The Atlanta Thrashers were busy securing a few more pieces to their roster this week by signing restricted free agent
forward Niclas Bergfors then inking a deal with UFA forward Nigel Dawes. Dawes joins several members of last year’s Stanley Cup Chicago Blackhawks team, Fredrik Modin and goalie Chris Mason who all signed earlier deals with the club.
Thrashers GM Rick Dudley has possibly been the most active GM in the NHL this summer, pulling off a few blockbuster deals early and following up with a handful of others like the two mentioned above.
The 23-year-old Bergfors was named to the 2009-10 NHL All-Rookie Team after having a solid inaugural season scoring 21 goals and 23 assist for 44 points in 81 games with the New Jersey Devils and Thrashers last season. He registered nine power play goals and six game-winning goals, which ranked him 10th in the NHL.
Bergfors, a Swedish native, was an important signing since he was the main player acquired in the Ilya Kovalchuk trade, coming to Atlanta along with defenseman Johnny Oduya, forward Patrice Cormier and a first round selection in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft in exchange for Kovalchuk and defenseman Anssi Salmela.
Also joining the Thrashers is left winger Dawes, 25 years old, who posted 32 points (14 goals, 18 assists) in 66 games, with the Calgary Flames last season. The 5-8, 190-pound Winnipeg, Manitoba native’s career numbers include (39g, 44a, 83 pts) in 199 career games over four seasons with the New York Rangers, Phoenix and Calgary.
Dawes had his coming out season last year, scoring a career-high 32 points with the Flames while tying his season-high in goals (14). He has also played in 11 career playoff games, all with the Rangers (2006-07, 207-08), posting four points (two goals, two assists).
One thing for certain this season in Atlanta is, fans attending games will need a roster sheet to keep up with all the new faces Dudley has added and should expect to see a new style of hockey as well. With more size and more balanced scoring, the new GM is definitely bringing a new brand of hockey to the Philips Arena.
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