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After receiving an attendance reality check last season -- a dip from 15,265 fans per game to 13,368 -- the Thrashers decided they needed to get back in the game and avoid losing momentum in carving out a spot in the market place. So general manager Don Waddell acquired Slava Kozlov, Shawn McEachern, Richard Smehlik and Uwe Krupp, and the team is now talking about competing for a playoff spot. That's something of a stretch when you consider the team would need to almost double its 19 wins to be in playoff contention, but it's a worthy enough goal.
Breaking up? Adding new players adds to the offensive depth of the team and will allow coach Curt Fraser to break up last season's rookie sensations Dany Heatley and Ilya Kovalchuk. If he can get both players flying on separate lines, he has a better chance of making the transition of Kozlov and McEachern more smooth. When you add in the microscope that will be on Patrik Stefan and his attempts to live up to his high potential, there will be a lot of chemistry issues during the preseason.
Krupp watch: Many believe Krupp blew his chance in Detroit last season. After butting heads with management, the Red Wings were ready to give Krupp the opportunity to help the team, but he never showed on the ice that he could beat out any of Detroit's kids. The 37-year-old might be done after playing 30 games over the past four seasons. If he stays healthy, he might be a fifth or sixth defenseman, but the Thrashers still will rely on players like Frantisek Kaberle and Yannick Tremblay, as well as the incoming Smehlik.
Goalie-gate: Milan Hnilicka is signed and ready, and that gives the Thrashers some good young goaltenders to fight it out. Hnilicka is 29 and Pasi Nurminen is 26, so they're both ready to wage an even war. While Hnilicka has the contract security, bet on Fraser playing the netminder who performs best.
Preseason schedule
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DATE
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OPPONENT
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TIME (ET)
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Fri., Sept. 20
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Tampa Bay
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7:30 p.m.
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Tue., Sept. 24
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Nashville
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10:30 a.m.
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Sat., Sept. 28
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vs. Nashville at Bossier City, La. (CentryTel Center)
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7 p.m.
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Tue., Oct. 1
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at Tampa Bay
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7:30 p.m.
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Wed., Oct. 2
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at Carolina
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7 p.m.
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Sat., Oct. 5
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Carolina
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5 p.m.
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Sun., Oct. 6
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vs. Minnesota at Grand Forks, N.D.
(Ralph Engelstad Arena)
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3 p.m.
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