by Christopher BottaFiled under: Thrashers
FanHouse's Christopher Botta recently spoke with Atlanta Thrashers GM Rick Dudley on his team's very eventful offseason. This is Part Three of a three-part series.After a flurry of activity over the last six months that included a pair of blockbuster trades, general manager Rick Dudley is still not done with his overhaul of the Atlanta Thrashers. Depending on what position his coaching staff determines as the best fit for Dustin Byfuglien, Dudley would like to add a forward or defenseman to his talented lineup.
"If Dustin is going to primarily be a defenseman for us, then we're set at that position," Dudley told NHL FanHouse. "If he stays at forward, I would look at adding another defenseman."
Even without the 6-3, 250-pound Stanley Cup hero from the Chicago Blackhawks moving to the blueline full-time, Atlanta boasts an impressive top-four of Zach Bogosian, Ron Hainsey, 50-point man Tobias Enstrom and Johnny Oduya, who was acquired from New Jersey in the Ilya Kovalchuk trade. Of the group, Hainsey is the oldest at 29. The team also has 34-year-old Brent Sopel, who was outstanding in Chicago's Cup run this spring, and 6-7, 245-pound Slovakian defenseman Boris Valabik. If Dudley adds a defenseman, the goal would be to replace the offense lost when Pavel Kubina signed with Tampa Bay as a free agent on July 1.
"I really like our defense, even if we don't make a move," said Dudley. "Ultimately, it starts with Zach Bogosian, who could be on the verge of becoming a great NHL player. We're not going to rush Zach, not put too much on his plate, but he has already demonstrated that he can handle a lot. If Zach can make that next leap this season, watch out. He'll make us a much, much better hockey club."
Part 1: Byfuglien Can Star at Forward or 'D' for Thrashers
Part 2: Dudley Riffs on Scouting Process, Drafting Burmistrov
Part 2: Dudley Riffs on Scouting Process, Drafting Burmistrov
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