How To Fix: The Atlanta Thrashers

Hey guys, I know I said that this would be an ongoing series in which I would take in-depth looks at all the teams in the League and how they can improve. I also know that I said this two months ago and that this is maybe the third posting in the series. Well either way, today we're going to look at how to fix the Atlanta Thrashers, a job that is already in progress thanks to the good folks managing the Chicago Blackhawks (each link leads to a different articles proving this). Well either way, here's how to fix the Atlanta Thrashers, starting with what they've done right so far.

1. They gave their youth the opportunity to play.

Youth movements are imperative in reviving a franchise's competitive edge. Though free agency can plug holes in a roster, it's the youth and prospects within an organization's system that end up becoming the nucleus of a club's success. The fact that players like Zach Bogosian, and Evander Kane get playing time is invaluable in accelerating the team's development into a contender. Along with right wingers Bryan Little and Niclas Bergfors, and goalie Ondrej Pavelec, these players form a group that can carry the team in the future as a playoff worthy team.

2. Smart Trades With The BlackHawks.

The acquisitions of right wingers Dustin Byfuglien and Ben Eager, as well as left winger Andrew Ladd and defenseman Brent Sopel, will have an immediate impact on the team's ability to compete. Dustin Byfuglien can play on either the first or second line, which makes him a very valuable asset. He adds an element of physicality that the team desperately lacks, and the 25-year old playoff hero is a force in front of the net. Additionally, both Ladd and Eager are good third line players who can check and toss in the occasional goal or two. Though Ladd could foreseeably be a second line player if need be, my guess is that both he and Eager will be playing on the third line together, having already played with each other in Chicago. Brent Sopel is no more than a third pairing defenseman, nevertheless, he adds a veteran presence that the team desperately needs in the locker room. Sopel is solid enough, and he's a better depth defenseman than the team would have had otherwise. All in all, the Thrash come out big from these trades.

3. Signing Chris Mason

Even if the problem is only solved for the time being, Chris Mason's arrival in Atlanta erases any questions in the crease that Thrashers fans may have had. Mason is a solid goalie, and has been one of the best (and most underrated) in the league for the last couple of years. Whether his presence is meant to segue Pavelec into a starting role, or whether he's meant to hold down the fort until a new prospect or free agent comes along is irrelevant. He's there now, and he will be a quality backstop for a team that is notoriously atrocious defensively.

Alright so before we delve into what still needs to be fixed, I'm just going to show what the lines will probably look like this season with the roster as it stands currently.

First Line (from left wing to right wing): Evander Kane- Nik Antropov- Dustin Byfuglien

Though I think Bergfors is a better scorer than Byfuglien, it's important to spread the offense through the top two lines. Also, Kane's presence on the first line makes it potentially problematic to have two sophomores playing on a top line. Antropov is a veteran center with good hands. He's coming off of a career year, and he has to be their number one no matter what. Byfuglien adds physicality to a line that already features the tough Evander Kane. Worse comes to worse, if the line doesn't score goals they can always just one punch the opponent into submission. The line should be able to score some goals, and leave depth for the second line as well. Kane may not be ready for first line duties as a sophomore, but considering he scored 14 goals and was a +2 as an 18-year old rookie, I think he can handle it.

Second Line: Bryan Little-Rich Peverley-Niclas Bergfors

Bergfors can score goals, and will most likely develop into a premiere sniper. Though perhaps he belongs on the first line rather than Kane, I like this balance better. Peverely is a quality second line center who should be able to provide some secondary scoring, as well as quality feeding for Bergfors. Little, though a right winger, should be moved to left to avoid relegating the former 31-goal scorer to a checking role. He could foreseeably be moved to a first line left winger role, with Kane being moved to second line left winger. Nevertheless, Little has not done enough historically to warrant first line time, and thus I would keep him on the second line until he shows that he belongs on the top line. This line would be less physical then the first line, but would chip in quality secondary scoring. Keep in mind though, the six forwards listed in the two lines are the teams top six for sure, and Antropov and Peverley are locks for first and second respectively. Still, Little, Buff, Bergfors, and Kane are all moveable between the two lines.

Third Line: Andrew Ladd-Jim Slater-Ben Eager/Chris Thorburn

Ladd and Eager are both quality third line players who can chip in on the score sheet when asked to (that goes more for Ladd than Eager, but is true for both nonetheless). Both players have good +/- ratings, and have experience playing with each other already. Jim Slater is a good third liner as well, having spent his entire career with the Thrash. Assuming that the team re-signs him, he should be an integral part of the line. Yet there are some variables that factor into this line, the brunt of which are the quality of Eager and Throburn's play. Both deserve third line time, and so whichever one proves to be more effective in the unit will stick there. Still, together the line should be able to contribute enough offensively, but more importantly should also be able to check effectively and play quality defense.

Fourth Line: Eric Boulton/Chris Thorburn- Todd White-Clarke MacArthur

Now you might be wondering why I'm relegating Clarke MacArthur to the fourth line, and the answer is simple. He's the fourth best winger that they have available to play right wing. Though he may deserve third line time more than Eager, his +/- has nonetheless been atrocious throughout his entire career, and he's not the kind of scorer that would warrant third line time. Though he has been more productive offensively than Eager (and thus could potentially get third line time), adding him would ruin a good checking line that would be very capable of competing with the competition's top units. Eric Boulton is an enforcer and nothing more, and consequently will see nothing more than fourth line time on the new Atlanta Thrashers. Since Boulton is an enforcer, and the Thrashers now have an abundance of checking players, my guess is that Boulton will not play every game, and that either Eager or Thorburn will play the games that Boulton is scratched for. MacArthur could also possiblt be scratched.

The use of the third and fourth line is dependent on the coach's wishes though. If he wants a scoring third line that is more offensively oriented, then the lines will obviously look different. However, I think this setup has the best balance of attack through the top six, with the best balance of talent in the bottom six. The third line can play effectively both offensively and defensively, and the fourth line would be effective in either an energy role with an enforcer, or in providing a little scoring while checking. Nevertheless, it is now time to turn to the defense.

First Pairing: Johnny Oduya-Tobias Enstrom/Ron Hainsey

Oduya is a steady defenseman, and was a great pick up in the trade for Kovie. He filled in for Martin as the Devils' number one guy, and the opportunity showed Oduya to be a sure fire top pairing defenseman. Additionally, his stability and consistency as a player will prove to be a valuable complement to Enstrom's offensively oriented game. Enstrom is coming off of a very impressive 50 point season, yet the situation is still complicated by Ron Hainsey. Hainsey is also offensively focused, and doesn't have the same +/- as Enstrom, who is historically a positive player. Hainsey is in more of a need of a responsible partner than Enstrom. A steadfast player like Oduya would allow Hainsey to jump into plays and worry less about defense, thus removing a potential liability from the second pairing. Still, putting Enstrom on a second pairing seems more wasteful than pouring cristal and gasoline on rare sixteenth century Dutch tapestry.

Second Pairing: Zach Bogosian-Ron Hainsey/ Tobias Enstrom

Bogosian is a good youngster with a terrible +/-, he needs to be with a vet that can keep his nerves (and his game) steady. Hainsey, though more experienced, would most likely make the worst partner due to his +/-. Another possibility is putting Oduya on the second pairing with Bogosian and putting Enstrom and Hainsey as the first pair.

Third Paring: Brent Sopel-Arturs Kulda

Sopel is a good third pairing defenseman, and Kulda is a good youngster who played four games with big club last season- and ended with 2 points and a plus 4 rating. Kulda is only 21, and has tremendous upside just based on his previous NHL performances.


So here is what's left for them to do:

1. Get two more top six forwards

The true ceiling for the guys on this team are unknown, and it would be stupid to deprive them of roster spots just to sign expensive free agents. But this team's top six is way too young, and cannot consistently be depended on for offense. I would sign one or two guys, maybe Alex Frolov, to add some punch to the offense.

2. Sign a physical crease clearer

The Thrash have puck moving guys like Bogosian and Hainsey, and shutdown guys like Oduya, but they have no true element of physicality at the blue line. A guy like Willie Mitchell, though on the older side, would add physicality, experience, and quality to this team's blue line.

3. Get a franchise goalie

Mason is not the long term answer, and Pavelec is not about to go light up the league as a top tier goal tender. If the Thrashers want to succeed with the defensemen that they have, they'll have to try and find a guy who they can rely on to really step up in the clutch.