Additions (Excluding Draft Picks): Mike Ribeiro, Brendan Morrison, RJ Umberger, Michael Grabner, Toni Lydman, Roman Hamrlik, Brooks Orpik, Jay McClement, Matt Cooke, Daniel Catenacci
Subtractions: Brad Marchand, Zach Boychuk, Alex Plante, Paul Gaustad, Patrick Kaleta, Martin hanzal
Prospect Promotions: Mikael Backlund, Evgeny “Daddy” Dadonov, Matt Martin
After bowing out of the playoffs in the first round, seemingly half the team was overhauled in the name of better balance. The entire 2nd line was overhauled, and special teams are well-balanced in that players are given the opportunity to specialize in one or the other, without tiring themselves playing both situations.
After an inconsistent start to the season headlined by anemic goal scoring, Jarome Iginla has been relieved of his captaincy of the Kabul Thrashers. The “C” will now be warn by new addition Roman Hamrlik, who along with fellow UFA signee Toni Lydman are expected to lead the charge with solid defense.
Forwards:
The team's first line carried high hopes entering the season, with Mike Ribeiro joining as new pivot-man to snipers Iginla and Marleau. Unfortunately, this has yet to transform into real life success, though the season is yet young. Line 2 is where things get interesting, a completely new unit now led by Patrice Bergeron with newcomers Umberger and Grabner, is expected to be the team's backbone and able to deliver in all situations. The bottom-six forwards are all new additions or callups to the big club headlined by former Hobey Baker award winner Brendan Morrison. The spotlight will shine on some of the Thrashers' up-and-comers in Sergei Kostitsyn, Mikael Backlund, the bruising Matt Martin, and super smooth Daddy Dadonov.
Defensemen:
Depth. Depth. Depth. That was the objective of the Thrashers in the offseason, and they've achieved that and then some. Defensive aces Lydman and Hamrlik bring plenty of stopping power along with leadership and intangibles in the locker room. Orpik has been brought in for depth, but ironically has become disgruntled buried on the 3rd pairing – exactly because of the depth on the team. Eddie Shore award winner Johnny Boychuk finally earned a call-up to the big club, and will certainly have plenty to offer Kabul fans.
Goaltending:
The Thrashers perennial goaltending problems were addressed mid-season last year with the acquisition of Martin Brodeur. However, the club chose to let him walk and bringing in Antti Niemi to defend the club's net. So far he's been a mixed bag. The Thrashers continue to allow a relatively low number of shots against, and in response Niemi has fluctuated wildly between godlike and sieve.
The Future:
Thrashers GM Lau must've been occupied training insurgents when he made several mid-season deals. He dealt away perennial blue chip Zach Boychuk for Catenacci, looking to free up room additional prospect signings. Unfortunately he epicly failed by 1) trying to sign an already-signed TJ Brodie; 2) looked at the wrong spreadsheet and thought he had Mark Olver in the team (and hence taking up salary).... which led to 3) under-paying and, ultimately, losing the bid for Corey Potter.
No matter, the system remains well-placed with a strong mix of prospects. The future top 3 line centers can already be identified in Tyler Seguin, Mikael Backlund, and Lars Eller. The future of the blue line looks solid too, headlined by Jamie McBain, Adam McQuaid, the afore-mentioned Johnny Boychuk, Ryan Wilson, and future stud Jake Gardiner.