Thrashers News

Ex-Leafs Antropov, Kubina reunite in Atlanta
"The ink was barely dry on Nik Antropov's four-year, $16-million US contract with the Atlanta Thrashers yesterday when the big Kazakh made an urgent phone call. The recipient: Pavel Kubina, his former Maple Leaf teammate. "He's excited about being able to play together again," Antropov told Sun Media last night. "So am I.""
Thrashers sign Antropov in another big move
"The text message might have been the best part. After Thrashers general manager Don Waddell signed unrestricted free agent Nik Antropov on Thursday, his cellphone buzzed with a message from Ilya Kovalchuk. Great job" it read. A whirlwind week in the Thrashers' offseason continued with the signing of Antropov to a reported a four-year, $16 million contract. The Thrashers did not disclose terms of the contract. Antropov gives the Thrashers a top-6 forward, an offseason priority. They also traded for top-4 defenseman Pavel Kubina on Wednesday and drafted nine players last weekend, including forward Evander Kane. The No. 4 overall pick could make the NHL roster next season. "Antropov really ..."
Thrashers sign free agent Antropov to multi-year deal
"The Thrashers' whirlwind offseason continued Thursday with the signing of free-agent forward Nik Antropov to a four-year, $16-million contract. The signing of the Antropov gives the Thrashers a top-6 forward, one of their offseason priorities. The Thrashers also traded for top-4 defenseman Pavel Kubina on Wednesday. They drafted nine players last weekend, including forward Evander Kane, who could make the NHL roster next season. The 29-year-old Antropov, who is 6 foot 6 and 230 pounds, had career-highs last season with 59 points, 28 goals and 31 assists while splitting the season between Toronto and New York. He recorded 46 points (21 goals, 25 assists) with the Maple Leafs, where he had ..."
Thrashers Sign Free Agent Forward Antropov
"The Nik Antropov experiment in New York is over, as the veteran forward has signed a four-year, $16 million deal with the Atlanta Thrashers. The 29-year-old saw his nine-year tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs end at the trade deadline earlier this year, when the club sent him to the New York Rangers in exchange for a second round draft pick in 2009 as well as a conditional draft pick in 2010. Antropov had seven goals and six assists in 18 games with the Rangers. He also set career-highs on the year with 28 goals and 59 points in 81 games."
Thorburn deal is done
"As expected the Thrashers have re-signed Chris Thorburn to a multi-year deal. It will be announced a little later and I fill you in on the details, but wanted you folks to know first. Help me out with what's next for the Thrashers."
Atlanta glad to have him
"It was nearing midnight in the Czech Republic and Pavel Kubina was taking no chances. "Nothing has been confirmed," the defenceman said over the phone. "Until the trade is done, I'm still a Leaf." But mere minutes later, the league confirmed the news: Kubina was an Atlanta Thrasher, dealt along with the rights to centre Tim Stapleton for defenceman Garnet Exelby and minor-league winger Colin Stuart. Kubina had been a whipping boy for Leafs Nation since inking a four-year, $20-million US deal with Toronto in 2006. But after 40-point campaigns the past two seasons, the veteran, with one year left on his contract, became an attractive commodity for the Thrashers."
Thrashers acquire standout defenseman Kubina
"Trade winds are blowing. Even with the start of the NHL free-agency period Wednesday, the Thrashers acquired Pavel Kubina from the Toronto Maple Leafs for Garnet Exelby and Colin Stuart. The Thrashers also acquired Tim Stapleton. Kubina, 32, has one year and $5 million remaining on his contract. He played for the Maple Leafs the past three seasons after spending the previous eight with the Tampa Bay Lightning, including when they won the Stanley Cup in 2004. He played all 82 games for the Leafs last season and tied a career-high with 40 points (14 goals, 26 assists). Kubina, a 6-foot-4, 245-pound defenseman, was an all-star in 2004 and played for the Czech Republic in the 2002 and 2006 ..."
It's official, Kubina a Thrasher
"OK folks, it is official. The Thrashers just announced that they have acquired defenseman Pavel Kubina and the rights to forward Tim Stapleton from Toronto for Garnet Exelby and Colin Stuart. I had a pretty good idea the Thrashers had something planned with Toronto. Don Waddell was very forthcoming that they were talking to the Leafs when I asked about Tomas Kaberle. And he said they would act fast with the groundwork being set at the draft last week. Certainly they are not done making moves, but the roster is starting to take some shape with Marty Reasoner and Anssi Salmela signed, Evander Kane drafted, qualifying offers made and now this trade. Still, I would look for Kari Lehtonen or ..."
Thrashers' Hainsey prepares for Olympics
"Thrashers defensman Ron Hainsey was one of 34 players invited to USA Hockey's Olympic Men's orientation camp. The camp, which will be held Aug. 17-19 near Chicago, is to assist in the preparation of the 2010 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey team that will compete at the Vancouver Olympics in February. Hainsey was also a member of Team USA in the recently completed World Championships in Switzerland. Those player invited to the camp are: Goaltenders: Ryan Miller, Jonathan Quick, Tim Thomas"
NHL salary cap traps teams in free agency market
"Over the last three summers, the salary cap in the NHL has jumped $17.7 million. The individual increases from year to year were $5 million, $6.3 million and $6.4 million. Teams looking to add help through free agency had a little extra allowance, and many clubs bettered themselves over cash-strapped franchises by spending that allowance. In 2007, Daniel Briere signed an eight-year, $52 million contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. In 2008, the Chicago Blackhawks inked Brian Campbell to an eight-year, $56.8 million deal. But with the NHL's announcement last week that the salary cap in 2009-10 will increase only $100,000, to $56.8 million, some upper-echelon clubs are expecting a ..."
Thrashers make contract offers to seven players
"The Thrashers made qualifying contract offers to seven players Monday, ensuring that they will remain with the team for the 2009-10 season. The club made the one-year offers to restricted free agent forwards Colby Armstrong, Jordan Lavallee and Jim Slater, defensemen Scott Lehman, Grant Lewis and Boris Valabik and goaltender Kari Lehtonen. Forward Chris Thorburn and goalie Dan Turple were not made offers, making them unrestricted free agents on Wednesday. The Thrashers said they will continue negotiations with Thorburn and expect to re-sign him."
Thrashers make qualifying offers
"The Thrashers made qualifying offers to several restricted free agents on Monday. The Thrashers made qualifying offers to restricted free agents Colby Armstrong, Jordan Lavallee, Scott Lehman, Kari Lehtonen, Grant Lewis, Jim Slater and Boris Valabik. Offers were not made to Chris Thorburn and Dan Turple, meaning they will become unrestricted free agents on July 1."
Thrashers stock up on picks
"Day Two of the NHL draft can be hectic - with just a minute between most selections. It was fast paced Saturday as rounds 2 through 7 were completed in less than four hours. Most players selected on the second day are several years away from the NHL, making the dizzying process even more of an inexact science. Thrashers general manager Don Waddell was pleased with his organization's efforts after having a chance to catch his breath. • The Thrashers added eight players to go with Friday's first-round selection of Evander Kane. Waddell labeled several of those picks "steals." • Five of the eight picks were power forwards with size, something Waddell said was a priority. • In two trades, the ..."
Vancouver's Kane goes fourth overall to Thrashers at NHL draft
"Nothing like setting your sights high. Then again, this is Evander Kane we're talking about. You know the guy: Won a Memorial Cup with the Vancouver Giants as a 15-year-old. Gold with Canada's under-18s as a 16-year-old. Another gold this year, this time with the Junior nats. So it really was no surprise that the Giants sniper wasted few words when asked —just moments after being chosen fourth overall by the Atlanta Thrashers at the NHL entry draft, mind you — what type of player he expects to become. "I always love to score goals," Kane told TSN. "I want to get as many as possible. I'm hoping to be a 50-goal guy one day." Talk about confidence. And to think, just minutes earlier, the ..."
Thrashers draft center Evander Kane
"Evander Kane's "welcome to the NHL" moment might have come minutes after being selected by the Thrashers. "You're going to look good next to Ilya Kovalchuk," general manager Don Waddell told Kane right after taking him with the No. 4 overall pick in the first round of the NHL draft Friday. The Thrashers selected the center from Vancouver of the Western Hockey League, where he had 96 points (48 goals, 48 assists) last season. The Thrashers project him as a power winger in the NHL. It might not be long before the 17-year-old is indeed playing alongside Kovalchuk. "That is our belief, that if he continues to get stronger in the next eight or 10 weeks, he has a very good chance to be with us." ..."
Thrashers Extend Qualifying Offers To Three Players
"Our old pal Craig Custance twittered …or is it twitted…or twittled…anyway, he informed us by way of "twitter" yesterday that the "Thrashers have made qualifying offers to at least three potential restricted free agents - Kari Lehtonen, Jim Slater and Colby Armstrong." This now leaves Jordan Lavallee, Scott Lehman, Grant Lewis, Chris Thorburn, Dan Turple and Boris Valabik as impending RFAs that the team will need to extend offers to. However, as Ben Wright of the Blueland Blog writes, "The Thrashers have a lot of RFA's and it won't shock me if some of them don't receive qualifying offers". If so…who amoung those renaining might be left out in the Thrashers' plans for the future? Well, we'll ..."
Thrashers officially name Dudley associate GM
"The Thrashers officially named Rick Dudley as associate general manager on Monday. Dudley, who re-signed as the Chicago Blackhawks assistant general manager four days ago, will assist Thrashers general manager Don Waddell in hockey operations. His primary responsibility will be scouting and player development. He has had noted success at all levels as a player, coach and general manager, and his nearly 40 years of professional experience will certainly prove beneficial to our organization," Waddell said in a statement."
Should the Thrashers deal Ilya Kovalchuk?
"This has Marian Hossa written all over it, only in larger letters. The Thrashers dumped their second-best player at the 2008 trading deadline because they knew they couldn't re-sign him. Their best player is about to enter the final season of his contract, and Don Waddell shouldn't let Ilya Kovalchuk enter it as a Thrasher. Kovalchuk was the NHL's 11th-highest-paid player in 2008-2009, and some club will make him one of the top five come 2010-2011. It would be an upset if that team is the Thrashers. And if they can't keep him, they should trade him. Last month Waddell, the Thrashers' GM, told esteemed colleague Chris Vivlamore he wouldn't trade Kovalchuk this summer or at the deadline or ..."
Don Waddell has a plan; Is this where we came in?
"Eleven years, nine seasons, 16 goalies, three coaches (not including himself twice between firings) and one lone playoff berth after his hiring, Don Waddell is sitting at a table in his office, doing research. "One, two, three . . ." He's counting team logos on the cover of an NHL reference book. "Four, five, six . . ." Seven. Only seven other NHL general managers have been in their respective jobs as long as Waddell. Three run teams that have won Stanley Cups (Detroit, New Jersey, Carolina). Two have been in the finals (Buffalo, Washington). One made the playoff seven straight seasons (St. Louis), the other four straight (Nashville). And then there's the Teflon Don. "I put myself in good ..."
Another Thrashers signing
"Marty Reasoner has returned. The Thrashers have re-signed the center, making the announcement on Monday. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. The 10-year veteran was to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He earned $1 million dollars last season after signing a one-year deal with the Thrashers. Reasoner, 32, had 14 goals and 16 assists last season and was given the Thrashers' Players' Player Award by teammates. He was seventh on the team in goals and ninth in points. "This team is starting to build in the right direction," Reasoner told the Journal-Constitution after last season's NHL trade deadline. "I can be part of that. We'd like to produce some more wins. That will come. ..."
Thrashers sign forward Kozek
"The Thrashers signed forward Andrew Kozek, the team's second-round selection (53rd overall) in the 2005 NHL Draft, on Tuesday. Kozek, 23, had 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) in 38 games last season for the University of North Dakota. In 167 career games at North Dakota, Kozek had 65 points (38 goals, 27 assists)."
Thrashers takes swings off the ice
"Some of the Thrashers did a little off-season hitting Tuesday. Eric Boulton, Marty Reasoner and Chris Thorburn were at Turner Field to take batting practice prior to the Braves game. It was part of a CSS television show "All in a Day's Work," which will air later in the month. Boulton was first in the cage and swung and missed at his first pitch, delivered from bench coach Chino Cadahia. "I thought I broke my thumb," he said later. Reasoner stroked a couple of ground-rule doubles, prompting Braves manager Bobby Cox, a spectator in the dugout, to say, "Hey, that guy can hit.""
Don Waddell has a plan; Is this where we came in?
"Eleven years, nine seasons, 16 goalies, three coaches (not including himself twice between firings) and one lone playoff berth after his hiring, Don Waddell is sitting at a table in his office, doing research. "One, two, three . . ." He's counting team logos on the cover of an NHL reference book. "Four, five, six . . ." Seven. Only seven other NHL general managers have been in their respective jobs as long as Waddell. Three run teams that have won Stanley Cups (Detroit, New Jersey, Carolina). Two have been in the finals (Buffalo, Washington). One made the playoff seven straight seasons (St. Louis), the other four straight (Nashville). And then there's the Teflon Don. "I put myself in good ..."
Waddell still confident in Atlanta as a hockey market
"Did you know Tom Glavine used to play hockey? (Sorry. That was just for the Glavine bashers.) But speaking of hockey: I sat down with a Thrashers general manager (still!) Don Waddell Monday afternoon. WE had an entertaining 35-minute discussion about all sorts of things, one of which was how he's been able to keep his job (he was hired in 1998) despite only one playoff berth in nine seasons and no playoff wins. Don took the hardball questions in good humor. As much as people have always assumed he and I hate each other, given I used to cover the team, I actually like the guy personally. We almost always have great conversations and I think only twice have actually reached for weapons. This ..."
Thrashers re-sign veteran center Reasoner
"Marty Reasoner says Atlanta gets a bad rap around the NHL. It's a great place to live - and to play hockey. Reasoner got his wish to remain with the Thrashers, signing a two-year deal on Monday. The 10-year veteran center was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Thrashers have missed the playoffs the last two seasons after making the franchise's first trip to the postseason in 2006-07. "I look at it as an opportunity to be a part of something moving in the right direction, the way we finished the end of last year [going 12-6]," Reasoner said. "We had so many new pieces last year, new players, new coaching staff, new system. It ..."
Another Thrashers signing
"Marty Reasoner has returned. The Thrashers have re-signed the center, making the announcement on Monday. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. The 10-year veteran was to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He earned $1 million dollars last season after signing a one-year deal with the Thrashers. Reasoner, 32, had 14 goals and 16 assists last season and was given the Thrashers' Players' Player Award by teammates. He was seventh on the team in goals and ninth in points. "This team is starting to build in the right direction," Reasoner told the Journal-Constitution after last season's NHL trade deadline. "I can be part of that. We'd like to produce some more wins. That will come. ..."
Thrashers remain active, re-sign Reasoner
"The Atlanta Thrashers re-signed center Marty Reasoner on Monday, completing their second offseason move in four days. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. The 10-year veteran was to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He earned $1 million last season after signing a one-year deal with the Thrashers. Reasoner, 32, had 14 goals and 16 assists last season and was given the Players' Player Award by teammates. He was seventh on the team in goals and ninth in points. "This team is starting to build in the right direction," Reasoner told the AJC after last season's NHL trade deadline. "I can be part of that. We'd like to produce some more wins. That will come. I don't feel it's as ..."
Thrasher re-sign defenseman Salmela
"The Thrashers re-signed defenseman Anssi Salmela to a multi-year contract Thursday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Salmela, 24, was acquired by the Thrashers on March 2 in a trade with the New Jersey Devils for Niclas Havelid and Myles Stoesz. "He is a guy we wanted to get, and he showed us exactly what we wanted to see [during his time with the Thrashers]," general manager Don Waddell said. "He's a high-end skill player, and we wanted to move forward with him." The 6-foot-1, 200-pound defenseman scored his first career NHL goal in his second game with the Thrashers, which came against the Washington Capitals on March 16. In his nine games with the Thrashers he had three points (one ..."
Focus on Waddell as Thrashers enter critical off-season
"The track record is clear. The Thrashers have made one playoff appearance in nine seasons in Atlanta. They didn't win a game. One thing has been constant over the past 10 years — general manager Don Waddell. Ownership has changed. Players have come and gone. Heck, there is even a new sweater. Still, Waddell remains. So as the franchise faces perhaps the most critical off-season in its history, there are questions. Will Waddell remain to lead the Thrashers into their next phase? And if so, why will this time be different? Waddell has no plans to leave. He told the Journal-Constitution in a recent interview that there have been no talks with ownership to replace him. Waddell would not reveal ..."
Thrashers GM: Kovalchuk staying put
"Ilya Kovalchuk will be a Thrasher next season. General manager Don Waddell told the Journal-Constitution last week that, unequivocally, Kovalchuk will remain with the team as it attempts to re-sign one of the NHL's elite players. There will be no trade deadline move - such as with Marian Hossa - if negotiations reach an impasse. Beyond next season, well, that remains to be seen. The Thrashers face a franchise-defining summer with Kovalchuk entering the final year of his contract. Re-signing Kovalchuk, who will command a major contract, is unquestionably the priority. He is the franchise leader in goals, points and games played. Kovalchuk, 26, has made it clear that to re-sign him, the ..."
Thrashers offseason updates
"I'm back, folks. Sorry for the delay but I got caught up in covering the Hawks' playoff run and the Braves' Brian McCann's new glasses. I will be covering some non-Thrasher stories again next week, but we do have hockey to report. Had a lengthy meeting and interview with GM Don Waddell this week. We talked about many things, including Ilya Kovalchuk, the draft, the goaltending situation, etc. I just finished writing a story on Kovy that will appear in Sunday's paper. We talked at length about the contract negotiations. Here's the hook to the story that I can fill you in on: They will not trade Kovy this year. There will be no Marian Hossa drama at the trade deadline. Here is what Waddell ..."
If the Thrashers left Atlanta, would anyone care? Oh, yes.
"The Hamilton Spectator reported last week that a Vancouver-based group wanted to buy the Thrashers and move them to Ontario. Don Waddell, the team's general manager, insists that cannot and will not happen, and there's no reason we shouldn't believe him. Still, that got me to thinking: If the Thrashers left, would anybody miss them? (They ranked next-to-last among NHL teams in attendance, averaging 14,626 per home date.) So, via Twitter, I asked. And of 50 respondents, only four said they wouldn't care if the Thrash went the way of the migratory Flames. A selected sampling: John Bragg: "Aside from family, friends, and the basic necessities in life, there's not much I wouldn't trade to see ..."
Tom Gaglardi targets Atlanta Thrashers for move to Hamilton after being denied piece of Canucks
"Jim Balsillie isn't the only person looking to move a National Hockey League franchise to Hamilton. According to the Hamilton Spectator, a second group, believed led by Vancouver developer Tom Gaglardi, is interested in relocating the financially troubled Atlanta Thrashers to Steeltown, possibly in time for the 2010 season. Gaglardi is currently a co-owner of the Western Hockey League's Kamloops Blazers with NHLers Mark Recchi, Darryl Sydor, Jarome Iginla and Shane Doan. Hamilton mayor Fred Eisenberger is scheduled to meet with the Vancouver group Monday to discuss the leasing of Copps Coliseum. The city is currently working on a proposed deal for use of the arena with Balsillie, the ..."
Commissioners of the big four sports gather to discuss 'The Future of Sports'
"They are portrayed as having the job security of a Supreme Court justice or the president of North Korea, but even the commissioners of the four major North American sports have to occasionally answer questions about the future of their sports at a time when, as one of them said, the economy is in the greatest downturn since the Great Depression. Wednesday, Bud Selig of Major League Baseball, Roger Goodell of the National Football League, David Stern of the National Basketball Association and Gary Bettman of the National Hockey League assembled at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Midtown Manhattan to discuss some of the issues facing an enterprise with a combined revenue of $21.2 billion. ..."
Hainsey scores as U.S. advances in hockey championships
"The United States advanced to the quarterfinals of the World Hockey Championships despite a 4-3 overtime loss to Switzerland Tuesday. Thrashers defenseman Ron Hainsey scored two goals in the loss. Also advancing to the quarterfinals were Belarus, Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, Latvia, Russia and Sweden. Thrashers forward Ilya Kovalchuk continues his solid tournament. He has three goals and seven assists in six games for Russia. Other Thrashers still involved are Zach Bogosian and Colin Stuart (U.S.), Colby Armstrong (Canada), Ilya Nikulin (Russia) and Anssi Salmela (Finland). The quarterfinals of the tournament, being played in Switzerland, begin Wednesday. The semifinals will be ..."
Enstrom suffers facial fractures at World Championships
"Thrashers defenseman Tobias Enstrom suffered facial fractures that required surgery while competing in the World Hockey Championships in Switzerland. Enstrom is expected to make a full recovery and won't miss the start of training camp, according to Thrashers general manager Don Waddell. Enstrom, who also lost several teeth, was representing Sweden in a first-round game against Latvia Monday. He was hit from behind by Martins Karsums (Boston Bruins) and landed face first where the boards meet the glass. He underwent surgery Tuesday, Waddell said in a statement. "It's not too bad," Waddell told USA Today. "(Goalie) Johan Hedberg talked to Enstrom's dad, and he hoped he would be able fly ..."
Enstrom suffers facial fractures at World Hockey Championships
"Thrashers defenseman Tobias Enstrom suffered facial fractures that required surgery while competing in the World Hockey Championships. Enstrom is expected to make a full recovery and won't miss the start of training camp, according to Thrashers general manager Don Waddell. Enstrom, who also lost several teeth, was representing Sweden in a game against Latvia Monday. He was hit from behind by Martins Karsums (Boston Bruins) and hit face first where the boards meet the glass."
Agent: No talks between Thrashers, Reasoner
"Marty Reasoner will become an unrestricted free agent if unsigned by the Thrashers by July 1. But his contract status will not change in the immediate future. Blame it on travel plans. Thrashers general manager Don Waddell has said he hopes to re-sign the center during the offseason. However, there have yet to be contract talks, according to Reasoner's agent. "We really haven't had any discussions about it," Stephen Bartlett said. "Don has been traveling, and I'm about to do the same. We have agreed we will have a meeting of the minds. "We are optimistic. Marty enjoyed playing in Atlanta, but it's far from a done deal.""
Thrashers' Reasoner could become free agent
"Marty Reasoner will become an unrestricted free agent if unsigned by the Thrashers by July 1. His contract status will not change in the immediate future. Blame it on travel plans. Thrashers general manager Don Waddell has said he hopes to re-sign the center during the offseason. However, there have yet to be serious contract talks, according to Reasoner's agent. "We really haven't had any discussions about it," Stephen Bartlett said. "Don has been traveling and I'm about to do the same. We have agreed we will have a meeting of the minds. We are optimistic, Marty enjoyed playing in Atlanta, but it's far from a done deal.""
The Hockey Gods Did Not Smile On Atlanta Tonight
"It didn't work…nothing we did to try and convince the hockey gods to show favor upon Thrasherville seems to have been enough. The Nasty Nesters toasted a Christmas tree in The Gulch after Saturday's 6-2 win against the Bolts that ended the season as a burned offering unto them…I even heard that the couch was thrown on later in the evening. I'm sure that smelled worse than the smoke from the tree. I shipped via UPS several cases of Labatt, Molson and even a few of Moosehead for good measure. Probably got swiped by those dammed customs agents on the border. I told them to enter via Niagara Falls…not Windsor out of Detroit! Those friggin' Red Wing fans that work the gates won't let anything ..."
NHL Draft drawing to be conducted Tuesday
"The National Hockey League Draft Drawing, a weighted system to determine the order of selection for the first 14 picks of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, will take place Tuesday, April 14, at 8 p.m. ET at the NHL's New York City office. The League will unveil the results of the Draft Drawing live during a 30-minute program produced and televised by TSN in Canada and simulcast on VERSUS in the U.S. The show also will be streamed live on NHL.com and TSN.ca. NHL Network will re-broadcast the Draft Drawing in the U.S. only at 9 p.m., ET. Clubs that did not qualify for this season's Stanley Cup Playoffs, or clubs that acquired the first-round picks of those non-playoff clubs, will participate. Under ..."
Thrashers' priorities this offseason
"Job No. 2 for the Thrashers this summer is signing Ilya Kovalchuk to a new contract. That might be impossible unless they complete job No. 1, finding Kovalchuk a few new teammates. The Thrashers' captain is eligible to negotiate and sign a contract extension on July 1 but wants to see the team's other offseason moves before making his decision. "That will be a big factor," Kovalchuk said Monday, two days after the Thrashers ended a 35-41-6 season. "I want to see them do something to get everybody better, the whole organization. If I feel like we're in the right direction, for sure I think we'll figure out a way to sign a new deal." Kovalchuk is under contract through next season. If he ..."
Armstrong to play for Canada
"The latest addition the list of Thrashers players going to Switzerland for the World Championships: Colby Armstrong. Armstrong has done this before. He scored the game-winning goal in the gold medal game in 2007 for Canada. Other Thrashers in the tournament include Ilya Kovalchuk of Russia, U.S. player Zach Bogosian and Ron Hainsey, Tobias Enstrom with Sweden and Boris Valabik with Slovakia. The players had their final meetings with the coaches today. Hainsey, Enstrom, Kovalchuk, Armstrong, Slava Kozlov and Anssi Salmela skated, too. I will have a little more later. I'm writing a summer look-ahead story."
Stanley Cup Playoffs to begin Wednesday night
"A pair of rematches, Broadway and a grueling goaltending battle highlights the Eastern Conference storylines. A first-timer, a resurgent franchise, "The Kid Line," the Presidents' Trophy winners and the defending Stanley Cup champions reign in the West. From coast to coast, the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs promises to nourish any hockey lover's soul as soon as the puck is dropped. It begins Wednesday night at 7 p.m. ET when the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals open at Verizon Center on TSN, while the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins do the same at Mellon Arena on VERSUS, CBC and RDS. The Detroit Red Wings begin defense of their 2008 Stanley Cup championship Thursday against ..."
Tampa Bay Lightning loses season finale to Atlanta Thrashers
"Jeff Halpern dreads the next two months. The Lightning's season is over after Saturday night's 6-2 loss to the Thrashers at Philips Arena, and a second straight season out of the postseason is its own kind of agony. "The best day of the season is when the last Stanley Cup game is over and everybody is back in it," the Tampa Bay center said. "Until then, you've got to watch every guy in the world become a hero just by being in the playoffs. "You want that opportunity. So as a player, you want to see the team rebound, and you put your faith in management and hope and expect they put the best possible team on the ice." Give the Lightning this: It played hard against Atlanta with a 35-26 ..."
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