Thrashers Trade Sopel and Dawes to Montreal for Maxwell, Pick

[Thrillhouse]

The Atlanta Thrashers have acquired forward Ben Maxwell and a fourth-round selection in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for defenseman Brent Sopel and forward Nigel Dawes.

Maxwell, 22, has tallied 40 points (11 goals, 29 assists) in 47 games this season with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League. He ranks second on the team in points and assists, and ranks fourth in goals.

The 6-1, 195-pound center has earned 142 points (49 goals, 93 assists) in 177 career AHL games with Hamilton. Maxwell has also appeared in seven Calder Cup Playoff games with the Bulldogs, posting four points (three goals, one assist). The North Vancouver, British Columbia, native has seen action in 20 NHL games with Montreal, making his NHL debut on Dec. 13, 2008 vs. Washington.

Maxwell was originally selected by the Canadiens in the second round, 49th overall, of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

Sopel, 34, has appeared in 59 games with the Thrashers this season, recording seven points (two goals, five assists). The 6-2, 205-pound defenseman has earned 218 points (44 goals, 174 assists) in 647 career NHL games with Vancouver, the New York Islanders, Los Angeles, Chicago and Atlanta. He helped the Blackhawks to the 2010 Stanley Cup Championship, tallying six points (one goal, five assists) in 22 games.

The Calgary, Alberta, native was acquired by the Thrashers from Chicago on June 24, 2010.

Dawes, 26, recorded one assist in nine games with the Thrashers this season and 44 points (27 goals, 17 assists) in 47 games for the Wolves. The 5-9, 200-pound right wing lead the Wolves and ranks fourth in the AHL in goals.

The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native has tallied 84 points (39 goals, 45 assists) in 208 career NHL games with the New York Rangers, Phoenix, Calgary and Atlanta.

Dawes was signed by the Thrashers as a free agent on Sept. 8, 2010.

[Grittzkey]

Nice dump by ATL while still managing to get a decent pick out of the deal.

[NJDevils17]

When will the blockbuster trading madness end!?

[Machinehead2k5]

Who is Ben Maxwell??

[bengino]

when i asked Gauthier to do something, this was not what i had in mind.... Sopel's been shyt for years and Dawes can't keep an NHL job.... Maxwell is likely another guy that will blossom outside the Montreal organization.

[bengino]

TSNRyanRishaug Ryan Rishaug
Habs were pitching Maxwell to oil at one point. Looking for Penner in the deal.

the habs thought very highly of Maxwell though apparently.

[yeah]

Really Montreal?

[I_am_Belak_2]

Hopefully Sopel is in the lineup tonight so the Leafs can use him as a pylon.

[Juha82]

Both team losses this because Montreal gets on Sopel and Dawes 2 players who arent good hockey players.
On the other hand Atlanta is still missing Sopel's experience.
Atlanta gets some player(Mawwell) which i dont even know.
But maybe Atlanta won this trade slightly, getting draft pick and Maxwell as well.
this dont hurt much an Atlanta because in Atlantas defense is guys like Ernstrom and Byfuglien who are very good players.
Lossing one decent Sopel dont hurt much.
Dawes hasnt played even much the games on this season.

[grits207]

I'm shocked to see Atlanta giving up on one of their black players.

[Machinehead2k5]

Originally Posted by grits207

I'm shocked to see Atlanta giving up on one of their black players.

Hahaha. He's played like 7 games for us, if that.

[TexasCanadien]

One of the biggest problems with the Habs is the lack of size and grit. So what does Gauthier do? Sign another forward under 5' 10".

Unbelievable. The pacifists in Montreal's management should have been traded to Ottawa for Carkner.

Sopel MIGHT help the Habs but why get Dawes????????

[Machinehead2k5]

Sopes should be able to help out the Habs in the Penalty Killing department and as a solid 5th D-man. Don't expect anything offensive out of him.

[Dick Cheney]

And another player under 5'3 goes to Montreal. Seriously, the Bruins need to pound some sense into the Habs management next.

[mongoose]

Originally Posted by bengino

the habs thought very highly of Maxwell though apparently.

So highly that they drafted him ahead of Milan lucic.