Monday, March 01, 2010

Ducks & Thrashers Deal





2009/2010 NHL Statistics

To AtlantaPositionAgeGPGoalsPoints2010 Cap Hit2011 Cap Hit
Evgeni ArtyukhinForward263749$950,000UFA
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To AnaheimPositionAgeGPGoalsPoints2010 Cap Hit2011 Cap Hit
Nathan OystrickDefenseman27000$564,000$564,000
2011 Conditional Draft Pick

This is an interesting deal, which kind of looks like the Thrashers have added another Russian to their roster to possibly help Slava Kozlov stay in town after he reportedly asked for a trade. The Thrashers picked up Evgeni Artyukhin from the Ducks, who brings a lot of size and some grit to a team that's in need of a new identity. Nathan Oystrick is currently a minor-league defenseman, who will remain that way for the time being. The Ducks love their defensemen and Oystrick will get a new chance at things with Anaheim, who might be able to develop him properly.

Salary CapCap-wise, this deal is a wash. Artyukhin should be joining the Thrashers' line-up, which is not cap-strong at all, so there is nothing really to say about their situation. Oystrick will remain in the minors, so he won't come into play for the Ducks, who ended up cutting some salary cap space in this deal. I suppose you can say that the Ducks might be posturing themselves for another deal or two here, which could jump into their line-up. The Ducks are on the cusp of either calling it a season and being sellers or being buyers for a push. Definitely food for thought.

ImplicationsI thought in Atlanta that Oystrick was going to be a lock to jump into their line-up after looking at their depth, but that wasn't going to be the case. Oystrick was put into Box 30 on the Sheet, but that wasn't going to be enough regardless to have any selections in him. I don't recommend anyone pick him up either.

It's an interesting opportunity for both players to try a new team to make a name with. Oystrick likely will have the greater effect, in my opinion, as the Ducks are big on their defensemen and he wasn't terrible, I thought. The Thrashers become a little harder to play with their new addition, but I don't think its a big deal this time around, since they have more moves to make.

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