The Calgary Flames have acquired Colorado Avalanche forward Freddie Hamilton, according to The Canadian Press’ Stephen Whyno. Heading back the other way is a conditional 7th round draft pick.
Hamilton, a San Jose Sharks 5th round draft pick in 2010 who was acquired by the Avs in a trade last season, was one of the last RFA’s in the league to sign a deal this summer. He wound up accepting his qualifying offer, getting a one-year, two-way deal worth $687,500.
The 23-year-old forward has been a fringe player for all of his short career, playing just 29 games over the last two seasons. 17 of those were with Colorado after last season’s trade.
He was highly regarded by the Sharks as a prospect, but hasn’t been able to make a NHL spot stick. So, why would Calgary want him? A small part of that may be that it’s the place where his brother Dougie Hamilton just signed a six-year deal. He certainly has promise and at worst would improve Calgary’s AHL squad in Stockton.
On the other side of this deal, Colorado benefits from clearing contracts, not necessarily cap space. The team had 48 of their 50 allowable contracts spoken for prior to the trade. The Denver Post’s Mike Chambers notes that the number of contracts could be important because there’s a sense that Colorado will offer contracts to forwards Jack Skille and Curtis Glencross, who are both at training camp on tryout deals.
Freddie Hamilton trade further supports Jack Skille & Curtis Glencross getting deals off PTOs, giving #Avs 49 contracts. Unofficial tho
— Mike Chambers (@MikeChambers) October 5, 2015
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