More NHL offseason: Rumors | Top 50 Free Agents
Just two days after acquiring 26-year-old forward Tyler Kennedy from the Penguins, the San Jose Sharks have made another move, sending 25-year-old forward T.J. Galiardi to the Calgary Flames in exchange for a draft pick.
The pick in return is a fourth-rounder.
"We are thrilled to add a young player with T.J.'s size and versatility to our lineup," Flames general manager Jay Feaster said. "He can play left wing or center, he competes hard, is a very good energy player, and he is only 25 years old. The fact that he is from Calgary, lives here in the offseason and played for the Hitmen [in the Western Hockey League] is an added bonus, as he is yet another player who is excited to be part of our program going forward."
It's no surprise to see Galiardi on the move. It was widely speculated that Kennedy's arrival meant Galiardi was likely on his way out of San Jose. Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area reported he was put on the block right away, and it didn't take long for Calgary to bite.
Galiardi, like Kennedy for the Sharks, was a restricted free agent, but in announcing the trade the Flames also said they had already signed Galiardi to a new deal.
Galiardi scored five goals with nine assists in 36 games this season with the Sharks. In the postseason, he had one goal, an OT game-winner, and an assist. Though he didn't score a lot, he was pretty effective in the playoffs or at least noticeable against the Kings.
For those keeping score at home, then, the Sharks essentially traded Galiardi and a second-round pick for Kennedy and a fourth-rounder. Just like that, the Sharks got a little upgrade in their bottom six. They had to do a little salary shuffling, might as well get a slight bit better while they're at it.
Galiardi is a Calgary native, so this is more than just a new team for him, it's a homecoming.
