Thrashers are ready to take next step

The Atlanta Thrashers franchise has only been in existence for four years. They have gotten better over that time, but there is definitely more room for improvement.

At least that is what the Atlanta Thrashers' General Manager Don Waddell had on his mind at the 2002 NHL entry draft. Now he thinks the Thrashers are ready to jump to the next step on the developmental curve of hockey.

Last season, the Thrashers managed an unbelievably low record of 19-47-11-5. With that said, there isn't much to be optimistic about.

Despite the low record, however, Waddell is still very optimistic about the upcoming season. What reasons does he have for that optimism?

The Thrashers have two of the best young stars in the game in Dany Heatley and Ilya Kovalchuk. Both were rookies last year, but they managed to stake their claims for being dedicated and powerful players.

Heatley scored 26 goals and had 41 assists and received the Calder Trophy for being the top rookie in the National Hockey League.

He probably wouldn't have done so well, if it had not been for his line mate, Kovalchuk, who pushed him to do his best all season long.

Kovalchuk, at 18 years old, was the first round pick in 2001. He scored a team-high of 29 goals last season and is known for his method of displaying his large collection of offensive moves.

He would have had an even higher goal tally if it had not suffered a major injury, which ended his season with 17 games left on the schedule. Next season, however, he is supposed to be back at 100 percent.

Another reason the Thrashers should be strong is that its minor-league affiliates, the Chicago Wolves and the Greenville Grrrowl, both played well last season, winning their respective league championships. This suggests that players on those squads know what it takes to win and aren't far off from playing as Thrashers.

So with Heatley and Kovalchuk playing for the team next year, as well as, the young stars coming in from the minor-league, Waddell has all the reasons to believe that the team will take the next step.

Waddell then spent this summer planning move after move to ensure that the team will have a magnificent next season.

He began with draft week in Toronto by signing goalie Kari Lehtonen. Many people think that Lehtonen will make an impact like Kovalchuk and Heatley did last season, but he will spend one more season in Finland before he plays for the Atlanta. Originally, Waddell was going to bring him over right away, but decided against it.

Waddell also made a major trade with the Buffalo Sabres and signed 30-year-old Slava Kozlov,who only played 38 games last season due to a horrible injury.

The Thrashers also obtained veteran left wing, Shawn McEachern, from Ottawa, all of which now gives the Thrashers a strong second line.

Waddell wasn't only concerned with the team's offense, however. He made some trades to strengthen the defense as well.

He signed Richard Smehlik, 32, from the Sabres. Smehlik is a big defenseman who played in 60 games and got a -9 plus/minus score last year. This was a respectable score for a Buffalo team that struggled last season.

Surprisingly, Waddell also signed veteran Uwe Krupp away from the Detroit Red Wings.

Waddell sure did his best to make the Thrashers ready for action in 2002-2003, but in the end, it will be up to the players to take that next step in their development once the season begins.