Atlanta Thrasher’s Slater Off Of I.R./Valabik Put On Waivers

Added on Oct 15, 2010 by J Merrill in

NHL

The Atlanta Thrashers reactivated Jim Slater from the Injured Reserve list. The 27 year old Slater is one of the most seasoned players the Thrashers have on roster. In his 355 career NHL games he has racked up 42 goals and 46 assists, and also has spent his share of time in the penalty box with 261 minutes. He played in 61 games last year and reached a new career high water-mark with 11 goals and 7 assists. He was also awarded the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy and was a co-winner of the Gilner-Reeves Community Service Award. He joined the team when he entered the NHL during the 2005-06 season.

The Thrashers also placed Boris Valabik on waivers. The defenseman has had a hard time staying healthy. The 24 year old has not played any minutes this year, and last year only played in 23 games with the team. He will most likely be playing in the American Hockey League with the Chicago Wolves.

The Thrashers obviously feel they need to make some moves after a slow start to the season. They are 1-3 so far in the season and are playing the Anaheim Ducks tonight. Although they have been able to score, there is an obvious need for better defense. They aren’t being blown out in games, and seem to remain competitive the whole game.

It is also obvious that they are missing starting goal tender Ondrej Pavelec. As reported here, Pavelc collapsed untouched at the beginning of their home opener. Although all signs point to him being ok, he did smack his head really hard when he fell backwards on the ice. They are making sure his concussion symptoms pass before medical staff clears to come back. No date has been made on an expected return. Since they have been shuffling their goalies by calling, and then re-assigning Drew MacIntyre from the Chicago Wolves.

Right winger Chris Thorburn was excited with some of the changes the Thrashers made at the start of the season. He is the 3rd most experienced player on the team. Prior to their first game he was quoted as saying “ “I think this year there are a lot of changes and that makes it exciting. We have a range of guys with a lot of experience. We’re a younger team and I think a lot of guys are hungry to get after it. Obviously pre season didn’t go the way we want, but every game we felt we made strides and it wasn’t like we got blown out or anything Once we get our systems down pat we’re going to be exciting. We need to carry that excitement from the locker room onto the ice.” So far the Thrashers haven’t been able to do that.