The Atlanta Thrashers traded defenceman Mathieu Schneider to the Montreal Canadiens for a pair of draft picks (2nd round this year, and 3rd round in 2010).

The Canadiens who are looking to add to their blueline that has been decimated by free agency in the past few years losing Souray and Streit acquired Schneider in the hopes that he could help boost their powerplay.

Schneider was a cap casualty and was traded to the Thrashers at the beginning of the season from the Anaheim Ducks. Schneider now returns to the Montreal Canadiens, a club he played for from 1989-1995, winning the Stanley Cup in 1993.

Solid pre-deadline move by the Canadiens as Schneider would have certainly been moved. The Habs probably got him a bit cheaper than if they had waited, and Schneider's game will certainly be boosted now that he is playing with a contender. Add him to your fantasy roster if you haven't already.

Quick Shave:
The struggling Pittsburgh Penguins fired their coach Michel Therrien, the same bench boss that helped them to the Stanley Cup finals last season. The Penguins named Dan Bylsma their interim head coach. Bylsma was the head coach of the Penguins farm team in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Martin Brodeur returned to practice for the New Jersey Devils this week and should be back on the ice soon. Although the Devils plan to take their time with Brodeur's injury (and have the luxury to do so considering how well Scott Clemmenson has played in his absence) Brodeur insisted he was ready to play in the game against the San Sharks last Sunday.

The now struggling New York Rangers, who can't seem to buy a goal could welcome back Sean Avery to the lineup sooner than later. After being waived by the Dallas Stars, Avery is now playing with the Rangers farm team, the Hartford Wolfpack, and should help add some spice to the lineup, but I'm not sure how much else. This club needs goal scoring badly.

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh