With the Thrashers eliminated from the playoffs so early, there was great opportunity to get a look at many prospects this year. Fifteen rookies saw time with the Thrashers (rookies are players with fewer than 25 NHL games going into the 2002-03 season). Not all rookies were true prospects, some had graduated from prospecthood but are still fighting to make the NHL. This review covers both, with ages included so that readers can make the distinction.
The table below shows the 15 rookies’ stats, in order by points per game (since it is a bit unfair to compare the stats of someone who played a handful of games to someone who played 40 games). Below that is a player-by-player review. Players are examined in rough order of how well they did with the big club, first among guys who played 10 or more games, then among guys who played 4 games and fewer. This review purposely does not take into account information about their AHL seasons, it discusses their play at the NHL level only. For information on how they are playing at the AHL level, please see various roadtrip reports.
Statistical Summary 2002-03 Rookies
|
Pos.
|
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GP
|
G
|
A
|
Pts
|
PPG
|
+/-
|
ATOI
|
PIMs
|
Shots
|
|
| Piros |
C
|
3
|
3
|
2
|
5
|
1.33
|
4
|
17:05
|
2
|
8
|
| DiPenta |
D
|
3
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
.66
|
3
|
15:47
|
0
|
2
|
|
Snyder
|
C
|
36
|
10
|
4
|
14
|
.39
|
-4
|
10:53
|
34
|
41
|
|
Hartigan
|
C
|
23
|
5
|
2
|
7
|
.30
|
-8
|
10:51
|
6
|
25
|
|
Exelby
|
D
|
15
|
0
|
2
|
2
|
.13
|
0
|
18:03
|
41
|
9
|
|
Butsayev
|
C
|
16
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
.13
|
-5
|
12:04
|
8
|
21
|
|
Safronov
|
D
|
32
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
.13
|
-10
|
14:49
|
14
|
21
|
|
Weaver
|
D
|
40
|
0
|
5
|
5
|
.13
|
-5
|
18:37
|
20
|
21
|
|
Lessard
|
RW
|
18
|
0
|
2
|
2
|
.11
|
1
|
5:39
|
61
|
7
|
|
Simon
|
C
|
10
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
.10
|
0
|
9:24
|
9
|
7
|
|
Gamache
|
LW
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
.00
|
-1
|
12:37
|
2
|
3
|
|
Foster
|
D
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
.00
|
-2
|
11:05
|
0
|
1
|
|
Blatny
|
LW
|
4
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
.00
|
-1
|
10:31
|
0
|
2
|
| Vigier |
RW
|
13
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
.00
|
-13
|
14:07
|
4
|
21
|
Individual player reviews
For more information on each player, click the link on their name to see their HF profile.
Ten or more games
|
Pos.
|
GP
|
G
|
A
|
Pts
|
PPG
|
+/-
|
ATOI
|
PIMs
|
Shots
|
|
C
|
36
|
10
|
4
|
14
|
.39
|
-4
|
10:53
|
34
|
41
|
Dan Snyder (age 24) started the year with the Thrashers, but got sent down Oct. 30th during a bad losing streak. He was called back up Jan. 20th. He played on the 4th line, mostly at center. Snyder played with poise and heart, as well if not better than at the end of last year. He hits, forechecks well, and is particularly good at drawing penalties. He was allowed to show his offensive talent on the latest call-up, since many scorers were out of the line-up. Saw some time on the PP. His season was ended a bit early due to a foot/ankle injury. He needs to put on some weight, especially upper body muscle during the offseason since he gets pushed around a bit in games. Roster spot almost certain for 2003-04.
|
Pos.
|
GP
|
G
|
A
|
Pts
|
PPG
|
+/-
|
ATOI
|
PIMs
|
Shots
|
|
D
|
40
|
0
|
5
|
5
|
.13
|
-5
|
18:37
|
20
|
21
|
Mike Weaver (age 24) was called up Oct. 30th when Thrashers were in a losing streak in order to shake up the lineup. Played very well, and not only secured a roster spot, but for a long period was on the top performing D pairing with Andy Sutton. Weaver is an excellent hitter, despite his small size, and moves the puck well. Was sent down shortly after the arrival of Bob Hartley in a roster crunch on Feb. 11th, likely because he could clear waivers. Weaver averaged 18:37 per game, seventh among NHL rookies. He may or may not be in the Thrashers future plans. Likely to remain a depth player for the Thrashers as younger prospects finally take jobs with the big club.
|
Pos.
|
GP
|
G
|
A
|
Pts
|
PPG
|
+/-
|
ATOI
|
PIMs
|
Shots
|
|
D
|
15
|
0
|
2
|
2
|
.13
|
0
|
18:03
|
41
|
9
|
Garnet Exelby (age 21) would have been called up sooner if not for a broken finger. He was called up on March 11 when roster spot opened at trade deadline (Smehlik). Made his NHL debut that night against New Jersey, and scored his first NHL point, an assist, at Columbus on March 22. This is only his second pro season, but he fit right in with the team upon arrival. Excellent hitter and decent fighter, he also moves the puck out of the zone effectively. He was occasionally out of position in the defensive zone, especially on a cycle, but got better over his stay. He was paired mostly with the veteran Kaberle, which worked well. He played a lot of key minutes, and was ranked fourteenth among NHL rookies for average time on ice with 18:03. Almost certain to make the team full time next season.
|
Pos.
|
GP
|
G
|
A
|
Pts
|
PPG
|
+/-
|
ATOI
|
PIMs
|
Shots
|
|
C
|
10
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
.10
|
0
|
9:24
|
9
|
7
|
Ben Simon (age 24) was called up briefly in February, then called up second time on March 26th when Dan Snyder went out with injury. Simon played above expectations both times. He played wing on the 4th line, and then center when Snyder was out. He showed good hustle, smart decisions, physicality and the ability to get open in the slot for scoring chances. He played a little bit of PP time, and went to the front of the net very well, something that’s been lacking on the Thrashers PP. Simon leads the team in hits in almost every game he plays. Could challenge for a roster spot in 2003-04.
|
Pos.
|
GP
|
G
|
A
|
Pts
|
PPG
|
+/-
|
ATOI
|
PIMs
|
Shots
|
|
D
|
32
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
.13
|
-10
|
14:49
|
14
|
21
|
Kirill Safronov (age 22) started the year with the Thrashers, but looked tentative and poor defensively and was sent down for more seasoning Oct. 25th. Was up again briefly due to injuries in December, but barely played. When he came back up again in February to stay, he gradually got better. He is more assertive in his defensive coverage, and gradually less likely to take the wrong man. Safronov is most effective along the boards. Played with various partners, largely Tremblay at the end of the season. The big question with Safronov is whether he can play consistently over long stretches. Will challenge for a roster spot in 2003-04, but don’t be surprised to see him on the shuttle again next year.
|
Pos.
|
GP
|
G
|
A
|
Pts
|
PPG
|
+/-
|
ATOI
|
PIMs
|
Shots
|
|
C
|
23
|
5
|
2
|
7
|
.30
|
-8
|
10:51
|
6
|
25
|
Mark Hartigan (age 25) started the year in the minors, called up to the Thrashers on Nov. 26th. Sent back after poor play Dec. 9th. Called up again Feb 25th, and stayed with the team until near the end of the season. Hartigan played everywhere from the second to the fourth line, mostly center but occasional wing too. He scored in streaks in March by going to the open spots, but never really developed good chemistry with any of his linemates. Away from the net, his game needs a lot of work. He’s lacking true NHL speed, so needs to play smart to be effective. His biggest downfall is that he misses defensive assignments. He takes the wrong man, or no man a lot. He possesses a scoring touch, but his game is not consistent. He’ll play physical, but only in spurts. Could also stand to work on puckhandling. Hartigan needs to work much harder, and score consistently, if he’s going to make it in the NHL.
Savard and Stefan remain the scoring line centers ahead of Hartigan on the depth chart, so it will be a challenge to carve out a niche for himself. Hartigan may have to move to wing, or become much better defensively to find a place on the team longterm. Although 25, this was Hartigan’s first full pro season. He desparately needs to have a good camp in the fall. Will likely remain on the shuttle between Chicago and Atlanta.
|
Pos.
|
GP
|
G
|
A
|
Pts
|
PPG
|
+/-
|
ATOI
|
PIMs
|
Shots
|
|
RW
|
18
|
0
|
2
|
2
|
.11
|
1
|
5:39
|
61
|
7
|
Francis Lessard (age 23) was assigned to Chicago Dec. 9th, and recalled from Chicago on March 26th. The plan was to convert this tough natural defenseman to a winger this year, however, injuries to defensemen in Chicago meant that he had to go back and forth between positions there. Played wing on the 4th line for the Thrashers, most recently with Simon and Cowan. Had his first career point against the Islanders Oct. 19th. Averaged only 5:39 in icetime per game. Lessard is a tough customer, he had one of the highest major penalty to games played ratio in the NHL. He has a few things to work on though, namely not taking himself out of position to make a hit, not taking bad penalties, and general positioning/game awareness. Does possess decent speed. Will likely remain in the minors until he rounds out his game.
|
Pos.
|
GP
|
G
|
A
|
Pts
|
PPG
|
+/-
|
ATOI
|
PIMs
|
Shots
|
| Vigier |
RW
|
13
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
.00
|
-13
|
14:07
|
4
|
21
|
JP Vigier (age 26) was called up on Dec. 14th, and sent back to Chicago Jan. 15th. Played with various lines. Vigier did not hurt the team when he was up because he took his defensive responsibilities seriously, but he is a scorer and did not score a single point in 13 games. This will likely be his last opportunity. Will finish career in minors.
Players with 4 and Fewer Games
|
Pos.
|
GP
|
G
|
A
|
Pts
|
PPG
|
+/-
|
ATOI
|
PIMs
|
Shots
|
|
| Piros |
C
|
3
|
3
|
2
|
5
|
1.33
|
4
|
17:05
|
2
|
8
|
Kamil Piros (age 24) would have been called up earlier in the season, but he was injured for a good part of the season. He was only called up on April 2nd, but made the most of his three games with the team. He stunned everyone, even himself, by getting a hat trick in the final game of the season. Not only is it unusual to score your first three NHL goals in the form of a hat trick, but this was particularly surprising in his case since his skills are more those of a playmaker than a shooter.
Piros was much better all around on this last call up than he was last year. He forechecked well, and was very responsible and effective defensively. He got to a lot of loose pucks with good positioning and a good first step. He went to the front of the net on the PP. He mostly centered Kovalchuk and Bartecko, but since Savard was out in the last game and there were only three centers, he spent a good deal of time with Heatley and Kozlov as well. The line of Kovalchuk-Piros-Bartecko really clicked and had a number of chances. Piros seems to have some real chemistry with Kovalchuk (going back to preseason last year) which can’t hurt his chances on the team. Piros actually finished with the best +/- on the Thrashers, at +4. With the Thrashers thin at skilled centers, so Piros is in a good position–a good camp could land him a spot on the roster.
|
Pos.
|
GP
|
G
|
A
|
Pts
|
PPG
|
+/-
|
ATOI
|
PIMs
|
Shots
|
|
| DiPenta |
D
|
3
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
.66
|
3
|
15:47
|
0
|
2
|
Joe DiPenta (age 24) was called up at the end of the season due to injury to Daniel Tjarnqvist. He looked very solid in his debut stint, did not look not out of place at all. He was remarkably calm with the puck for a debut player. He made some errors in coverage, especially in the slot, but that’s normal for a rookie. Not known for his scoring, DiPenta scored his first NHL goal and first NHL assist in the same game, April 5th against the Rangers. A testament to his good play was that he averaged 15:47 in icetime in his three games. He also finished with the best +/- among defensemen, at +3. He was paired with veteran Chris Tamer most of the time. Could challenge for a roster spot in the fall, and certainly will see time in injury situations.
|
Pos.
|
GP
|
G
|
A
|
Pts
|
PPG
|
+/-
|
ATOI
|
PIMs
|
Shots
|
|
|
Blatny
|
LW
|
4
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
.00
|
-1
|
10:31
|
0
|
2
|
Zdenek Blatny (age 22) was brought up Mar. 19th due to Stefan’s injury, played in only four games and was sent back Mar. 25th. Placed on the third line with Hrkac and Svartvadet. He played well enough there that he was tried out on the top line (with Heatley) and given some PP time as well. Blatny forechecked well, was solid defensively, and showed some offensive flash. Where his development goes from here is anyone’s guess. Not likely to challenge for a roster spot in 2003-04, but could be called up again for a look if there is space to do so.
|
Pos.
|
GP
|
G
|
A
|
Pts
|
PPG
|
+/-
|
ATOI
|
PIMs
|
Shots
|
|
|
Gamache
|
LW
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
.00
|
-1
|
12:37
|
2
|
3
|
Simon Gamache (age 22) was called up on Mar. 7th when the Thrashers were experiencing a scoring slump. Played two games and was returned to Chicago Mar.10th. Gamache played on the second line with Kovalchuk and Stefan. He was held scoreless in both games, with 3 shots and was -1. Gamache got outmuscled a lot, both in front of the net, and along the boards, which wasn’t a surprise given his small size. He also had problems with positioning, both on breakouts and offensive rushes. He did not look ready for the NHL. Gamache needs to round out his game and increase his footspeed in order to play at this level. This is only his second pro season–he will likely get a little longer look sometime next year, but will remain in Chicago most of the 2003-04 season.
|
Pos.
|
GP
|
G
|
A
|
Pts
|
PPG
|
+/-
|
ATOI
|
PIMs
|
Shots
|
|
|
Foster
|
D
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
.00
|
-2
|
11:05
|
0
|
1
|
Kurtis Foster (age 21) was called up Mar. 31st due to suspension of Chris Tamer. Played only two games and was sent back. He played with Tjarnqvist in one game, Exelby in the second. Foster looked shaky and tentative in his debut game and did not play after the Rangers scored the tying goal in the third period on his watch. Known for his powerful shot from the point, he had no PP time in the Buffalo game and only one shift in the Ranger game. Hartley is going to make him earn his PP time. Foster took no shots in his first game, only one shot in the second. His positioning needs work, which was not a surprise at all. He did do a good job of standing guys up at the blue line. This was his first full pro season. He will spend another year in the minors, getting a better taste of the NHL if the Thrashers do not make the playoffs again next year, and again have the luxury of giving the youngsters a chance at the end of the year.
Jeff Farkas was called up due to injury shortly after his trade. He spent three games with the Thrashers, then was sent to the Chicago Wolves, where he suffered a broken vertebrae in his neck. This injury has turned out to be career-ending. Best of luck to Jeff in his future endeavors.
Yuri Butsayev has gone back to Russia to play, per the terms of his contract. Although the Thrashers still own his rights, it is unlikely that he will return to North America.