Thrashers Free Agent Progress

The Atlanta Thrashers embarked on a tumultuous free agency period that could very well define the future of the franchise.  The big question lurking past who they signed is whether it was good enough to keep the star captain, Ilya Kovalchuk, around for another season.  And as that question still remains to be answered, GM Don Waddell has taken some rather convincing steps to prove that this one maligned team is going to compete for more than just a playoff spot.

As Thrashers' fans nation wide sat in front of whatever media they could while waiting for a big free agent to land in Blueland, only a trickle of news bled out about the Thrashers.  It was a trade with Toronto that brought Pavel Kubina to the thrashers at the cost of fan favorite, Garnett Exelby.

As many fans are sad to see "X" leave the team, one has to wonder if they see the benefits of the trade.

The Thrashers were able to unload one of their most irresponsible D-men, and able to acquire a true top four D-man from Toronto.  A size increase will definitely help keep players from getting easy access Kari Lehtonen in goal and his shot blocking ability will further make oppositions life difficult.  

Beyond this, his knowledge of the game that he can bestow upon a young thrashers defensive corps that is slowing starting to evolve into one of the swiftest puck moving defenses in the east will be irreplaceable.

So what's the grade on the trade?  Definitely an A.  Size, strength, and intelligence were all added, with only the loss of a few hard hits per game.  The only other drawback is the serious jump in the salary (Exelby was just at $2 million while Kubina is due $5).

Then came the big news that the whole Thrashers' Nation breathed a sigh of relief to: All 6'6" of Nick Antropov decided to sign with the Thrashers.  The Thrashers have constantly been a team that is pushed around and has little offensive punch besides the likes of Bryan Little and Ilya Kovalchuk.

Insert Antropov to crash the net on either scoring line and this Thrashers team has a whole different style of play to it.  Suddenly, there is two scoring lines that can crash, bang, and finish with style and not be defensively inept in the same shift.  His smooth skating and great hands for his size are a deadly acquisition that will make this seasons Thrashers a much harder team to defend.

The signing of Antropov without question is an A, but the real question lies with the goalie situation. 

Rumors and speculation have been flying around the NHL for months that the Thrashers are shopping either Kari Lehtonen or Ondrej Pavlec for a scoring winger.  Well, both are still in Thrasher blue and still no name has ever emerged as who is really on the trading block.

One could reasonably guess that Pavlec will be the first to go since Lehtonen was just offered a qualifying offer to make sure his rights stay with the thrashers.  Secondly, Pavlec and a couple high draft picks could be sent off at the end of the season if the Thrashers are in the playoff picture and need a boost to get a higher seed.

Overall, the Thrashers have shown some considerable intent on getting bigger, through trades, free agency, and the draft (the smallest player taken was 6'0", 180, Evander Kane).  I see the Thrashers being a handful in the southeast this year and a serious player the year to follow.  

This article is written on Jul. 5 and there is still a great deal of time before prospect camps begin, so who knows what is bound to happen?

All I can say is that Thrashers fans everywhere have a smile on their face with the way the franchise is turning the corner, even if it's five years too late.