The Atlanta Thrashers acquired rugged forward Keith Tkachuk from the St. Louis Blues on Sunday, giving up right wing Glen Metropolit, a first-round pick in 2007 and two other draft choices.
The Thrashers paid a steep price for Tkachuk, hoping he can stop the free fall that sent them tumbling from first place to a state of desperation as they try to hang on for a spot in the playoffs.
“Over the years, we’ve always been pretty conservative when it comes to trading away picks or prospects. We’ve always protected the future,” Thrashers general manager Don Waddell said. “Well, the future for us is now.”
St. Louis also gets a third-round pick in 2007 and a second-rounder in 2008. If the Thrashers re-sign Tkachuk, who turns 35 next month and can become an unrestricted free agent after the season, they will owe the Blues another first-rounder in 2008.
“It makes me feel good that they wanted me that bad,” said Tkachuk, who has 20 goals and 23 assists in 61 games. “I feel confident that I can go in there and help out. We all want to accomplish the same goal – everyone wants to win the Stanley Cup. I’m ready to take that journey.”
Sharks: San Jose acquired defenseman Craig Rivet and a fifth-round pick in 2008 from Montreal in exchange for defenseman Josh Gorges and its 2007 first-round draft pick.
