Filed under: Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers have only made the playoffs once in their 11-year history, so it's no surprise that many fans in the city have started to sour on the hockey team. They have yet to win a playoff game in their existence and have finished in the bottom three for two straight years in average attendance in the NHL. But there's reason for optimism this year, as the Thrashers are one of the most improved teams in the NHL with a revamped roster.Atlanta finished just five points shy of making the playoffs last season, generating 83 points with a 35-34-13 record -- third best in the history of the team. Associate general manager Rick Dudley was appointed general manager in April as the Thrashers shook their front office up in hopes of giving the team the extra push needed for a playoff series victory. Craig Ramsay, Dudley's former teammate for the Buffalo Sabres, was named head coach after most recently serving as assistant head coach in Boston.
Dudley brings a lot of winning experience with him to the general manager post in Atlanta. He built winning franchises in Buffalo, Ottawa, Tampa Bay and Chicago. Dudley, who worked for five seasons in Chicago and served as the Blackhawks' assistant general manager prior to leaving for Atlanta, helped build last year's Stanley Cup championship team in the windy city. He didn't waste much time tracking down players from Chicago to help revamp his roster in Atlanta for this season, either.
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