Flames trade David Jones to Wild for Niklas Backstrom and 6th round draft pick

The Calgary Flames have made a late trade today, so late in fact that it was announced three hours after the NHL trade deadline passed.

Pending unrestricted free agent David Jones is on his way to Minnesota in exchange for goaltender Niklas Backstrom and a 6th round draft pick.

Jones was acquired by the Flames in 2013 with Shane O’Brien in a deal that saw Alex Tanguay and Cory Sarich head to Calgary. Jones’ production in three seasons with the Flames, 62 points (32-30-62) in 174 games, has been underwhelming. He is in the last year of a 4-year deal that paid him $4 million per season.

David Jones saying his goodbyes to @NHLFlames shortly before game time in Philly. #TradeDeadline pic.twitter.com/8rF4IMgFfX

— Sean Kelso (@kelsohockey) February 29, 2016

From a Calgary perspective, this deal was all about getting an extra draft pick. The 38-year-old Backstrom has not played a game since January 13 of last year. He is in the last year of a contract that carries a $3,416,666 cap hit.

The Flames now have 10 draft picks in this June’s entry draft, including four picks in the first two rounds.

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