Thrashers, Canucks Tap Waiver Draft

The expansion Atlanta Thrashers and the Vancouver Canucks were the busiest teams during the NHL waiver draft Monday in New York, with each selecting two players.

Overall, 10 players changed teams, the Thrashers taking center Jeff Williams from the New Jersey Devils and right wing Ladislav Kohn from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Kohn was traded to the Ducks.

The Canucks claimed defensemen Chris Joseph from the Ottawa Senators and John Namestnikov from the New York Rangers, filling spots created by the holdouts of Ed Jovanovski and Adrian Aucoin, both restricted free agents. Joseph and Namestnikov previously played for Vancouver.

The Devils also lost defenseman Ken Sutton to the Washington Capitals. Ottawa also lost center Viacheslav Butsayev, who went to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

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Carolina Hurricane General Manager Jim Rutherford is standing firm in negotiations with all-star center Keith Primeau, a restricted free agent.

“If Keith is not signed by this Friday I don’t see anything happening that’s going to bring him back five or six games into the season,” Rutherford said. “He has made his decision and he has made his stance and I see this as being a real long time.”

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Bob Errey, a 16-year NHL veteran cut last week by the Pittsburgh Penguins, has retired and will do color commentary on the team’s radio network.