Thrashers sign Afinogenov, Popovic; waive Oystrick

By Chris Vivlamore

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Thrashers signed Max Afinogenov and Mark Popovic to one-year contracts Tuesday. Both players were in training camp on pro tryouts.

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JULIE JACOBSON, AP Thrashers signed Max Afinogenov, a forward formerly with the Sabres, for $800,000.

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Afinogenov, a forward, signed for $800,000.

"I tried my best in camp so that they could see what I could do," Afinogenov said. "That's what I came here for."

Popovic, a defenseman who played 43 games for the Thrashers over three seasons, signed for $600,000.

The Thrashers also waived defenseman Nathan Oystrick. The move cleared the way for Popovic, who played last season in Russia, to return.

"It feels great," Popovic said. "This is what I wanted, and I'm not going to stop now."

The Thrashers have 24 players on their roster. They must reduce the roster by one before the NHL's deadline for opening day rosters, which is 3 p.m. Wednesday. Although more roster moves are possible, the most likely move would be to put goaltender Kari Lehtonen on injured reserve, as he is several weeks away from recovering from off-season back surgery.

"[The Afinogenov signing] gives us three good scoring lines," Thrashers general manager Don Waddell said.  "He's a player with great skills. We really have good depth."