Calgary Flames re-signs experienced defenseman Anton Babchuk to a two-year, $5 million contract
Calgary Flames retained key performing defenseman, Anton Babchuk, on Monday after having a test season with him, following a trade from Carolina Hurricanes back when the 2010-2011 regular season just kicked off, to a two-year, $5 million contract.
Calgary's general manager, Jay Feaster, was happy to make the announcement after negotiations were successful.
"Anton Babchuk is a sound positional player on the back line and perhaps one of our most adept defenseman at pinching down the wall to keep the play alive in the offensive zone", said Jay Feaster. "Anton makes a good first pass, his shot is a big weapon
for us on the power play, and he contributes to our offense without sacrificing his defensive responsibilities. He is a good teammate and a team-first guy”.
Feaster may have lost a strong defender after trading Robyn Regehr, but after retaining Babchuk, he also has Jay Bouwmeester, Mark Giordanam, Cory Sarich, Chris Butler and Brett Carson to count on for next season, who have all signed on to one-year contracts.
Drafted as the 21st overall pick in round-one of the 2002 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft by Chicago Blackhawks, Babchuk remained in his original team for two straight seasons until moving on to Carolina Hurricanes for the next four.
At the age of 27, the Ukrainian player has developed well as a defenseman over the years, and according to Feaster, it is just the start.
“He’s still a young guy. I think he’s going to get better”, Feaster said.
Babchuk played only 17 games with Hurricanes last season in which he potted eight points, 3 goals and 5 assists, before being traded to Calgary and playing 65 games to end the regular season with another 27 points, 8 goals and 19 assists, along with an impressive
plus-minus rating of 18, a sign of consistency.
The deal will pay Babchuk $2.5 million a year, as Feaster continues to improve the Flames' line-up and get them back into a Stanley Cup contending position like they once were, back in 2004.
No further moves are expected from Calgary Flames' general manager, Jay Feaster, until the 2011-2012 regular season begins in October.
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