July 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."