Flames Acquire Babchuk, Kostopoulos from Hurricanes for Sutter, White

The Calgary Flames announced today that they have acquired defenseman Anton Babchuk and right wing Tom Kostopoulos from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for left wing Brett Sutter and defenseman Ian White. The trade comes one week after Sutter was charged with assault outside an Arizona bar. He is alleged to have punched a cab driver after a drunken altercation and has made a public apology. He has one assist in four games this season, while White has two goals and four assists for six points in 14 games. Babchuk has three goals and five assists for eight points in 17 games, while Kostopoulos has one goal and three assists for four points and 30 penalty minutes in 17 games. White and Babchuk will be unrestricted free agents next summer, while Sutter will be a restricted free agent. Kostopoulos will be an unrestricted free agent in 2012. This is a pretty even trade for both teams in terms of player quality, as Babchuk and White both have plenty of offensive skill on the blueline, while Sutter and Kostopoulos both play with lots of grit and toughness. The trade does offer the Flames some salary cap relief, as Babchuk and Kostopoulos both make a combined $2.4 million, while White's salary is $3 million. The deal is also a bit of a shakeup for the Flames, as they are 4-6 in their last 10 games. The deal also comes in the wake of rumors that the Flames have been considering trading team captain Jarome Iginla, possibly to the Los Angeles Kings in a package that would involve Brayden Schenn. However, the Flames have denied that they are going to trade Iginla. As for Sutter, his off ice altercation last week likely didn't sit well with team management and is likely sending a message to their players that such acts will not be tolerated. Sutter will get a fresh start on a rebuilding Hurricanes team, where cousin Brandon Sutter is one of the top prospects. Brett could likely become a checking forward with the team, where he will provide lots of toughness and energy.