THRASHERS TRADE HAVELID TO DEVILS FOR SALMELA

The Atlanta Thrashers have traded defenceman Niclas Havelid to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for blueliner Anssi Salmela. The 35-year old Havelid is heading to his third NHL team in nine seasons, including five seasons with the Anaheim Ducks who drafted him in the 3rd round (83rd overall) in 1999... Source TSN

almost 3 years ago TibbsBeastoftheEast 3 comments 0 recs |

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I'm disappointed in this deal unless this is part of a different deal

Salmela I thought had a lot of potential. Maybe Oduya-type of potential. Havelid is a nice depth defenseman, but I don’t think he’s a huge upgrade over what the Devs have now.

Maybe it allows Lou to flip something else to try and bring in a Pronger or Niedermayer but looking at it on the surface, I’m not a fan of this deal. Yes, Havelid has a plus 4 on a horrible team, but I don’t like giving up on a Salmela.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Mar 2, 2009 5:52 PM EST reply actions

I don’t know, the Devils haven’t been burned by trading Willie Mitchell or Brad Bombardir. Nor have they been burned by losing Mike Van Ryn (though that wasn’t the Devils’ fault).

Unless Salmela gets really good in his own end, I think he’s a #4 at best. He’ll get minutes in Atlanta to get the experience that he needs. It’s not a terrible deal considering the Devils’ roster is still the same, it just now has a small addition. Not unlike Janssen for Salvador, though it’s not anywhere close to being a steal like that deal.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Mar 2, 2009 6:15 PM EST reply actions