"It gives us a chance to add some youth and some size to our group," assistant general manager Doug Armstrong said, "and it helps us where our depth isn't great."

Gavey, 24, is a 6-2, 194-pound left shot center from Sudbury, Ontario, who was Tampa Bay's fourth selection (74th overall) in the 1992 entry draft. His best season was as an NHL sophomore in 1996-97 when he scored eight goals among 19 points, splitting the year between Tampa and Calgary. The Lightning traded him to Calgary in November 1996 for goaltender Rick Tabaracci.

In 26 games for the Flames last season, Gavey scored two goals among five points and was minus-5 with 24 penalty minutes in 26 games.

Bassen, widely considered as pound-for-pound the toughest, most ornery player in the NHL, is a 33-year-old Calgary native whose leadership and work ethic were sought by the youthful Flames. Acquired by Dallas as a free agent in August 1994, he scored three goals among seven points and was minus-4 with 57 penalty minutes in 58 games last season.

"He was a really good player for our group, not just on the ice but in the locker room," Armstrong said. "We're going to miss that."