Thrashers back at full strength will return of Olympians

By Chris Vivlamore

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Thrashers’ remaining four Olympians returned to practice Sunday, giving the team its full roster for the first time since the break started Feb. 14.

Max Afinogenov, Tobias Enstrom, Pavel Kubina and Johnny Oduya were back on the ice after their respective teams were eliminated Wednesday. Ondrej Pavelec returned Saturday. None of the Thrashers reached the medal round, a disappointment.

“I would say it was the best Olympics I’ve ever been to,” said Kubina, a defenseman for the Czech Republic who also played in the 2006 Games. “The organization, the city, the people, the passion for hockey, everyone was watching hockey. Our team didn’t play very well. I would have liked to have seen a better result, but as a tournament it was probably the best tournament I’ve ever been to.”

Enstrom and Oduya were defensemen for Sweden and made their Olympic debuts. Both said they enjoyed the experience, not the outcome.

“I enjoyed the Olympics,” Enstrom said. “Still in the end, I was there to play hockey and I’m not happy about the results.”

“Obviously, we wanted to be in it longer,” Oduya added. “All the teams were pretty good and any game could have went either way. It was disappointing, but all in all it was pretty good.”

Kubina contract

The Thrashers and Kubina have begun preliminary talks on a new contract for the pending unrestricted free agent.

“We talked once, but I was focused on the Olympics,” Kubina said. “I’m not worried about it. We have 22 games left to play. I’m worried about the playoffs right now. I’m focusing on that.”

Thrashers general manager Don Waddell said he hoped to hold talks with Kubina’s agent in the near future.

Defensive pairings

With a full compliment of defensive players Sunday, Zach Bogosian was paired with Christoph Schubert (knee) and Mark Popovic (upper body), who had been injured. Both have participated in every practice since the team returned from the Olympic break.

A decision has not been made on their status for Tuesday’s game against Florida.

“We are not 100 percent about [Schubert’s] health right now,” Anderson said. “He and [Popovic]; we'll decide on Tuesday what we will do.”

Belkin pays

According to court documents filed in Montgomery County (Md.) Circuit Court, Atlanta Spirit co-owner Steve Belkin paid the $2 million required to keep his stake in the Thrashers and Hawks on Feb. 23 while the case is on appeal.

The eight-man ownership group, which owns the Thrashers, Hawks and Philips Arena operating rights, have been fighting in court since 2005 over how much seven of the partners should pay Belkin to buy out his 30-percent stake in the group.

A judge required Belkin to post the $2 million while the case is on appeal. The case likely won’t be heard at the Maryland Court of Special Appeals in Annapolis until the summer, said attorney Steven Estep, who is representing co-owners Michael Gearon, Bruce Levenson and Ed Peskowitz. A decision is not likely to come before the end of the year, Estep said.

Get your coffee from a Thrasher

The Thrashers are kicking off a Wake Up Atlanta campaign Monday to promote the team’s March playoff push. In addition to local radio appearances, several players and coaches will be at AM/PM locations from 8-9 a.m. to distribute free coffee.

Rich Peverley, Bryan Little, Niclas Bergfors, Jim Slater and Tony Borgford will be at 610 Spring Street in Atlanta.

Nik Antropov, Slava Kozlov, Schubert and Steve Weeks will be at 5018 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Chamblee.

Johan Hedberg, Todd White and Todd Nelson will be at 10965 Medlock Bridge Road in Duluth.

Eric Boulton, Chris Thorburn, Popovic, Bogosian and Randy Cunneyworth will be at 2001 Pleasant Hill Road in Duluth.

- Staff writer Kristi Swartz contributed to this report.