Coyotes Acquire Schneider from Canucks for Zimmerman, Draft Pick

The Coyotes continued to deal on Wednesday by acquiring defenseman Mathieu Schneider from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for defenseman Sean Zimmerman and a conditional sixth round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. In 17 games this season with the Canucks, Schneider has two goals and three assists for five points. He has spent most of the season with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL. In 1281 career games with the Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, Anaheim Ducks, Atlanta Thrashers, and Vancouver Canucks, he has 223 goals and 516 assists for 739 points. He won the Stanley Cup with Montreal in 1993. Zimmerman has appeared in 54 games this season with San Antonio of the AHL, scoring two goals and five assists for seven points and 75 penalty minutes. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. Not a bad move for the Coyotes, as Schneider will bring a wealth of experience, veteran depth, and offensive skill to their blueline. However, he is still in the minors and there is the possibility that he could remain in the minors for the time being. Zimmerman should bring plenty of defensive depth and toughness to the Canucks organization.

Canadiens Acquire Defenseman Schneider from Thrashers

The Montreal Canadiens announced on Monday that they have acquired veteran defenseman Mathieu Schneider from the Atlanta Thrashers along with a conditional draft pick in 2009 for Anaheim's second round pick in 2009 (previously acquired) and also Montreal's third round pick in 2010. The conditional draft pick the Canadiens received will depend on their playoff success. If they miss the playoffs or get eliminated in the first round, they will receive a third round pick. If they win one round, they will receive a fourth round pick. If the Canadiens win two rounds of the playoffs or more, they receive a fifth round pick. This marks Schneider's second stint with the Canadiens, as he played with the team from 1989-90 to 1995 and winning a Stanley Cup with the team in 1993. This trade also marks the second time Schneider has been traded this season, as he was traded to the Thrashers by Anaheim in late September in a salary-dumping move by the Ducks. In 44 games so far this season, Schneider has four goals and 11 assists for 15 points. He missed five games in November with a hip flexor and eight games in December with an upper-body injury. Schneider has played in 1241 NHL games, scoring 216 goals and 501 assists for 717 points over 19 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, Anaheim Ducks, and Atlanta Thrashers. This is a decent trade for the Canadiens, as Schneider will bring a wealth of veteran depth and offensive experience to the team's blueline. The Canadiens have been seeking offensive depth for their defense since losing Mark Streit this past summer to the New York Islanders via free agency. While Schneider isn't the offensive threat he used to be, he still gives the Canadiens plenty of offensive firepower from the blueline, especially on the power play.

Thrashers Acquire Schneider from Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks have finally shed themselves of Mathieu Schneider's contract and dropped below the salary cap. On Friday, the Ducks traded Schneider to the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for defenseman Ken Klee and left wings Brad Larsen and Chad Painchaud. Schneider had become expendable to the Ducks over the last month, as the team wanted to trim salary in order to resign Teemu Selanne. Schneider was placed on waivers last week after the Ducks found no takers via trade. After clearing waivers, the Ducks were able to find a trade partner in the Thrashers. Ever since Schneider went on the trade block, the Los Angeles Kings were rumored to be interested in him. The St. Louis Blues also popped up in recent days as the rumored destination for the blueline after the injury to Erik Johnson. In 65 games last season with the Ducks, Schneider scored 12 goals and added 27 assists for 39 points. Klee scored one goal and added nine assists for 10 points in 72 games with the Thrashers, while Larsen scored one goal and added three assists for four points in 62 games with the Thrashers. Painchaud has no NHL experience thus far. The addition of Schneider is a good one for the Thrashers, as they were in need of an offensive defenseman and veteran experience. Klee gives the Ducks a solid, defensive blueline, while Larsen gives the team another physical forward. With the departure of Schneider, the Ducks are now below the salary cap. The addition of Klee, Larsen, and Painchaud's salaries equal $2.5 million. With $2.5-3 million to spare, the Ducks may have to make another trade to comfortably fit Selanne into their salary.

Schneider Clears Waivers, Nilson on Waivers

The Anaheim Ducks announced on Wednesday that defenseman Mathieu Schneider has cleared waivers. With the Ducks wanting to resign Teemu Selanne, it became apparent that Schneider was the odd man out. It was rumored that Schneider would be traded to the Los Angeles Kings, but apparently the Kings were unwilling to take on his salary. It has become apparent now that the Ducks will have to consider other players for a salary dumping trade. The buyout of a player is no longer an option for the team, as the deadline for contract buyouts has passed. It's a bit of a surprise that the Kings did not claim Schneider, as they could have acquired him for nothing and added offensive, veteran depth to their blueline all at the same time.

The Calgary Flames announced today that they have placed veteran forward Marcus Nilson on waivers in an attempt to trim payroll. It was reported several days ago that the Flames were trying to find a way to loan Nilson to the KHL so that they could cut salary. Nilson scored three goals and added two assists for five points in 47 games last season with the Flames. Nilson's offensive production has been in decline over the past few seasons and it's unlikely that any team will claim him off waivers. It's becoming more likely by the day that Nilson will be playing in Europe for the 2008-09 season.

Ducks Place Schneider on Waivers

The Anaheim Ducks announced today that they have placed defenseman Mathieu Schneider on waivers. He has until 12 noon Wednesday to clear waivers. Schneider played in 65 last season with the Ducks, scoring 12 goals and adding 27 assists for 39 points. In 1197 NHL games, Schneider has 212 goals and 490 assists for 702 points with the Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, and Anaheim Ducks. With the Ducks interested in resigning Teemu Selanne and needing to get under the salary cap, it was rumored that Schneider was being shopped by the Ducks, with the Los Angeles Kings rumored to be interested. If the Kings are truly interested in Schneider, now would be the ideal time to acquire him, as they would not have to give up anything for his services. If he goes unclaimed, it likely means that no teams are interested in Schneider's hefty contract. The Ducks cannot demote Schneider to the minors to free up cap space. According to the CBA, the salary of a player over 35 years of age still counts against a team's salary cap even if they are demoted to the minors. It could become likely now that the Ducks may have to move another player to free up cap space to resign Selanne.