Thrashers Sign Center Tim Stapleton

The Atlanta Thrashers announced today that they have signed free agent center Tim Stapleton. The exact length and financial terms of the deal were not announced, but it's likely a one-year deal. He appeared in six games last season with the Thrashers, scoring two goals. He spent the majority of the 2009-10 season with the Thrashers' AHL affiliate in Chicago. In 20 games this season with San Antonio of the AHL, he has eight goals and seven assists for 15 points. This is really just a depth move for the Thrashers, as Stapleton will likely spend most of this season in the minors. However, he is expected to join the team tonight in Colorado, so he will get a chance to play at the NHL level for now.

***UPDATE***
Stapleton's newly signed contract is a two-year deal. For the 2010-11 season, it's a two-way deal that will see him earning $525,000 at the NHL level and $105,000 if he plays in the minors. For the 2011-12 season, it's a one-way deal, which will see him earn $525,000 regardless if he plays in the NHL or minors.

Thrashers Re-Sign Lehman, Lewis, and Stapleton

The Atlanta Thrashers have announced that they have re-signed defensemen Scott Lehman and Grant Lewis and center Tim Stapleton to new contract. Exact length and financial terms of their deals were not disclosed. Lehman played on only one game last season with the Thrashers, scoring no points. He also appeared in 50 games with the Thrashers’ AHL affiliate in Chicago, scoring two goals and three assists for five points and 86 penalty minutes. Lewis played in only one game for the Thrashers last season, scoring no points. He also played in 54 games for Chicago of the AHL, scoring 22 assists. The Thrashers acquired Stapleton from the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 1 with Pavel Kubina in exchange for Garnet Exelby and Colin Stuart. In four games with the Maple Leafs last season, Stapleton scored one goal. He also played in 70 games with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, scoring 28 goals and 51 assists for 79 points.

These are nothing more than depth signings for the Thrashers. Lehman, who will likely spend most of next season in the minors, has decent size and plays with plenty of toughness. If the Thrashers give him a chance, he could develop into a decent physical, depth defenseman. Lewis will likely spend most of next season in the minors as well, giving the Chicago Wolves plenty of defensive depth and experience. Stapleton has the skills to develop into a top-nine forward at the NHL level, as long as the Thrashers give him a chance to do so.

Maple Leafs Ship Kubina to Thrashers in Multi-Player Deal

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Atlanta Thrashers swung a multi-player trade during the first day of free agency with the Thrashers acquiring defenseman Pavel Kubina and center Tim Stapleton from the Maple Leafs in exchange for defenseman Garnet Exelby and left wing Colin Stuart. Stapleton is a restricted free agent this summer, but the other three won’t be free agents until next summer. The Maple Leafs had been looking to trade Kubina and his $5 million salary last season in order to save money for free agency this summer, but the defenseman was unwilling to waive his no-trade clause. However, he has a limited no-trade clause in his contract in which he can be traded during July and August without his permission. In all 82 games last season with the Maple Leafs, Kubina scored 14 goals and 26 assists for 40 points, tying a career best in that category, and 94 penalty minutes. Stapleton appeared in only four games last season with the Maple Leafs, scoring one goal. Exelby appeared in 59 games last season with the Thrashers, scoring seven assists and 120 penalty minutes. Stuart played in 33 games last season with Atlanta, scoring five goals and three assists for eight points.

This is mainly a salary dumping trade for the Maple Leafs, as they probably could have gotten a better return for Kubina. However, they used the salary they freed up to sign Mike Komisarek, which I cover in my next post. Kubina brings lots of offensive skill, depth, and toughness to the Thrashers’ blueline and could play on their top pairing next season. Stapleton has the potential to be at least a third line forward in the NHL, and could likely do that in the coming years with the Thrashers. Toronto GM Brian Burke loves having physical and gritty players on his team, so Exelby will be a good fit for him. Stuart will give the Maple Leafs offensive depth on their fourth line if he makes the team next season.