Thrashers sign Chelios
The Thrashers have signed defenseman Chris Chelios, the team announced Tuesday.
Chelios, 48, has been playing for the Thrashers’ AHL affiliate in Chicago this season, although he was not property of the Thrashers. He signs with the Thrashers as an unrestricted free agent. He appeared in 44 games for the Wolves this season with five goals and 16 assists. He was also a plus-35.
Chelios must clear waivers, which the Thrashers will know by noon Wednesday. If he is not claimed by another team, he will remain in Chicago. However, he will be available to the Thrashers.
According to GM Don Waddell, Chelios gives the team veteran depth in case of injury.
“You never know,” Waddell said when asked the likelihood that Chelios is called up. “We have a busy schedule. When you go into a run like this, you like to have 10 defenseman in case you get a couple of injuries.”
Over his 25-year NHL career, Chelios won three Stanley Cups. He scored 948 points (185 goals, 763 assists) and 2,891 penalty minutes in 1,644 career games with the Red Wings, Blackhawks and Canadiens. In a NHL-record 266 career playoff games, Chelios has 144 points (31 goals, 113 assists)
He won the Stanley Cup with Montreal (1986) and twice with Detroit (2002 and 2008).
Other notes of interest from morning skate prior to tonight’s game against Panthers.
* Johan Hedberg will get the start in goal.
*It looks like Christoph Schubert will return on defense after suffering a knee injury and missing past 13 games. Slava Kozlov and Mark Popovic will be the scratches.
*The inclement weather in Atlanta is hindering the arrival of newly-acquired Evgeny Artyukhin. He was not at the team’s morning skate and may not arrive today from Anaheim.
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170 comments Add your comment
Joyaman
March 2nd, 2010
2:10 pm
This is first time I’ve ever seen DW concerned about depth on the blueline. Looks like an insurance policy so he can attempt to move one of the top six D men for more offense.
ChippersLoveChild
March 2nd, 2010
2:11 pm
All I’m Saying…. why sign guys like Jason Krog? For insurance in case they are needed. They just lost a defenseman in their system with the trading of Oystrick, depth doesn’t hurt. If they feel the need to call up Chelios, then so be it, he could contribute in a small role if necessary. People act like he wasn’t just the seventh defenseman for a team that went to the Cup and nearly won it last year…
Swami Baha
March 2nd, 2010
2:13 pm
Swami Baha’s Guide To Clobbering The Other Guy In Your Next Life
1. Let ‘em know you’re there. Bleed all over them.
2. If you do the crime, do the time. Two minutes by yourself in the box and feel shame.
3. Always offer a foe a soda after battle. (But none of that stinkin’ Root Beer).
4. If you are at one with the universe, nothing will bother you anymore.
5. Put on the foil. Every game.
Sugarbaby
March 2nd, 2010
2:16 pm
I feel young again.
Spud Webb
March 2nd, 2010
2:18 pm
Lol and the joke continues!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Want My Floor Seats?
March 2nd, 2010
2:18 pm
All I’m saying is he’s a +35 in 44 AHL games this year…
Chris Vivlamore
March 2nd, 2010
2:20 pm
Chelios’ two-way contract worth $700,000 in NHL, $105,000 in AHL. He will not have to clear waivers if called up to Atlanta because he doesn’t make more than $105,000.
Anita McCrambridge
March 2nd, 2010
2:21 pm
How dare you!!
Ron Mexico
March 2nd, 2010
2:22 pm
We still have a hockey team? I seriously thought they were shutting it down after they traded Kovey this year and Hossa last.
BubbaDaStickman
March 2nd, 2010
2:23 pm
Chelly in Blueland…we are not in Kansas anymore Don…I mean Dorothy…
GaVaHokie
March 2nd, 2010
2:23 pm
Viv… good strategy! And I’m guessing that NHL contract gets prorated?
ChippersLoveChild
March 2nd, 2010
2:26 pm
Dude! We traded Hossa last year?! No way!
ChippersLoveChild
March 2nd, 2010
2:28 pm
Imagine that, a less than witty comment from someone who still thinks “Ron Mexico” is funny… Shocker.
Anita McCambridge
March 2nd, 2010
2:31 pm
Fold the team and write it of as a loss on my taxes.
Wheelie
March 2nd, 2010
2:32 pm
What did we trade for him, an old puck bag?
hockeylove
March 2nd, 2010
2:32 pm
Don’t forget Bobby Orr and Bobby Clarke are looking for work too. Ken Dryden could bring goalie experience to the team. I always loved Gary Unger of the Blues let’s give a chance to lace up the skates again.
Moe
March 2nd, 2010
2:34 pm
She comes leaping out of the cabana, wearing a see-through wet suit! She was an underwater specialist!!!
puckhead
March 2nd, 2010
2:40 pm
From espn: http://espn.go.com/nhl/blog/_/name/lebrun_pierre/id/4959669/thrashers-sign-chelios-experience-factor
kracker
March 2nd, 2010
2:41 pm
Chris, any chance the AJC will upgrade to a modern blog system where IP addresses are logged and moderators can simply ban repeat offenders like the clowns that show up here?
Daily Goalie Start « Fifty Mission Cap | Sports Blog
March 2nd, 2010
2:44 pm
[...] ATL johan hedberg (2:40pm) Chelios signs with the ATL [...]
Mikey D from jersey
March 2nd, 2010
2:44 pm
hahaha what a joke, he is so oldddd thrashers are such a flippin mother f in joke
Frankly
March 2nd, 2010
2:48 pm
So what? Sign him. If he does good,great! |f he doesn’t, release him. No harm, no foul. If he has a coronary, call St. Joseph’s and get the cardiac surgical team ready to go.
WJ
March 2nd, 2010
2:48 pm
Last! Cheerios for Chelios!
Reggie Dunlop
March 2nd, 2010
2:53 pm
I didn’t know this board was reserved for the so-called Atlanta hockey “purists” like kracker, who probably still yell out “Knights” during the singing of The Star Spangled Banner at Thrashers and Gladiators games. Get a life, fun-killer!
Tony C.
March 2nd, 2010
2:55 pm
This is a good move, Chelly stays in the minors until (presumably) we make the playoffs. Then his job is to teach Bogosian. If nothing else, I’d fly Chelly in anytime the Wolves have more than 1 day of down-time, again simply to help the development of our youngsters in ATL. The man has worn the C in the NHL AND for the National team-you have a bunch of young guys that could use veteran NHL leadership? You couldn’t ask for a better solution than signing Chelios.
JDG
March 2nd, 2010
2:55 pm
Not that the Thrashers “owners” don’t deserve every little bit of scorn poured on them (and then some), but did anyone consider that even if he never wears a Thrashers uniform, he may well serve in a mentoring fashion for some of the young Wolves players? Say what you will about the guy, but he has a ton of playing experience in all sorts of situations good and bad; even if only a little bit rubs off onto the youngins, it’s worth it.
somaatl95
March 2nd, 2010
2:56 pm
Mikey D, at the end of the day remember this – we may be a joke but you still live in Jersey. How are the nets doing? What about your other pro teams? Oh yeah, that’s right you guys have to leech off your neighbor for sports teams…
“Kiss her where it smells! Kiss her in New Jersey!” – George Carlin
Matt
March 2nd, 2010
2:57 pm
Hahahahahahahahahaha…good one. Wait, you mean it’s NOT a joke?? Hahahahahahahahahaha…we are the most pitiful franchise in the history of the NHL. What a waste of roster space. Don, do the world and fanbase a favor and resign, because you clearly don’t have a clue.
Want My Floor Seats?
March 2nd, 2010
3:00 pm
Anyone who doesn’t yell out Knights at the singing of the SSB at Thrashers games is the true fun-killer…
Real Reg
March 2nd, 2010
3:03 pm
LOL! Thread hijacked by Slap Shot cracks quicker than you can say “Jack Robinson”.
david mcdavid
March 2nd, 2010
3:06 pm
i got a few bucks coming my way soon. i may want to buy the team just to fire dw and move it like i would have the first time.
Thrash Heart
March 2nd, 2010
3:07 pm
Not much else to yell about at Thrashers games lately!
Dickie Dunn
March 2nd, 2010
3:09 pm
I was just trying to capture the spirit of the thing.
Driver
March 2nd, 2010
3:13 pm
Q: What are you doin’ to the bus?
A: Makin’ it look MEAN !!!
Mary Ann Hossa
March 2nd, 2010
3:15 pm
I know a guy who plays in a Ottawa senior league. He was fast back in his day. D-Wad any interest? He still plays 2 times a week and he is a fair accountant if his roster spot doesn’t work. He can transition into the Atlanta Spirit business. office.
Maruk
March 2nd, 2010
3:17 pm
Maybe Don Waddell can get hired by the Minnesota Nighthawks.
Mr. Carlson
March 2nd, 2010
3:18 pm
I know these three brothers that are playing in the Iron League…..
Lee
March 2nd, 2010
3:19 pm
Ok…so….when are we gonna use this old geezer??!! Yeah, when someone gets injured, but then he’ll just get injured himself! I like the guy…but he’s older than me!
blahblah
March 2nd, 2010
3:20 pm
Who cares. Any sport where a country like Canada can be the US is not really a sport in my book.
chelios 2
March 2nd, 2010
3:21 pm
Maybe Chelios will take over for Waddell!!!
Mary Ann Hossa
March 2nd, 2010
3:23 pm
I like him…LIKE 25 years ago. LOL.
Mary Ann Hossa
March 2nd, 2010
3:24 pm
Who owns Gretzky’s rights? Sign him to a contract immediately.
Chell-out
March 2nd, 2010
3:25 pm
That’s the best comment I’ve heard so far!
MW
March 2nd, 2010
3:25 pm
Are the Hansen brothers available?
Mary Ann Hossa
March 2nd, 2010
3:28 pm
Mark Messier – you have Don Waddell on the line.
Chris Vivlamore
March 2nd, 2010
3:28 pm
GaVaHokie: Yes, contracts would be prorated.
Mary Ann Hossa
March 2nd, 2010
3:33 pm
Seriously enough joking around here – put Jager, Forsberg, Lemieux on this squad
Mo Wanchuck
March 2nd, 2010
3:35 pm
I don’t like the way they cover up their jugs with all them feathers.
Ned B.
March 2nd, 2010
3:36 pm
I’m not gonna “Goon It Up” for you!
kracker
March 2nd, 2010
3:36 pm
Chris, are the Thrash looking to acquire Wojtek Wolski??