Brutal

Yesterday, the Atlanta Thrashers traded a first and a third round pick in the 2007 entry draft, a 2nd round pick in 2008, and a conditional 1st round pick in 2008 to St. Louis for Keith Tkachuk. Brutal.

Atlanta currently finds itself in sixth place in the east, but only three points out of the division title, and the top three ranking it brings, but is only two points out of missing the playoffs completely. I was at an Atlanta game a few weeks ago, and can say that they were in need of some more depth up front, but at that price, probably not.

The Thrashers have two young superstars in Hossa, 28, and Kovalchuk only 23. This team is still young and developing, so trading away a possible two first round picks doesn't make much sense. Especially, for a rental player. It's just not a smart move. Now, you could argue that Nashville made the same move, but Nashville and Atlanta are in two very different positions. Nashville is battling for first in the NHL, picking up Forsberg made them serious cup contenders. Atlanta on the other hand is still fighting for the playoffs, now Tkachuk could be the player that secures them a position, but it certainly doesn't mean they are going to make a deep run. Is a first round pick worth the teams first playoff appearance?

The second problem I have with the deal is that the Thrashers don't have any problems scoring goals. Their 193 goals ranks them 7th out of Eastern conference teams, which is respectable, but the whole they need to fill badly is on the blue line. Defensively they have allowed 204 goals, last among Eastern playoff teams and only ahead of Boston, Washington, and Philadelphia in the conference. That's the whole I would have been worried about filling. Spending less on Sheldon Souray, would of done more for this team then picking up Thachuk.

I don't think this deal has done anything for the Thrashers. They still aren't assured a playoff spot, and they won't go deep unless they pick up a few defensemen, but after missing the playoffs by a point last year, I think that's the focus this year, make it to the second season, but is that worth come of the future for a team who's future is very bright.