Flames Re-Sign Anton Babchuk, Add Guillaume Desbiens

The Calgary Flames have announced that they have re-signed defenseman Anton Babchuk to a two-year contract worth $5 million and signed right wing Guillaume Desbiens to a one-year, two-way contract worth $525,000 at the NHL level. Babchuk's deal will pay him $2.5 million per season. In 65 games last season with the Carolina Hurricanes and Calgary Flames, Babchuk had 11 goals and 24 assists for 35 points. Desbiens appeared in 10 games last season with the Vancouver Canucks, scoring no points. He also played in 53 games with Manitoba of the AHL, scoring 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points and 104 penalty minutes. Babchuk isn't a bad signing for the Flames, as he brings plenty of offensive skill and a good shot to the blueline. More than likely, he will continue to play a top-four defensive role for the team over the next two seasons. As for Desbiens, he will likely play most of next season in the minors, providing Calgary's AHL affiliate in Abbotsford with lots of toughness and physical play on the forward lines.