Atlanta Acquires Mathieu Schneider From Ducks

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The Atlanta Thrashers have acquired defenseman Mathieu Schneider from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman Ken Klee and forwards Brad Larsen and Chad Painchaud, according to Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell.

Schneider, 39, is a veteran of 19 NHL seasons with the Canadiens, Islanders, Maple Leafs, Rangers, Kings, Red Wings and Ducks, recording 702 points (212 goals, 490 assists) in 1,197 games. A Stanley Cup Champion with Montreal in 1993, he has appeared in 109 NHL playoff games over 13 playoff seasons with Montreal, Toronto, Los Angeles, Detroit and Anaheim, tallying 53 points (10 goals, 43 assists).

The 5-11, 195-pound defenseman, who has played in two NHL All-Star Games (1996 and 2003), has scored 93 power play goals, 28 game-winning goals and has earned a career plus-73 rating while averaging 23:21of ice time (since the statistic began being tracked in 1998-99). Since the beginning of the 2003-04 season, he has the third highest plus/minus rating (plus-89) in the league (behind Nicklas Lidstrom and Marek Malik) and is one of only six NHL defensemen to earn a plus-rating in each of the last seven seasons.

Last season with Anaheim, Schneider appeared in 65 games, recording 39 points (12 goals, 27 assists) and earned a plus-22 rating while averaging 22:18 of ice time per game. He tied for first among team defensemen in goals and ranked second among team defensemen in points, assists and plus/minus rating. He recorded a plus- or even-rating in 32 straight games from Dec. 18 to March 5 (plus-17), the longest streak in the league last season. In six playoff games with the Ducks, he tallied one goal and eight penalty minutes.

The native of New York, N.Y., represented the United States in the 1998 Winter Olympic Games in Nagano and the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin. He has also represented the United States at the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, helping win the Gold Medal, and the 1988 World Junior Championships.

Originally selected by Montreal in the third round, 44th overall, by Montreal in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft, Schneider played three seasons with Cornwall of the Ontario Hockey League from 1986-87 to 1988-89, where he was named to the OHL First All-Star Team in 1988 and 1989.

Klee, 37, has played one season for the Thrashers since signing as a free agent on July 2, 2007, appearing in 72 games and recording 10 points (one goal, nine assists) during the 2007-08 season. In 13 NHL seasons with Washington, Toronto, New Jersey, Colorado and Atlanta, he has registered 184 points (54 goals, 130 assists) in 863 games.

Larsen, 31, was acquired off waivers from Colorado on Feb. 24, 2004 and has appeared in 202 games for the Thrashers, recording 32 points (15 goals, 17 assists). In eight NHL seasons with the Thrashers and Avalanche, he has tallied 48 points (19 goals, 29 assists) in 294 games.

Painchaud, 22, was selected by the Thrashers in the fourth round, 106th overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He spent last season between the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League, where he recorded three points (one goal, two assists) in 22 games, and the Gwinnett Gladiators of the ECHL, where he registered 14 points (eight goals, six assists) in 10 games.

[ScottRasner]

Sorry Kings fans, sounds like you missed the boat here.....

Looks like its a pretty even trade accros the boards to me.

Lets hope schnieder can teach Bogosian a thing or two.

[chilly666]

i dont know if even cuts it. granted klee, larsen, and a prospect arent that muchbut waddles should have been able to get him for less since burke was in dyer need to get rid of him for selanne. so in the end burke actually wins this hands down.

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Originally Posted by ScottRasner

Lets hope schnieder can teach Bogosian a thing or two.

I think you're right on, and that's why Atlanta wanted Schneider.

[Grittzkey]

Getting rid of some bagage and getting scheinder.. good for atlanta

[Snipes19]

Great trade for Atlanta. Schneider is still a good player and will improve their blueline, and like everyone else has said - he should be a good mentor for 3rd overall pick Zack Bogosian too. That kid will be very good one day.

So nice move by Atlanta. They didn't give up much at all either. They definitely got better here, although they still won't be that good.

I was hoping the Blues would acquire him to replace Erik Johnson since he's out for the season, but oh well...

[cobolt]

Don't know much about the young kid but Klee and Larsen are not worth Schneider even at 39 years of age, win Trashers

[DARCY T]

very good trade for atlanta

[Isles4life]

Good pickup by the Thrashers. I don't think Schneider is going to turn their fortunes around for this season, but he provides a veteran presence on the blueline for the promising young defensemen in the organization. For what they gave up, great trade for Atlanta.

[bupz91]

Good pick up for the thrashers, Helping out Boogy

[Sourdoughkeeper]

Something to consider--we have 22 forwards competing for spots, most of whom could easily make the team, figure outta 12 forward spots roughly 15, 16 could do it. Larsen always seems to get worked into the lineup, so now that spots open for someone else out of the 500 (exaggeration) guys trying out for a bottom-6 spot. And Klee on defense, same thing. Theres 8 guys trying out on defense and all but MAYBE 1 could make it. So it frees up some space and gives coach JA some room to work with. Some.

So given that we gave up a bottom-6 forward and a bottom-3 dman for a top-4, maybe top-2 dman and a troubled prospect, I say bravo DEEdub. Unless Schneiders wheels fall off this year haha

I am a little pissed about trading Painchaud though, especially since Anderson was all Its a clean slate for him this year. But, I hope it works out better for Chad to be in Anaheim.