Thrashers Acquire Artyukhin from Ducks for Oystrick

The Atlanta Thrashers announced today that they have acquired right wing Evgeny Artyukhin from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman Nathan Oystrick and a conditional draft pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. The Ducks had acquired Artyukhin from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Drew Miller last August. In 37 games this season with the Ducks, Artyukhin has four goals and five assists for nine points and 41 penalty minutes. In 182 career NHL games with Tampa Bay and Anaheim, he has 14 goals and 28 assists for 42 points and 282 penalty minutes. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Oystrick has not played in any NHL games this season. Last season, his first in the NHL, he scored four goals and eight assists for 12 points and 50 penalty minutes in 53 games with the Thrashers. This is an okay move for the Thrashers, as they had been looking to acquire a big, physical forward. Artyukhin will give them the toughness they were seeking, but don't expect to see him contribute a whole lot on the score sheet. As for the Ducks, Oystrick is a physical defenseman who could provide toughness for the team, but given their current depth on the blueline, he will likely spend the rest of the season in the minors.