***UPDATE***
tsn.ca is now confirming that this trade has officially gone through. It was announced following Calgary's 3-0 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night.
***UPDATE***
According to Bob McKenzie on tsn.ca, this trade is on hold for now, as the Flames want Olli Jokinen in the line-up tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers. Brandon Prust may also play tonight as well. McKenzie also reports that Ales Kotalik may not want to waive his no-trade clause to go to Calgary, and that the Flames may have backed out of the deal. Stay tuned to this one folks, as it's bound to get interesting.
According to tsn.ca, the Calgary Flames and New York Rangers are expected to announce a trade which will send Flames' center Olli Jokinen and left wing Brandon Prust to the Rangers for left wing Ales Kotalik and left wing Chris Higgins. The announcement comes nearly 12 hours after the Flames shipped defenseman Dion Phaneuf to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a seven player trade. The move comes in the wake of the Flames' recent slide through the standings that has them in danger of sliding out of playoff contention. The Rangers have also struggled offensively recently and are too in danger of missing the playoffs. Jokinen was originally acquired by the Flames during last season's trade deadline in the hopes that he would mesh with Jarome Iginla, but neither player could develop any chemistry together offensively. In 55 games this season with the Flames, Jokinen has 11 goals and 24 assists for 35 points, while Prust has one goal and four assists for five points and 98 penalty minutes in 42 games. Kotalik has played in 45 games so far this season, scoring eight goals and 14 assists for 22 points, while Higgins has six goals and eight assists for 14 points.
As long as this trade goes through, it's really nothing more than a swap of struggling forwards and hoping they regain their offensive touch with their new teams. Jokinen has been in offensive decline for the past few seasons, but when he's on top of his game, he can be a very steady offensive contributor. Prust gives the Rangers a very gritty, physical checking line forward who will bring the toughness that the team has lacked throughout the season. Kotalik started off the season strong, but faded quickly and has been a healthy scratch in recent games. Higgins has struggled mightily this season as well, unable to regain his 20-goals-per-season form. However, when on their respected games, Kotalik and Higgins can be reliable offensive contributors. The gamble the Flames face in this trade is acquiring Kotalik. He still has two more years left on his contract at $3 million per season. If he fails to improve his offensive production over the course of this season and the next, he will be an expensive acquisition. Only time will tell whether this trade could help out either team.
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