Thrashers Recall Joey Crabb; Place Kari Lehtonen on IR

[VodkaFish]

The Atlanta Thrashers have recalled forward Joey Crabb from the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League and placed goaltender Kari Lehtonen on Injured Reserve, retroactive to Oct. 31, according to Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell.

Crabb, 25, has posted 10 points (five goals, five assists) and 23 penalty minutes in 16 games for Chicago this season. The Anchorage, Alaska native recorded one goal in three preseason games with the Thrashers.

The 6-1, 195-pound right wing has registered 67 points (21 goals, 46 assists) in 151 regular season AHL games over the last three season with the Wolves. He also helped Chicago capture the 2008 Calder Cup Championship with five points (one goal, four assists) in 24 games.

Crabb, who was originally selected by the New York Rangers in the seventh round, 226th overall, of the 2002 NHL Entry draft, signed with the Thrashers as a free agent on Aug. 31, 2006.

Lehtonen, 25, has appeared in nine games with the Thrashers this season, posting a 2-5-2 record, a 3.44 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage. In 167 career NHL games, the Helsinki, Finland native has registered a 77-66-16 record with a 2.85 goals-against average and .912 save percentage. The 6-4, 215-pound goaltender is the all-time franchise leader in games played (167), wins (77) and shutouts (11).

[bengino]

Lehtonen is unable to stay healthy, maybe now Pavelec will start to shine and Lehtonen will be deemed expendable in the long run....

[thepolishkid88]

JOEY CRABB! He is a cult hero in NHL 08 and now 09.

[PastorJ]

Crabb is a good kid. Hopefully he can stick. I agree taht Pavelec should get a shot now. If he lives up to his potential, Lehtonen is gone.

[chilly666]

lehtonen is gonna be gone IF he can play a few games. other than that no one wants to take him.