> POSTSEASON PLANS: Thrashers coach and GM Don Waddell said he wants his players competing in meaningful games in the spring. Since the NHL playoffs are out of the question, that competition will have to come in the IIHF world championship in May in Canada.

He expects a number of Thrashers to play.

"I always encourage our players to," said Waddell. "When you go through a season like this, you want the players to play for something in the end. ... I would be really surprised if we didn't have seven or eight players representing their countries."

Waddell is part of a four-person committee of Team USA general managers selecting the U.S. team.

> BACK ON THE BOARD: Mark Recchi's goal against Florida on Thursday was his first since Feb. 23 in Toronto. He went 14 games without a goal, but he said he wasn't sweating it.

"I don't worry about that, especially when you get opportunities every night," Recchi said. "I get one or two good [oppor-tunities] every night. You go through stretches like that, unfortunately. I used to be more consistent, but I'm not quite the sniper I used to be."

Recchi has 11 goals in 49 games since joining the Thrashers.

> DON'T WORRY ABOUT WHITE: Todd White continues to log time with the fourth line, but Waddell promised that it isn't a reflection of White's future or any lingering injury.

Waddell wants to get a look at Jim Slater as a center and give Bryan Little plenty of playing time in the final games.

"We know Todd is with us long term," Waddell said. "He's part of the future. I'm not worried if he plays 14 or 18 minutes this time of season."

NEXT FOR THRASHERS

> Who: at Lightning

> When: 7:30 p.m. Monday

> Radio: 680 AM