UFA forward, Fredrik Modin, signed a one-year deal with the Atlanta Thrashers; reconnecting with Thrashers GM Rick Dudley who spent time with the player while the two were with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Modin joins several other past Stanley Cup winners acquired by Dudley this offseason including four Chicago Blackhawks who hoisted hockey’s Holy Grail this past June.

Dudley seems focused on adding players with playoff experience to his Thrashers’ roster and Modin brings plenty of that to the table. In 57 NHL career playoff games, Modin’s offensive stats include 14 goals and 12 assists for 26 points. His most impressive playoff year came when he was a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 2004 championship team when he netted 8 goals and added 11 assists for 29 points in 23 games.

Last season, Modin, 35 years old, netted 11 points (5g, 6a, 11pts.) in 44 games while skating with the Columbus Blue Jackets and L.A. Kings.  The 6-4, 220-pound left wing added four playoff points in six playoff games with the Kings.

In 858 NHL games, the Sundsvall, Sweden, native has recorded (225g, 227a, 454pts.) in 13 seasons with Toronto, Tampa Bay, Columbus and Los Angeles. His best season came in 2000-01 when he scored a career-high 32 goals. He followed that performance up in 2005-06 when he again broke the 30-goal mark.

“I know Fredrik well from our time in Tampa and he is an experienced and talented veteran who is tremendously respected in the locker room,” said Dudley. “He’s won a Stanley Cup, along with an Olympic Gold Medal, and possesses that winning mentality we are looking for.”

Dudley has been credited with contributing to turning around struggling franchises like the Lightning and Blackhawks and appears headed to doing the same in Atlanta.  

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