After Kovalchuk and Heatley: The other Thrasher Prospects

By Luc Villeneuve
The Atlanta Thrashers have been one of the worst clubs in the NHL the last couple of years, and the privilege of this is getting low draft picks. GM Don Wandell certainly took advantage of this by selecting Dany Heatley 2nd overall in 2000 and Ilya Kovalchuk in 2001. The future looks extremely bright for the Thrashers with these two amazing rookies, but they will certainly not be able to win alone. So here is a list of 7 prospects that should join them in the next couple of years:

Michael Garnett: With no other promising goaltenders in the future for the Thrashers, Garnett is by far the best goaltending prospect in for the club. The Saskatoon native, should be able to develop as a number one goalie in the league one day.

Kamil Piros: This center was acquired for former Thrashers star Donald Audette from the Buffalo Sabres at the trade deadline in 2001. After finishing his amazing season with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL, he should take Ray Ferraro’s place on the roster next year and will stay there for a long time.

Luke Sellars: The former Ottawa 67′s defenceman has spent the season in the AHL and has been far from great. Almost re-entered the 2001 entry draft by signing with the Thrashers on the last possible day. Should have a couple of more seasons left with the Wolves before graduating with the big club. He was recently reassigned to the club’s ECHL affiliate in Greenville.

Zdenek Blatny: Was considered a steal by the Thrashers when they selected him in 68th overall in the first entry draft in 1999. He had been an offensive force with the Ice and Thunderbirds of the WHL but has been far from the same player with the Wolves this season. He will probably regain his offensive touch next season and join Kovalchuk in Atlanta in a couple of years.

Ilya Nikulin: Probably the best defenceman prospect for the Thrashers. Expected to be a first rounder in 2000, he was eventually selected 31st overall. He has the potential to be a superstar defenceman and should pick up many assists with Kovalchuk and Heatley in 2 to 3 years.

Kurtis Foster: Another big solid defenceman to come out of the Peterborough Petes of the OHL, just like superstar Chris Pronger of the Blues. Newly acquired from the Calgary Flames with Jeff Cowan for Petr Buzek. He had started the year in the CHL but has joined the Chicago Wolves and he has played well since.

”The first round pick”: This pick which should be a very early one in the draft may be traded to acquire a veteran goaltender and defencemen but if the Thrashers decide to keep it, it could become very interesting. The players who will probably selected in this slot, should be Jay Boumeester(defenceman) or Kari Lehtonen(goalie). So the question is, will they trade the pick or keep it an draft a potential star?