BUFFALO - The Blues have traded goaltender Brian Elliott to the Calgary Flames in exchange for a second-round pick in 2016 (35th overall) and a conditional third round pick in 2018.

GM Doug Armstrong made the deal at the 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo.

"He's been a very good goaltender for us since the day he got there. He played very well for us when Jake (Allen) went down, and took us through a nice playoff run. He's been a really, really good Blue for us and we're going to miss him.

Armstrong said when the season ended, he talked to Elliott's agent, who felt if his client wasn't going to be the No. 1, he wanted to explore options.

Elliott played in 42 games for the Blues this season, posting a 23-8-6 record with a 2.07 goals-against average and a .930 save-percentage. In the playoffs, Elliott started all but one game, going 9-9 with a 2.44 goals-against average and .921 save-percentage.

Armstrong said he would begin negotiating a long-term contract with Jake Allen.

"He's the goalie of today and the future," Armstrong said.