ATLANTA - Thrashers center Dan Snyder died Sunday night, six days after he was involved in a car crash with teammate Dany Heatley, from massive brain injuries. He was 25.
Heatley already was facing several charges, including a felony.
"The charges will be upgraded," said Sgt. John Quigley, an Atlanta Police Department spokesman. "It would likely be vehicular homicide first degree."
He said investigators would meet with the District Attorney's office this morning.
Snyder had surgery for a skull fracture but never emerged from his coma.
"We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Dan Snyder," the Thrashers said in a statement. "Dan was a teammate and friend to all of us."
Snyder signed as a free agent in 1999. He spent most of his first three seasons in the minor leagues then had 10 goals and four assists in 36 games last season.
In addition to his legal problems, Heatley also suffered serious injuries in the crash. He had surgery Saturday for a broken jaw, and an MRI found two torn ligaments in his right knee. He will require more surgery in about a week for the knee injury.
PANTHERS: Goalie Steve Shields was acquired from Boston for future considerations. He replaces backup Jani Hurme, who was lost in Friday's waiver draft. Roberto Luongo is Florida's starting goalie.
KINGS: Forward Dustin Brown, the 13th overall pick in June, will start the season with the team because Adam Deadmarsh has not recovered from a concussion sustained last season.
SENATORS: Forward Denis Hamel was acquired from Washington for future considerations. The Capitals picked him in the waiver draft from Ottawa, who signed him after he scored two goals in 25 games for Buffalo last season. Also, the team will wear a patch for Roger Neilson, an assistant who died of cancer during the summer.
WILD: Five-year veteran left wing Bill Muckalt was sent to Houston of the AHL. He started last season with five goals in six games before dislocating his right shoulder and missing 73 regular-season games.
Sunday's games
LEAFS 4, WINGS 2: Gary Roberts had two goals and an assist for host Toronto. Down 2-1, Matt Stajan tied it for the Leafs 7:13 into the third. Roberts, who played his first preseason game Saturday, gave Toronto the lead about two minutes later and assisted on Darcy Tucker's goal with 1:56 left.
SABRES 5, SENATORS 1: Miroslav Satan and Chris Taylor had three assists and Martin Biron made 31 saves for Buffalo in St. Catharines, Ontario.
