NOTABLE ADDITIONS
Ron Hainsey, D (signed as a free agent, previously with the Columbus Blue Jackets)
Marty Reasoner, C (signed as a free agent, previously with the Edmonton Oilers)
Jason Williams, RW (signed as a free agent, previously with the Chicago Blackhawks)
NOTABLE LOSSES
Bobby Holik, C (Signed as a free agent with the New Jersey Devils)
Steve McCarthy, D (Signed with Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the Kontinental Hockey League)
Mark Recchi, RW (Signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Lightning)
Steve Rucchin, C (Unsigned Free Agent)
Alexei Zhitnik, D (Buyout)
2007-08 Season Finish: 4th Southeast Division, 14th Eastern Conference 76 Pts.
2007-08 Playoffs: Did Not Make Playoffs
2008-09 Season Prediction: 5th Southeast Division, 15th Eastern Conference
After starting the 2007-08 season 0-6, the Atlanta Thrashers could never get on track and finished as one of the worst teams in the league. After trading highly skilled forward Marian Hossa at the trade deadline and letting several veteran players depart via free agency, the Thrashers are in rebuild mode. The Thrashers were not major players in free agency this summer, opting to rebuild the team with prospects. Marty Reasoner and Jason Williams were brought in for forward depth to compliment returning forwards Ilya Kovalchuk, Vyacheslav Kozlov, Eric Christensen, Colby Armstrong, Todd White, and Eric Perrin. While the Thrashers will be able to roll a couple of decent lines offensively, they will likely struggle offensively, as Kovalchuk and Kozlov are their only real high-profile scorers. Young forwards Bryan Little, Brett Sterling, and Jim Slater will likely see time on the Thrashers 3rd and 4th lines. Prospect center Angelo Esposito, acquired from Pittsburgh at the trade deadline in the Hossa deal, will likely make the team this season, while Jordan LaVallee and Spencer Machacek will try to make the team at training camp.
Looking to improve their weak defense, Atlanta's biggest signing of the summer was defenseman Ron Hainsey, whom they signed to a five year deal. Hainsey stepped up his game last season and is quickly emerging as quality offensive defenseman. It's possible Hainsey could play on a line with Tobias Enstrom, who put up good numbers in the first half of the 2007-08 season, but struggled in the second half. Niclas Havelid and Ken Klee provide good defensive depth for the Thrashers, while Garnet Exelby and newcomer Boris Valabik provide a lot of toughness to the blueline. Look for prospect defensemen Zach Bogosian and Arturs Kulda to make a push to make the team at training camp, both of whom had a strong rookie camp.
Kari Lehtonen and Johan Hedberg return as the Thrashers goaltending tandem this season. While Lehtonen is still viewed as the goalie of the future, he struggled at times last season behind a porous defense. Ondrej Pavelec will likely challenge Lehtonen for the starting role over the next couple of seasons.
STRENGTHS
- Plenty of quality prospects at all positions will likely improve the team over the next few seasons.
- Still have a legitimate scoring threat in Kovalchuk.
WEAKNESSES
- Defense is still a little weak despite signing Hainsey.
- Could use another scoring forward or two.
- Goaltending is a little shaky.
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