It was a busy past 24 hours in Atlanta, the team has made four different trades with three different teams. Late last night the Thrashers and Canucks hooked up on a long discussed deal involving Brent Seabrook. It broke down like this.
Leaving Atlanta was Brent Seabrook and La's 5th rounder. Coming Back to Atlanta was Ryan Whitney, Ville Leino, Kris Draper, Van 2nd, Van 3rd.
G.M's thoughts on the deal, " We hated to see Brent leave town but with the core four of our blueline looking like E.Johnson, J.Johnson, L.Schenn, L.Smid for the longterm with R.Whitney on a 5 year deal, P.Ranger on a 4 year deal, and Hainsey-Souray with 2 yrs left a peice, and with youngsters like Lepisto, Subban, Cuma, Corrente, Gaunce, we felt our d-core was a strength and we could fill other holes while downgrading on Seabrook to Whitney.. Draper is a key guy we targeted picking up a vetern with great experience and leadership, Draper brings that and also adds a 97 faceoff rating to his game so is another key peice for us this season hopefully. V.Leino is a guy who we feel will turn it around this year in Detroit NHL. Picking up a 2nd-3rd quality picks were what swayed us into moving Brent though as we in Atlanta try to always build through the draft.
The 2nd deal was a small one between the Thrashers and Rangers with Glencross leaving Atlanta for a 2nd round pick.
G.M's thoughts. "After picking up Draper we knew we would be over the 23 man limit so had to make a choice and a flame is always an easy choice to move in our opinion.. And again we like to build through the draft."
The third deal was a fairly big one between Atlanta and Ottawa with it breaking down like this,
G.M's thoughts, " Bringing in a kid like J.Allen is a huge move for our franchise longterm in the teams eyes. With R.Miller on a 3 yr deal (4 with tag) we expect Allen to be rating as a top end goalie by that time in his career..Also knowing Raymond would be a valued asset with all the canucks fans in the league we felt it good idea to bring him in.. It was tough to move a 1st, and a Oiler prospect but we are very high on J.Allen and also the trade value Raymond would carry."
The fourth deal saw Mason Raymond moved within 5 minutes of his rights being moved to Atlanta. Heading to Vancouver was M.Raymond and Atl 3rd for C.Stewart and Sj 6th.
G.M's thoughts, "We really like the potential of C.Stewart and feel he is going to be a top line player for the Avalanche in the NHL. With 19 points this season already and a great physical side he will be a great asset for us we hope..Moving a canuck is always easy aswell i now have zero in our organization.."
In all the four deals combined looked like this combined.
