Thrashers Sign Pilar and Bartovic
 

The Atlanta Thrashers have agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent defenseman Karel Pilar (KAH-rehl, PEE-lahsh) and forward Milan Bartovic (MEE-lahn, BAHR-toh-vik), according to Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell.

Pilar, 29, recorded seven points (two goals, five assists) in 10 games last season after joining the Toronto Marlies (American Hockey League) on March 5, 2007. The 6-3, 210-pound defensemen missed the majority of the 2005-06 and 2006-07 campaigns with a heart ailment, and spent the 2004-05 season with HC Sparta Praha in the Czech Republic, where he led all defensemen and ranked sixth on the team with 28 points (13 goals, 15 assists) in 52 games.

The native of Prague, Czech Republic has totaled 30 points (six goals, 24 assists) in 90 NHL games over three seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, averaging 17:38 of ice time during that span. He added 45 points (17 goals, 28 assists) in 75 AHL games over four seasons with the Marlies and St. John's Maple Leafs. During his last NHL season in 2003-04, Pilar tallied 19 points (two goals, 17 assists) in 50 games with the Maple Leafs. Pilar was selected by Toronto in the second round, 39th overall, of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

Bartovic, 26, split last season between the Zurich Lions of the Swiss League and the IF Malmo Redhawks of the Swedish Elite League. The 5-11, 200-pound forward appeared in 24 games with Malmo, recording five points (one goal, four assists) and 26 penalty minutes prior to the move to Switzerland. He added five points (two goals, three assists) and two penalty minutes in 12 regular-season games with Zurich and recorded one assists in three playoff games.

The native of Trencin, Slovakia has appeared in 50 NHL games with Buffalo and Chicago, tallying 17 points (three goals, 14 assists) and 26 penalty minutes. He has registered 137 points (72 goals, 65 assists) in 319 career AHL games with Rochester and Norfolk and has four assists in 23 Calder Cup Playoff contests. Bartovic was originally selected by Buffalo in the second round, 35th overall, of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. He was traded to the Blackhawks in exchange for goaltender Michael Leighton on Oct. 4, 2005.

Well I certainly wish the best for Pilar. It's really unfortunate that his heart ailment popped up when it looked like he had finally won a job on the defence corp. He has decent offensive upside and he'll throw a good check every now and then. I like him but realize there was no more room in Toronto.

Yes, good for Pilar. I thought that we might never see this guy again, just like Jiri Fischer. One of the few guys on the Leafs blue line I actually liked in recent years. Hope things go well for him.

Karel Pilar should be a decent player if he makes the Thrashers this season. The Leafs had far too many D-man. They could have signed him over guys like Wozniewski and Walser and the only reason I can see them not doing it is Pilar's heart issues. The Leafs did offer Pilar the opportunity to earn a contract at training camp, however the Thrashers had guaranteed money and you can't blame the guy for taking it. Pilar can play NHL level hockey when he is healthy. I still remember him scoring that big game-tying goal against the Flyers in game 6 of the 04 playoffs. I wish him the best of luck in Atlanta.

I wish many luck of him, I´ve seen him on a press conference about a month ago and he was looking very good:) I´m just a little afraid, it could happen something similar like to Sergei Zholtok:(

I'm not very happy to see two more europeans joining the team. Not to take anything away from these guys, but I feel Thrashers could use more some gritty north-american players.
I dont want to see Thrashers get pushed around by grittier teams like Caps or Bolts. Their are our division rivals and we must be in the same gear as they are. And who will take on Brashear or Roy next season? Boulton? Pfff.
A physical forward or gritty d-man would just do. Even not counting to pick up a heavy-weight.

So I guess this means that Desbiens an Valabik dont make the camps?

Nother year of letdowns for fights an keepin the goons off the skill players' backs I guess.

It looks like we are going that way.
Actually I cant belive Thrashers once had a 72 fighting majors in regular season (comparing to 24 last season). Yea I know, NHL has changed, but I just started to love Thrashers for playing rough and rugged style of play (thats what we exactly missed against Rags in playoffs).
Boy, how this team needs another Jeff Odgers...