Calgary gets Bouwmeester from the Panthers

CALGARY, Alberta, June 28 (UPI) -- The Calgary Flames have traded for defenseman Jay Bouwmeester of the Florida Panthers, strengthening one of the NHL's best defensive teams.

In return, Florida got defenseman Jordan Leopold and a third-round pick, which the Panthers used Saturday in the NHL draft to select right wing Josh Birkholz.

Bouwmeester, 25, the third overall pick in the 2002 draft by the Panthers, is to become a free agent July 1, when the Flames will need to come to terms on a contract to retain exclusive bargaining rights.

"I'd heard all the rumblings that something was going to happen," he told the Calgary Herald Saturday. "It's kind of fresh and it hasn't really sunk in yet. It definitely gives you a lot to think about."

Last season, Bouwmeester scored 42 points (15 goals and 27 assists) while trying to stop the opposition's top goal scorer on most nights.