Thrashers Sign Defenseman Salmela to Contract Extension

The Atlanta Thrashers announced on Thursday that they have re-signed defenseman Anssi Salmela to a multi-year contract extension. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Thrashers acquired the Finnish defenseman from the New Jersey Devils just prior to the trade deadline in exchange for Niclas Havelid and Myles Stoesz. In 26 games last season with the Devils and Thrashers, also his first in the NHL, Salmela scored one goal and five assists for six points. This is a decent signing for the Thrashers, as Salmela has the potential to become a top-four defenseman and a power play specialist as well. He'll be in the fold for at least two seasons, which will give the Thrashers enough time to evaluate his play and decide if he will fit into their future plans. If he can develop into an offensive, top-four defenseman, it will give the Thrashers another skillful blueliner to go along with core players Ron Hainsey, Zach Bogosian, and Tobias Enstrom.