Veteran defenseman Alexei Zhitnik remains in the Thrashers' plans after a season in which he played only 65 games though he was paid $3.5 million.

Thrashers general manager Don Waddell rejected speculation the team might buy out the final year of Zhitnik's contract.

"That's never been talked about," Waddell said. "We think he'll be a big part of our future. We expect him to come back and be part of our team."