Atlanta Thrashers sign vet Modin; youth still served?

Atlanta Thrashers correspondent Laura Astorian looks at the recent Fredik Modin signing, which will possibly have more repercussions that intended.

The Thrashers recently signed free agent left winger Fredrik Modin to a one year, $800,000 contract.  Bargain basement prices – right around Maxim Afinogenov’s deal last year, as a matter of fact.  Like Max, Modin is a former 30 goal scorer.  Also like Max, he is known for being injury prone and a liability.

Apparently General Manager Rick Dudley is flashing back to the Modin he worked with in Tampa Bay, because he’s hoping the winger can replace Afinogenov’s 24 goals and 61 points.  Dudley was pegged as saying that he wanted to get a top scorer to replace the goals lost with the departure of Afinogenov and Kovalchuk – and he was also quoted as saying the kids will play this year.  The Modin signing makes both increasingly unlikely.  Modin is not a top tier scorer.  No word leaked regarding the Thrashers looking at signing a player of Lee Stempniak or Alex Ponikarovsky, but a player of that mold – as streaky as they are – would have been a better fix than someone who last scored 30 goals four years ago.

Bringing in Modin also will more than likely take playing time away from one of the up and comers – either Alex Burmistrov up at forward or Artus Kulda at defense.  Burmistrov, who had an encouraging prospect camp and who is said to be bulking up for the rookie camp that starts on September 13th, has been expected to make a run for a roster position.  Kulda played several games last season and looked ready to go as well – but if Modin fills in at forward it will more than likely bump Dustin Byfuglien back to defense – which will leave the position of 7th defenseman to be between Kulda and Boris Valabik.

It looks like more spaces than usual will be up for grabs at camp this year.

Laura Astorian
NHLHS Atlanta Thrashers Correspondent
lastorian@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @hildymac