FOXSportsSouth.com
Feb. 24, 2011
The Atlanta Thrashers made another trade leading up to the NHL's trade deadline Monday and once again got younger.
They traded veteran defenseman Brent Sopel, 34, one of three players they received from Stanley Cup champion Chicago last June in a blockbuster trade, and minor-leaguer Nigel Dawes Thursday for Montreal Canadiens prospect Ben Maxwell, 22, and a fourth-round pick in 2011.
Maxwell, a center, was selected 49th overall in 2006. The 6-foot, 177-pounder played in 13 NHL games last season, failing to record a point. He has 11 goals and 29 assists in 47 games this season with Hamilton of the American Hockey League.
Sopel was one of the Thrashers' top penalty killers, as he ranks 10th in the NHL in blocked shots at 130. However, he kept his family in Chicago and the time away from them seemed to be a bit of a strain. An unrestricted free agent at season's end, he likely will try to find a team closer to home that he can sign with next season.
Sopel was a healthy scratch in Wednesday's 4-1 loss at Buffalo. Thrashers general manager Rick Dudley might not be done dealing.
"Yeah, we're constantly looking for scoring help right now," he said.
Unless he expects Maxwell to come in and make an immediate impact, that search might seem to continue.
From that blockbuster trade that brought Sopel to Atlanta last June, only Dustin Byfuglien remains. Earlier this season the Thrashers traded Ben Eager to San Jose for a draft pick.
