The Calgary Flames have locked up one of the top prized players in this year's free agent class, signing defenseman Jay Bouwmeester to a five-year, $33 million contract.
Bouwmeester, 25, was set to become an unrestricted free agent tomorrow. He'll now earn $6.6 million, per season.
The Flames acquired Bouwmeester's rights on Saturday from the Florida Panthers in exchange for the rights to impending UFA defenseman Jordan Leopold and a 2009 third-round draft pick.
"Jay is one of the most complete defenseman in the game, and we are very pleased to have reached an agreement that will make him an important component of the Calgary Flames success," said Flames GM Darryl Sutter. "We identified Jay as the priority player where we were going to focus our money. We wanted an opportunity a few days in advance of the deadline, and that’s why we made the move we did this past weekend."
Bouwmeester, an Edmonton native, completed his sixth season with the Panthers in 2008-09, recording 15 goals and 27 assists.
"I am happy to have this deal done as Calgary was a team I was very interested in playing for. I was encouraged by the commitment Calgary showed by acquiring me prior to July 1," Bouwmeester said. "I am familiar with some of the players and believe we have a strong club that is poised to make the next step in becoming a championship club. I look forward to contributing to that success."
Bouwmeester has accumulated 203 points in 471 career NHL games. He was originally drafted third-overall by the Panthers in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.
