Anaheim Ducks get Niklas Hagman from Calgary Flames off waivers -NHL News Update
Calgary Flames had placed their veteran left winger, Niklas Hagman, on waivers early in the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season, which he cleared and was assigned to their farm club affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL), the Abbotsford
Heat, but has now been picked up by the Anaheim Ducks after being placed on re-entry waivers from the Canadian team.
Having had a weak performance according to the Calgary Flames, Hagman was placed on waivers as he played in eight games and potted four points (1 goal, 3 assists) and two minutes in penalty time.
Flames general manager, Jay Feaster, had assured the 31-year-old that he would be given another chance to re-enter the major league once the team placed him on re-entry waivers, which is exactly what happened after Hagman was learned to be in contact with
various franchises.
"I advised Nik that upon clearing waivers we would place him on re-entry waivers and I gave him permission to speak with other teams", Feaster said in a statement Monday, November 14, 2011. "We are pleased for Nik that he was claimed and we wish him well".
Anaheim and Calgary will jointly compensate Hagman his US $3 million on the final year of his contract, which a $12 million, four-year long deal, signed between him and the Flames back before the 2008-2009 regular season kicked off.
Seeing that Hagman was basically underperforming on the ice and was usually on the benches when not playing, his Calgary teammates consider it to be a better way for the forward to perform better and restart his career in a better way.
“He’s probably going to play with Saku (Koivu) and Teemu (Selanne), so it’s a lot better than being in the press box and eating hot dogs and popcorn”, said Flames centre, Olli Jokinen.
The Espoo, Finland native, has participated in a total of 707 NHL matchups and boasts a record of 282 points (139 goals, 143 assists), which make him a player capable of putting up number when needed.
Being a player who can pot 40 plus a season, Hagman’s transfer to Anaheim just might be the change he needed.
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