Fantasy preview: Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers picked up several role players from the Stanley Cup winning Chicago Blackhawks, in the hopes that they would be able to qualify for a post-season spot in 2010-11. Most experts have chosen the Thrashers to challenge for a spot, but they are likely to miss out, finishing in ninth or tenth.
In terms of fantasy hockey the Thrashers are lacking a superstar, but still have several important depth players as well as a couple of sleepers ready to break out next season.
Forwards
Up front, the Thrashers are scattered with mid-range offensive talents. With Ilya Kovalchuk now wearing a New Jersey Devils uniform, Atlanta is without a true sniper. Therefore goal scoring will have to be done by committee, and the head of the committee, is Nik Antropov.
Antropov had a solid year last season and will be looking to improve on it as he slots in as the team’s number one centre. Last year the hulking forward potted 24 goals and 67 points while going plus-13 with eight power play points (PP) and four game-winning goals (GW), making him a solid mid-range pick-up.
Outside of Antropov expect the newly acquired Andrew Ladd and right winger Bryan Little to have productive seasons. Last year Little took a step back, but with his ice time likely to go up he may be capable of matching his 31 goal output from 2008-09. Ladd meanwhile is a strong power-forward that should add some much-needed grit to the Thrashers top unit. Ladd has the ability to notch roughly 50 points will picking up close to 70 penalty minutes (PIMs).
The most interesting aspect to the Thrashers is their potential for sleeper performances. In 2009, first round pick Evander Kane played 66 games for Atlanta, notching 14 goals and 26 points as a 19 year old. In 2010-11 expect Kane to accumulate more ice time and his numbers to go up.
Another youngster who looks poised for a break-out season is Nicklas Bergfors. Last season, split between the Devils and the Thrashers, the 23-year-old rookie amassed 21 goals and 44 points, along with nine PP and six GW. Expect Bergfors’ numbers to improve in his sophomore season.
Defence
On defence the Thrashers are without an elite player, therefore their number one defender Tobias Enstrom should be a mid-to-late round pick. Meanwhile, the newly acquired Johnny Oduya and Ron Hainsey can provide you with depth but only in a very deep pool.
The Thrashers could have a sleeper in highly touted prospect Zach Bogosian. The 20-year-old had an impressive first full season in the NHL, notching 10 goals and 23 assists. With a lack of offensive, puck-moving defenders Bogosian is expected to be leaned at the offensive end. The New York native is not expected to go in the draft, however he could be worth keeping an eye on and snatching off waivers if available.
Goaltending
In net the Thrashers are going with the goaltending tandem of Chris Mason and Ondrej Pavelec. Mason was signed during the off-season to take the pressure off of the youngster Pavelec. Mason is capable of impressive numbers and is a solid goaltender; if you are scrambling for a tender late in the draft Mason is a safe pick.
Meanwhile, Pavelec will get every opportunity to become the starter in 2010-11, the Thrashers are high on the 23-year-old Czech and fully expect him to be the goalie of the future. Nevertheless, last season he struggled with only 14 wins in 42 starts and a goals-against-average of 3.29. He is worth watching on waivers, but not worth drafting.
The bulk of Atlanta’s fantasy prospects lie in the mid-range rounds, however the club has several youngsters who may be capable of having break-out seasons and are worth watching on waivers.
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