The Thrashers on Tuesday signed defenseman Chris Chelios, a 25-year NHL veteran.
The 48-year-old Chelios, an unrestricted free agent, has spent much of this season playing for Thrashers’ AHL affiliate in Chicago, although he was not property of the Atlanta team.
Chelios must clear waivers and then will be re-assigned to AHL Chicago if he is not claimed by another NHL team by noon Wednesday.
The signing gives the Thrashers veteran depth on defense in case of injury, said Thrashers general manager Don Waddell.
“You never know,” Waddell said when asked the likelihood that Chelios would be called up to the NHL. “We have a busy schedule [in March]. When you go into a run like this, you like to have 10 defensemen in case you get a couple of injuries.”
Chelios signed a two-way contract in October. His prorated salary will be $700,000 while in the NHL and $105,000 when in the AHL. Should the Thrashers call up Chelios, he would not have to pass through waivers again.
Chelios has appeared in 44 games for the Wolves with five goals and 16 assists. He is second in the AHL with a plus-35 rating. He has registered a plus or even performance in 40 of his 44 games this season. He is averaging almost 24 minutes a game.
Waddell said the signing of Chelios would not impact the seven defensemen currently on the Thrashers’ active roster.
“He’s done a tremendous job in Chicago,” Waddell said. “He’s a leader, a teacher and is in great condition. He is a great example to our young players.”
Chelios has been paired with Arturs Kulda in Chicago. Kulda played two games with the Thrashers before the recent Olympic break.
Over his 25-year NHL career, Chelios won three Stanley Cups. He scored 948 points (185 goals, 763 assists) with 2,891 penalty minutes in 1,644 career games with the Red Wings, Blackhawks and Canadiens. In a NHL-record 266 career playoff games, Chelios has 144 points (31 goals, 113 assists). He is an 11-time All-Star and three-time winner of the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman.
Chelios won the Stanley Cup with the Canadiens (1986) and twice with the Red Wings (2002 and 2008). He captained the U.S. men’s teams at the 1998, 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics.
Notes
Waddell said Tuesday that the team is continuing to explore trade possibilities on the eve of Wednesday's 3 p.m. NHL deadline. ... Defenseman Christoph Schubert was activated from the injured reserve list and returned to the lineup after missing 13 games with a knee injury. Forward Slava Kozlov and defenseman Mark Popovic were healthy scratches. ... The inclement weather hindered the arrival of newly-acquired Evgeny Artyukhin. The forward, traded from the Ducks on Monday, did not arrive from Anaheim in time for Tuesday's morning skate. The addition of Artyukhin and the return of Schubert puts the Thrashers at the roster maximum of 23 players.
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