The veteran forward agreed to waive his no-trade clause, allowing the St. Louis Blues to trade him today to the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for forward Glen Metropolit, Atlanta’s 2007 1st round pick, 3rd round pick, a 2nd
rounder in 2008. There is also a conditional pick based upon whether
Tkachuk resigns in Atlanta or not (courtesy Kukla's Korner).
The Blues were seeking high draft picks and/or prospects for Tkachuk, and with this deal, they certainly have that and more. Even though this year's draft isn't expected to be a deep one, it'll nevertheless give the Blues a better opportunity at landing a quality prospect.
Metropolit's had a career resurgence this season in Atlanta, signing with them as an unrestricted free agent last summer after spending the previous three years playing in Europe. It remains to be seen how well he'll fit under Andy Murray's system in St. Louis.
Thrashers GM Don Waddell was long believed interested in Tkachuk, particularly with his club sliding down the standings and with a long-anticipated playoff berth now in jeopardy. Waddell didn't have to part with much off his roster to land him, and with the quality of talent already locked up long term (Ilya Kovalchuk, Marian Hossa) Waddell obviously feels he can sacrifice a first rounder in a weak draft year for immediate roster help.
It remains to be seen, however, if this'll pay the immediate dividend that Waddell's roster needs to stabilize their position in the standings. Tkachuk doesn't come with a reputation as a playoff gamebreaker, and it's unlikely the Thrashers will be able to re-sign him after this season.
Indeed, it's entirely possible Tkachuk could return to the Blues as an unrestricted free agent this summer, following the same example as his now-former Blues teammate Doug Weight and Pittsburgh Penguins forward Mark Recchi. Both agreed to be dealt to the Carolina Hurricanes, and after helping that team win the Stanley Cup, re-signed with their former teams.
All of that, however, is for the future. For now, the Thrashers and their fans will be thrilled if Tkachuk can bolster their playoff hopes. If he can, it may be worth the price.
NO WAY!!! I can't honestly see a team like Atlanta picking up Tkachuk while there are "heavy hitting" teams like the ducks (who were after forsberg) after Tkachuk. I see him going to a team like the wings, ducks or another perenial favourite.
If this deals goes through, Atlanta becomes my pick. This makes them absolutely deadly. If they can get good goaltending out of Letty and shore up that D a bit they can't be beat.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Atlanta near the top of their cap? Where are they getting the room to add Zhitnik and Tkuchuk w/o giving up roster players?
Well, I found my answer on anotehr message board. Figured I post it for other's reference also (Irish Blues of HF Boards):
They had about $2.5 million or so before last night. I can't remember exactly where they were. After Zhitnik, they have about $1.37 million ... Tkachuk counts $1,310,65 from today to the end of the season. That means the Thrashers are using potential bonus money due to Mellanby, but that also just means they'd have to carry any amount they go over into '07-08 like they did this year when Bondra's bonuses pushed them over by a little over $1 million.
Well, obviously with the move for Zhitnik and now Tkachuk at the likely sacrifice of future assets Waddell has deemed it absolutely destructive to miss the playoffs this season. Theyve been on a free fall for awhile, as we all know, and it will be damn interesting to see if these moves turn the club around.
Wow, if this goes through it will be a huge lift for the Thrash who really need it. They could bounce back quickly if he gells. I supose the flood gates will now open as teams fight over the scraps.
Holy Cow! Metropolit, who's no slouch, A 1st, & 2nd & 3rd rounder for a rental player? Talk about a Blues no brainer & Thrash overpaying! Keith will probably be back on the blues by August. The Thrashers are a good team, but their not ready for the cup & to give up that much, is crazy. This will be their 1st playoff, If they get their #### together. The Thrash haven't had playoff progression. They haven't had a hard playoff loss in pre cup round & that belly hurt that shows em how to win.
Last edited by Goalieman on February 25th at 8:28 AM.
I agree with Goalieman there, ATL paid a steep price.
I havent seen Tkachuk play this season, is he going to be able to keep up in the Southeast division? Team concepts there are all about aggressive forecheck and strong, fast skating.
Yet another high priced rental, but Waddell acquits himself nicely after the "What is he thinking?" Zhitnik trade last night. (And who knows: Zhitnik might be the straw that stirs the drink under Bob Hartley -- Ontario Flames Fan doesn't corner the market on being wrong from time to time; I've got my fair share!)
With this deal, suddenly, Tampa Bay does not have a lock on that Division lead with both Atlanta and Carolina gunning for them. Should be a fun race down the stretch if everybody stays healthy.
I agree that Waddell had to do something to bolster his club's now-sagging fortunes, but these two moves do not guarantee the Thrashers will rebound back on top of the Southeast, and don't guarantee a playoff berth.
The Lightning have team chemistry going their way, with Lecavalier and St. Louis playing their best hockey.
By contrast, the Thrashers have to hope Tkachuk and Zhitnik can fit seemlessly into their lineup and turn things around.
It's better than not doing anything, but let's not assume the Thrashers are suddenly the beasts of the Southeast just yet.
While no move guarantees making the playoffs, I do not understand these moves. Zhitnik eats up too much cap space, especially when you already have Ilya and Marion locked up for so much. They greatly overpaid for renting Tkachuk.
I think I'd have look to go after someone like Jozef Stumpel of the Panthers. And maybe Gelinas as well.
This is a pretty solid trade for Tkachuk, maybe giving up too much, but in the same respect they only gave up Glen Metropolit as a player the rest needed to come after because Metropolit is decent, but prolly a third liner at best, you have to expect them to give up a handful of picks with a guy of his caliber.
Tkachuk should really add a decent physical presence up front and a solid goal scoring threat to go along with deadeyes Hossa and Kovalchuk. He just gives them a grittier, dirtier scorer and makes this team scary for the playoffs. Personally, I think I would've rather had Billy Guerin because he has a deadly slapper and seems to have been hot lately with the Blues (a pretty dreadful team) and he's the same type of player as Tkachuk.
As for the Blues they got a decent up and comer in Metropolit, but probably won't amount to much more than a 3rd liner maybe 2nd and the picks will definitely help the Blues to get a solid prospect.
This should be great being able to see Tkachuk and Zhitnik showcased against the B's on Monday night on Versus....I can't wait, I love the deadline!!!
They got Tkatchuk because he can play centre, whereas Guerin is a winger. I agree with Sakic19 that Stumpel might have been a better pick up because he is more of a playmaker and is underrated in that aspect in a lot of ways too. And they wouldnt have had to sell the farm as much. However, would Florida have traded with a division rival even given their miniscule chance of making the playoffs?
Clearly this move and the Zhitnik deal (which is a bad trade I think) are the case of Waddell knowing he's likely going to be canned if he doesnt make the playoffs. Tkatchuk has been a dissapointment to some degree his whole career given his skill set and size. Never had any playoff success, but Waddell will be happy if he gets there I think. It will indeed be neat to see if they can gel and get to the playoffs.
True, Florida might not trade with them, but Colorado did trade Tanguay to Calgary, so it does happen. But that's the type of player I would have went for. Maybe try to get Straka or Nylander from NY, or someone like that. Something more sutle.
I recall reading some comments that Bob Hartley made recently along the lines of (I'm paraphrasing here) "We can't keep using the excuse that we're a new team, we need to make the playoffs NOW." I'll see if I can dig up the exact quote because it was a "line in the sand" kind of statement, more than the usual pap that gets fed to the media. (Was it a "job on the line" kind of statement? That remains to be seen.)
***
Edited: Here's that quotation clipped the Sun newspaper chain:
IT'S NOW OR NEVER
By ROBERT TYCHKOWSKI, SUN MEDIA
The honeymoons are over in expansion Atlanta (1999) and Columbus (2000). Jackets GM Doug MacLean is taking tremendous heat for a team that hasn't been close to the playoffs yet, and Thrashers coach Bob Hartley is turning the burner up himself.
"There's pressure on this organization for the first time ever," Hartley said in a recent state of the union address. "We're still growing, but I'm not going to use, 'We're a young organization.' Time to cut the ####. We have to be (in the playoffs)."
End of Edit.
***
Obviously there's considerable pressure in Atlanta play some mid-April home dates. There's no way that Waddell (and likely Hartley) could survive another "Guaranteed Playoffs" fiasco, despite all the good work put into building that club. And so, like all good managers under fire, your five-year plan suddenly transforms into a five-week plan.
Zhitnik aside (although I hope I'm surprised), I don't think it's panic so much as pragmatic in Atlanta. You do what you've got to do.
Last edited by Matt_McCallum on February 25th at 2:20 PM.
Man I saw this coming. I Tkatchuk resigns with St.Louis it'll make him a hero, that's for sure. Even if it isn't a strong draft year coming up it's great to pick up another first round draft pick. I'd honestly prefer having Guerin on my team and that makes me wonder what he's going to go for. Even it isn't a strong draft year having a bunch of first round draft picks is definatly a plus.
All in all it is interesting. THe biggest mistake that Don did this year was no resigning Marc Savard. THAT was a big problem. At the time didnt want to kill the cap space "just in case". well here we are and guess what... we are at a just in case. Oh well. Tonights game should be interesting either way. Unfortunatly there is no way in heck we could probably get Savard back from Boston.
Signing Savard was impossible. If you sign him at $5 mil a year, than him, Kovy and Hoss make up almost half of your cap.
I love both trades if they do nothing else but fire up this bunch. Tkachuk is a dynamic player who needed a change of scenery to re-gain his old stuff. This guy's got 446 career goals and could be a Hall-of-Famer if he can put together a few more good years(30+ goals) and wins a cup. If the Thrashers go deep in the playoffs, he will re-sign, and then all bets are off. At 34, he's only two years older than Metropolit and the two draft picks in this years draft are practically worthless. With the young talent the Thrashers have coming up in the next three years, forgoing this draft is no biggie.
And lastly, for those who say Tkachuk is a playoff dud, you forget the 2001 playoffs. The Blues traded for Tkachuk and made it to the conference finals, only to lose to Hartley's Avs. Tkachuk wants a cup and Atlanta could be the place he gets it.
Last edited by waffleboy7 on February 26th at 2:18 PM.
I'm Lyle Richardson, also known as Spector, Foxsports.com 's "Prince of Pucks".,which is based on the fact I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I couldn't think of a better byline. I've been an NHL hockey commentator since 1998 on my website, Spector's Hockey, and I'm a contributing writer for Foxsports.com , The Hockey News and Eishockey News. I'm also a regular on The Faceoff Hockey Show and a frequent guest on "The Late Crew" on The Team 1200 Ottawa.
