Updated: Thrashers acquire Wheeler, Stuart from Boston
It was time to make a move.
With their playoff chances fading, the Thrashers acquired Blake Wheeler and Mark Stuart from Boston on Friday. By adding a forward and defenseman, two pieces general manager Rick Dudley has been targeting, he hopes to snap a slump that has seen just six wins in the past 24 games.
In exchange, the Thrashers sent forward Rich Peverley and defenseman Boris Valabik, a former first-round pick, to the Bruins.
“I’ll start with the fact that we’ve won three of the last 15 games,” Dudley said on the reason for the trade now. “We needed to make a change. … “We want to make the playoffs. Right now, we have not played very well. The deal today was clearly made to give us a jump start and try to get on a roll. We’ve proven this year that we can get on a significant roll but we like to get back it.”
The centerpiece of the deal for the Thrashers is Wheeler, a former first-round pick (No. 5 overall) by Phoenix in 2004. The 24-year-old had 11 goals and 27 points in 58 games for the Bruins this season. In three NHL seasons, the 6-foot-5, 205-pounder has 110 points (50 goals, 60 assists). The Robbinsdale, Minnesota native has missed only one game in his NHL career.
“Big body with good puck skills,” said Thrashers coach Craig Ramsay, who coached both Wheeler and Stuart as an assistant coach with Boston. “He’s able to kill penalties and has become pretty good at that aspect of the game. He should help on the power play as well because of his good offensive skills.”
Wheeler, who will wear No. 26, will become a restricted free agent. He made $2.2 million this season.
Dudley said he wanted a big centerman, although Wheeler can play all three forward positions, because he didn’t think a group of small centers such as Peverley, Bryan Little and Alexander Burmistrov would work long term. The move comes 10 days before the Feb. 28 NHL trade deadline. Dudley said more moves are possible.
Stuart, 26, has been limited by injury and played in only 31 games for Boston this season with five points (one goal, four assists) and a plus-8 rating. The 6-2, 213-pound Stuart, who will wear No. 5, was a first-round pick (No. 21 overall) by the Bruins in 2003. In six NHL seasons, the Rochester, Minnesota native has 40 points (13 goals, 27 assists). Stuart, who will make $1.675 million this season, will become an unrestricted free agent.
“He’s a great competitor and brings grit to the defensive corp.,” Ramsay said. “He will also jump up and join rushes. He really wants to be involved offensively, not just be a defenseman.”
Both players are expected to join the Thrashers in time for Saturday’s game in Edmonton. Dudley said he expects both to be in the lineup against the Oilers.
“I think I’ve come a long ways, certainly with the complete game and both ends of the ice,” Wheeler told the Boston Globe after the trade. “I think I’ve transformed my game in a lot of areas. Offensively, I have a lot more to offer than I’ve maybe done so far this year. I just want to keep doing those same things I learned here about being a complete player.”
Peverley, 28, appeared in all 59 games for the Thrashers this season with 14 goals and 34 points. He had played in 180 consecutive games, with 49 goals, since being claimed off waivers from Nashville in January 2009.
“It’s tough to see a friend go,” Thrashers defenseman Ron Hainsey said. “It’s a good opportunity for him. At the same time, we got two people back that can help us. Usually change happens when you are struggling.”
Valabik, the No. 10 overall pick by the Thrashers in 2004, has spent all season at AHL Chicago. The 25 year old has had an injury plagued career. The 6-7, 245-pounder had seven assists in 80 career games with the Thrashers. Valabik has long been waiting for a second chance.
“Boston is a dream come true as far as an organization and a style of play,” Valabik said. “I’m thankful for another chance and I finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. … I was thinking if I get traded, I’ll be the luckiest guy in the world. Now it’s up to me and not anybody else.”
With Stuart giving the Thrashers seven healthy defenseman, Paul Postma was re-assigned to AHL Chicago. Postma was re-called on Tuesday but was scratched for Thursday’s game against Phoenix.
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152 comments Add your comment
BehindEnemyLines
February 18th, 2011
3:53 pm
This morning, a couple of friends were discussing trade possibilities. One’s a Boston guy, the other is a Leafs fan, the latter desperately hoping that Wheeler wouldn’t be headed their way today. The Bruins fan reply “Don’t worry, you’ll forget he’s on the team most nights anyway. It’ll be like he’s not even there.” I should have known that he’d be Atlanta bound.
Brett
February 18th, 2011
3:54 pm
I like the trade. Like many of you have said Wheeler gives us more size up front and Stuart is a responsible D man. But, I would love to know what was going through their minds when they found out they were traded to Atlanta!!! It couldn’t have been good.
Joe McGrath
February 18th, 2011
3:59 pm
Holy Cow–B’s Fan said this Wheeler kid “can park himself in front of the net.” I’ve been yearning for that all season long.
Holly Goodhead
February 18th, 2011
4:04 pm
Remember, Rammer[aka Skeletor] is familiar with these guys. Perhaps leaving Boston shall not be such a bad thing for them…
mike
February 18th, 2011
4:23 pm
Love this trade. Gives us a big, tough two way forward for a guy who obviously had no physicality to him, and played no defense. We get an experienced defensive defenseman for a guy who is in the minors becuase all he can do is fight a little.
We now have 7 top six d-men, so one’s expendable (Sopel) for someone who can score. Don’t trade Bobo, he’s still young (remember Coburn), and will back up his teammates. You think we can get a top 6 forward for Sopel and Antropov?
Bob
February 18th, 2011
4:27 pm
Sets the table to trade Bogosian…hopefully for another top 6 scorer.
moriler
February 18th, 2011
4:34 pm
Solid trade. Didn’t give up anything worth keeping long-term, got a couple pieces that will help. Especially the fact that we got anything useful at all for Valabik just gives me warm fuzzies over what Dudley can pull off on people. Pevs is a good guy who just didn’t have the motivation this season, but Wheeler is certainly at least a fair straight-up pick for this.
buzz
February 18th, 2011
4:37 pm
Overachiever (Pev) for an Underachiever (Wheeler) … but perhaps coach can turn Wheeler into the player he was drafted to be.
Winnipeg Tweet Bot
February 18th, 2011
5:07 pm
Interesting that Big Buff is from Rouseau, MN and now we trade for two more Minnesota boys. Guess they’re preparing for a potential move to the Peg! Vive les Jets!
Brendan
February 18th, 2011
5:10 pm
Jim Morris, you may like Rich Peverley. Last season, he was big for Atlanta. This year, he’s had a bit of a slump under a new coach. Maybe Boston is just the cheese? I’m sure he’d like to play in a traditional market, having been in Nashville and Atlanta now. This could work out nicely for the Bruins.
On the Boris Valabik front, yes he’s a former 1st rounder, 10th overall, but Waddell was sold on his billing, “A poor man’s Zdeno Chara.” He has been an utter bust. Six years after being drafted, he cannot crack the Thrashers starting lineup. He’s big, lumbering, and often lost out there. He is most famously known by Thrasher fans as the man who got punched in the balls by Sidney Crosby. That’s, pretty much, the whole story on “Doris,” as his detractors call him.
I hope Boris Valabik, under an organization that can develop talent, unlike the Atlanta Thrashers, can make something of him. I wish Boris well in Boston. If he can’t find his way out of the AHL, that’s okay. He’ll make your farm club better, at least. What are they, the Providence Bruins?? I don’t remember anymore.
brian
February 18th, 2011
5:14 pm
we should nuke canada and get it over with i would rather see the thrash moved to iran than canada
Smoothie
February 18th, 2011
5:16 pm
Y’all who think this is even a remotely bad trade keep in mind that Peverley has morphed into an unproductive version of Marc Savard who plays even worse defense (just look at the 4th Coyotes goal from last nite closely). His -16 is well-earned and not a fluke. There’s a reason he ended up on the 4th line with Boulton and Thorbs.
Going back to last year, he’s now a combined -32. What happened to this guy? He simply can’t play top 6 minutes every night. Last year, I thought he was getting screwed over by bad linemates (Max, Kozzy, C-Mac), but as it turns out, he was more of the problem. I love him to death and he’s a great guy and great teammates by all accounts, but this is a brilliant case of selling high and getting a much better asset with a higher ceiling of potential. Chiarelli is feeling the pressure and is going all-in. Duds fleeced him royally. Nuff said.
Bbbb
February 18th, 2011
5:19 pm
I personally doubt that Wheeler would be more useful to get this year playoffs. Stuart might be helpful. If the plan is to strengthen team for next year, then I am afraid Wheeler will escape through free-agency.
I don’t see a point in this deal.
Brendan
February 18th, 2011
5:22 pm
Wheeler CANNOT escape. Not realistically. The rules re: RFA’s are there to keep them from leaving. Only way Wheeler leaves, is if Thrashers place him on waivers … or if he is poached via the RFA offersheet. If he is poached, Atlanta is compensated by draft picks, depending on the amount of salary the contract specifies. The higher the salary, the higher the draft pick compensation is.
Dwayne
February 18th, 2011
5:23 pm
Glad doris is gone, let cindy crotchby pummell his testes into his stomach and done nothing to retaliate. it still makes me sick that dumb don wasted a first rounder.
Smoothie
February 18th, 2011
5:26 pm
Wheeler is a 24 y/o RFA, he can’t escape thru free-agency. Only arbitration. Good luck with that and try again “Bbbbbbbbb” cuz that’s what you sound like!
Bbbb
February 18th, 2011
5:29 pm
Ok, my mistake – mislooked. It’s Stuart who can go to free agency. Very funny, though. Smmmooooooosssssssyyyyyy….
Smoothie
February 18th, 2011
5:35 pm
So? Stuart for Valabik?! Awesome. We’ll have a shot at re-signing him.
Iron League 13
February 18th, 2011
5:37 pm
NOT HAPPY ABOUT PEVS!!! I said many time let’s make a deal, but specifically said “not Pevs”. Bull crap, guys this won’t do much. It was nice getting a D-man for that waste Valabik, but Wheeler for Pevs…whoopdie-flippin’-doo.
Mr. Wheeler, welcome to Atlanta. I think you’re swell and all, but I’m not happy as I’m sure you’re not either.
Iron League 13
February 18th, 2011
5:40 pm
By the way that “if I get traded, I’ll be the luckiest guy in the world” bit from Boris is not exclusive to him.
Iron League 13
February 18th, 2011
5:42 pm
TIME FOR BUFF TO MOVE UP FRONT!!!
Acer
February 18th, 2011
5:45 pm
I’m happy that Dudley shipped out Waddell’s second worst first round flop. Peverley never really won me over. He was the “somebody has to score on a bad/ mediocre team” player. I wanted Wheeler back when he decided to become a FA and not join the Coyotes. Let’s hope that everything works out with Wheeler and Stuart.
Iron League 13
February 18th, 2011
5:52 pm
I dunno, maybe it’ll be better. I don’t think it was a raw deal, in fact I think the Bruins got the **** end of the stick with Boris, but I don’t see this as being awesome unless we get another couple forwards or move Buff up and get one more. We’ve got Buff locked in, time to put him up front. Hell, after last year why would he be against that?
Plan To Keep Thrashers In Atlanta
February 18th, 2011
5:55 pm
Where are Atlanta’s leaders? A “Five Part Plan to Save The Thrashers” was mentioned on FOX-5 News at 5 pm today. The plan calls for Atlanta’s leaders to lead. Please use the “How Can Fans Help” link on the page below to contact leaders and tell them you want them to lead:
Five Part Plan To Keep The Thrashers In Atlanta:
http://www.keepthethrashers.com/fivepartplan.html
Bbbb
February 18th, 2011
6:00 pm
Stuart for Valabik is awesome indeed. Right now we really need a forward who can score and everyone is tired of “level of commitment”. Replacing Peverley, who could score, even from time to time with similar guy is ok. But think about “level of commitment” of Wheeler, who was taking off days in Boston, hoping for possibility to get Stanley Cup, and new Wheeler, who was traded to team that is hoping for miracle to get to playoff and with good chances to spend next season somewhere in Canada. I just think this guy will be flatter then Peverley.
Anyway, I hope I am wrong and we’ll see playoffs this year.
Acer
February 18th, 2011
6:02 pm
the Bruins got the **** end of the stick with Boris? True, but they shredded salaries in the wake of the pending deal with Kaberle.
Do you remember Dudley comments about ATL’s needs? I’ll bet that a principal deal with Boston was in place around that time. Same for a Versteeg deal with Toronto (or vice versa) Dudley wanted to deal with Chiarelli was still working on the Kaberle deal. Burke didn’t like Atlanta’s and Florida’s offer and went with Holmgren’s offer (or vice versa.)
With option #1 gone to Philly, Dudley moves to option #2 and makes the trade. Are you confused, yet. LOL It’s all fun to speculate, eh? LOL
B's Fan
February 18th, 2011
6:15 pm
Plan to Keep the Thrashers:
The only part of the 5 that matters is to have the team purchased by an ownership group who cares about hockey and building a winning franchise that the fanbase can feel good about supporting. I want the Thrashers to stay here, but it’s not on the fans to make that happen. Even a team in great hockey market will struggle with attendance and fan interest when the ownership is incompetent at best and indifferent at worst.
Why continue to kiss someone’s a@# when they are sh*&!&* in your face?
EA
February 18th, 2011
6:16 pm
I heard Blake Wheeler on NHL Live. He sounded really positive. He knows Ramsay well. He does not like to leave Boston, but he is excited to show Atlanta what he can do for them. Rick Dudley was also on. He said we are acquiring additional salary and when asked about the ownership, he said “they did not hesitate at all”. Whatever. That was all that was said about the ownership issue. Nothing about moving. He pretty much said Bogo is a no trade player, but he never rules out a trade for anyone.
AtlFlamesFan
February 18th, 2011
6:16 pm
@ Plan to Keep
I am for anything to save our Thrashers; EXCEPT FOR TOM COUSINS!
If it wasn’t for his real estate fiascos, chances are that we would not be in this position. Instead, we probably would be able to look up into the rafters at the banner proclaiming:
“ATLANTA FLAMES – 1989 STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS”
Honeychile Rider
February 18th, 2011
6:40 pm
What Atl Flames said…+1
Smoothie
February 18th, 2011
6:52 pm
Centers # TOI for GA Hits
Peverley 49 in 59 gms (.83) 27 (also Pevs had most BkShts)
Little, B. 34 in 53 gms (.64) 33
Antropov 32 in 53 gms (.60) 48
Burmistrov 27 in 58 gms (.47) 46
Slater, J. 15 in 36 gms (.42) 59
Wheeler, B. Only 9 minus gms in 58 (+8 overall w/ 11 G) & 56 hits
Smoothie
February 18th, 2011
7:06 pm
That spacing did not work well. But the point is that of all the centers who were getting significant ice time at ES (Slater is only one not getting at least 12 min / gm), Peverley was by far the worst when it comes to ESGA per mins played at ES. He also doesn’t hit and Wheeler may be “softer” than some of you would like, but he still hits twice as much as Peverley. He’s very reliable defensively and has only 9 minus games all season and all but one were a -1. Don’t see how we lose this trade at all. Don’t forget Pevs was a -14 last year as well. Also, Pevs shooting percentage has gone into the toilet with the bigger minutes and .72 more shots / game on avg.
Buff-n-stuff
February 18th, 2011
7:43 pm
I said it a few blogs ago, “PEVS HAS TO GO”…..because he doesnt play hard (I like someones “Savard Lite” comment) even 1/2 of the time, makes far too many careless passes at the offensive blueline, leading to demoralizing goals for the opponent of the day, and cannot and will not “dump the puck”, again leading to odd man rushes the other way and making Pav’s have to stand on his head time and time again. With this trade, we continue the youth movement, we add size, we add skill, we add a player that plays Ramsay’s style, already knows how to play Ramsay’s way since Ramsay coached him previously in Boston. Plus, w/ Stuart, we get a guy that plays “D”, Borris certainly didnt play any, and surely this merely sets the table for a couple of further “shakeups” over the next week or so. My opinion, is that Stewart should go (too lackadasical, too often in a scoring postion but doesnt have his stick on the ground or isn’t ready for the pass, case in point, Kane’s perfect pass on the 2 on 1 against Phoenix last night and Stewey was asleep at the wheel, thinking Kane was going to shoot) and probably go to Colorado to play with his brother. Sopel back to Chi-town w/ a prospect for Bolland or Seabrook…..we are keeping Bogosian. We are going to have YOUTH, BIG D-MEN (at least 3 of them) and PLYERS THAT PLAY HARD, for a FULL 60 Minutes !!!
East Point Bob
February 18th, 2011
7:44 pm
Zach is a smaller version of Boris Valabik, he is lost most games. Remember the second NYR goal last Friday that sent them ahead ? Zach, Yet again as he has done most of the season, was lost and allowed the NYR player a free pass into the slot and never touched him. I have seen more than enough of this kid, he is simply not top line NHL material and Atlanta would be much better off dealing him ASAP. Seems there will be another defenseman leaving soon, as we now have an extra. Who sits in Edmonton ?
onthinice
February 18th, 2011
7:44 pm
Enter your comments here
Curly
February 18th, 2011
7:49 pm
Even though I liked Peverley, the stats from last night’s game says it all: (3 points, yet still a -1). Just not good at even strength.
Overall – it looks to be a good trade for both teams.
onthinice
February 18th, 2011
7:52 pm
Sorry to hear of the mess down there. You guys seem like real NHL fans unlike those in PHX. I am not totally convinced that the Thrasher are moving but i do believe a team will be coming. I say this because of recent “NHL type activity” taking place here. The MTS Centre just expanded the press box from 50 to 160 (that ain’t for AHL); an MTS Iceplex centre has been built (finished this year) sporting 2 full sized NHL rinks and 2 regular rinks (NHL practice rink rumours); new FM radio station purchased soley for sports; also NHL exhibition games have been hosted year for the last several years. This does not guarantee anything but i just can’t ignore it anymore as just coincidence. This is also to dispel some myths posted here that wpg could not support NHL. A team is coming, we just don’t know which one. I truly hope it is phx but GB seems to be making sure that never happens.
The Bruins Blog — Did new Bruins D pick-up Valabik just win the lottery?
February 18th, 2011
8:18 pm
[...] what Valabik had to say to AJC writer Chris Vivlamore after the Bruins and Atlanta made their 2-for-2 trade [...]
What They’re Saying: Link RoundupBlueland Blog | Blueland Blog
February 18th, 2011
10:05 pm
[...] AJC.com: Thrashers acquire Wheeler, Stuart from Boston [...]
KLS1
February 18th, 2011
10:17 pm
Based on the Thrashers history, Boris will probably turn into the next Lidstrom in Boston!
I would like to see Chara and Boris on the ice at the same time…they could cover wall to wall by stretching out their arms…
KLS1
February 18th, 2011
10:20 pm
Hey onthinice…we are good fans, and believe me it ain’t easy being a fan with this operation they have been running for the last 10 years.
The whole situation is ugly…hope you pick up PHX, but the magic 8 ball is making us all believe we are target #1.
Joyaman
February 19th, 2011
1:06 am
As a team that’s apparently taken its last few gasps of rarified playoff air, getting two NHL roster players for one is not a bad thing, but it’s clearly not game changer by itself. This move will need to be followed up by the rental of a hardworking UFA forward that’s a legitimate scorer (no likely suspects on the A-list), as Pevs for Wheeler is a net offensive loss. Even then, playoffs could still be an elusive goal, but at least they’d be giving it a shot.
Two historical parallels that don’t bode well either are Waddell’s mortgage-the-future Tkachuk deal and the desperate insertion of Jim Craig between the pipes in 1980 as the Flames battled constant relocation rumours that ultimately resulted in their first-round exit from the playoffs and Atlanta – at the hands of the Rangers and Tom Cousins, respectively.
This patient has been on life support since the day the Turner organization handed the reins over to the Atlanta Spirits Consumption Group. Help us Arthur M. Blankobi, you’re our only hope.
byfhgkjhiijkjlkhjhn
February 19th, 2011
3:09 am
This is a great trade, IMO. Peverley irked me to no end, not to mention his coach. Peverley has skill but absolutely no passion, Stuart will add grit and actually battle, I don’t think I have ever seen Peverley battle. Hainsey was sad to see him go, Hainsey is just like him, never battles.
Wheeler isn’t Bob Probert, but I’ve seen him at least “care” and that’s an issue here, Peverley was one of those guys who quite often for whatever reason was complacent and he had to go. If Dudley is true to his word and I think he is thus far, he is building a real team here. Getting a young player with a decent upside for Pevs is great, IMO. Peverley can hide on a better team like Boston, he couldn’t do that here, he had to be accountable here and he failed. We lose too many battles, removing one of the guys who loses them willingly is nothing but a positive as far as I see it, all apologies to the Peverley hillbilly, I guess we’ll lose another fan, whatever happened to the Thrasheart? The big guy who dressed as Braveheart in the early seasons. The Peverley Hillbilly just had started to enjoy being intraweb famous. He made yahoo jersey fouls and finally the official site.
I feel bad for Valabik’s time here, this organization continually gives a worthless jersey like Stapleton a chance, yet Valabik had considerable injuries and seemingly fell out of favor to the likes of Meyer, he quite frankly never developed under our staff, or..his mobility was that atrocious that he just couldn’t..but this staff is almost the same staff that is burying Kulda. Valabik had no chance to make a comeback here once he fell off the depth chart. I wasn’t the only person that was hoping Valabik could turn into a poor man’s Chara, he ended up being Steve McKenna II.
I can see why he is elated to get traded and have a fresh start. Give Duds some credit here..getting Stuart for Valabik is a steal, I know this makes the Kaberle deal work for the B’s, but Valabik was put on re-entry waivers and not claimed by anyone, Dudley found him a home and we get a good roster player in return, so good job even if it was a salary move, kinda bittersweet though, how come we couldn’t upgrade the roster at the start of the year. Better players obviously doesn’t always mean higher paid, but in our case we coulda paid for better quality, IMO earlier on..rather than waiting until it was absolutely crucial. Gotta beat the Oil today. Hopefully the new life wil lspark us and we’ll start a winning streak and I agree..Nuke Canada.
hotrod
February 19th, 2011
7:29 am
Pevs was one of my favorites. He made an immediate impact when
Thrashers first got him.He has to excited to go to a playoff team.
Tip of the hat for the management for trying to shake things up a bit.
Still holding out for a hot streak and this may start one.
hotrod
February 19th, 2011
7:35 am
On Valabik – I have watched him for countless hours over the years.
Potential ? Maybe , but I never saw it. For his size he never
got to a point where he was that intimidating and his stick was
average at best.
bob from account temps
February 19th, 2011
9:09 am
valabik – “I was thinking if I get traded, I’ll be the luckiest guy in the world.” i bet the whole thrashers team is thinking the same thing!
Kovy's Agent
February 19th, 2011
9:22 am
Pev’s was just the latest in a long line of guys brought here and ask to do more than they were really capable of doing, except for short stretches of time. I mean, he was a waiver-wire pick-up and soon we were expecting him to be a key scorer/playmaker on this team. I’m sure over time it just ground him down. He’ll probably flourish now in Boston as he’ll be asked to do what he’s more capable of doing.
With Stuart, if we can resign him, it does look like Sopes might be headed back to his beloved Chicago. I read his wife’s blog and you’d almost never know the guy is playing hockey in Atlanta now. She ain’t moving the family here and it appears he has little interest in staying here either.
With all that being said, if we can’t beat probably the worst team in the NHL tonight the fork will have been officially inserted into the playoff hopes of this team.
BlueSpark
February 19th, 2011
10:29 am
All this talk about the Thrashers moving overshadows some other troubled NHL teams, like the one in Sunrise and the one in Uniondale.
I wish Pevs and Boris the best of luck. Boris was drafted before the lockout, and as others have said probably would have thrived in the old clutch-and-grab NHL. Maybe playing with Chara will help.
B. Thenet
February 19th, 2011
11:42 am
Tough to see Peverley go, a great rags to riches story for him.
I like the move, I just wish Dudley had done something a month ago. It is too little too late for the playoffs I am afraid.
Victoria
February 19th, 2011
1:52 pm
Atlanta fans, you’ve gotten a solid couple of players here that many of us Bruins fans here in Boston are sad to see go. Wheeler’s really found his game this season – he’d been frustrating last season and it took a lot to get me to change my anti-Wheels stance this season. He’s seemed to realize – finally – that he’s a big guy with speed and strong offensive ability. He’s come into his own and I’m excited to see what he can do for you. And as far as Stuart goes, be prepared to be very pleasantly surprised. He’s a team-first guy with a gritty, gritty approach to guarding the blue line. The injuries have been an issue the last couple of seasons, but he’s known as being an iron man when he’s healthy, a guy who broke his sternum and still finished that game. The B’s are going to miss him more than they realize. He deserves to get playing time and will deliver with big things when he does. I look forward to keeping up with their successes in Atlanta.