BELANGER FOR VISHNEVSKI
The Atlanta Thrashers acquired center Eric Belanger from the Nashville Predators for defenseman Vitaly Vishnevski.
What does it give the Atlanta Thrashers
Belanger wasn't a member of the Predators for more than a day. Now in Atlanta, he'll either be asked to step up in the scoring department or take over the checking-line center role from Bobby Holik. If the latter occurs, Holik will play on one of Atlanta's top two lines. Either way, this deal fills a major void down the middle for the Thrashers. Furthermore, GM Don Waddell dealt from a position of strength, since he had eight healthy NHL defensemen.
What does it give the Nashville Predators
In Vishnevski, the Predators have added the stay-at-home defenseman they coveted. Last year, they spent a first-round draft pick in order to land one (Brendan Witt), so kudos to GM David Poile for adding Vishnevski for far less this time around. Adding Vishnevski may be a pre-cursor to another trade involving a defenseman, since the team is still looking for help at the center position.
Fantasy impact
