Thrashers Acquire Belanger From Nashville for Vishnevski; Claim Hamel on Waivers

[VodkaFish]

The Atlanta Thrashers have acquired forward Eric Belanger from the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenseman Vitaly Vishnevski, according to Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell.

Belanger, 29, earned 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) in 56 games with Carolina this season before being traded to Nashville in exchange for Josef Vasicek on Feb. 9, 2007. The 6-0, 190-pound center won 53.6% of his face-offs (362-for-676) with the Hurricanes.

The native of Sherbrooke, Quebec, has collected 170 points (71 goals, 99 assists) and 183 penalty minutes in 379 NHL games with Los Angeles and Carolina. Belanger was acquired by the Hurricanes along with Tim Gleason from the Kings in exchange for Oleg Tverdovsky and Jack Johnson on Sept. 29, 2006, after setting career bests with 17 goals, five power-play tallies and 37 points with Los Angeles in 2005-06.

Belanger, who recorded at least 30 points for three consecutive NHL seasons from 2002-04 and 2005-06, set a career high with 20 assists in 2003-04 and matched it in 2005-06. He was originally selected by Los Angeles in the fourth round, 96th overall, in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft.

Hamel, 29, has registered seven points (four goals, three assists) in 43 games with the Senators this season. The 6-1, 200-pound right wing has posted a plus or even rating in 40 out of 43 games, and is plus four for the season.

The native of Lachute, Quebec, has earned 30 points (18 goals, 12 assists) and 77 penalty minutes in 182 NHL games with Buffalo and Ottawa. Hamel, who was selected by St. Louis in the sixth round, 153rd overall, in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft, set career highs with eight goals and 11 assists with Buffalo in 2000-01.

Vishnevski, 26, registered 12 points (three goals, nine assists) and 31 penalty minutes in 52 games with the Thrashers this season. The 6-2, 200-pound defenseman has recorded 60 points (14 goals, 46 assists) and 434 penalty minutes in 468 NHL games with Anaheim and Atlanta. He was acquired by the Thrashers in exchange for forward Karl Stewart, a second-round selection in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft on Aug. 17, 2007.

[PhantomsSTH1977]

I was wondering where Hamel would end up. i think he is a decent pick up.

[Rellstone90]

I guess Hamel will take Boulton's spot

[Smashing Machine]

I liked Vishnevski, but he has not been the same player since the Brashear beating. His physical play suffered and Atlanta has 3 d men worthy of NHL action in Coburn, Popovic and Valabik.

And yep...Boulton's rare start and 5 mins of ice time is now officially gone.

[McDonald19]

Thats got to be weird for Belanger...he was a Predator for one day!

[Canes13]

Belanger seemed like a good player can't believe he's being bounced around like this. Someone give the guy a team already.

[Isles4life]

Kinda feel bad for Belanger. Pretty crazy couple days for him. Maybe he'll end up in Vancouver before the weekend is over.

I like the pickup of Vishnevski by Nashville. I think he'll be a good fit on their blueline.

[Snipes19]

Yeah, this was a good move by Nashville. Vishnevski is a pretty big guy, and he can deliver some punishing hits, so he will fit in well in Nashville. With Weber and Vishnevski back there on the point, opposing teams better watch out while they are carrying the puck along the boards. Vitaly is just the type of player that Nashville likes. They have a pretty gritty team.

And like other people said, it's got to be weird for Belanger. He was a Pred for one day, and I'm sure that was exciting since they are the best team in the league, and then he gets sent to Atlanta a day later, but Atlanta is a good team too, so I don't think he minds too much. Going from one talented team to another.

[Sourdoughkeeper]

Yeah it probly is weird for Belanger, but Wadell an Hartley seem to want a scoring center, so he probly wont move again for awhile.

I just keep wonderin who's gonna stick up for all the Atlanta skill guys.

[slopp133]

belanger sucks

[Smashing Machine]

Originally Posted by slopp133

belanger sucks

you have not seen Kapenen play .

I'll take anyone over him at this point.

I liked Vishnevski, but like I said.. he stopped hitting and getting involved after Brashear mauled him. I think a change of scenery will help him, and not being in the same division as Brashear.

I would however have moved McCarthy before I sent Vish packing, but I am not Waddell nor a NHL GM.

I think Hamel hopefully will replace Haydar, and not Boulton as Boulton can f'ucking play the game.

Regardless these deals do not bode well in my hopes to get Guerin or someone will a little more star power. Belanger will help if only he takes ice time away from Kapenen who is an ECHL player.

[evilshedd]

Originally Posted by Sourdoughkeeper

Yeah it probly is weird for Belanger, but Wadell an Hartley seem to want a scoring center, so he probly wont move again for awhile.

I just keep wonderin who's gonna stick up for all the Atlanta skill guys.

Exelby!

[Smashing Machine]

Originally Posted by evilshedd

Exelby!

Boulton enforced last night. He had no takers, but he stirred the pot, and made himself known. He is our enforcer...I wish he had a legit Enforcer..but we don't.

Here is the pecking order as far as fighters we have.

Boulton - HW
Exelby - LHW
Sutton - HW (only to defend a teammate)
Hnidy - LHW (only to defend a teammate)
de Vries - LHW
Mellanby - LHW (old but still has some jam left)
Slater - MW
Larsen - MW
Sim - MW (agitator)
Vigier * HWC (Heavyweight Champ injured)

I think it's fair to say we have a team toughness type of team, rather than 2 designated fighters or an Enforcer. I left out Kovalchuk and Holik and even Hossa who are all physical and will be involved if need be.

[evilshedd]

Originally Posted by Smashing Machine

Boulton enforced last night. He had no takers, but he stirred the pot, and made himself known. He is our enforcer...I wish he had a legit Enforcer..but we don't.

Here is the pecking order as far as fighters we have.

Boulton - HW
Exelby - LHW
Sutton - HW (only to defend a teammate)
Hnidy - LHW (only to defend a teammate)
de Vries - LHW
Mellanby - LHW (old but still has some jam left)
Slater - MW
Larsen - MW
Sim - MW (agitator)
Vigier * HWC (Heavyweight Champ injured)

I think it's fair to say we have a team toughness type of team, rather than 2 designated fighters or an Enforcer. I left out Kovalchuk and Holik and even Hossa who are all physical and will be involved if need be.

I agree but I like what we have, good players with no enforcer rather than someone like Brashear on our team who seems to be pretty much worthless as far as the game goes.

Any one know where I can find a good site dedicated to just checks and hits. If so let me know I am looking for a vid of Exelby's 3 hits from the colorado game the other night.

[bengino]

and the trading shuffle has begun.. let's see who else is making moves to improve or sell off their team.