No NHL team allowed more goals during the 2007-08 regular season than the Thrashers.

Friday night, they can take the first step toward preventing that distinction from carrying over into 2008-09.

"We think we're going to get a defenseman we could have for years to come," Thrashers general manager Don Waddell said Thursday. "We think we're getting a special player."

The only wild card appears to be which one: Zach Bogosian or Drew Doughty.

The Thrashers pick third. The Tampa Bay Lightning, choosing first, are expected to pick center Steven Stamkos. The Los Angeles Kings, or whichever team might trade with the Kings for the second choice, are expected to choose Bogosian or Doughty. The Thrashers would choose whomever is left and might insert that player straight onto their roster this fall.

"Those two look like the cream of the crop on defense," Waddell said. "It depends on who you talk to. Some teams, Doughty might be No. 2, and some teams, Bogosian might be No. 2. We have about 35 game reports on both those players."

The Thrashers also own the 29th overall pick, plus the third choice in rounds three through seven. Waddell said there's little chance he will trade the third pick but that he would consider trading the 29th, which would be a player at least a year or two away from being ready to play in the NHL.

Doughty, 18, was named top defenseman of the 2008 World Junior Championships. The other Canadian defensemen who have won that award were or are NHL success stories: Gord Kluzak, Bryan McCabe, Dion Phaneuf and Marc Staal. Ontario Hockey League coaches voted Doughty their league's best offensive defenseman each of the past two seasons. Others in the draft might have more upside, but Doughty might be the best-prepared to step onto the ice at Philips Arena this fall.

Bogosian, who turns 18 in July, led Peterborough in points, with 61 in 60 games. He draws some comparisons to former Peterborough star Chris Pronger of the Anaheim Ducks. A quick skater, Bogosian, 6 feet 2, 197 pounds, is two inches taller than Doughty and could grow into a better player as he fills out and gains experience.

Waddell isn't just selecting players; he's still selecting a coach. He said he's unlikely to hire someone today but should be able to do it soon.

"We've interviewed everybody we want to interview. We've talked to some people more than once," he said. "We're down to the short straws."

Tampa Bay and Los Angeles also are without coaches, but Waddell said those searches aren't interfering with his.

"We're certainly all working off different lists," he said.