Bruins Send Wheeler and Stuart to Atlanta for Peverley and Valabik

[Smerri1029]

BOSTON, MA – Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has acquired centerman Rich Peverley and defenseman Boris Valabik from the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for Mark Stuart and Blake Wheeler. Peverley is signed through the 2011-12 season while Valabik is a restricted free agent following the 2010-11 season Peverley will join the Bruins in Boston on Sunday, February 20 while Valabik will report to the Providence Bruins on Saturday, February 19 (American Hockey League).

Peverley has 14-20=34 totals in 59 games for the Thrashers this season, along with 35 PIM. He also led the Thrashers in faceoff percentage, winning 55.5% of his draws to date (566 faceoff wins to 464 faceoff losses). The 6’0”, 200-lb native of Kingston, Ontario is expected to join the team on (day) in time for (practice/game).

In 253 career NHL games, with the Predators from 2007-2009 and Thrashers from 2008-2011, Peverley has 56-88=144 totals with 112 PIM. His best statistical season came in 2009-2010, when he registered 22 goals and 33 assists for 55 points.

Peverley, 28, broke into the NHL when Nashville signed him as a free agent on January 18, 2007. He played college hockey at St. Lawrence University from 2000-2004, accumulating 44 goals and 73 assists for 117 points in 138 games with 68 PIM.

The 25-year-old Valabik has 0-9=9 totals and 165 PIM in 49 games this season with the Chicago Wolves (American Hockey League). He has appeared in 80 career NHL games, all with Atlanta, with 0-7=7 totals and 210 PIM.

The 6’7”, 255-lb defenseman was originally drafted by the Thrashers in the first round (10th overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. The native of Nitra, Slovakia played junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League for the Kitchener Rangers. In three seasons in Kitchener, Valabik played in 163 games and racked up 725 PIM.

Stuart, 26, is in his 6th NHL season with 1-4=5 totals and 23 PIM in 31 games this year. The 6’2”, 213-lb of Rochester, Minnesota was originally drafted by the Bruins in the first round (21st overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He has 13-27=40 totals and 284 PIM in 283 career games, all with the Bruins. He appeared in 214 consecutive games (regular season and playoffs) from October 5, 2007 to December 14, 2010.

The 24-year-old Wheeler has appeared in all 58 games this season for the Bruins, with 11-16=27 totals and 32 PIM. In 221 career NHL games, all with the Bruins, he has 50 goals and 60 assists for 110 points and 131 PIM. The 6’5”, 205-lb native of Robbinsdale, Minnesota native was originally drafted in the first round (5th overall) by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He was signed as a free agent by the Bruins on July 1, 2008.

[Smerri1029]

Once that trade call is done, TOR-BOS trade call takes place.

http://twitter.com/#!/TSNBobMcKenzie...62985727741952

[dumby]

HaHa wheeler enjoy Atlanta. sincerely Phoenix Coyotes.

[I_am_Belak_2]

You'd think today was the trade deadline lol...

So Chara AND Valabik on the same team...

[majew17]

Would have liked to seen Stuart in Chicago. Valabik will be very entertaining in Providence,been watching him in Chicago for years.

[thepolishkid88]

Lots of scraps but Peverley may fit better then Wheeler. Regardless they now have the 2 biggest dmen in the league and the 2 softest big dmen in the league.

[ghjkfdhgfd]

Heard Stuart was going to Chicago, guess not. Atlanta is lucky, would want Stuart on my team. Valabik is most likely going to the AHL.

[RCSheppy]

Peverley is a stud!

[I_am_Belak_2]

Originally Posted by HDBarry

Peverley is a stud!

He's yet another center though...

[Thrillhouse]

Need some cap space? Give Atlanta a call!

[Sugden Flu]

Good luck to Stuart & Wheeler in Atlanta. Wheeler is a big talented kid. While he's not very physical, I think he still has some untapped potential.

Thrashers fans are going to love Stuart. We don't call him The Caveman here in Boston for nothing. He's a great team guy and he's tough as nails. The Caveman is afraid of no one.

I'm not sure what to expect from Valabik & Peverley? Looks like Peverley can bring some decent offensive numbers. I suspect that Valabik will be heading straight to Providence.

[CheekDunn]

Originally Posted by I_am_Belak_2

He's yet another center though...

guessing kelly moves to wing, he's done it before

[caps05]

I wonder if Valabik reports to Providence, or goes up to Boston.

[skacore]

Haha, sucks for Wheeler

[grits207]

Nice deal for Boston, clearing cap space and picking up a decent player in Peverley.