Atlanta Prospects

NHL.com writer John McGourty writes on Thrasher’s top prospects this season:

“Among them are top Quebec junior goalie Ondrej Pavelec and Ontario junior center Bryan Little. Both had outstanding seasons in 2006-07 and are likely to play with the AHL Chicago Wolves this season.
But Swedish defensemen Tobias Enstrom is given an excellent chance to play for the Thrashers this season. He’s an offensive defenseman whose strong suit is the passing game. Further behind him on the depth chart is Chad Denny, who lit up the QMJHL with 11 power-play goals off his booming slap shot.” (more…)

The Professor Re-signs

Some great news to help everyone celebrate the Fourth – Slava Kozlov re-signed today for a 3 year deal worth $11 million. Averaging about $3.6 million a year, that is definitely a great deal. For someone that has his experience and performs at such a high level, the Thrashers should consider themselves lucky. According to Craig Custance, the final sticking point was that Kozlov wanted to include a no-trade clause in the deal, which was put in this morning.

This signing helps fill in a huge gap in the offseason shopping list, but there are still a few more.

Adios Mr. Belanger

According to TSN, Eric Belanger has signed with Minnesota. The deal is for 3 years and $5.25 million. I for one was greatly hoping that he would re-sign, and I was looking forward to seeing him in a Thrashers uniform for an entire season. Anyone else anxiously waiting for Don to make the big signing or trade?

Thrashers sign Todd White, Eric Perrin, and Pascal Dupuis

Okay, I am currently in Chicago, so I don’t have much time to research the two new guys, but thank God management saw potential in Dupuis. He was a workhorse in the playoffs and I can’t wait to see more of him. I know there will be those crying that these signings will mean less of a chance that we will get any big names or that they diminish our chances at signing back Kozlov, but I guess we will see…