Dudley moves fast in Atlanta
by Josh Brewster
Hockeytalk.biz | NHL Quick Shots

Each of the trio, Atlanta’s Rick Dudley, Florida’s Dale Tallon and Tampa Bay’s Steve Yzerman, are seeking to put their stamp on their respective clubs. Today, we’ll take a look at the Atlanta Thrashers:

Dustin Byfuglien

A long time ago, Dudley was a teammate of new Thrashers coach Craig Ramsay, who he hired as coach just prior to the June draft.

The pair go back four decades, having played together in the NHL with Buffalo and WHA Cincinnati.

Dudley and Ramsay played in the famous “Fog Series” when their Sabres fell to the Flyers.  Years later, Ramsay would end up coaching that club for a few months in 2000, leading them to a conference final appearance, where they lost to the eventual champion Devils. Ramsay earned a Stanley Cup ring as an associate coach with the 2003-04 Lightning.

In the GM chair for the first time since 2003-4 with Florida, Dudley also played the role in Tampa Bay and Ottawa.

Now, a major makeover is at hand, its siren call in the person of Dustin Byfuglien who came over from Chicago in trade.

GM Rick Dudley

The Thrashers also received Brent Sopel, Ben Eager and Akim Aliu. Aliu, a 21-year-old Nigerian-born right wing who could be the “throw-in” that no one’s paying attention to. The 6’3”, 205lb. Aliu was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2007 draft and has split time the past two seasons with AHL Rockford and ECHL Toledo.

Interesting set of developments as three Thrashers have African roots. Two are of African descent—Byfuglien and sophomore sensation Evander Kane—while one native African (Aliu) takes the ice in Atlanta, a city rich with black heritage and history, also a very large African-American population.

Eager is a quality third- or fourth-line forward who scored the game-winning goal in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final, propelling the Blackhawks to a vital 2-0 lead in the series, which they eventually won in six games. Had reserve forward Eager not scored that goal shortly after Marian Hossa opened the scoring that day, it’s entirely possible that Chris Pronger and crew would have paraded the Cup in Philly.

Sopel is a steadying force on defense, having won the Cup in Chicago, and also played steady minutes in Los Angeles and Vancouver in recent years.

In return, the Thrashers dealt a set of picks and depth guys as Chicago dumped salary, sending the 24th overall pick (1st rd) at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the 54th pick (2nd rd), Marty Reasoner and Jeremy Morin for a nice batch of offense, defense and depth.

Atlanta is only too happy to help relieve Chicago's salary cap problems.

On Thursday, Dudley plucked another plum from the Chicago till, acquiring Andrew Ladd for marginal defenseman Ivan Vishnievski and a 2011 second round pick. Ladd, who regularly appeared on the Blackhawks’ checking line, has an offensive upside, appearing in all 82 games last season, posting 38 points (17 goals, 21 assists). He registered a career-high in goals, ranked third on the club in even-strength goals (17) and was eighth in points and added three goals and three assists in 19 playoff games. Not only did Ladd win this year’s Cup, he also earned a ring in 2006 with his first club, Carolina.

Ladd should be a nice replacement for energetic youngster Colby Armstrong, who went to Toronto.

In goal, the Thrashers are throwing in with former Blue Chris Mason, who put up some decent numbers last season: 61GP: 30-22-8 2.53GAA/.913SV% 2 shutouts.

Dudley is by no means done dealing. According to NHLNumbers.com, Atlanta is sitting at $35M+. The league’s salary cap floor is $43.4M, which leaves Dudley a lot of room to move before the season begins.

Next priority will be replacing defenseman Pavel Kubina, who went back to Tampa Bay as a free agent.

COMMUNICATING

Ramsay is known for his even-keeled demeanor and ability to reach young players.

What he wants from his new players is for them to make intellect a priority.

“What I’d like to have is the smartest team,” Ramsay told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I’d like them to learn the game and feel comfortable every time out there. The game changes. When things break down, it’s the people that can react and still keep their composure and deal with it that are going to be successful.”

Ramsay is also emphasizing a two-way style where defensemen jump into the play and offensive players take responsibility at both ends of the ice, in an up-tempo method. Ramsay knows of what he speaks. As a player, Ramsay scored 20 goals in eight consecutive seasons and won the Selke Trophy in 1985. His linemates, Don Luce and Danny Gare, comprised a checking line that scored goals regularly (Gare was a 50-goal scorer twice).