The San Jose Sharks have acquired rugged winger Ben Eager from the Atlanta Thrashers for a fifth-round pick in the 2011 NHL draft, the team said Tuesday.

Eager, known more for his physical play than his scoring, has three goals and seven assists this season and is currently serving a four-game suspension for intentionally trying to injure Toronto's Colby Armstrong, the NHL said.

Selected in the first round of the 2002 NHL draft by the Phoenix Coyotes, Eager spent the previous two seasons with Chicago, helping the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup before signing with Atlanta.

In 289 career games in Philadelphia, Chicago and Atlanta, Eager has 30 goals, 62 points and 698 penalty minutes.