Atlanta Assigns Nine to AHL

[chilly666]

The Atlanta Thrashers have assigned nine players, including four forwards, four defensemen and one goaltender from their training camp roster to the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League, according to Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell.

Forwards Joey Crabb, Jason Krog, Spencer Machacek and Tim Stapleton, along with defensemen Arturs Kulda, Grant Lewis, Paul Postma and Mike Vernace and goaltender Drew McIntyre, will report to the Wolves. The Thrashers training camp roster now stands at 27 players, including 15 forwards, eight defenseman and four goaltenders. The NHL’s Opening Day Playing Roster deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 3 p.m.

[bigjohnson]

How can Jason Krog not make an awful Atlanta team?

[I_am_Belak_2]

He's small... Plus, it's better Krog than Gratton, right?

[bigjohnson]

Originally Posted by I_am_Belak_2

He's small... Plus, it's better Krog than Gratton, right?

No doubt I'd rather see Gratton. But Krog has to be better than a few forwards on the team (I haven't looked at a roster).

[McDonald19]

So 4 more cuts. I assume it will be 2 goalies, 1 d-man, 1 forward.

Lets hope Gratton isn't the forward.

[Sourdoughkeeper]

I love how people can trash a team when they havent even looked at the roster.

Yeah Atlanta had 76 pts last season, but in the second half they played at the level of a playoff bubble team. And theres still more top 6ers than the top 6 has room for. So it shouldnt be too much of a stretch that a journeyman doesnt make the NHL club. I like Krog because he always seems to work his ass off no matter where he is, but I just dont think he wouldve been one of the top 7 choices for top 6 forwards. I say that based on an assumption on my part that they carry a scorer for the healthy scratch. If they do, I think he'd be the first callup for a top 6er. If they dont keep a scorer for the healthy scratch forward, I think he'd probly be the second callup for a top 6er.

Heres to hoping JGratts, whos had a hell of a camp with three goals and some damn good fights, makes the team and gets a legit shot at playing a full season. But since theyve sent down Crabb, I kinda think theyre gonna keep Gratton around. Unless they do go with a skill guy for the 13th.

[I_am_Belak_2]

I'm looking at the roster and I really can't see any forward they would send down, unless they send Kane down...

[chilly666]

Originally Posted by bigjohnson

How can Jason Krog not make an awful Atlanta team?

Originally Posted by bigjohnson

No doubt I'd rather see Gratton. But Krog has to be better than a few forwards on the team (I haven't looked at a roster).

krog is too small as stated and needs to be on one of the top two lines which are filled up.

Originally Posted by McDonald19

So 4 more cuts. I assume it will be 2 goalies, 1 d-man, 1 forward.

Lets hope Gratton isn't the forward.

i put a roster prediction in the josh gratton thread in nhl chat forum. gratton i think will be sent down cause afinogenov and fritsche will get contracts and fritsche can play pk to give him he edge over gratts.

[Sourdoughkeeper]

Originally Posted by I_am_Belak_2

I'm looking at the roster and I really can't see any forward they would send down, unless they send Kane down...

A lot of people seem to think that Kane could use another year in juniors, so I could see that happening. Besides, it just seems like Bogosian got a lot more praise and attention in camps before his rookie season, so I have to wonder if theyre as high on Kane as they were on Bogosian.

[I_am_Belak_2]

Nevermind, I forgot about Afinogenov and Fritsche, and they weren't listed on the roster.

[Sourdoughkeeper]

Originally Posted by I_am_Belak_2

Nevermind, I forgot about Afinogenov and Fritsche, and they weren't listed on the roster.

Yeah theyre on PTOs. Im thinking Mad Max makes it but Fritsche doesnt. Reason being: thereve been some rumblings that Thor and Slater have been pretty good on the PK this preseason, and theyre already under contract. If they are indeed solid PK guys I could see the Thrashers standing pat regarding Fritsche and not signing him.

[I_am_Belak_2]

Is Gratton on a two-way or one-way?

[chilly666]

Originally Posted by I_am_Belak_2

Is Gratton on a two-way or one-way?

two-way contract

[I_am_Belak_2]

So they can send him down without having to clear waivers...

[shedthemitts]

I doubt Gratton makes it. As someone said before, Afinogenov and Fritsche will more than likely get contracts. In order to survive cuts, he's gotta beat out Boulton, which he has no real shot of doing.