Atlanta, GA --
No team has been better than the Atlanta Thrashers over the past 2 months which is why, even though most think the deals the team pulled today make them better, come as somewhat of a suprise. Brad Richards and Martin Havlat were 2/3rds of the teams top line however both were due for a massive pay increase this summer. With Kipper, Zetterberg, Heatley, Morrow, Gionta and others still under contract the team knew they were going to have no choice but to move the duo, but most people thought it would happen after the season, and so did GM Love himself.
"We were happy with our team but to be successful in this league you have to be fluid with change and be pro-active in putting together a winning team", commented GM Love. "We are really going to miss the guys we moved, Marty won a cup here with us and was a long time memeber. But we were able to pick up a top 5 talent in the league and young all-star who is under contract for the next 3 years. We're happy."
The first deal saw the Atlanta Thrashers move Brad Richards and rookie Tobias Enstrom to the Washington Capitals in exchange for former Thrasher Ilya Kovalchuk and a 5th round pick.
"That is a suprise. Me and Ilya started here together and it's exciting to be getting him back", said team captain Dany Heatley of the deal.
The 2nd move see's the Thrashers ship Martin Havlat to the Flyers in exchange for Patrice Bergeron and Future Considerations. The deal was imment when the team aquired Kovalchuk as they were then overloaded on the wings and one center short. What this deal does for the team is move a great player due for a massive raise for another great player who has several seasons still under a reasonable contract.
"It works for us. He's a great center and he's only going to get better. And he's 10th I think is league scoring so it's not like we downgraded." -- Coach Hitchcock.
The team looks a whole lot different today then it did yesterday but Thrashers fan's are buzzing now with thoughts of becomming the 1st double champion in OTHL history.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lines for tonights game vs. N.J.:
McAmmond -- Zetterberg -- Heatley
Morrow -- Bergeron -- Gionta
Barnaby -- Pahlsson -- Cooke
Morrow -- Rucchin -- Petrovicky
Blake -- Zubov
White -- Hedican
Boynton -- Wesley
Klemm
Kiprusoff
Grahame
Scratches: I.Kovalchuk (suspended, 4 games)