a defenseman that can step in and they hope Mikkelson is up to the task. The twenty-four year old has a rare combination of great size (6'3", 205 lbs) and great skating, but he doesn't bring much else to the table. He can do a nice job filling in for now, but I am not sure if he will be a long-term NHL option.