Thrashers waive former 10th overall pick Valabik

“Whatever happens, happens. If some team picks me up, I will look forward to a second chance. I feel like I owe a lot to Atlanta for drafting me. I had hoped to win a Stanley Cup here. There were 24 guys on the roster and they could only have 23.”

The Thrashers made the move in order to activate forward Jim Slater from the injured (non-roster) list in time for Friday night’s game against Anaheim.

The Thrashers made the 24-year-old Valabik the 10th selection in the 2004 draft. He has been plagued by injury throughout his career, including last season when he missed time with a broken ankle and a torn ACL in his left knee. Valabik’s draft position and size (6 feet 7, 245 pounds) could be attractive to another team.

“I would like to get picked up because that means somebody wants you,” Valabik said. “I hope a lot of people realize that I’m still young and I can play. ... If no team claims me I will go to Chicago and work on my game. I have some work to do, but mostly I need to play. For me, it’s more about getting the chance to play and building my confidence. The mental part of the game is so huge for me. I know when I’m on top of my game, I can be very successful.”

Valabik and Freddy Meyer have been the seventh and eighth defensemen on the roster and were healthy scratches for the first three games of the season. Dudley said Thursday that it was his intention to only carry seven blue-liners.

“I think Freddy had a very good training camp,” Thrashers coach Craig Ramsay said. “Freddy deserved the chance to play. Boris only got one [exhibition] game and we would like to see him play. If he gets through [waivers], he’ll play with the opportunity to get himself back into playing shape under the gun. You need to actually play, not just practice. If he got picked up, that would be great for Boris and we would all be pleased to see him get his chance. He didn’t cause any trouble. There hasn’t been a problem.”

Meyer has played parts of six NHL seasons, totaling 266 games, including the past three with the New York Islanders.

“I’ve been in this role before when I was with the Islanders a little bit,” Meyer said. “I know how the whole aspect of being the seventh guys works. You are still part of the team and you have to show up with a good attitude and work hard and put in the extra time so when you do get an opportunity to get in there, you are ready to go and flying on all cylinders.”

Meyer was expected to make his Thrashers debut Friday night, when defenseman Zach Bogosian was held out with a shoulder injury suffered Tuesday against Los Angeles. Bogosian practiced with the team Friday morning.

“He was stronger today,” Ramsay said. “[Head trainer] Tommy [Alva] was pleased with his recovery from [Thursday]. Again, it’s too early in the year to push somebody and take a chance of further damage. We’ll give him a night off and see how he is for [Saturday at San Jose]."

Defenseman Ron Hainsey re-joined the team hours before game time. He flew home Thursday morning to be with his wife when she delivered the couple’s first child.

“It could be difficult for him ... but if it doesn’t look like he’s having an easy time with it, we’ll just shorten the bench to five and we’ll be fine,” Ramsay said. “He called Rick and wanted to come. He was intent on getting back and trying to play.”

In another roster move, the Thrashers activated prospect Andrew Kozek from injured reserve and assigned him to AHL Chicago. The forward has been out with a groin injury since being invited to training camp.