Thrashers Ink Nik Antropov to Four-Year Deal

[flyersrule]

The Atlanta Thrashers have signed unrestricted free agent forward Nik Antropov to a multiple-year contract, according to Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell.

Antropov (an-TROH-pahv), 29, has recorded 304 points (132 goals, 172 assists) in 527 games over nine NHL seasons with Toronto and the N.Y. Rangers, including 29 power play goals, 24 game-winning goals and a plus-53 rating. In the last two seasons, he has totaled 115 points (54 goals, 61 assists) in 153 games, including 20 power play goals and nine game-winning goals. He has also appeared in 35 playoff games over five playoff seasons with Toronto and New York, recording eight points (four goals, four assists).

“Nik Antropov is a proven scorer in this league and a top-line forward with tremendous size, skill and experience,” said Waddell. “Along with our addition of Pavel Kubina, we are excited to have greatly upgraded both the offense and defense of our club as we head into next season.”

The 6-6, 230-pound right wing appeared in 81 games last season with the Maple Leafs and Rangers, recording 59 points (28 goals, 31 assists), setting career highs in each category. He finished the season ranked first on the Rangers in goals and points and was fourth in assists. After tallying 46 points (21 goals, 25 assists) in 63 games for Toronto, he was acquired by the Rangers in a trade-deadline deal on March 4, where he recorded 13 points (seven goals, six assists) in 18 games. In seven playoff games with the Rangers in 2009, he tallied three points (two goals, one assist).

During the 2007-08 season, Antropov recorded 56 points (26 goals, 30 assists) in 72 games with the Maple Leafs. He led the team in power play goals (12), a career high, and game-winning goals (5). He also ranked second on the team in goals, points and plus/minus rating (plus-10) while finishing fourth on the team in assists.

Antropov also appeared in 36 games with St. John’s of the American Hockey League over parts of two seasons (1999-00 and 2001-02), recording 35 points (11 goals, 24 assists). In two seasons in the Russian SuperLeague (1998-99 and 2004-05) with Dynamo, Ak-Bars Kazan and Yaroslavl, he tallied 38 points (11 goals, 27 assists) in 66 games.

A native of Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan, Antropov was selected by Toronto in the first round, 10th overall, of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. He represented Kazakhstan in the 2006 Winter Olympic Games, where he recorded one goal in five games, and the 1997, 1998 and 1999 World Junior Championships.

[Humpzilla]

No media pressure of any kind. No expectations to ACTUALLY perform or make it to the playoffs.

Nik should love it

[Thrillhouse]

haha, nik got paid

[flyersrule]

atlanta is turning into toronto south with the pick up of former leafs kubina and now antropov. who's next?

[Humpzilla]

Just to make Nik that much more comfortable, this is who the Thrashers are going to sign next:

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[moxie]

I heard he was looking for $5.5M per year.

[jkidd]

Originally Posted by moxie

I heard he was looking for $5.5M per year.

What I heard as well.

Good to see him get nothing like that.

Agree with what Hump said as well.

No expectations, no pressure, no fans to give a **** for him... he should thrive.

[thepolishkid88]

He wil finally be able to perform up to Atlanta's playoff expectations.

[Isles4life]

Something about Antropov has always reminded me of Oleg Kvasha. Anyway, as people are already mentioning, there will be a lot less pressure on the guy as a Thrasher than when he was in Toronto or New York. Since he's a chronic underachiever, I could see 1 of 2 things happening. He could excel with a lot of the pressure off, or he could relax and continue to underachieve since less people will be yelling at him about it.

[lgbar75]

Originally Posted by Isles4life

Something about Antropov has always reminded me of Oleg Kvasha.

Big expectations, big frame, non-physical, underacheiver...not a bad comparison at all.

[NYR36]

Kind of glad he didnt come back to the Rangers. Didn't mind him but hated how he didn't use his size.

[bengino]

Originally Posted by NYR36

Kind of glad he didnt come back to the Rangers. Didn't mind him but hated how he didn't use his size.

i was actually pointing that out to you guys when they made the trade.

Now does Kovalchuk resign or will this becomes Nik's team to run next season?

[Blouin]

saves us from cap money. see ya

[bigjack]

My question is how the hell does that Don Waddell guy still have his job? Man what a sh*tty job he has done in Atlanta and yet he keeps his job year after year!
Why would you give this guy 4 years?
Unreal!
What recession?:

[Ciccarelli]

Waddell needs to do one thing more then anything else: keep Kovalchuk happy.

Antropov is a good step in that direction. He is the best center the Trashers have since Savard left and he is Russian. If he can stay healthy and finds some chemistry with Kovalchuk the two could be a nice tandem.