I started following hockey during the oilers' run to the finals. After the detroit series, I had to go back to meet my parents. Hence I did not get to see any other game. I remember sitting in my home in Abu Dhabi and reading game summaries on nhl.com and trying to make sense out of it. I had no clue what was going on. I had no idea who Peca or Staois were. I knew only 4 players. Smyth, Smith, Torres and Hemsky. Pronger's point totals made me think he was out premier forward. Really. I was just thrilled that we managed to win many nail-biting series and might win it all. 

After the summer, I cam back and then started playing NHL 05. It was there that I started to learn this game. I finally understood the true value of Pronger. I started to understand the penalties, the rules, the players and their roles. So much of my early learning was due to a computer game. In NHL 05, the best forward was Kovalchuk and one of the better goalies was Lehtonen. I always had to have both of them on my team. Hence my fascination with Thrashers begun. Since then, thrashers are a team I have followed closely and have rooted for their success. 

Finally the thrashers were winning games in the regular season and a playoff berth looked likely. I remember that on the trade deadline, they were one of the most active players. I have to say, DW made some real bonehead moves. No, not talking about the players who they acquired, but what he had to give up. Since oilers were losing games in the dozens, the Thrashers were my team. However, they got destroyed in the playoffs and my summer ended early. 

That summer I started to research about the state of the Thrashers. Not unlike the CBJs, the Thrashers too were plagued by terrible drafting. I dont know another GM who has done a worse jog of drafting and trading than DW. Of course he got Kovy, Heater and Lehtonen, but he couldnt have gotten wrong with either of them. However no picks in the other rounds worked out for them. Then there was the Coburn for Zhitnik trade followed by millions of draft picks for Tkachuk. It is only now, in the last 2 years that DW has gotten smarter( or he changed his advisory crew).

He made some good picks in Pavlec, Bogosian and Kane.

Made some smart trades to get players like Kubina, Armstrong.

Singed good FAs in Reasoner, Antropov, Hainsey. 

But he has some luck too. Peverley fell into his hands. Tobias Entsrom developed into a real good defenseman. 

Now the Thrashers are ready to Thrash their opponents(cheesy lol). Marty reasoner is their 4th line center and that means they have good depth with 3 good scoring lines. They have a good group of top 4 D-men. and a young hot goalie.

Players to look out for:

Kovalchuk: he has 12 goals in 10 games. MOre importantly has 7 points(3G 4 A) since his return from injury(I feel so smart for oikcing him up in my fantasy league). He is showing great chemistry with his Russian linemates and doesnt look like he is going to slow down. 

Bogosian: The 19 year old sophomore leads the league in the goals by a D-man. He is smart player and leads the Thrashers in TOI/G and blocked shots. He is second on the team in hits and shots taken. He defensively responsible and one of the most well rounded young Defenseman. 

Rich Peverly: He is the new Mike Richards. He has been on fire since he joined the thrashers and his helping young Evander Kane to realise his potential asap. 

Brian Little: Last seasons' 30 goal scorer hasn't really lit the lamp well this time around. Will today be the day he breaks out of his slump. 

It should be an interesting game. I will be praying to find a link to be able to watch this game!!!!