Atlanta Thrashers Re-Sign Nurminen, Sutton, Larsen, Lessard, Kloucek

[VodkaFish]

The Atlanta Thrashers have re-signed restricted free agent goaltender Pasi Nurminen, defensemen Andy Sutton and Tomas Kloucek, and forwards Brad Larsen and Francis Lessard, according to Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell.

"Each of these players has played an important role on our club and we’re happy to have agreed to terms with them," said Waddell. "We look forward to their continued support in helping us take the next step this season."

Nurminen, who split the 2004-05 season with Lahti of the Finnish Elite League and Malmo of the Swedish Elite League, has posted a 48-54-12 record, five shutouts and a 2.87 goals-against average in 125 NHL games with Atlanta. Nurminen, 29, is Atlanta's all-time leader in games, wins, GAA and save percentage.

The 5-10, 215-pound goaltender notched a 2-7-6 record and a 2.98 GAA in 16 games with Lahti, and earned a 2.94 GAA and a team-best three shutouts in 30 contests with Malmo. He posted a 25-30-7 record, three shutouts, 2.77 GAA and .904 save percentage in 2003-04, while setting Thrashers single-season records and NHL career highs in victories, GAA, starts (62), games (64) and minutes (3,738).

Sutton, 30, who split the 2004-05 season between ZSC of the Swiss National League and GCK of the Swiss B League, has registered 64 points (17 goals, 47 assists) and 565 penalty minutes in 301 NHL games with San Jose, Minnesota and Atlanta. The 6-6, 245-pound defenseman earned four points (two goals, two assists) and eight penalty minutes in eight games with ZSC, and added 26 points (eight goals, 18 assists) and 58 penalty minutes in 18 games with GCK.

The native of Kingston, Ontario, topped Thrashers blue-liners with a career-high eight goals, while matching his career best with 21 points in 65 games in 2003-04.

Larsen, 28, who set AHL career highs with 26 goals, 49 points and 75 games with Chicago last season, has collected 16 points (four goals, 12 assists) in 98 NHL games with Colorado and Atlanta. The 6-0, 200-pound left wing helped the Wolves advance to the 2005 Calder Cup Finals, finishing fourth on team with 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 18 playoff games.

The native of Nakusp, British Columbia, played for three teams in 2003-04, notching two penalty minutes in six games with Atlanta, four points (two goals, two assists) and 11 penalty minutes in 26 games with Colorado and 17 points (four goals, 13 assists) and 40 penalty minutes in 21 games with Hershey (AHL). Larsen, claimed off waivers from Colorado on Feb. 25, 2004, has registered 189 points (82 goals, 107 assists) and 427 penalty minutes in 323 AHL games with Hershey and Chicago from 1997-2005.

Lessard, 26, has collected four points (one goal, three assists) and 268 penalty minutes in 85 career NHL games with Atlanta. The 6-2, 225-pound right wing placed ninth in the NHL and set the Thrashers single-season rookie record with 181 penalty minutes in a career-best 62 games in 2003-04.

The native of Montreal, Quebec, set the team's single-game record with 32 penalty minutes against Buffalo on March 17, 2004. He has recorded 38 points (11 goals, 27 assists) and 1,225 penalty minutes in 259 AHL games with Philadelphia and Chicago.

Kloucek, 25, who registered six points (three goals, three assists) and 64 penalty minutes in 48 games with three teams in the Czech Republic Extraleague last season, has notched 10 points (two goals, eight assists) and 248 penalty minutes in 140 NHL games with the New York Rangers, Nashville and Atlanta.

The native of Prague, Czech Republic split the 2003-04 season between Atlanta and Nashville, notching 25 penalty minutes in 37 games with the Thrashers and one assist in five contests with the Predators. He was acquired by Atlanta from Nashville with Ben Simon for Simon Gamache and Kirill Safronov on Dec. 2, 2003.

[Fighting Wombats]

It was only a matter of time before they resigned Lessard...did yall really think we would take Boulton over Frankie!!!!????

[shedthemitts]

I believe Lessard signed an NHL/AHL contract, right? If so, he'll probably spend significant time in the minors...

[poop beetle]

Originally Posted by puckstopper20

I believe Lessard signed an NHL/AHL contract, right? If so, he'll probably spend significant time in the minors...

He did sign an AHL / NHL contract, but he'll also probably mame Boulton in training camp.
So Atlanta fans will be happy once again with Lessard being the #1 Enforcer on the team, not Bolts. I predict Lessard will chew Boulton up in training camp, and the Thrashers will go with a Lessard / Boulton tandem, after Bolts heals from an possible beatings Lessard delivers in training camp and/or practice.

The real questions rest on Brennan's future with the Thrashers IMO.

[HordiBrusk29]

Regardless of what Lessard does or doesn't do to Boulton during training camp, Boulton will likely be the #1 guy in Atlanta. If Lessard was in fact signed to a two way contract that means Boulton has the job.

Boulton is less of a liability on the ice, therefore he is more valuable to the Thrashers.

[shedthemitts]

As much as it sucks for some of you, the tougher players who can't skate in the NHL aren't going to see very much ice time with the new rules this season. I'm a fan of the tough guys he can skate with the play and chip in here and there, like Boulton, Probert, Simon, etc.... Guys like Lessard are the ones still in the offensive zone when an odd man rush breaks into his own end.

I'm not sold on Lessard hurting Boulton in a fight in camp, either. I haven't seen all of their minor league tilts; but in the NHL, Boulton won a hugfest, Lessard won in a toe to toe exchange later in the season, and the next year Lessard knocked down Boulton during his injury plagued and worst season that I've EVER seen, and I've been following him for a while.

To be honest, I think we'll see a Boulton in a different light this year. He's already got the only 1 way contract of any enforcer in the organization, and the Thrashers GM is adamant on building a tough, resilient team. They've already got some big, steady defensemen in Andy Sutton and Shane Hnidy.

Overall, the Thrashers are going to be one of the most exciting teams to watch this year, IMO.

[BroadwayBlueshirts94]

Boy oh boy has Kloucek career gone to hell over the last few years. Kloucek looked like the next Beukeboom his rookie year. Once he hurt his knee he was never given a fair shake. Kloucek sat while garbage like Ulanov, and Karpa played in 01-02, and was traded the next year.

[Fighting Wombats]

Originally Posted by HordiBrusk29

Regardless of what Lessard does or doesn't do to Boulton during training camp, Boulton will likely be the #1 guy in Atlanta. If Lessard was in fact signed to a two way contract that means Boulton has the job.

Boulton is less of a liability on the ice, therefore he is more valuable to the Thrashers.

Boulton is a lot of things on the ice, and an enforcer is not one of them. He is a pu$$y on skates, who reminds be of Chris Dingoboy.

I will be really pissed off if Boulton is the guy over either Lessard or Brennan. If that happens, Atlanta would have gone from one of the toughest teams, all the way down to the bottom of the list IMO. I was not happy when they got rid of Hordi and used Odgers as their main guy, and this would just be the icing on the cake for me!!!

[poop beetle]

Originally Posted by puckstopper20

As much as it sucks for some of you, the tougher players who can't skate in the NHL aren't going to see very much ice time with the new rules this season. I'm a fan of the tough guys he can skate with the play and chip in here and there, like Boulton, Probert, Simon, etc.... Guys like Lessard are the ones still in the offensive zone when an odd man rush breaks into his own end.

I'm not sold on Lessard hurting Boulton in a fight in camp, either. I haven't seen all of their minor league tilts; but in the NHL, Boulton won a hugfest, Lessard won in a toe to toe exchange later in the season, and the next year Lessard knocked down Boulton during his injury plagued and worst season that I've EVER seen, and I've been following him for a while.

To be honest, I think we'll see a Boulton in a different light this year. He's already got the only 1 way contract of any enforcer in the organization, and the Thrashers GM is adamant on building a tough, resilient team. They've already got some big, steady defensemen in Andy Sutton and Shane Hnidy.

Overall, the Thrashers are going to be one of the most exciting teams to watch this year, IMO.

Lessard handled him in the minors too.
Nothing has really changed.
Kinda funny that people give Boulton the win in the crap/hugfest bout. That paticular fight has no bearing on anything. Who cares that Boulton won the hugfest ????? And he was injury plagued last year. Sounds like excuses. Lessard actualy had a bad back during the hugfest, but no one ever says that. But Boulton gets the great win in the crap hug fest bout.

Sorry, but there is no comparison to who the better "fighter" is. And most would rather have an Enforcer that can win fights, rather than the better skater..Boulton.

[Shoebottom]

Originally Posted by poop beetle

Lessard handled him in the minors too.
Nothing has really changed.
Kinda funny that people give Boulton the win in the crap/hugfest bout. That paticular fight has no bearing on anything. Who cares that Boulton won the hugfest ????? And he was injury plagued last year. Sounds like excuses. Lessard actualy had a bad back during the hugfest, but no one ever says that. But Boulton gets the great win in the crap hug fest bout.

Sorry, but there is no comparison to who the better "fighter" is. And most would rather have an Enforcer that can win fights, rather than the better skater..Boulton.

So, how's ol' Smasher doing?

[poop beetle]

I guess this settles any questions we all have !

According to the Atlanta Journal :
"Lessard received a one-year, NHL-only contract at $450,000."

Looks like a tandem of Lessard and Boulton, as I said.

[Shoebottom]

Originally Posted by poop beetle

I guess this settles any questions we all have !

According to the Atlanta Journal :
"Lessard received a one-year, NHL-only contract at $450,000."

Looks like a tandem of Lessard and Boulton, as I said.

Just because a guy is signed to a one way deal doesn't mean he can't be sent to the minors. It just means he's going to be paid the same amount when he's in the minors. I thought you would have known that, Smasher.

[poop beetle]

Originally Posted by Shoebottom

Just because a guy is signed to a one way deal doesn't mean he can't be sent to the minors. It just means he's going to be paid the same amount when he's in the minors. I thought you would have known that, Smasher.

thanks Lennie.
you are so wise.

[poop beetle]

Nice site btw:
http://www.freewebs.com/ehordi/index.htm

[Fighting Wombats]

Poop Beetle???? Why not just call it the correct name: Dung Beetle!