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Atlanta acquires Radek Dvorak from Panthers for Niclas Bergfors and Patrick Rissmiller

Mike Santorelli, Radek Dvorak

Florida Panthers’ Mike Santorelli, right, celebrates his goal with teammate Radek Dvorak during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils, Friday, Feb. 4, 2011, in Newark, N.J. The Panthers defeated the Devils in overtime 4-3. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

AP

Much like we discussed last night, Altanta Thrashers GM Rick Dudley made a low-risk, low-reward move that marginally improved his team’s experience and size by trading for Radek Dvorak.

Dudley didn’t want to damage the Thrashers’ future for the present, so unless Niclas Bergfors changes his downward trajectory, moving Bergfors and Patrick Rissmiller won’t harm their long-term outlook. He also had to part with a fifth rounder, though.

Dvorak is a player whose season totals tend to fall in the mid-30s the last few seasons, although he did peak at 67 points way back in the 2000-01 season. Bergfors might actually have a higher (purely offensive) ceiling, as he already has 29 points and is 10 years younger than Dvorak at 23-years-old.

Rissmiller is a marginal player, but one might wonder if parting with him hurt Dudley a bit too, purely because Rissmiller is listed at 6'4" and 220+ lbs.

This is far from a splashy deal, but that seems to be the M.O. for Dudley, at least during this deadline. As far as winners and losers, I might have to lean slightly toward Panthers GM Dale Tallon, since he turned something into almost nothing.