2005 ATLANTA THRASHERS PREVIEW

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2005-06 Atlanta Thrashers preview

(MySportsbook.com) - Dany Heatley wanted a fresh start, so the Atlanta Thrashers did what was best for him and the organization and gave him one.

The trade that sent Heatley to Ottawa for Marian Hossa and Greg de Vries in August was the top story in Thrasherland during the abbreviated offseason. Now, both Heatley and the team can put the tragic 2003 car accident that took the life of teammate Dan Snyder somewhat behind them.

Of course, that's all off the ice. On the ice, both teams got premier offensive weapons, but given the circumstances it looks like the Thrashers made out pretty darn well. The team not only lost any sort of distraction that could have been there with Heatley on the team, but they obtained Hossa, who has posted back-to-back 80-point seasons with the Senators.

Also coming to town during the offseason was veteran agitator Bobby Holik, who hopes to flourish after two disappointing seasons with the New York Rangers. At the age of 34, Holik is out to prove that he can still be the kind of two- way force that helped the New Jersey Devils win the first two of their three Stanley Cups.

This duo joins a Thrasher organization that already had a relatively solid base, led by stud Russian Ilya Kovalchuk. The former No. 1 overall pick tied for the NHL goal-scoring lead two years ago, and that was probably only a sneak peak into what he has in store for us if he gets his contract squabble squared away.

With young prospects such as Kari Lehtonen and Braydon Coburn set to join the fold as well, the Thrashers appear to be one of those clubs ready to take off the diapers in the post-lockout era. Head coach Bob Hartley enters only his second full season behind the bench, so we should really begin to see his stamp on the club.

FORWARDS - Kovalchuk has more than lived up to the hype since making his debut during the 2001-02 season. Now, it's just a matter of how far his skills will take him. His defensive deficiencies aside, he has it all. He is big, can skate and is a magician with the puck. And it's yet to be seen how the relaxed NHL rules geared for offense will affect such a dynamic talent. He liked cherrypicking with a red line, so what do you think he'll be doing without one. One concern for the team is the latest development in his contract negotiations, as he is threatening to play in Russia if his hefty demands aren't met.

Hossa, meanwhile, has many of the same attributes as Kovalchuk, although he's coming from a team where good team defense was preached and practiced. In 03-04 with the Sens he recorded 36 goals and 46 assists in 81 games. Also a plus for Hossa is his durability, as he has played in at least 80 games for four consecutive seasons.

Holik's reputation has been built around his nasty play as a defensive forward, but he has put together some very solid years from a statistical standpoint. Holik has reached the 25-goal plateau on four occasions, including the 03-04 campaign, and he has posted a minus-rating only twice.

Peter Bondra was added during training camp and is sure to provide a boost. He is one of the premier pure goal-scorers of this era, and the thought of he and Kovalchuk or he and Hossa heading in on a 2-on-1 is frightening. Bondra split 03-04 with Washington and Ottawa, combining for 26 goals and 23 assists in 80 games. He enters this season 23 tallies shy of the 500-goal plateau.

The Thrashers have a host of veterans on the roster who are often overlooked, and whom you may have forgotten during the NHL's hiatus. Slava Kozlov is long past the prime he enjoyed with the Detroit Red Wings, but he's still a 20+ goal guy if healthy. Marc Savard continues to be injury-prone but is productive when he plays, and 39-year-old Scott Mellanby is still a double- digit scorer and a terrific dressing room presence.

Last, but hopefully not least, we have to discuss Patrik Stefan, who is now 25 and six years removed from being selected first overall. It's obvious that he has underachieved during his NHL career, but the hope is that he can build on an 03-04 campaign that saw him tally 14 goals and 26 assists. The Thrashers have been patient with him, and there is a chance they can gain some return on the investment after all.

DEFENSE - Throughout their brief existence, the Thrashers' biggest problem has been stopping the other team from scoring. The addition of de Vries, something many people overlooked in the Heatley deal, may help correct that. The 32- year-old has been nothing but steady during his nine NHL seasons, which have been spent with five different clubs. De Vries has hardly been flashy, but he doesn't make many mistakes and can contribute offensively.

On the other end of the spectrum will be rookie Braydon Coburn, who has an inside shot to make the team. The team's first-round pick -- eighth overall -- in the 2003 Entry Draft, Coburn sports a 6-5, 220 pound frame and is hoping to make an immediate impact.

Jaroslav Modry and Niclas Havelid are newcomers to the Thrashers' blueline, hoping to add some stability. Modry has primarily been a stable presence during his career, the last seven seasons of which have been spent with the LA Kings. However, he does pile up assists on a consistent basis, and showed a sniper's touch with 13 goals in 2002-03. Havelid, meanwhile, comes over from the Mighty Ducks and hopes to mirror the career year he had in 02-03 when he posted 11 goals and 22 assists.

Hartley will have his share of bangers in the defense corps as well, with Andy Sutton (245 pounds) and Tomas Kloucek (225 pounds) at his disposal.

GOALTENDING - The Thrashers are banking on Lehtonen taking the step up in class this season, but as insurance they brought in veteran Mike Dunham. Dunham has carried a starter's load on many occasions during his career, which has seen him spend time in Jersey, Nashville and New York. His 129-163-39 record and 2.69 goals-against average are hardly spectacular, but he fits the bill as a player who can help tutor Lehtonen along.

Lehtonen was the second overall pick in the '02 Entry Draft and enjoyed a four-game stint with the Thrashers late in the 03-04 campaign. He won all four of his outings and allowed only five goals on 106 shots. During the lockout he played for the Chicago Wolves of the AHL and helped lead the team to the Calder Cup Finals. He's going to be franchise goalie, it's just a matter of when.

WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE - The Heatley trade was one that had to be made, and the Thrashers will turn the page on that chapter of their history. With some new blood in the fold and young stars continuing to blossom, Hartley's crew will take a step up this season. With the amount of parity present under the new NHL economic system, the Thrashers surely will have their chances to make something special happen.

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