Blues honor MacInnis

The St. Louis Blues honored Al MacInnis with a statue depicting the Hall of Fame defenseman loading up for a booming slap shot before their home opener.

Despite rain, hundreds of fans attended the ceremony Thursday night for MacInnis, who played for the Blues from 1994 to 2004 and now is vice president of hockey operations. The statue is located outside the Scottrade Center, next to one of fellow Hall of Famer Bernie Federko.

After taking a look at the statue with stick raised high in the air, team announcer John Kelly joked that MacInnis "could score from here, you had such a big shot!"

The Federko statue had been in the concourse, but team chairman Dave Checketts wanted both outside where they could serve as a meeting place for fans. Checketts said a statue of Brett Hull will be next.

"You'll be able to say, 'Meet me at Bernie, or meet me at Al,"' Checketts said. "Maybe you'll see, 'Meet me at Brett.' That's got to be the next one."

MacInnis was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007, a year after the franchise retired his No. 2.

He is third among defensemen in points (1,274), assists (934) and goals (340) and helped the Blues make the playoffs all 10 seasons in St. Louis.

"When I grew up I was no different than any kid in Canada," MacInnis said. "You dream of playing in the National Hockey League and you dream of winning the Stanley Cup, and the Blues have afforded me two honors that really are beyond anyone's dreams."

Blue Jackets get winger: The Columbus Blue Jackets have picked up left wing Jordan LaVallee-Smotherman from the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for future considerations.

General manager Scott Howson announced the deal Thursday. LaVallee-Smotherman was assigned to the club's American Hockey League affiliate in Syracuse.

LaVallee-Smotherman, 23, was Atlanta's fifth pick, 116th overall, in the 2005 draft. He has one goal and one assist in four career NHL games with the Thrashers and has spent most of the past three seasons playing with the AHL's Chicago Wolves.

Sharks' Staubitz suspended: San Jose Sharks forward Brad Staubitz has been suspended for one game for his hit on Davis Drewiske of the Los Angeles Kings.

He will lose $2,590 in salary in the punishment handed out by the NHL on Thursday. He will be eligible to return Saturday against Minnesota.

Staubitz hit Drewiske on Tuesday after the defenseman had touched the puck for icing. Staubitz drew a minor penalty for charging.

Thrashers lose Valabik: Atlanta Thrashers defenseman Boris Valabik is expected to miss four to six weeks after having surgery to repair a high ankle sprain.

The Thrashers said Valabik, a native of Nitra, Czechoslovakia, had surgery on Thursday morning. He was placed on injured reserve.

Valabik had five assists in 50 games last season.

Forward Colby Armstrong was activated from injured reserve.

Red Wings sign May: The Detroit Red Wings have signed veteran forward Brad May to a one-year contract.

The team did not release terms of the deal announced Thursday. The 37-year-old left wing was picked by Buffalo as the 14th overall selection in the 1990 NHL draft.

The native of Toronto has played 1,001 career NHL games with the Sabres, Vancouver Canucks, Phoenix Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche, Anaheim Ducks and Toronto Maple Leafs.

He has 127 career regular-season goals and 160 assists.

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