The craziness continues leading up to the NHL Entry Draft, and Wednesday night saw the Chicago Blackhawks finalize a huge trade with the Atlanta Trashers. Atlanta received playoff hero Dustin Byfuglien, defenseman Brent Sopel, forward Ben Eager and prospect Akim Aliu. Going to Chicago was journeyman Marty Reasoner, prospects Jeremy Morin and Joey Crabb, and the 24th and 54th picks in the 2010 draft. There was a small glitch that Atlanta needed to pass, because this would have put Atlanta over the 50-player roster limit. Thus, they turned around and sent prospects Brett Sterling and Michael Vernace with a 7th round pick to San Jose for future considerations. The end result, is a nine player/three draft pick trade that changes Chicago and Atlanta dramatically. Everyone and their mother knew that Chicago was going to have to make multiple moves this offseason, as they were well over the salary cap and still had restricted free agents they wanted to re-sign. Byfuglien was one of a few forwards that was rumored to be on the trade block in their attempt to limbo below the cap line. The trade sees Chicago shed Byfuglien?s $3mil salary, Sopel?s $2.333mil cap hit, Eager?s free agent rights, and Aliu?s $875k salary. In return, they take on Reasoner?s manageable $1.15mil cap hit and prospects that may or may not affect the NHL roster. At this time, prior to draft and free agency, Chicago sits at roughly $6mil under the cap ceiling. This could potentially allow them to sign both Cup winning goalie Antti Niemi and up and coming defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson, but it wouldn?t be a comfortable fit. Many speculate that Cristobal Huet will be stored in the minors to alleviate his $5.625 cap hit, but that is a gutsy move for the owner to pay for. The odds are that Chicago will have to make at least one more trade to free up additional room, just in case they want to sign current or past draft picks. In addition to some financial breathing room, Chicago obtains a valuable 1st round pick (24th) and a 2nd round pick (54th). There were reports of GMs scoffing at the fact that Chicago wanted a 1st round pick in any deal, but they got one here and should be commended for sticking to their plan. It?s unfortunate that they put themselves in this contractual situation in the first place, but they did a pretty good job of selling high on Byfuglien. Grade for Chicago: B+ Atlanta, meanwhile, made themselves relevant in the weak Southeast Division. No, this won?t allow them to go toe-to-toe with Washington, but this should allow them to feel a lot better about a potential playoff appearance next season. New GM Rick Dudley makes a splash in his first ever transaction for the Thrashers. He added an exciting player in Byfuglien, who made himself into a bit of a star in the playoffs with 11 goals, five of which were game winners. At 25-years-old, ?Big Buff? is a great addition to the developing under-30 core in Atlanta, and after his $3mil this season, they still own his restricted free agent rights afterward. In Sopel, they pick up a veteran defenseman, seemingly to replace free agent Pavel Kubina. Defence is Atlanta?s strength, and Sopel should fit seamlessly behind up and coming stars Zach Bogosian and Tobias Enstrom, along with Johnny Oduya and Ron Hainsey. The jury is out on the prospect swap, as none are really top-end prospects but all could make pro rosters at some point. Unfortunately they felt they had to give in order to get, and they gave two draft picks, one of which is a late first rounder. However, they own the 8th pick in the draft so it?s not like they are without a top pick. Also, both of these picks were originally New Jersey?s, which Atlanta received in the Ilya Kovalchuk trade. The Kovalchuk trade is the trade that keeps on giving. If you are scoring at home, Atlanta sent Ilya and a prospect to the Devils for Oduya, scoring rookie Niclas Bergfors, prospect Patrice Cormier, and now Dustin Byfuglien and Brent Sopel. I blasted Atlanta?s previous GM Don Waddell for the deal at the time, but will readily eat crow now as those assets were turned into a real solid haul here from Chicago (while Kovy may not even stay with New Jersey). While Atlanta takes on an extra $5mil or so in salary, they still sit around $25mil under the cap. As a financially limited franchise, they don?t usually spend up to the ceiling, but that still gives them a significant chunk of money to play with this offseason to add quality parts at forward and likely another goalie. Grade for Atlanta: A Nick can be reached by email nickobergan@hotmail.com or on twitter @NickObergan