The Thrashers traded defenseman Garnet Exelby and forward Colin Stuart to the Maple Leafs for Kubina, a former All-Star, and forward Tim Stapleton(notes).
The Thrashers gave up 280 goals last season, the second-highest figure in the NHL, behind Toronto’s 293.
Thrashers general manager Don Waddell said the 32-year-old Kubina will give Atlanta one of its strongest defensive lines.
“I feel it’s one of the best groups of top four defensemen we’ve probably ever had here in the history of the Thrashers,” Waddell said, referring to Kubina, Zach Bogosian, Tobias Enstrom and Ron Hainsey.
The Atlanta Thrashers signed free agent forward Nik Antropov to a four-year, $16 million contract on Thursday, setting up a reunion with Ilya Kovalchuk.
The 29-year-old Antropov played with Kovalchuk in Russia during the NHL lockout. General manager Don Waddell said Kovalchuk endorsed the signing with a text message saying “great job.”
Kovalchuk’s approval is important. The Thrashers’ captain and biggest star is entering his free-agent season, and has said he wants to see the team’s offseason moves before he talks about signing a new deal.
Waddell said the Antropov signing should help the team re-sign Kovalchuk.
“Certainly, it’s going to help us through the process,” Waddell said. “Ilya wants to be part of a winning organization and this is a big step in the right direction.”
Always thought that antropov was underapprciated. I think this could be good for for the thrashers and antropov, especially if it helps to resign Kovalchuk.
even though there was little doubt, Looks like Lehtonen is staying in atlanta for one more season, even though Ondrej Pavelec is out to prove that #1 is his. If Pavelec starts the season somewhat strong, I see Lehtonen out of atlanta by the trading deadline.
The Atlanta Thrashers have signed two unrestricted free agents, forward Josh Gratton and defenseman Mike Vernace. Terms of the deals were not released.
Gratton, 26, appeared in 19 NHL games with Philadelphia last season, scoring a goal and adding a pair of assists, along with 57 penalty minutes. He had 2 goals, 3 assists and 10 penalty minutes in seven games with Milwaukee of the AHL, and a goal and 46 penalty minutes in 14 games with the Flyers' AHL farm team, the Phantoms.
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound left wing has appeared in 86 NHL games during four seasons with Philadelphia and Phoenix, totaling 3 goals, 6 points, and 294 penalty minutes. The Brantford, Ont., native has 71 points and 840 penalty minutes in 213 AHL games with five teams.
Vernace, 23, appeared in 12 NHL games with Colorado in 2008-09, recording eight penalty minutes, and 65 games with Lake Erie of the AHL, totaling 3 goals and 14 assists. He made his NHL debut with the Avalanche on March 17 against Minnesota.
The 6-2, 200-pound defenseman has appeared in 174 career AHL games over three seasons with Lake Erie and Albany, recording 58 points.
2009 Thrashers Off Season
2009 Thrashers Off Season
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