KOL Season’s Greetings: Atlanta

No, you’re not in an alternate universe where up is down, dogs walk people and the Atlanta Thrashers win the Stanley Cup. That’s former Blackhawk Dustin Byfuglien during his day with the Cup this summer. The Thrashers benefitted most from the ‘Hawk’s clearance sale, picking up five players in exchange for four players and three draft picks. Keeping with the Christmas theme, the 2010-2011 Atlanta Thrashers will look a lot like the Island of Misfit Toys. And unfortunately for Atlanta, Rudolph might not be able to save them.

Save The Date (season matchups): October 8 in Atlanta; October 23 in Washington; November 14 in Washington; November 19 in Atlanta; December 4 in Washington; January 26 in Atlanta.

Stocking Stuffers (notable additions): RW Dustin Byfuglien (traded from Chicago); LW Ben Eager (traded from Chicago); D Brent Sopel (traded from Chicago); LW Andrew Ladd (traded from Chicago); G Chris Mason (free agency via St. Louis); LW Fredrik Modin (free agency via Los Angeles).

Gift Receipts (notable losses): C Marty Reasoner (traded to Chicago); RW Maxim Afinogenov (KHL); LW Clarke MacArthur (free agency to Toronto); RW Colby Armstrong (free agency to Toronto); G Johan Hedberg (free agency to New Jersey); G Kari Lehtonen (traded to Dallas); D Pavel Kubina (free agency to Tampa Bay).

Ghosts Of Christmas Past (last season): 35-34-13 – Second in Southeast Division – 10th in Eastern Conference

Considering the turnover in Atlanta last season, the Thrashers played well. After Ilya Kovalchuk rejected a 12-year, $101 million contract from then-GM Don Waddell, New Jersey acquired his services in exchange for RW Niclas Bergfors, D Johnny Oduya, C Patrice Cormier and a draft pick. The Thrashers didn’t struggle to score without their former franchise player, scoring 2.7 goals per game (only down from 2.77 with Kovy), but they did struggle down the stretch with an 11-11-5 post-Kovalchuk record.

The Thrashers missed qualifying for the playoffs by only five points. Yet, several players emerged as up-and-coming stars. Rookie LW Evander Kane showed flashes of promise (and a mean right hook) before a late-season injury cut him down. Defenseman Tobias Enstrom set a career high with 50 points and C Rich Peverley broke out with 55 points by playing in all 82 games for the first time. Center Nik Antropov led the Thrashers with 67 points and will become the veteran presence that the young team needs.

Wish List (season outlook): Atlanta might enter the season with its most experienced roster to date. Byfuglien, Ladd and Eager bring a winning pedigree to a team that has yet to win a playoff game in its 11-year history. Mason and Ondrej Pavelec will provide a solid tandem in net, something that has escaped the Thrashers in recent years. New coach Craig Ramsey has instituted an aggressive style of play, where defensemen will forecheck and contribute offensively, while forwards will backcheck and help on the defensive end. Atlanta sports plenty of grit and will not be the pushovers that the Capitals went 6-0-0 against and outscored 29-13 last season.

Kane, Bergfors, Peverley and D Zach Bogosian’s progression is key. The future is bright in Atlanta. Though the Thrashers might spend the season on the playoff bubble, they will compete all season and might even surprise a few teams in the NHL.