Thrashers Ship Havelid and Stoesz to New Jersey For Salmela

[caps05]

The Atlanta Thrashers have acquired defenseman Anssi Salmela (AN-see sahl-MEHL-ah) from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for defenseman Niclas Havelid and forward Myles Stoesz, according to Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell.

Salmela, 24, has recorded three assists in 17 games with the Devils this season, while adding 24 points (eight goals, 16 assists) in 38 games with Lowell of the American Hockey League. The 5-11, 190-pound defenseman, who is in his first professional season in North America, made his NHL debut with New Jersey on Oct. 10 against the N.Y. Islanders and earned his first career NHL point with an assist on Nov. 12 vs. the N.Y. Rangers.

The Nokia, Finland native posted an assist in his first AHL game on Oct. 17 vs. Manchester and scored his first goal on Dec. 3 vs. Springfield. He earned a season-high five-game point streak from Nov. 1 to Dec. 7, recording six points (three goals, three assists). Salmela earned six points (two goals, four assists) over a three game stretch from Feb. 14-25, including a season-high three points (one goal, two assists) on Feb. 15 vs. Portland.

Prior to his North American career, Salmela recorded 77 points (36 goals, 41 assists) in 218 SM-Liiga (Finland) games with Tappara Tampere and Lahti Pelicans. He set Finnish career-highs for points (32), goals (16) and assists (16) in 56 games with Tappara during the 2007-08 season.

Salmela, who represented Finland at the 2004 World Junior Championships and 2008 World Championships, was signed as a free agent by New Jersey on May 30, 2008.

Havelid, 35, has appeared in 63 games with the Thrashers this season, posting 15 points (two goals, 13 assists). The Stockholm, Sweden, native has appeared in 303 games with Atlanta since being acquired from Anaheim for Kurtis Foster on June 26, 2004, posting 82 points (10 goals, 72 assists).

The 6-0, 200-pound defenseman has recorded 167 points (34 goals, 133 assists) in 613 career NHL games with Anaheim and Atlanta.

Stoesz, 22, has recorded seven points (four goals, three assists) and 158 penalty minutes in 43 games this season with the Gwinnett Gladiators of the ECHL. The Steinbach, Manitoba, native has appeared in 107 career games with the Gladiators, recording 13 points (eight goals, five assists) and 449 penalty minutes.

Prior to his professional career, Stoesz recorded 24 points (nine goals, 15 assists) and 855 penalty minutes in 235 junior hockey games with Spokane, Chilliwack and Regina of the Western Hockey League from 2003 to 2007. He was originally selected by the Thrashers in the seventh round, 207th overall, of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

[SnowballIsChamp]

The Wings were looking into Havelid.

Hopefully this means they will still bring in some grit.

[canuckfan]

And another heavily rumoured name to be moved is struck off the list.

This is just business as usual for the Devls though - they always seem to be picking up a d-man right before or right on deadline day.

[KordicNilanRoberge]

I believe win this trade is Atlanta. Havelid maybe now better, but i watch Salmela play many years by FEL and Finland national team... And remember him better WCH 2008 and Finland at USA 5/11/08 game. Great warrior and good team spirited fight. Real attitude!!!

[JerseyRupp]

Originally Posted by KordicNilanRoberge

I believe win this trade is Atlanta. Havelid maybe now better, but i watch Salmela play many years by FEL and Finland national team... And remember him better WCH 2008 and Finland at USA 5/11/08 game. Great warrior and good team spirited fight. Real attitude!!!

I think though this trade is a win for the devils this year. Get another shutdown D-Men to help for the playoffs.

[SnowballIsChamp]

Does anyone outside of New Jersey really think the Devils have a chance though? I for one think they have no shot in hell.

[blackngold]

Originally Posted by SnowballIsChamp

Does anyone outside of New Jersey really think the Devils have a chance though? I for one think they have no shot in hell.

I'd never count out a team with Martin Brodeur manning the nets.

[PuckCentral.net]

TSN updated the trade: Myles Stoesz included in the trade to the New Jersey Devils

[SnowballIsChamp]

Originally Posted by PuckCentral.net

TSN updated the trade: Myles Stoesz included in the trade to the New Jersey Devils

Nice...but now the Devils have Cormier, Leblond, Stoesz, Harrison and I think I might be missing someone. In there system. Someone will be headed to the CHL and I'm putting my money on Cormier.

and Marty can't win in the playoffs without Stevens.

[JerseyRupp]

Originally Posted by SnowballIsChamp

Nice...but now the Devils have Cormier, Leblond, Stoesz, Harrison and I think I might be missing someone. In there system. Someone will be headed to the CHL and I'm putting my money on Cormier.

I hope Harrison because he is hurt

[Machinehead2k5]

Originally Posted by SnowballIsChamp

Does anyone outside of New Jersey really think the Devils have a chance though? I for one think they have no shot in hell.

I think they have a chance:

I don't know the exact lines but if you can put these guys out with Marty in net, not a bad lineup at all.

Gionta - Elias - Lags
Shanny - Holik - Zubrus
Zajac - Madden - Parise
Rolston - Rupp - Clarkson

Martin - Havelid
Greene - White
Salvador - Oduya

[SnowballIsChamp]

Originally Posted by JerseyRupp

I hope Harrison because he is hurt

But I think Harrison is the better player. Harrison & Stoesz are both better skaters then Cormier as far as I have seen(which isn't much of Cormier) They wont send anyone down until Harrison gets healthy.

[JerseyRupp]

Originally Posted by Machinehead2k5

I think they have a chance:

I don't know the exact lines but if you can put these guys out with Marty in net, not a bad lineup at all.

Gionta - Elias - Lags
Shanny - Holik - Zubrus
Zajac - Madden - Parise
Rolston - Rupp - Clarkson

Martin - Havelid
Greene - White
Salvador - Oduya

More like:
Parise-Zajac-Langenbrunner
Elias-Zubrus-Gionta
Shanny-Rolston-Clarkson
Madden-Holik-Pandolfo/Rupp

Martin-Oduya
Salvador-White/Havelid?
Mottau-Havelid/White?

[BranWingss]

Good Pick up

[SirYohans]

Originally Posted by SnowballIsChamp

Does anyone outside of New Jersey really think the Devils have a chance though? I for one think they have no shot in hell.

Oh yeah, the Devils are really scary and are Cup caliber right now. This was business as usual for NJ to solidify their D. But the way they are netting goals and have everyone chipping in lately is what's been really impressive. There's no reason why they can't win the Eastern Conf. easily playing this well. They've been handing out beatdowns.