in a three-way trade that also included the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers received a third round draft pick and Lasse Kukkonen from the Blackhawks in exchange for Kyle Calder; in turn, the Blackhawks sent Calder to the Red Wings in exchange for Williams. He scored twice in his first return to Joe Louis Arena as a member of the Blackhawks. Atlanta Thrashers/Columbus Blue Jackets After a 36-point season in 43 games with Chicago, Williams became an unrestricted free agent and was signed by the Atlanta Thrashers on July 13, 2008, to a one-year, $2.2 million deal. On January 14, 2009, Williams was traded by the Thrashers to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Clay Wilson and a sixth round draft pick. Williams performed well with Columbus, scoring 12 goals and 17 assists for the remainder of the 2008–09 season as the Blue Jackets qualified for the playoffs for the first time in their history. Williams and the Blue Jackets were swept in the first round by Williams' former team, the Detroit Red Wings. Return to Detroit On August 6, 2009, Williams returned as a free agent to the Red Wings after signing a one-year contract. On November 7, 2009 in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Williams suffered a fractured fibula, and missed several weeks with the injury. On January 29, 2010, Williams was activated off of injured reserve from his injury. He scored a powerplay goal in his first game back from injury against the Nashville Predators, a 4-2 Red Wings victory. Remaining professional career On December 27, 2010, Williams was signed as a free agent by the New York Rangers and played for their AHL affiliate, the Connecticut Whale. On February 11, 2011, he was released from his PTO with the Whale. Williams was then signed as a free agent by the Dallas Stars on February 12, 2011, for the remainder of the season. On July 26, 2011, he signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $600,000 with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Williams was assigned to AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, for the majority of the 2011–12 season, however was recalled to produce a goal and assist in an eight-game stint with Pittsburgh. With limited NHL interest in 2012, Williams opted to resume his career in Europe, agreeing to a two-year contract with the Swiss club, HC Ambrì-Piotta of the National League A. Over two seasons, with Ambri, Williams became