THRASHERS ADD BYFUGLIEN, OTHERS
The Atlanta Thrashers acquired wingers Dustin Byfuglien, Ben Eager and Akim Aliu, and defenseman Brent Sopel from the Chicago Blackhawks for center Marty Reasoner, wingers Jeremy Morin and Joey Crabb, a first-round draft pick in 2010 and a second
What does it give the Atlanta Thrashers
This deal should surprise no one, as the Blackhawks needed to clear cap space and former Blackhawks assistant GM Rick Dudley is now in charge in Atlanta. The key player is clearly Dustin Byfuglien, who will try to become a focal point in the Thrashers offense. Sopel provides veteran savvy and depth along the blue-line, while Eager is a solid fourth liner. Aliu is a physical forward prospect who was a Dudley favorite when in Chicago's system.
What does it give the Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks may have done all of their cap-clearing shopping with this one move. They add a couple of high draft picks that were originally New Jersey picks dealt to Atlanta in the Ilya Kovalchuk trade, plus a serviceable fourth-line center in Reasoner and a scoring winger prospect in Morin. Crabb is merely depth. They decided to sell high on Byfuglien, who was outstanding in the '10 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Fantasy impact
Player focus
Chicago Blackhawks
a first-round draft pick in 2010
a first-round draft pick in 2010