Coyotes trade Mike Smith to Flames for Chad Johnson, prospect, pick

Mike Smith is headed north.

The Arizona Coyotes traded the veteran goaltender to the Calgary Flames for the rights to pending unrestricted-free-agent goalie Chad Johnson, the rights to defensive prospect Brandon Hickey, and a conditional third-round pick, the clubs announced Saturday.

The third-round pick becomes a second-rounder if the Flames make the playoffs, reports Arizona Sports' Craig Morgan.

The Coyotes will retain 25 percent of Smith's salary, reports TSN's Bob McKenzie. The 35-year-old netminder has two seasons left on his contract at an annual cap hit of about $5.67 million.

Earlier this offseason, Smith reportedly submitted a list of eight teams to which he'd agree to be dealt, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

The Flames' goaltending situation was uncertain entering the summer, as both Johnson and Brian Elliott are pending UFAs.

Smith went 19-26-9 with a 2.92 GAA and .914 save percentage in 55 games behind a porous Coyotes defense in 2016-17.

He departs the desert ranked third on the franchise's all-time save percentage and GAA lists, having faced the most shots and having made the most saves in club history.