A few days into the NHL’s free-agent signing period, it seems like there have been a multitude of big signings crossing the wires but few have dealt with the Atlanta Thrashers. While some fans have grown worrisome over the lack of moves, the team has shown a path and direction through their first full week under new head coach John Anderson.
You will be hard pressed to find a news outlet crediting the Thrashers with a great offseason, but in spite of my fears of sounding trite, at this point the team has made solid moves and is better now than when the season ended two months ago.
The team avoided over-spending on over-the-hill players, who in this bear market were given contracts that may have surpassed the player’s shelf life. For example, the signing of players like Sean Avery to four-year deals may come back to haunt Avery’s employers in two to three years when the rough-and-tough defenseman can no longer contribute at a top-dollar level.
Instead the Thrashers went young, signing a player who in theory has yet to play his best hockey. Ron Hainsey is a guy who has flourished the last few years with the Columbus Blue Jackets, playing for a team with much less talent than the one he will suit up for next season, still only two years removed from a division title.
It is often said, “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it,” but there is an equally important mindset that stresses patience when rebuilding and retooling a team that finished below expectations. Starting from scratch would not only imply a failure over the last few years, it could possibly alienate a fan base that has been tough to find in the complex Atlanta entertainment market.
Instead, the Thrashers brass went the opposite direction and set up a clear path for all fans to see. Don Waddell and Coach Anderson deserve credit for clearly demonstrating their thought process and future plans for the team with their first two moves of the offseason.
The team got little contribution from their defensemen in terms of scoring, and their draft picks and signings so far directly addressed that need. Both Zach Bogosian and Hainsey on paper seamlessly fit into Anderson’s up-tempo style with both their puck handling skills and offensive eye.
As fans there has been little to cheer for in terms of the quantity of moves, but the front office has set their cart on a path that will lead to plenty of cheering when it matters come the 08-09 regular season.
Boral can be reached at jboral@scoreatl.com.
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