Trade: Vishnevski to Nashville for Belanger, Belanger for Vasicek

PredDave · February 13th, 2007, 10:37 AM

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns

In a deal between first-place teams, the Atlanta Thrashers traded defenseman Vitaly Vishnevski to the Nashville Predators for center Eric Belanger on Saturday.

Belanger was dealt by the Central Division-leading Predators just one day after being acquired from Carolina for center Josef Vasicek.

The Thrashers, who are trying to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, also claimed Ottawa right wing Denis Hamel off waivers Saturday.

In dealing for Belanger, the Thrashers got needed depth up the middle and a center who won more than 53 percent of his faceoffs with the Hurricanes. The 29-year-old Belanger had eight goals and 12 assists in 56 games.

Last season, Belanger set career highs with 17 goals and 37 points for the Los Angeles Kings.

The 26-year-old Vishnevski was in his first season with the Thrashers after being acquired from Anaheim. He had three goals, nine assists and 31 penalty minutes in 52 games, but the Thrashers felt they could trade a defenseman with seven regulars at the position.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_yl...v=st&type=lgns

Hurricanes acquire C Vasicek from Predators for C Belanger

Josef Vasicek is headed back to the Carolina Hurricanes.

In a swap of veteran centers, the Hurricanes on Friday acquired Vasicek from the Nashville Predators for Eric Belanger.

The deal came less than seven months after Carolina dealt Vasicek to Nashville for right wing Scott Walker. The 26-year-old Vasicek returns to the club with which he spent his first five NHL seasons.

The 6-5 Vasicek struggled with the Predators, collecting just four goals and nine assists in 38 games. The Czech's best season came with the Hurricanes in 2003-04, when he recorded career highs of 19 goals and 26 assists.

"We're obviously very familiar with Joe and the type of game he is capable of bringing to the Hurricanes," Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford said. "Going back to his natural position of center, with his size and strength, will help our team down the stretch."

A fourth-round pick of the Hurricanes in 1998, Vasicek has registered 59 goals and 80 assists in 354 career games.

Belanger, 29, had eight tallies and 12 assists in 56 games this season with the reigning Stanley Cup champion Hurricanes. A six-year veteran, the 1996 fourth-round pick of Los Angeles has notched 71 goals and 99 assists in 379 career contests with the Kings and Hurricanes.

PredDave · February 13th, 2007, 10:40 AM

TSN : NHL - Canada's Sports Leader

Vishnevski, 26, has three goals and nine assists in 52 games for Atlanta this season while earning US$1.55 million.

Although he'll be an unrestricted free agent in the summer, Vishnevski brings a much needed boost of experience to a Nashville blue-line corps stocked with talented youngsters like Shea Weber, Ryan Suter and Dan Hamhuis.

"With Vishnevski, we are adding a big, strong, physical defenceman with over 400 NHL games of experience and two deep runs into the post-season," said Predators general manager David Poile. "We have been carrying 15 forwards on the roster for most of the season. This gives us some veteran depth on the blue-line and gives our roster more balance."

PredDave · February 13th, 2007, 10:43 AM

News - Preds acquire defenseman Vishnevski - Nashville Predators

PREDATORS ACQUIRE DEFENSEMAN VITALY VISHNEVSKI FROM ATLANTA

- Nashville sends center Eric Belanger to Thrashers -

Nashville, Tenn. (February 10, 2007) – Nashville Predators Executive Vice President/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has acquired defenseman Vitaly Vishnevski (vih-TAL-ee vish-NEHV-skee) from the Atlanta Thrashers for center Eric Belanger (AIR-ihk buh-LAWN-zhay). The Predators acquired Belanger yesterday from Carolina for forward Josef Vasicek (YOH-zehf VAHSH-ih-chehk).

Vishnevski, 26 (3/18/80), has posted 12 points (3g-9a) and 31 penalty minutes in 52 games with Atlanta this season. The 6-2, 215-pound blueliner leads the Thrashers and ranks among NHL leaders in hits (128). He finished seventh in the NHL with a team-high 196 hits in 2005-06 with Anaheim and has played in 70-or-more games over each of his past five NHL seasons. He was acquired by Atlanta from Anaheim on Aug. 17, 2006 after skating in all 82 of the Ducks' regular-season games last season and helping to lead the team to the 2006 Western Conference Finals.

"With Vishnevski, we are adding a big, strong, physical defenseman with over 400 NHL games of experience and two deep runs into the post-season," said Poile. "We have been carrying 15 forwards on the roster for most of the season. This gives us some veteran depth on the blue line and gives our roster more balance."

Originally drafted fifth overall by Anaheim in 1998, Vishnevski has registered 60 points (14g-46a) and 434 penalty minutes in 468 NHL games. He played four seasons (1999-2003) with current Nashville forward Paul Kariya. The Kharov, Ukraine native has represented Russia at the 2006 Olympics, the 2004 World Cup of Hockey and the 2001 World Championships. He helped Russia capture a gold medal at the 1999 World Junior Championships and was named the tournament's top defenseman.

February 13th, 2007, 10:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
PredDave Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	Trade: Vishnevski to Nashville for Belanger, Belanger for Vasicek http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns In a deal between first-place teams, the Atlanta Thrashers traded defenseman Vitaly Vishnevski to the Nashville Predators for center Eric Belanger on Saturday. Belanger was dealt by the Central Division-leading Predators just one day after being acquired from Carolina for center Josef Vasicek. The Thrashers, who are trying to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, also claimed Ottawa right wing Denis Hamel off waivers Saturday. In dealing for Belanger, the Thrashers got needed depth up the middle and a center who won more than 53 percent of his faceoffs with the Hurricanes. The 29-year-old Belanger had eight goals and 12 assists in 56 games. Last season, Belanger set career highs with 17 goals and 37 points for the Los Angeles Kings. The 26-year-old Vishnevski was in his first season with the Thrashers after being acquired from Anaheim. He had three goals, nine assists and 31 penalty minutes in 52 games, but the Thrashers felt they could trade a defenseman with seven regulars at the position. http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_yl...v=st&type=lgns Hurricanes acquire C Vasicek from Predators for C Belanger Josef Vasicek is headed back to the Carolina Hurricanes. In a swap of veteran centers, the Hurricanes on Friday acquired Vasicek from the Nashville Predators for Eric Belanger. The deal came less than seven months after Carolina dealt Vasicek to Nashville for right wing Scott Walker. The 26-year-old Vasicek returns to the club with which he spent his first five NHL seasons. The 6-5 Vasicek struggled with the Predators, collecting just four goals and nine assists in 38 games. The Czech's best season came with the Hurricanes in 2003-04, when he recorded career highs of 19 goals and 26 assists. "We're obviously very familiar with Joe and the type of game he is capable of bringing to the Hurricanes," Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford said. "Going back to his natural position of center, with his size and strength, will help our team down the stretch." A fourth-round pick of the Hurricanes in 1998, Vasicek has registered 59 goals and 80 assists in 354 career games. Belanger, 29, had eight tallies and 12 assists in 56 games this season with the reigning Stanley Cup champion Hurricanes. A six-year veteran, the 1996 fourth-round pick of Los Angeles has notched 71 goals and 99 assists in 379 career contests with the Kings and Hurricanes.

February 13th, 2007, 10:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
PredDave Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	TSN : NHL - Canada's Sports Leader Vishnevski, 26, has three goals and nine assists in 52 games for Atlanta this season while earning US$1.55 million. Although he'll be an unrestricted free agent in the summer, Vishnevski brings a much needed boost of experience to a Nashville blue-line corps stocked with talented youngsters like Shea Weber, Ryan Suter and Dan Hamhuis. "With Vishnevski, we are adding a big, strong, physical defenceman with over 400 NHL games of experience and two deep runs into the post-season," said Predators general manager David Poile. "We have been carrying 15 forwards on the roster for most of the season. This gives us some veteran depth on the blue-line and gives our roster more balance."

February 13th, 2007, 10:43 AM	#3 (permalink)
PredDave Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	News - Preds acquire defenseman Vishnevski - Nashville Predators PREDATORS ACQUIRE DEFENSEMAN VITALY VISHNEVSKI FROM ATLANTA - Nashville sends center Eric Belanger to Thrashers - Nashville, Tenn. (February 10, 2007) – Nashville Predators Executive Vice President/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has acquired defenseman Vitaly Vishnevski (vih-TAL-ee vish-NEHV-skee) from the Atlanta Thrashers for center Eric Belanger (AIR-ihk buh-LAWN-zhay). The Predators acquired Belanger yesterday from Carolina for forward Josef Vasicek (YOH-zehf VAHSH-ih-chehk). Vishnevski, 26 (3/18/80), has posted 12 points (3g-9a) and 31 penalty minutes in 52 games with Atlanta this season. The 6-2, 215-pound blueliner leads the Thrashers and ranks among NHL leaders in hits (128). He finished seventh in the NHL with a team-high 196 hits in 2005-06 with Anaheim and has played in 70-or-more games over each of his past five NHL seasons. He was acquired by Atlanta from Anaheim on Aug. 17, 2006 after skating in all 82 of the Ducks' regular-season games last season and helping to lead the team to the 2006 Western Conference Finals. "With Vishnevski, we are adding a big, strong, physical defenseman with over 400 NHL games of experience and two deep runs into the post-season," said Poile. "We have been carrying 15 forwards on the roster for most of the season. This gives us some veteran depth on the blue line and gives our roster more balance." Originally drafted fifth overall by Anaheim in 1998, Vishnevski has registered 60 points (14g-46a) and 434 penalty minutes in 468 NHL games. He played four seasons (1999-2003) with current Nashville forward Paul Kariya. The Kharov, Ukraine native has represented Russia at the 2006 Olympics, the 2004 World Cup of Hockey and the 2001 World Championships. He helped Russia capture a gold medal at the 1999 World Junior Championships and was named the tournament's top defenseman.