NEWARK, N.J. -- Dustin Byfuglien was in the Thrashers' lineup Tuesday night despite a lower-body injury that put his status in doubt.
Byfuglien left Monday's practice early because of the injury. Thrashers coach Craig Ramsay said a final decision was made on the All-Star defenseman's status following the team's pregame warm-up. Byfuglien missed last week's game against Carolina because of the injury. It was the only game he has missed this season.
With Byfuglien questionable, the Thrashers re-called Noah Welch from AHL Chicago on Monday. Welch, who appeared in two games earlier this season, was re-called ahead of prospects Arturs Kulda and Paul Postma. Ramsay said Welch's experience was a factor as the Thrashers are making a run at the playoffs with less than a month remaining in the season.
“He played the game in New York [Oct. 27] for us, and I thought he played pretty well,” Ramsay said. “He’s been playing pretty solid. We felt comfortable bringing him up. He’s a big-bodied guy with a lot of experience. He’s been around. He’s played. We feel good putting him in the lineup.”
Ramsay drafted with Martin
Legendary Buffalo Sabre Rick Martin passed away Sunday in a one-car accident after suffering a heart attack. The member of the Sabres' famous French Connection line played with both Thrashers general manager Rick Dudley and coach Craig Ramsay in Buffalo.
Martin, Ramsay and Bill Hajt were part of the arguably the team's greatest draft class. In the 1971 NHL draft, Martin was selected in the first round (No. 5 overall), Ramsay in the second round (No. 19) and Hajt in the third round (No. 33). Martin played 10 seasons with the Sabres. He played his final four games, over two seasons, with Los Angeles. Ramsay and Hajt played their entire 14-year careers with the Sabres.
“We are touched quite deeply by [Martin’s passing],” Ramsay said. “This was a guy that we grew up together in Buffalo. We came into a new team as a group of young players and had some pretty good success. He was a wonderful player, but he was a really good person."
Thrashers sign prospect
The Thrashers signed defensive prospect Ben Chiarot to an entry-level contract. The 19-year-old was a fourth-round draft pick in 2009.
This season, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound Chiarot has 34 points (nine goals, 25 assists) in 61 games for Saginaw and Sudbury of the Ontario Hockey League.
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