After seven seasons, 5 injuries, 418 games and 242 points, Curtis Glencross’s time with the Calgary Flames has come to an end. On Sunday, March 1st, it was announced that the Flames had traded their alternate captain to the Washington Capitals in exchange for a 2015 second and third-round draft pick.
Glencross, who was a second choice behind Mark Giordano for the captaincy post-Iginla trade, was one of the few veterans left on a young and up-and-coming team. And despite the importance of having that veteran leadership and presence, Glencross’s contributions of late were not enough to keep him on the team.

Glencross’s professional career really began to develop when he signed a three-year, $3.6 million dollar deal with the Flames. The 2008-2009 season saw him reach several personal milestones, such as his first NHL hat trick, and as the seasons went on, he became the team’s most efficient goal scorer (scoring on 23.6% of his shots on net), earning him the nickname “Scoreface.”

Once his three-year contract had expired, Glencross chose to remain in Calgary, taking a significantly less salary than what other team contracts were offering. Unfortunately, the following four years with the Flames didn’t match his successes in the previous three. Plagued by injuries, Glencross missed almost 50 games due to two knee injuries and a high-ankle sprain. His production was cut in half, and although he was never the worst player on the ice, he was also never the best.

With the end of his second term with Calgary looming, the Flames needed to figure out where the 32-year old winger fit into the team’s rebuild. Losing him would certainly affect the team’s depth, yet keeping him could potentially hinder the Flames prospects’ progression down the road. On another team (a serious playoff contender, perhaps), Glencross could add significant value. With the Flames, he was becoming little more than a sitting duck.

24 hours before the NHL trade deadline, the Flames made their move. With Glencross now on their roster, the Capitals added some depth to their group of young forwards. For Washington, the trade can produce immediate results. Although the Flames received a great value in their return for Glencross, their results are going to take some time. And time is not an issue for the organization, who is meticulously building (or should we say, rebuilding) for the future. The rebuild, which is coming along nicely and even moving faster than expected, is based on the team’s firm stance that patience is key, and good players who may not necessarily be playing great, should not be given away for less than they deserve.

With Glencross gone and Mark Giordano placed on the injured reserve, there will be a large leadership element missing from the Calgary locker room. However, the ever-optimistic Flames see it as an opportunity to further develop their young players, and allow them to step into a more prominent leadership role. Even Glencross had enough faith in his young (former) teammates and their abilities to step up going forward, as he waived his no-trade clause for the deal to Washington.

In their first major move of 2015, the Calgary Flames have come out of this deal a winner, and Washington didn’t end up too badly themselves.

Glencross will play his first game as a Capital on Tuesday, March 3rd. On the same day, the Flames continue their seven-game road stint against the Philadelphia Flyers, as they chase more wins and hopefully, secure a playoff berth.

Stay tuned for Week Nineteen of The Flames Files and follow the Calgary Flames’ progress in the 2014-2015 season.