 Can the Atlanta Thrashers actually compete for ticket sales in a city consumed by football? Yes they can, especially with the moves they are making which are dedicated to putting a great product on the ice and making a run for the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Thrashers started slow last season up until around the All-Star break. However, once superstar Ilya Kovalchuk was named team captain in January, he began to play exceptionally – averaging more than a point per game. Seemingly an additional result of Kovalchuk's resurgence, Atlanta's play on the ice improved noticeably as well; the Thrashers finished with one the league's best records in the second half of the season, providing optimism for the team and fans alike. The Thrashers made some significant moves in the offseason, beginning with the acquisition of forward Nik Antropov at the urging of Kovalchuk. Apparently the captain actively recruited his countryman to join him in Atlanta which paid dividends in the form of a high-scoring linemate. The other major move was a trade that brought in imposing defender Pavel Kubina, which should give the defense a major boost. Finally, young center Evander Kane was the fourth overall pick in the NHL draft, and appears to be in position to help the team immediately. Atlanta's offense revolves around the explosive abilities of Kovalchuk. A former Richard Trophy winner, he has never really been surrounded by a great amount of talent, and it will be interesting to see how he engages with Antropov. The team's performance on the ice this season could go a long way towards keeping one of the five most talented players on the planet in Atlanta instead of losing him to free agency next season, so everyone may be stepping up their game. Kovalchuk isn't the only threat for the Thrashers, with Vyacheslav Kozloz, Brian Little, Todd White, and Colby Armstrong, all breaking the 20-goal mark last year, and young center Rich Peverly was one of Atlanta's best players down the stretch. Add Kane and Antropov to the equation and there is the potential for a big jump in scoring this year. Another big boost to the Thrashers will be the presence of Kubina on the blue line, possessing a cannon of a shot with the potential to really help the offensive attack. Don't forget about Toby Enstrom and Ron Hainsey either – both are strong two way players, and Enstrom really turned into a great puck mover last season. On top of that, rookie Zach Bogosian was probably Atlanta's best defenseman last year until he was brought down by an injury, and a full year of production from him could make a huge difference as well. Kovalchuk is primed to have an exceptional season; his pace after being named captain last year would have resulted in a 60-goal/110-point output over a full season, plus he is in a contract year so you know Kovy will be looking to fill the net a lot this season. With all of this talent on hand, get your tickets and head to the Philips Arena to watch the Atlanta Thrashers make their run for the playoffs and the Stanley Cup.
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