Kane and Bergfors will try avoid Sophomore Slump Syndrome
We’ve all seen it, heard of it and read of it before…the infamous sophomore slump. A rookie comes into the NHL and plays at or above expectations only to see his performance take a step backwards the very next year. It happens in every sport, pros and collegiate.
What’s the cause of Sophomore Slump Syndrome?
Some may say it’s the simple law of averages at work as stats move up and down from season to season. So it’s only natural some will experience one of those downturns in year number two. Some argue it’s due to the league catching on to the tendencies of a young player, causing him to adjust his game. Maybe it’s a matter of motivation.
Others may cite that it’s a matter of differing roles on the team… diminished minutes on the power play, changes in line formations. Others still see it simply as a cerebral issue…a young athlete who has achieved his dream of playing at the highest level of his sport is now coping with the reality that he must continue to progress if he is to remain there.
Put all those factors in play with a 19 or 20-year kid, add in the pressure from fans & media to perform and – Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo – a youngster could experience something of a slump, regardless of rhyme or reason.
One Thrasher who will be looking to recover from what some might refer to as a “sophomore slump” is Zach Bogosian, the third overall pick in 2008 who began his NHL career the following October. Zach missed two months of that rookie campaign due to a broken leg but came back strong to finish with 9 goals and 10 assists. Even more impressive was his +11 rating, which was the second best on Atlanta’s blueline behind Toby Enstrom’s +14.
Last season, however, Zach missed but one game but saw his point production increased only by 4. More notable was that his +/- rating dropped by 29 to –18. And while the +/- rating doesn’t always paint the full picture of a player’s performance, in this case it really did. At times, Zach simply struggled on the defensive side of the ice.
In fairness to Bogosian, it must be noted that a hand injury was the reason he missed that one game last season and it probably played a big part in his reduced numbers given the fact he was trying to pay through it for some time before being sat out.
Nonetheless, if the Thrashers are not able to adequately address the loss of Pavel Kubina on the blueline, Zach’s third career season will need to be his best so far to help fill the void.
Now some may count Bryan Little in with Bogosian as a player looking to rebound from a case of SSS. Yes, I know…Little played in 48 games scoring 6 goals and 10 assists three years back. But his first full season came in 2008-09 when he dazzled us with 31 goals and 20 assists during the 72 games he played in. Unfortunately though, in his second full season at the NHL level Bryan’s numbers took a bit of a dive to just 13 goals and 21 assists…his power play stats dropping from 20 points to just 6. This even though he took only seven shots on goal fewer than the 172 the year before.
Reason for the decline…well, he spent the bulk of the 2008-09 season playing opposite Slava Kozlov with Todd White in between before being elevated later in the year to Ilya Kovalchuk’s line. That line was arguably the most consistent of the season and the trio accounted for 79 goals and 121 assists… 36 goals and 61 assists came via the power play.
In contrast, those same three players accounted for but 28 goals and 58 assists last season.
Last fall and it took until November 3rd for Bryan to score his first goal…11 games into the season. But even after the “Little-White-Russian” line was dismantled he still continued to struggle, though the effort was certainly always there. Bryan tickled the twine but three times in the final 24 games of last season. The last of those goals was the only one scored in the season-ending 1-0 win over the Penguins. However that broke a 10-game goalless drought, equal to the scoreless streak he began the season with.
Looking forward, both of these players should be looked upon to have better 2010-11 campaigns if the Thrashers are to make any possible push towards a playoff position next spring. It would also help matter is two rising sophomores can find a way to immune themselves from SSS…Evander Kane and Nic Bergfors.
In 66 games Kane put up the first 14 goals and 26 points of his career. He was also a +2 on a team that only had five players finish better than that mark. Plus his contributions on the penalty kill were impressive.
Between the Devils and Thrashers, Bergie had 21 goals and 23 assists in 80 games played. 9 goals and 6 assists came while on the power play. Right after the trade that sent him here and Kovalchuk to New Jersey, Bergie more than made himself welcome in Thrasherville by scoring 6 goals in the first 8 games with Atlanta.
While it’s hard to imagine either of these fine young forwards having a down turn in their production next season, remember how difficult it was last year to think the same of Bogosian and Little.
And finally…there is Ondrej Pavelec who will be entering his second entire season with the Thrashers this fall splitting time between the NHL and AHL the two seasons prior. But I personally don’t place the Czech netminder in the same category as a Kane or a Bergfors, those looking to build upon rookie success. In his first full season in Atlanta Pavs went 14-18-7 with a.907 SV% and 3.29 GAA.
Hopefully we won’t see Opie “slumping” from those numbers as he backs up Chris Mason this season.
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138 comments Add your comment
Hockey Biltong
August 4th, 2010
2:33 pm
That Makarov guy is a real pistol….
kracker
August 4th, 2010
2:36 pm
The Thrashers do have the luxury (cap room) in the near term of over-budgeting at one or more positions. I’m not saying that is wise for this team at this time, just saying we can do it if the owners/mgmt. so choose.
Rawhide
August 4th, 2010
2:37 pm
Lots of good points on Niemi. Glad I’m not making that call….or DW
kracker - If given the choice, I’d be more comfortable with you making that call.
kracker
August 4th, 2010
2:42 pm
Thanks Rawhide!
But to be held accountable?!? Naw, I think I will stay on the blogs and in the relatively cheap seats!
Red Light
August 4th, 2010
2:47 pm
Back to the soph-slump-synd…
I am much more worried about a Bergfors slump, than one by Kane. Kane should be skating on a line this year with another winger who can actually stay within 15-20 feet of him, rather than Armstrong who carried the piano with him into the offensive zone. Ramsay’s forechecking style also should fit perfectly for Kane.
On the other hand, we don’t know what Bergfors is thinking about his RFA negotiations, and how that may adversely affect him going into camp (if at all). Being paired with Nik again couldn’t hurt but we also don’t know what inner desires burn within him. With Kane, I think we do know.
The new system will create some bugs that need to be worked through, and getting adjusted to the new faces can’t be solved during a three-week training camp. We also don’t know what kind of SC hangover the boys coming in from Chicago will experience.
But, Mason, Sopel, Boulton and Antropov are the oldest guys on the team and should be able to keep the younger guys focused. The fact this team also has 12 players in the 22-28 age bracket and fewer Eastern Euros means the overall camaraderie also should improve.
The real problem during the early transitional months of the season, is the schedule from the start of the season to Dec. 31. Cited are the five meetings against the Caps, four against Tampa Bay, three against Pittsburgh and Boston, two against Buffalo, St. Louis, New Jersey and Colorado, and singletons against San Jose, LA, Anaheim, Chicago and Detroit, among others. That Includes 4 back-to-back pairs in October and December, and two in November.
Through it all, if the team manages 1 point or better through the first 41 games (Dec. 31), then barring devastating injuries, they should be on their way to finishing in the top 8.
But, I do fear about not adding another playmaker before the season starts.
Dwayne
August 4th, 2010
4:10 pm
Lets rely on some lady luck this year, last years one goal losses will be this years one goal wins. To many times last year enemy goals were scored either off our own players or off skates, arms, heads, chest or backs of our enemies. We need more “junk” goals, more goals by banging away at the puck in front of the enemies goal. I think a good training exercize for the Thrashers would be to play whack-a-mole at Dave and Buster’s. Have a few cold ones and build some team comroderie.
Rawhide
August 4th, 2010
4:19 pm
Andy Strickland believes it’ll be hard for the arbitrator to rule against Kovalchuk’s contract.
Dwayne - I believe it was Sara who first used the term “whack-a-mole” to describe the way the Thrashers played defense. You now suggest playing “whack-a-mole” as a way to help the Thrashers on offense.
Interesting.
Dwayne
August 4th, 2010
4:46 pm
Maybe Dave-n-Buster’s will give them two practice sessions, at half price, because we all know how cheap the octotards are, one for Sara’s defense and one for my offense.
glovesave29
August 4th, 2010
5:06 pm
The NHL added verbage to the CBA that restricts contracts that violate the “spirit” of the cap. It’s a bit vague, but obviously this is why it is so. This contract clearly does so. No other contract written is SO front loaded, and has such a wide disparity of not only the salary vs. cap hit, but the percentage of moneys owed vs. the term of the contract.
My gut….arbitrator makes it a 12 year / $102M…an $8.5M cap hit. Devils walk away. Kings swoop in, but its too late, the $10M season idea is already firmly planted in Ilya’s head and he goes to the KHL on a 3 year deal.
Jack
August 4th, 2010
5:23 pm
I like it. Would be nice to see Kovalchuk in the KHL
AThrashrfan13
August 4th, 2010
5:39 pm
Good catch in the CBA GS29. Being in the legal profession, I have printed and am reading the CBA….the monster that it is…..jeeeesh!
The “spirit” of the law and the “spirit” of contracts and agreements, in the context of the negotiation of the CBA do carry a some weight in arbitrated disputes. Depending on how good the arbitrator is and what he really understands abou the CBA, this could very well go the League’s way….not so much that he will rule for or against the league, but he will restructure the deal as Glovesave29 says above, to be more in line with the the “spirit” of the CBA and in the context of the negotiations the resulted in the CBA.
I know there is an article in the CBA that specifies what evidence can and cannot be produced during those hearings….I’m going to read those tonight to try and figure out just how far, if at all, the “spirit” may go.
AThrashrfan13
August 4th, 2010
5:41 pm
And Jack, yes…Kovalchuk in the KHL would be great……so we would not have to play against him…however….I’d also take great pleasure in seeing the Thrashers get the best of him.
Not Blind
August 4th, 2010
5:41 pm
I would rather see Kovalpuke in New Jersey. This way he would negatively impact the Devil’s future and we could see him get run over by Buff, Kane, etc every shift.
Jack
August 4th, 2010
5:47 pm
Good Point AT13!!
Brendan
August 4th, 2010
6:39 pm
Glovesave29, loved that 5:06PM post. I agree with the arbitrator’s hypothetical decision, of 12-years/$102 million, for the $8.5 million cap hit. I would likewise agree to all 17 years, so long as the annual salary were fixed at $6.0 million-per-season. That’s still a good deal for the Devils. They’d get Kovy at $6 million, which is more than “fair,” it’s pretty outstanding. And if Kovy wants to retire early, he forfeits his earnings. Unless the NHL says that he must be bought out, in which case, it’s still good for Kovalchuk, to make 2/3rd’s of $6 million for 4-5 years. And if the Devils don’t like it, hey … they’re the ones who offered 17-years. Nobody put a gun to their heads. The only REAL reason they offered 17-years … was to circumvent the cap. I call that “fraud.”
Truthfully, I hope Kovalchuk stays on the Devils. I’m looking forward to his visits here. I don’t want him to go to Los Angeles, to enjoy that “rock star” lifestyle. Kovy can go “anywhere but L.A.,” and I’m happy about it.
GaVaHokie
August 4th, 2010
6:53 pm
Howabout signing Niemi and trading Pavs for P. Sharp? Continue the Blackhawks robbery.
Jack
August 4th, 2010
6:57 pm
I like it Hokie, anytime we can send pav somewhere and get something for him is beautiful. Even if the Kovchoke contract is voided, I still dont see him in LA. For him it will be The Garbage land of NJ, or the Vodka mountains of Russia.
Joe Friday
August 4th, 2010
7:07 pm
unless the arbitrator is in the tank for the league, there’s no basis to overturn the contract. The NHL can’t re-write the CBA after the fact, they’ll have to fix the hole in the next CBA
World Be Free
August 4th, 2010
8:29 pm
I had to post this comment from one of my friends in Biffalo. I know this is not a Sabres blog-I am posting this to show you how a life long hockey fan reacts when a player of not-so-great staure gets dispatched unexpectedly. This is a clossic on Kennedy-
“I hope your not referring to the greatest player ever to don a Sabres uniform Tim (Mr. South Buffalo) Kennedy???? I’ve never seen so much made about a 3RD LINE PLAYER!!! Everyone here bitched that the Sabres were too small and they should make some changes, then when the do everyone has a sh*t fit!!! 1 mil for 10 goals!!!! Perreault is puking some where!!! It’s all because he’s a Buffalo boy!!! maybe he should talk to some of the guys at Talty’s on South Park and ask them how much they made at the Steel plant, or the Ford plant over 30 yrs and maybe the $850,000 he was offered wouldn’t sound so bad, and maybe he should stop listening to an agent tell him how good 10 goals is!!! I noticed he was such a bargin that EVERY team in the league passed on him for the 1 mil. Other than that how is every one????”
Hockey fans are the best!
Hokie P. Clisters
August 4th, 2010
10:24 pm
Mrs. Clisters asked me I had ever been through an SSS during my sporting years. I told her that my SSS was more of an SOS.
Brendan
August 4th, 2010
11:27 pm
WBF, there’ll always be people who resent the salaries of pro athletes. They’ll argue, “he swings a bat at a ball, and hits it 31% of the time, and they pay him millions of dollars for it.” They’ll argue that “he hits a dimpled ball with a crooked stick … then chases it, so he can hit it again … and they sell advertising time at millions of dollars for 30 seconds.” They’ll argue, “He whacks a black frozen biscuit around a rink … then chases it, and hits it again. And once every two to three games, that puck fumbles its way into the goal. For that, he makes $8 million-a-year?”
When oversimplified like that, and without clarification, it sounds absurd. But the truth I believe is this one. I couldn’t catch up with a major league fastball, if I started my swing last week, and the pitcher was aiming for my bat. I couldn’t break 100 on a pro golf course, if you gave me 10 years to do it, and unlimited country club privileges, include tee times. And I sure couldn’t skate with NHL caliber talent, now or EVERRRR. I couldn’t beat Kovalchuk in a race to the other side of the rink … if hired goons, or even Jeff Galooly, broke both Kovy’s legs moments before the contest began. Though, truthfully, I think it would be close, so long as I didn’t back or to the side. The point? Yeah, well … it is the “laws of supply and demand.” There are something less than a thousand baseball players in the world who can compete at the MLB level, for any prolonger period of time. There are just under 700 hockey players who can even crack the NHL. And there’s about 360 who can play “top six” forward minutes (18 to 22 minutes per game) at the NHL level. They’ve got to get paid, accordingly. Now, I hear ya. “But there’s been ‘erosion’ over ‘NHL-standard’ with the league expanding from 12 to 30 teams. The product may be somewhat ‘watered-down,’ but the need and demand for a player HIGHER than the AHL standard is still there.
What do I ALLLLLWAYS say, folks? Say it with me, “Let the MARKET set the value.” If Tim Kennedy can get $1,000,000 … or even $800,000 … for his 10 goals and limited capacity service … then that’s what the MARKET will bear. My problem with the NHL … is “cooked books,” with a cap based off PROJECTED REVENUES instead of ACTUAL ones. I honestly believe … that the REAL CAP … should be somewhere around $50 to $52 million. And if it were set there, I’d think that 24 of the 30 teams could get close to or spend at the cap limit. There’s always bound to be a few clubs that, even with benefit of revenue sharing dollars, just can’t hit the ceiling. Where’s the cap now? $59.5 million?? Something like that. That’s a gross exaggeration of the actual revenues collected and divided by 30, by the NHL, in my uninformed estimation. I’d love to get ahold of the ACTUAL, “confidential” team earnings from all 30 markets. If $43.5 million is the FLOOR of the cap … then there’s about of third of the league that can’t reach it … and stay afloat economically, WITHOUT revenue sharing dollars.
lemon drop the gloves
August 5th, 2010
12:07 am
kulda led ahl in plus/minus, was partnered for a full-year with first ballot hall of famer (chelios), looked sharp as only 2009-2010 thrasher d-man called-up in games against powers that be chicago, washington, and pittsburgh, and he will drop gloves when needed. never too up or too down. shows tremendous will in corners. offense and shot improved as season went on. a real bargain at half a mill and more than ready for the show. this is a guy who has paid his dues – unlike cormier who needs to learn the pro game with some time in chicago. machacek is another kid who is ready now. rarely makes mistakes in own end and is a solid two-way player who does all the little things right that don’t necesssarily show up on the score-sheet. also, can drop gloves when needed and sports a solid left hand. loves to play in big games and has a memorial cup ring to prove it. played over 90 games last season and would have played entire schedule if not for cheap shot to his noggin in texas. can barry with nice accurate shot from wing and loves to work down low. kills penalties and can work power play. best of all, a real team player that exudes charisma and gets mates fire-up. had to state my case for these kids as they rarely get a mention on this blog.
R. Stroz
August 5th, 2010
8:07 am
rather than Armstrong who carried the piano with him into the offensive zone
Red Light – And all this time I thought Armstrong had a keg tied to each skate.
kracker
August 5th, 2010
8:08 am
A Little (pun) Thursday morning fun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW9Sp-WndwA
kracker
August 5th, 2010
8:10 am
They were Heineken mini-kegs, Stroz
rob
August 5th, 2010
8:45 am
a keg for each good hit he had last year huh?
rob
August 5th, 2010
8:51 am
Bill, Rawhide, Ice Man, Mr. Tiller (or whatever you may be going by these days),
It is nice to see the AJC give you top spot on the Thrashers page there! I only stop by here so much because the blog has a good perspective, some knowledgable posters, and allows me to talk hockey in a place where many don’t know the first thing about it. I also noticed the spot that previously linked to non Thrashers seems to be gone as well? Is this all a change which will continue? If we are making changes can we get Bradley off the page too, and bury Schmutz at the bottom of the page? LOL
Badger Bob
August 5th, 2010
9:00 am
Great stuff, lemon. I think most on this blog liked what they saw in Kulda and put him over Boris on the depth chart (i.e., our first choice for #6 Dman). Great to hear all that about Machacek! I take it you watch the Wolves a fair bit?
KLS1
August 5th, 2010
9:17 am
We can try to be Atlanta Blackhawks but a few things are missing, namely Toews, Kane, Hossa, Sharp, Seabrook, and Keith. Leave Niemi alone.
Time to forge an identity with what we have. I am a little concerned that the guys we have picked up from CHI(other than Ladd) may be a let down. I could chip in 15 goals a year on a line with Kane, Toews, Hossa or Sharp.
Ladd has proven he can do it as he has for a couple teams. Buff etc…I’m not so sure. I like the moves, but I’m not yet convinced.
By the way, if Chicago had been upset early in the playoffs by Nashville and they had to dismantle this team like they have, the Blackhawks would be back off the hockey radar for another 10 years.
It paid off…but was a huge risk.
Bill, Rawhide, Iceman, Mr. Tiller or whatever
August 5th, 2010
9:22 am
rob – First, thank you (and everyone else for that matter) for making this site a daily stop on your hockey reading route. It’s because of readers/poster such as yourself that the overall page-view numbers have literally gone through the roof this summer. As for getting a ‘top spot’ on the Thrashers main page…the guys downtown do that for me every once in a while if they feel the write up warrants it. I thank them as well.
I have no idea about where the ‘non-Thrashers’ links went. It might be because it’s been a while since the regular columnist have posted any Thrashers related stories. The Braves are hot right now and the Falcons are in training camp. I can understand why their attention is elsewhere right now.
shrugs…
Oh…and Mr. Tiller will work just fine
lemon drop the gloves – Nice first post. Thank you for stepping to the front of the class and presenting your opinion. I gotta agree with ya about the two players you chose to discuss. Unless something dramatically changes…say another signing or trade…I fully expect Kulda to be playing in Atlanta this fall. Machacek could very well be here too, but if the Thrashers re-sign Max or acquire a Max-esque forwrad then Spencer may be the odd man out.
Gonna be a very interesting training camp next month.
kgk
August 5th, 2010
10:50 am
after all is said and done, the thrashers will still need to score at least 4 goals every game to have a chance to win it.
Tom Lysiak
August 5th, 2010
11:03 am
Fairly prophetic statement with basically half the team new, new coaches, new system and a new GM. You may be right initially, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Brendan
August 5th, 2010
11:21 am
lemon, if Kulda and Machachek can earn roster spots, I think that’s great. That’s, ideally, how teams do it. They draft or acquire young talent, develop it, and ease it into the starting lineups.
I see Mike Modano will play in Detroit next year. Good for him. Sort of a homecoming. I’m a little bit surprised that Dallas wouldn’t make a roster spot for him, if he wanted to play another year. He certainly came cheap for Detroit, who also just reupped Darren Helm, on a nice deal.
There’s some speculation now that Niemi could be headed to the Habs, if a contract cannot be properly worked out with netminder Carey Price. Isn’t Niemi an unrestricted free agent, now that Chicago has walked away from the arbitration decision? I thik so, anyway. No need to even make a trade to get him, if they’re Montreal. I think the Habs have Alex Auld as their primary backup.
I don’t know about Niemi here. With our history of goaltenders, depth would be nice. If we have to reach out to Mannino, things could get ugly this year. But I’m confident with Mason and Pavelec for this upcoming season.
Jack
August 5th, 2010
11:23 am
Mr. Rawhide, a little off subject. But since you are the king at the ajc right now
, can you get someone to remove that article that Drew should coach the hawks and thrashers.
Thanks
Dwayne
August 5th, 2010
11:25 am
Sometimes the love shown to fellow bloggers makes me cry. sniffsniff
Rawhide
August 5th, 2010
11:29 am
Jack – LOL!!
Yeah…I’ll get my people to effort that ASAP! 
Jack
August 5th, 2010
11:43 am
Thanks Man!!!!!
GaVaHokie
August 5th, 2010
11:44 am
I’d like to see Kyle Wellwood get a camp tryout.
Russian
August 5th, 2010
12:42 pm
Max Afinogenov will make Decision at this Saturday. He has offers from NHL and KHL.
World Be Free
August 5th, 2010
12:50 pm
glovesave, I am high on Deslauriers and his potential. I think it will take alot to get him out of Edmonton and let’s face it, the Oilers ened alot. That team is a mess. I am also with you on Buff, he’s an average defenseman and a power forward. The latter is what we need.
Brendan, working towns like Buffalo and other “steel” towns want to see their players earn their money. You could pay Perreault enough, but a kid like Kennedy hasn’t earned his money yet. We really don’t know if he ever be a difference-maker and the Sabres are too small as it is. We’ll see where he ends up. My buddy, “Lou” has been an ironworker for 30+ years, a hockey player longer-$1M for 10 goals is a tough is a sell to a working man.
Midfield
August 5th, 2010
12:59 pm
Sovsport is reporting that Andrey Zuborev from the Russian “Atlant” – a defenseman – has accepted a 2-way contract offer from the Thrashers just now.
glovesave29
August 5th, 2010
1:01 pm
WBF – but EDM has painted themselves into a corner. They have a big money guy in Khabibulin who cannot be moved, and two promising young goalies in the Dubnyk and Deslauriers on one way contracts so that they cannot send down to OKC without passing through waivers. You can be sure that will not happen, so they need to trade one of the two of them.
No one is contractually bound to offer Kennedy $1M just because the arbitrator awarded that amount. If we want to throw $850K at him to see if he bites, we can do that. I’d like to see what he could do with second line minutes. The kid has a lot of promise.
Russian
August 5th, 2010
1:03 pm
Another Russian news:
1. If somebody remember Ilia Nikulin, please forget about him forever. He signed 5 years contract with Ak-Bars. He is not going to NHL.
2. Andrey Zubarev is coming here. He was 6 round pick ay 2005 draft. He will be in tranning camp amd he will sign two way contract. Thrasher managment announce this deal end of this week.
World Be Free
August 5th, 2010
1:07 pm
glovesave-the Buffalo issue with Kennedy is that they wanted him on a 2 way deal; Kennedy and his agent wanted 1 way. He played a game when he signed his first contract 2 years ago. I think the combination of the two sent him packing.
Eric Belanger is an excellent faceoff man and good 2-way player; he is still available-just saying.
The Bulin wall and his contract have a similar impact on Edmonton as Campbell’s contract on the Hawks. Now they have to move one of their kids before the season.
Canadian media has Max on the move soon, as some of you have noted. he doesn’t want to go to Russia. We will see what happens. Come on Duds!
Dwayne
August 5th, 2010
1:17 pm
I’d love to see Max back, because, when Max has the puck with speed heading towards net, I stand up to watch it, and that is when I’m sitting in my own living room. Sometimes I even dip my left shoulder too.
Rawhide
August 5th, 2010
1:20 pm
Russian – Here is the link to the Zuborev story, (I think)….translation please?
Jack
August 5th, 2010
1:26 pm
I second that. Have no clue who Zubu is. ‘Sounds like he is a d man. Specs please. Sorry for ignorance.
J.B.
August 5th, 2010
1:30 pm
here’s the rought ‘google translated’ content rawhide:
Defender Andrei Zubarev, speaking last two seasons for the Moscow Region “Atlant”, received an invitation from the club’s NHL Atlanta Thrashers.
In the coming days an agreement will be signed. According to the agent hockey player Valeri Matveyev, the contract does not provide for the return of Zubarev’s back in the first season, even if he does not fall into the basic structure “Thrashers”. Recall that Atlanta was drafted in the sixth round Zubarev under the 187-th number in 2005.
kracker
August 5th, 2010
1:35 pm
Some Zubarev background info….Russian Hockey NHL Prospects | Andrei Zubarev Atlanta Thrashers
http://www.russianprospects.com/public/profile.php?player_id=412
Russian
August 5th, 2010
1:36 pm
*to Rawhide**
I already enter my comments about Zubarev contract.
Also *J.B* translated correctly. Nothing is very serious. We have to wait and see official sign.