nccanes
06-27-2003, 02:46 PM
They've announced that Hrkac and Odgers won't get offers
Thrashers cut loose veterans
TSN.ca Staff
6/27/2003
The Atlanta Thrashers will not offer contracts to forwards Jeff Odgers and Tony Hrkac.
General manager Don Waddelll says the team will look towards some of its young players to step in and fill their roles next season. The team did submit qualifying offers to restricted free agents Pasi Nurminen, Andy Sutton and Marc Savard.
"Jeff Odgers has been very, very valuable to us," Waddell tells the Atlanta Journal Constitution about the 34-year-old fan favourite. "He's a battler every night. But it's time to move on. [Francis Lessard] has got a great opportunity. He's got to come in and secure it."
Hrkac, who will turn 37 on July 7, believes he can still play and contribute in the NHL.
"I thought I played pretty well," Hrkac says. "My numbers weren't as good as the year before, but my role changed when [coach Bob Hartley] came in."
Waddell indicated that the Thrashers will also part ways with forward Lubos Bartecko, who played only 37 games last season due to wrist and groin injuries. It's believed Bartecko has sold his house in Atlanta and has signed a deal to play in Europe next season.
Waddell added that forward Slava Kozlov will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 after talks failed to produce an agreement.
Forward Shawn McEachern underwent surgery on Wednesday to repair a sports hernia injury. He missed the last 36 games of the season with groin and back injuries and had season-ending surgery in February for a herniated disk. He's expected to begin skating in four to six weeks.
Thrashers cut loose veterans
TSN.ca Staff
6/27/2003
The Atlanta Thrashers will not offer contracts to forwards Jeff Odgers and Tony Hrkac.
General manager Don Waddelll says the team will look towards some of its young players to step in and fill their roles next season. The team did submit qualifying offers to restricted free agents Pasi Nurminen, Andy Sutton and Marc Savard.
"Jeff Odgers has been very, very valuable to us," Waddell tells the Atlanta Journal Constitution about the 34-year-old fan favourite. "He's a battler every night. But it's time to move on. [Francis Lessard] has got a great opportunity. He's got to come in and secure it."
Hrkac, who will turn 37 on July 7, believes he can still play and contribute in the NHL.
"I thought I played pretty well," Hrkac says. "My numbers weren't as good as the year before, but my role changed when [coach Bob Hartley] came in."
Waddell indicated that the Thrashers will also part ways with forward Lubos Bartecko, who played only 37 games last season due to wrist and groin injuries. It's believed Bartecko has sold his house in Atlanta and has signed a deal to play in Europe next season.
Waddell added that forward Slava Kozlov will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 after talks failed to produce an agreement.
Forward Shawn McEachern underwent surgery on Wednesday to repair a sports hernia injury. He missed the last 36 games of the season with groin and back injuries and had season-ending surgery in February for a herniated disk. He's expected to begin skating in four to six weeks.