BY MARK SPECTOR
sportsnet.ca
CALGARY - Niklas Hagman has become Jay Feaster's wiggle room.
Although Hagman was expected to be in the Calgary Flames lineup Tuesday night against the Boston Bruins - nine hours after clearing National Hockey League waivers - there is a good chance Hagman will find himself on a plane for the Flames farm team in Abbotsford by Monday's trade deadline.
Feaster can now assign the struggling winger without him having to clear waivers at any point in the next 10 games. That means, if the Flames GM needs Hagman's $3 million in cap space at the deadline, he can trade for the defenceman the Flames covet, and clear out Hagman to the farm.
Come playoff time, the Flames can recall Hagman, but he must go on re-entry waivers.
Any team can claim Hagman for half price on re-entry waivers, but here's the catch: no one else can put Hagman on their playoff roster except for Calgary, should he make it through re-entry waivers.
It is unlikely another NHL GM would steal Hagman on re-entry waivers only to end his season.
Hagman, meanwhile, emerged from a meeting with Flames head coach Brent Sutter to speak with the media Tuesday morning, just an hour after 29 other organizations had blanched at picking up his contract, which has another year to run next season at $3 million.
"Obviously it's part of hockey. Not a nice part," said the 31-year-old Hagman, who is slated to play against Boston Tuesday night on a line with Mikael Backlund and Tom Kostopoulos. "I'm still here. Hopefully I'll do a little bit better."
Hagman came over from Toronto in the Dion Phaneuf deal last season, and has been a major disappointment in Calgary. He had 5-6-11 in 27 games last year, going cold down the stretch as the Flames missed the playoffs for the first time in six seasons.
The Finn, whose father Matti Hagman played in the NHL for the Edmonton Oilers from 1980-82, continued that lack of production with just 9-15-24 in 57 games this season.
"Obviously I haven't made many points, scored that many goals," he said. "I've got to bring a little bit more."
