NHL 2008 Season Preview: Atlanta Thrashers Love Their Talented Prospects

After landing nearly at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings last season, the Atlanta Thrashers are looking to move some bodies around when preparing for the coming year. Last season saw the Thrashers defense break down, and as they entered the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, they selected heavily on the defensive side of the puck. As they move into the coming season, they will also need to improve all aspects of their game in order to make the playoffs this season. Bryan Little is one of the players that could help make that a reality.

Little played in 48 games for Atlanta last season and netted 6 goals and 10 assists. The 5-foot-11 190-pounder will strive to put on some more weight in the off season, and improve both his strength and stamina. There is no reason why Little wouldn't remain with the team next season, as his face-off percentage was also excellent with 45.1 percent. Although the 20 year old can't be considered a prospect anymore, we will explore those players who may make the cut this upcoming season.

Angelo Esposito came to Atlanta in the deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins involving Marian Hossa and Pascal Dupuis in exchange for Colby Armstrong, Erik Christensen and a first round draft pick with whom Atlanta selected Daultan Leveille. Esposito is an excellent skater who captained the Team Canada Under-18 World Junior team in 2006. In 2005-2006 Esposito put up ridiculous numbers with 98 points, which was the second highest scoring total for a rookie just behind Philadelphia Flyers prospect Claude Giroux who had 103 points. Along with wingers Mathieu Melanson, who scored 86 points, and Alex Radulov, who had 152 points that season, Esposito lead the Quebec Ramparts to the Memorial Cup. Esposito entered the 2007 Entry Draft as the potential number one draft pick, but was eventually selected number 20 overall. Esposito finished the 2007-2008 season with strong numbers, posting 30 goals and 69 points in 59 games. He will be expected to enter training camp with a hunger to make the NHL, and the Thrashers expect that if he can continue to play his game; he will make the team this coming season.

Our next prospect was a finalist for the Hobey Baker award, which is awarded to the MVP of college hockey, in 2004-2005 and in 2005-2006. In 2006-2007 Brett Sterling also was named the rookie of the year in the American Hockey League playing with the Chicago Wolves. Sterling led the AHL in goals that year, which hasn't been done since 1989 by a rookie, with 55. He also starred in the AHL All-Star Classic where he earned the MVP there as well. Sterling played 13 games with Atlanta last season and posted a goal and 2 assists. He then was sent down to Chicago where he finished the season strong with 38 goals and 71 points, leading the Wolves to the AHL Calder Cup Championship. Look for Sterling to be wearing a Thrashers jersey this coming season, and expect a few goals from him as well.

The Thrashers are extremely happy with the development of goaltender Ondrej Pavelec. He finished last season going 33-15-4 with the Championship winning Chicago Wolves. He posted a 2.77 goals against average with 2 shutouts and a .911 save percentage. Pavelec is a native of Czech Republic whose 6-foot-2 200 pound frame fills the net nicely. Pavelec is one of those goalies who has the ability to keep teams in games they don't belong in, and this is a valuable tool for a team lacking on defense. Pavelec spent 7 games playing with Atlanta last season where he recorded a 3.11 goals against average and a .905 save percentage. Look for his performance in training camp this year to determine whether he plays for Chicago for one more season or makes the leap to the NHL.