Thrashers waive forward Perrin

Forward Eric Perrin, who ranked third on the team in scoring last season, was placed on waivers on Tuesday, one day after he told the Journal-Constitution he was disappointed in the playing opportunities he got this season and he hoped to be traded before Wednesday’s deadline.

Perrin, 33, has five goals and 10 assists this season after having 12 goals and 33 assists in 2007-08 in his debut with the Thrashers. This is his fourth NHL season.

If no team claims him by noon Wednesday, the Thrashers still owe him the rest of this season’s $1.5 million salary but can send him to their minor-league affiliate in Chicago. He becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1.

“We live in a world where we’ve got to be able to express ourselves and our feelings,” Perrin said Tuesday before the waiver news became public. “I’ve never bashed the organization. I think I’m appreciative of everything they’ve ever done for me.”

New skate partner

Monday’s trade of Niclas Havelid to the New Jersey Devils took away the man who had been Tobias Enstrom’s mentor and defensive partner most of the past two seasons.

“Of course it’s going to be a little bit different,” Enstrom said, but he added he was looking forward to playing in a new pairing with Zach Bogosian.

NHL debut

Dartmouth alumnus Grant Lewis, called up Monday from Chicago, made his NHL debut Tuesday night in place of defenseman Nathan Oystrick, who was out sick.

Lewis, 23, was a second-round pick in the 2004 draft. He had 21 assists in 51 games with the Wolves and shared the team lead with a plus-minus of plus-17.

“I like to think I’m a two-way defenseman,” Lewis said. “I try to see both ends of the ice but stay at home and play well positionally as well.”

Slater returns

Center Jim Slater played Tuesday night for the first time since dislocating his shoulder Jan. 20 against Montreal.

“I’ve heard a lot of guys with dislocations, they’re out six months with surgery,” Slater said before Tuesday’s game. “I was pretty fortunate mine didn’t need surgery, just a lot of rehab. … If it comes out again, that would mean surgery, so you want to make sure you’re ready and you can go. You don’t want anything in your mind about holding back at all.

“My mind’s clear. I want to go out there and play. I have no worries about reinjuring it at all.”