Hagman Claimed by Ducks

By Derrick Newman

It’s official.

The Niklas Hagman era in Calgary has come to an end as the much maligned winger was picked up on re-entry waivers by the Anaheim Ducks today.

Now, maybe not the most significant era in the annals of the Flaming C, but one that caused controversy from the very beginning.

Hagman came to Calgary alongside press box junkie Matt Stajan, current Red Wing Ian White and current Blackhawk Jamal Mayers for Dion Phaneuf, Keith Aulie, and Freddy Sjostrom.

In 108 games with Calgary he racked up 17 goals and 25 assists – not exactly numbers worth the $3 million price tag. 

A Year Ago Today Dion Was Dealt

It was a year ago today that the Calgary Flames dealt Dion Phaneuf to the center of the universe.


A year? Really? Has it been that long?

The trade was this: Dion Phaneuf, Freddie Sjostrom, and Keith Aulie to Toronto for Niklas Hagman, Matt Stajan, Jamal Mayers, and Ian White.

So who won this deal? Is it still too early to tell? Did nobody win this deal?

What do the stats tell us?

Well from a team standpoint, Toronto is languishing away in 12th spot in the East, six games under .500 and 14 points out of a playoff spot and destined to miss the playoffs for the 6th straight year. The Flames are also in 12th spot in their respective conference but are three games above .500 and only sit two points out of a playoff spot.

Niklas Hagman: A Good Fit

Coming over in “The Trade” from the Toronto in late January of last season, Niklas Hagman was considered to be the most highly skilled player that took the westbound trip to Calgary.

A six foot tall, quick, Finnish forward with loads of unused potential was bound to help the Calgary offence going forward.

The following 27 games didn’t exactly yield the projected returns that so many fans had hoped for; only five goals and six assists.

Is it tough for new players to fit into a new team mid-season? Of course it is, and that’s why I’m willing to cut Hagman a bit of slack for the end of last season. Face it, nobody in a Flames jersey outside of Kiprusoff, had a March to remember.

So what can Flames fans expect from a full season of the “New” Number 10?