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Friday, September 26, 2008

Schneider to Atlanta

The Atlanta Thrashers have acquired defenseman Mathieu Schneider from the Anaheim Ducks for defenseman Ken Klee, forward Brad Larsen and a minor-league prospect. LINK.

Per NHLNumbers, Ken Klee will make $1.25 million this coming year, and Brad Larsen will make $560k (cap hit $535k). Klee will be a UFA next summer; Larsen will be an RFA.

More details from the OC Register's Dan Wood. Discuss, and I'll write something later.

12 comments:

Alexander Dubcek said...

Why did Atlanta not just claim Schneider on waivers? They're one of those teams hovering around the cap floor, so they could easily take on salary. Is there more going back to Atlanta, because it seems like they're giving up a fair amount for Schneider. I remain baffled. Was Ken Klee sleeping with Don Waddell's wife or something?

Earl Sleek said...

Gut reaction: Not bad at all, Burkie. There's some salary that comes back, but nothing horrid, and all the talk of having to sweeten the Schneider package with a draft pick or Bobby Ryan didn't come to fruition.

There's still another trade coming, probably, but this doesn't hurt much at all. And I'm a sucker for non-pain.

I remain baffled.

Me too. The only thing I can think of is that in a waiver pick-up, the Thrashers wouldn't have been able to trade Schneider at the trade deadline (there's some rule about 12 months or something). Now they can.

Still, that doesn't seem hugely important, not enough that Klee is better than free. Oh well.

Alexander Dubcek said...

Perhaps the more important development from this deal is that it shows how Sleek has lost the ear of Brian Burke. Time for a series of "show Burke the door" posts, Earl. You've gotta get someone in there who'll listen to you.

Cheechew said...

now maybe Doug Wilson can do something similar for Mclaren.

Earl Sleek said...

Time for a series of "show Burke the door" posts, Earl.

Heh, I would consider that but I'm sure that Burke already knows the way to the door, and he's probably exiting on his own after this season.

It's kind of nice, actually. Sort of like having a GM who knows his own shelf life and takes measures to fire himself, so we don't have to get off the couch.

Alexander Dubcek said...

Sort of like having a GM who knows his own shelf life and takes measures to fire himself, so we don't have to get off the couch.

True, but at least it start calling for his head, you can claim restored influence with the organization, even if you're just stating the obvious. It's all about establishing plausible believability.

Earl Sleek said...

What's awesome about this deal is I don't know who's happier or more relieved right now.

Ducks fans for being under the salary cap, or Thrashers fans for landing a legitimate NHL defenseman. :)

It's all about establishing plausible believability.

We should totally trade Schneider to the Thrashers. Oh, you mean beforehand...

Anonymous said...

Finally. What about all those Burke haters that claimed the Ducks would have to package Questionable Pick, a 2009 1st round pick, and Schneider for a 4th round pick? Everyone talks about getting rid of Marchant, how about the Ducks get rid of Beauchemin? He doesn't make as much, but doesn't it seem like the return would be better?

Earl Sleek said...

Everyone talks about getting rid of Marchant, how about the Ducks get rid of Beauchemin? He doesn't make as much, but doesn't it seem like the return would be better?

You know what, Anonymous? With Klee in the picture, I think the Ducks have an excess of players up front and on the blueline, so I wouldn't rule this out.

I'll have to admit, I've already considered guys today that I hadn't thought about earlier -- O'Donnell was my new idea -- so all previous bets are off. Now there's lots of possibilities and lots of solutions, let the theories begin!

Sarah said...

'bout damn time.

Hockey Joe said...

Smart move by Burke here and moving him to Atlanta seemed almost too obvious to me since they were in a similar spot to the Kings. The return was negligible in this case. Both guys coming back, however, can be plugged into Carlyle's plan very easily although I'd imagine you don't want to be suiting Klee up too often anymore.

RudyKelly said...

Goddammit.