Sun, Feb 25, 2007 at 12:00am

TKACHUK DEALT TO THE THRASHERS

The Atlanta Thrashers acquired forward Keith Tkachuk from the St. Louis Blues for forward Glen Metropolit, a first-round draft pick in 2007, a third-round draft pick in 2007, a second-round draft pick in 2008, and a conditional first-round draft pic

What does it give the Atlanta Thrashers
The Thrashers desperately needed a No. 1 center since Marc Savard left for Boston. Steve Rucchin, Metropolit, Niko Kapanen... none of these players have come even close to keeping up with the talents of star wingers Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Hossa. Tkachuk fills that need nicely if the Thrashers go that way. Primarily a left winger, Tkachuk has played enough center (particularly this season) to feel comfortable at pivot. The big power forward adds some much needed skill and grit up the middle and will likely spearhead a bounce-back for Kovalchuk, who has been struggling to put up a point per game this season -- something that should have been a given. Most of all, though, he comes in to help bolster the Thrashers' playoff drive, which isn't without its bumps and bruises in a hotly-contested Eastern Conference.

What does it give the St. Louis Blues
Three top draft picks over the next two summers will see to it that the St. Louis pipeline fills up pretty quickly. Plus a fourth pick if Tkachuk signs with Atlanta at the end of his present contract. Metropolit is a late-blooming forward who found his offensive game in Europe, but has struggled to find that consistency here at the NHL level. The 32-year-old may slip into the second-line center spot, for now. The Blues are definitely rebuilding. Definitely an excellent return.

Fantasy impact