Record: 21-19-7, 49 pts Conference Rank: 11th Division Rank: 2nd Top Scorer: Ilya Kovalchuk (28 goals, 25 assists, 53 points) Top Goalie: Johan Hedberg (10 wins, 2.68 GAA) Midseason Grade: C+
The Thrashers started the season very well, going 14-7-3 through the first quarter, but have tailed off miserably in the last two months. Since the start of December, Atlanta has won only 7 of their last 23 games, and has fallen out of the top 8 teams in the Eastern Conference. Things haven’t gotten any better recently, as the Thrashers have won only 3 of their last 10 games.
Offensively, the Thrashers have plenty of weapons, at least for now. Kovalchuk may be on the way out if they can’t find a way to re-sign him, as they will have to trade him at the deadline or risk losing him and getting nothing in return this summer during free agency. Nik Antropov and Maxim Afinogenov, both of whom had struggled to score with their previous teams, have come to life playing alongside Kovalchuk. Afinogenov is pace to have a 70-80 point season, while Antropov is close behind. Another surprise has been the development of Rich Peverley, who is having a breakout season with 38 points already.
Defensively, the Thrashers could use some work. Ondrej Pavelec showed promise early in the season, but his GAA has risen to 3.47, and Johan Hedberg has been the better option in net. Tobias Enstrom and Zach Bogosian are two budding young stars on the Thrashers blueline, but Bogosian will need to improve his game in his own end (-8). Of the Thrashers’ regular starting D-men, only Enstrom and Pavel Kubina have positive ratings.