Thrashers offer Afinogenov one-year deal

By Chris Vivlamore

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Thrashers have made a one-year contract offer to forward Maxim Afinogenov, according his agent.

Donald Meehan said he and Afinogenov are reviewing the offer. Afinogenov is one of 10 players on the Thrashers' roster who will become unrestricted free agents on July 1.

He tied Nik Antropov for the team league with 24 goals (after the departure of Ilya Kovalchuk) last season. Afinogenov was second with 61 points after he signed a one-year, $800,000 contract upon making the team on a pro tryout in training camp. Afinogenov had seven points (three goals, four assists) and was a plus-seven for silver-medalist Russia at the World Championships, which ended Sunday in Germany.

It appears that forward Colby Armstrong, also represented by Meehan, will not get a contract offer from the Thrashers and will become a free agent. After initial discussions, the sides failed to agree upon the parameters of a new deal for Armstrong, who made $2.4 million last season.

“Colby has been a solid contributor to our club, and we do have interest in him as a player, but after some initial discussions with the agent and our understanding of what he would be looking for, we’re too far apart at this time,” Thrashers general manager Rick Dudley said.

Meehan said with no further talks with the Thrashers planned, Armstrong would review potential offers from other NHL teams after July 1.