The Atlanta Thrashers officially hit the last nail in the 2008 season coffin when they traded eventual unrestricted free agent forwards Marian Hossa and Pascal Dupuis to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Colby Armstrong, Erik Christiansen, Angelo Esposito and a 2008 1st round draft pick. Usually I would be piss as a fan to lose a player with the skills of a Hossa but I think this is the best deal the Atlanta Thrashers franchise could get considering the circumstances.
Hossa was not going to resign with the Thrashers plain and simple. Him and his agent's stiff armed GM/head coach Don Waddell all season and last offseason when talks of an extension came up on the Thrasher's part. To get a guy like Armstrong in Atlanta is a huge plus because he is still young(25) and is a gritty tough player who could really blossom in Atlanta playing with a player like Ilya Kovalchuk. I'm really looking forward to seeing Armstrong lay down the lumber when somebody comes after Kovy. Something like this will suffice...
Or maybe another hit like this on Jeff Carter...
Yes, I can get used to seeing this from a team like the Thrashers that has always been considered "soft" by most NHL pundits. Christensen is another young winger(24) who also should continue to mature and thrive with more playing time in Atlanta. The center is unbelievable when it comes to shootouts. Take a look...
The Thrashers also picked up a young kid in Esposito who is playing in the minors after being drafted in the first round last year by the Pengiuns. Esposito was considered a steal last year at pick #20 when many scouts and GM's had him pegged for a top 5 pick. At only 19 he will probably be playing with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL starting next season unless he impresses in camp and makes the Thrashers roster.
The Thrashers picking up a first round pick is huge considering they traded all theirs away last year when picking up veterans to make a playoff push. In the end this was a great trade for the Thrashers and in all likelihood saves Don Waddell's ass for at least this offseason. The Thrashers will also have plenty of cap room with Hossa now gone and could make a bid for a big-time free agent this offseason.
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