Thrashers Sign Defenseman Welch to One-Year Contract

The Atlanta Thrashers announced on Wednesday that they have signed defenseman Noah Welch to a one-year, two-way contract. He will earn $550,000 at the NHL level and $105,000 at the minor league level. He would have been an unrestricted free agent on July 1. In 37 games last season with Chicago of the AHL, he had one goal and four assists for five points. This is really just a depth signing for the Thrashers, as Welch is likely to spend most of next season in the minors. He has some offensive skill and a decent shot, so he should be a good addition for Atlanta's AHL affiliate.

Thrashers Sign Forward Stewart & Defenseman Welch

The Atlanta Thrashers have announced that they have signed right wing Anthony Stewart and defenseman Noah Welch to contracts. The exact length and financial terms of the deals were not disclosed. Stewart played in 59 games for the Florida Panthers last season, scoring two goals and five assists for seven points. In 105 career games, he has four goals and eight assists for 12 points. He was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Panthers just prior to July 1, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent. Welch split last season between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning after being dealt to the Lightning with a third round pick in the 2009 draft for Steve Eminger. In 40 games with the Panthers and Lightning, Welch scored one goal and one assist for two points. He also appeared in seven games with the Panthers’ AHL affiliate in Rochester, scoring three assists.

Stewart is not a bad signing for the Thrashers, though he needs to prove himself at the NHL level. Once one of the top prospects in the Panthers’ system, he has not been able to play up to his potential at the pro level, leaving him nothing more than a third line forward, although the Panthers probably could have given him more of a shot to prove himself. Stewart has plenty of untapped offensive potential and this could be a great signing for the Thrashers if he can get on his game. Perhaps the change of scenery could be enough to jumpstart Stewart’s career and turn him into the power forward he was once projected to become. Welch is really just a depth signing for the Thrashers. He will likely be the sixth or seventh defenseman on the team next season given their depth on defense.

Panthers Acquire Eminger from Lightning for Welch

The Florida Panthers added some defensive depth to their lineup on Wednesday by acquiring defenseman Steve Eminger from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for defenseman Noah Welch and a third round draft pick. This is the second time Eminger has been traded this season, as he was acquired by the Lightning early in the season along with Steve Downie for Matt Carle. In 62 games so far this season, Eminger has four goals and 21 assists for 25 points. Welch has been a healthy scratch for much of the season, appearing in 23 games, scoring one goal and one assists for two points. This is a great trade for Florida, as Eminger has plenty of offensive skill and veteran experience on the blueline. Acquiring Welch is a bit of a question mark for the Lightning, as he doesn't have much upside. The Lightning have traded off nearly every asset of the Dan Boyle trade and are left with Ty Wishart, who has some promise, and Welch. In the end, the Lightning pretty much gave Boyle away when they should have had more patience with the players they brought in.