Ron Hainsey might turn out to be two things for the Thrashers: A defenseman who can improve their team immediately and a 27-year-old who will keep getting better in the seasons to come.

The Thrashers signed Hainsey on Wednesday to a five-year, $22.5 million contract. He wasn't the highest-rated defenseman available in free agency, but he might have been the best who would agree to sign with the Thrashers.

One day after failing to land top-rated Brian Campbell, who opted for $7 million a year from Chicago, the Thrashers got a less-established guy whose $4.5 million a year still makes him one of their highest-paid players.

Hainsey was the top-scoring defenseman for Columbus each of the past two seasons, with 34 points in 2006-07 and 32 last season. He averaged more than 22 minutes a game. He's 6 feet 3, 209 pounds but more of a skater and a puck mover than a hitter. He'll play on one of the top two defensive pairs, Thrashers general manager Don Waddell said.

"We think his upside is still in front of him. He's got room to grow," Waddell said.

All eight of Hainsey's goals and 15 of his 24 assists last season came on the power play, but Waddell said that's no cause for concern, especially with the way Hainsey should fit into new coach John Anderson's system.

"Our coach is a much more aggressive guy," Waddell said. "We can get more five-on-five points from a guy like Ron."

"I had 15 teams call me [about Hainsey]," said his agent, Matt Keator, who confirmed the terms of Hainsey's new contract. "Seven teams offered. In the end, this was the best fit for him. He's excited about John Anderson's style of play. It's uptempo and allows guys to be creative and make plays."

Waddell denied a Canadian Press report the Thrashers offered Campbell $60 million over eight years, $3 million more than Chicago.

"The money was about the same," Waddell said.

The Thrashers also were in the bidding for forward Brian Rolston, who signed with New Jersey on Tuesday for $5 million a year over four years.

"[The Thrashers] made a real good effort at it," said his agent, Stephen Bartlett. "They were one of the more aggressive suitors."