Atlanta Thrashers

Lore & Background

With the fourth-overall pick in the 2009 Entry Draft, the Thrashers chose forward Evander Kane. The Thrashers signed free agent forward Nik Antropov, intending to team him with Ilya Kovalchuk. The Thrashers made a trade for defenceman Pavel Kubina from the Toronto Maple Leafs, giving up Garnet Exelby in a four-player deal. The team failed to make the Stanley Cup playoffs, and at the end of the regular season, the team announced that it would not retain John Anderson as head coach. The Thrashers also promoted Don Waddell to president and Rick Dudley to general manager. Assistant coaches Randy Cunneyworth, Todd Nelson and Steve Weeks were also not retained.

In Their Own Story

The 2009–10 season began with the Thrashers selecting forward Evander Kane with the fourth-overall pick in the Entry Draft. They signed free agent forward Nik Antropov, intending to team him with Ilya Kovalchuk. A trade brought defenceman Pavel Kubina from the Toronto Maple Leafs, with Garnet Exelby going the other way in a four-player deal. The regular season ended with the Thrashers failing to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs. Following the season, the team announced it would not retain head coach John Anderson. Don Waddell was promoted to president and Rick Dudley to general manager. Assistant coaches Randy Cunneyworth, Todd Nelson and Steve Weeks were also not retained.

Reader's Guide

The Thrashers' 2009–10 season was their 11th in the NHL. Key offseason moves included drafting Evander Kane fourth overall, signing free agent Nik Antropov, and trading for defenceman Pavel Kubina. The team did not make the Stanley Cup playoffs. After the season, the organization underwent significant changes: head coach John Anderson was not retained, Don Waddell was promoted to president, Rick Dudley became general manager, and assistant coaches Randy Cunneyworth, Todd Nelson, and Steve Weeks were also let go.

Did You Know?

• The 2009–10 season was the 11th season of play for the NHL franchise.
• The Thrashers chose forward Evander Kane with the fourth-overall pick in the 2009 Entry Draft.
• The Thrashers signed free agent forward Nik Antropov, intending to team him with Ilya Kovalchuk.
• The Thrashers traded for defenceman Pavel Kubina from the Toronto Maple Leafs, giving up Garnet Exelby in a four-player deal.
• After the season, the team announced it would not retain John Anderson as head coach, and promoted Don Waddell to president and Rick Dudley to general manager.