Calgary Flames trade veteran defenseman Robyn Regehr and forward Ales Kotalik to Buffalo Sabres
Calgary Flames needed to clear up some salary cap space in order to retain its playmaking forward, Alex Tanguay, so it traded veteran defenseman Robyn Regehr along with forward Ales Kotlik to Buffalo Sabres in a sudden move on Saturday during the second
round of the 2011 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft.
According to the Flames general manager, Jay Feaster, the management had no intention of trading their veteran defenseman for over 11 seasons, but had to for the teams’ betterment and it certainly was not an easy decision.
"It's not a case where we were looking to unload Robyn", Feaster said during Saturday’s second round of the 2011 Entry Draft. "Robyn has been a tremendous hockey player for our club and has been there for a very long time. It's difficult when you move a
guy that is a core player".
Robyn Regehr, the 19th overall pick of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft by the Colorado Avalanche never actually played with his draft team, but spent his whole career in Calgary. It was certainly a shock to him when he heard that he had been traded to
the Buffalo Sabres.
At one point, Regehr was planning on not waiving off his no-trade clause which was part of his contract because of the sudden shock, but later went through with the deal.
"He had initially advised me on Friday that he was not going to waive. Last night , at the draft, his agent informed me that (Robyn) and his his wife had talked about it some more”, GM Feaster added.
Along with Regehr, Flames had to also give away right wing of two seasons, Ales Kotalik, and in return received a second round draft pick next year along with defenseman Chris Butler and centre player Paul Byron.
Regehr contributed 17 points during the previous regular season in which Flames was not able to make it to the playoffs, which consisted of 15 assists and two goals.
Flames do not intend on changing their line-up anymore during the remainder of the offseason, but since this was also uncalled for, there is no telling about what might happen next.
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