Rick Dudley continues to impress.
This week, the Atlanta Thrashers were able to secure two players acquired via trade to be part of the roster come October.
Both Ben Eager and Andrew Laad, who were acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in separate deals, have both signed with the team thus avoiding their arbitration hearings and likely saving the Thrashers a few dollars on top of it.
The organization is forming into a contender as we watch the changes take place this off-season. The fanbase must be proud. Knowing that, on black and white, there is a potential playoff roster being constructed means big things for the Southeast Division.
Understand that the one year deals signed are due to the fact that both Eager and Laad will want to see how the city itself fits for their future. Of course, it will benefit the team as well because if either player performs sub-par this year, there are no worries in contract disputes heading into next season.
Eager will earn $965k and Laad’s deal is worth $2.35 million.
I feel that both deals, due to avoiding arbitration, have saved the Thrashers some salary against the cap for this upcoming season.
Eager is a big bodied third liner who is not afraid to drop the gloves and can put some pucks into the back of the net as well. He scored 16 points in 60 games last season – seven by way of putting the biscuit in the basket. He also made identical dollars last season with Chicago.
Laad, coming off a 38 points season (17 goals) earned $1.65 million last season. GM Rick Dudley expected Laad to receive a significant raise. By offering a $700k raise, the Thrashers avoiding hitting the $2.5 or $3 million cap hit that could have come if Laad opted to go through with his arbitration case.
Both helped the ‘Hawks capture hockey immortality at the end of last season by winning the Stanley Cup.
Low risk / high reward type scenarios here for the Thrashers. If things do not work out as expected, they shed a little over $3 million off their cap for the 2011-12 season. But why worry that far into the future?
If healthy, both fill in as valuable third line players – however, we all know how a season plays out. Slumps, as well as chemistry, will play important factors into how this line up looks on the ice come October.
Yes, Bryan Little and Niclas Bergfors remain un-signed, but have no fear Thrashers fans because with Dudley on board those crossing of the “T’s” and dotting of the “I’s” is right around the corner.
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Rating: 8.2/10 (5 votes cast)
Tags: Andrew Laad, ben eager, Bryan Little, Niclas Bergfors, Rick Dudley
