MONTREAL — The Calgary Flames have added Jay Bouwmeester to their already impressive defense corps, at least for the next four days.

Bouwmeester, who is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday, was acquired by Calgary in a trade with the Florida Panthers as the NHL entry draft wrapped up Saturday with the final six rounds at the Bell Centre.

Florida acquired Jordan Leopold — also on the verge of free agency — and a third-round pick, which the Panthers used to draft right wing Josh Birkholz 67th overall.

The trade gives Flames GM Darryl Sutter a window of exclusivity in negotiating a new contract with Bouwmeester and his agent, Bryon Baltimore.

"I think we have everybody under contract that we want under contract, and we're trying to get him under contract," Sutter said.

The suspense leading up to the start of the 2009 entry draft peaked at its outset Friday night when New York Islanders general manager Garth Snow tabbed high-scoring center John Tavares as the No. 1 pick overall.

Shortly afterwards, Philadelphia acquired defenseman Chris Pronger in a multi-player deal that saw Anaheim reacquire forward Joffrey Lupul.

Those who thought more trades would follow were sorely disappointed. With a few minor deals completed Saturday, aside from the trade involving Bouwmeester, Toronto GM Brian Burke noted that it's difficult to find a trading partner willing to take on multi-year deals in the current economy.

"Right now, if you've got contracts of any term on them it's really hard to move guys," Burke said. "I thought there'd be more activity but I'm not quite sure why there wasn't."

With Dion Phaneuf and Robyn Regehr already anchoring their defense, the Flames decided to take an early run at one of the top young blueliners in the game.

"The test will be if they sign him," Burke said. "If they sign him, then it was a very successful gamble. I mean, this kid's a good player."

A 6-foot-4, 214-pound native of Edmonton, the 25-year-old Bouwmeester had spent his entire career with Florida, which drafted him third overall in 2002.

"I chatted a couple of times with his agent and at that point in time it was just clear that they really wanted to have the opportunity to exercise his free agency right," Panthers acting GM Randy Sexton said. "About 18 months ago they gave us a list of teams that they were interested in and Calgary was right at the very top. He's an Alberta boy and Darryl's an aggressive guy, he's clever, he's creative — I think he'll find a way to get them."

Bouwmeester, who had 15 goals and 27 assists last year.