NHL Deals: Atlanta Lands Tkachuk, Zhitnik

UPDATED: In two separate deals, the Thrashers have picked up Keith Tkachuk from St. Louis (pending his waiving his no-trade clause) for a first-round pick, a third round pick (both in 2007), a second round pick for 2008, and Glen Metropolit.   The Thrashers also picked up Alexei Zhitnik from Philadelphia in exchange for Braydon Coburn.

Thrashers: Pick up Tkachuk who is primarily a winger, but has played enough center to be considered adequate. Atlanta desperately needs a No.1 center and now they have one. Zhitnik adds experience to the blueline. This team gave up a lot, but improved dramatically for the immediate future.

Flyers: Obtain another blue-chipper. Coburn is a giant of a rearguard, capable of putting up 50 or even 55 points at the NHL level one day. He is still just 21 years old, and there is definitely a spot for him on this roster. He will finally be a full-fledged NHLer.

Blues: Pick up Metropolit, who has potential with the right ice time to do some damage, and with the firesale in St. Louis…may get that ice time. However, he has yet to really prove himself at the NHL level. Those picks will come in handy, that's for sure.

Fantasy Players Impacted: With Atlanta's weakness for offensive rearguards, Zhitnik will become their PP quarterback. This should work for the immediate future, but is not a long-term solution. However, he is an upgrade over Havelid in terms of offensive talent. Coburn will be on the second PP unit in Philly behind Pitkanen and Picard, so he will start to pick up the odd point. Tkachuk and Kovalchuk have a lot of potential together – and they will be tried out together to start with. Both were having sub-par seasons that should turn a