Thrashers claim veteran forward Recchi off waivers

Associated Press

Updated: December 8, 2007, 1:53 PM ET

Recchi

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Thrashers claimed veteran forward Mark Recchi off waivers on Saturday.

The Pittsburgh Penguins assigned the 39-year-old Recchi to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League on Thursday, and Recchi was placed on re-entry waivers Friday, meaning any team making a claim to him was only responsible for half of the remaining portion of his $1.75 million contract.

Thrashers spokesman Rob Koch said Saturday that the 5-foot-10, 190-pound Recchi is expected to join the team in Atlanta on Sunday. The Thrashers play at Washington on Saturday.

Recchi will probably have his first practice with the team on Tuesday.

Recchi played on Stanley Cup champion teams in 1991 with Pittsburgh and 2006 with Carolina. He also has had two stints with Philadelphia and played five years for Montreal.

Recchi had two goals and six assists in 19 appearances this season. He has 510 goals and 1,341 points in 1,357 games during his 19-year NHL career.

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