Don Waddell News

Angelo Esposito admits to having a 'why me?' moment. Enlarge photo Jason Getz, jgetz@ajc.com Thrashers prospect Angelo Esposito will undergo surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee Tuesday, his second such procedure in 10 months.

Just back from a quick trip to a near empty Duluth IceForum. Did an interview with Angelo Esposito for a story later today /tomorrow . He was in good spirits.

With every passing day, with each improbable win, with each surprising rung climbed up the NHL standings, the nervousness builds for the Atlanta Thrashers .

When Slava Kozlov left Buffalo, he had some parting words for Max Afinogenov. Move along too, he told his young Russian countryman.

Boris Valabik is back but is still waiting to make his season debut for the Thrashers.

Thrashers goaltender Ondrej Pavelec, who posted his second career shutout Wednesday in Detroit, is tied for eighth in the league with a .921 save percentage.

As we get ready for Thrashers optional practice Sunday morning following last night's win over Philadelphia, here are some of the highlights from my interview with GM Don Waddell following the first period.

The thoughts that drifted through my head as the tryptophan kicked in: Was it the heavy hand of Darryl Sutter guiding Miikka Kiprusoff when the Calgary stopper announced that he would either start for Team Finland at the Vancouver Olympics or stay home? Seems like a reasonable assumption.

Ondrej Pavelec made himself right at home at Joe Louis Arena -- at the expense of the slumping Detroit Red Wings .

Pavel Kubina has come a long way. His an interesting passport, from his native Czech Republic to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, with postings in upstate New York and Cleveland.

A quick glance at the Atlanta Thrashers ' stat sheet might suggest more of the same for the beleaguered Southern franchise.

As the Thrashers continue to use their two-goalie rotation of late, Ondrej Pavelec will start Thursday against Boston, and Johan Hedberg is scheduled to start Saturday against Pittsburgh.

General manager of Atlanta Thrashers Don Waddell comments on the club captain Ilya Kovalchuk's return to the ice.

Thrashers star Ilya Kovalchuk will not play Thursday night against the New York Rangers, according to Atlanta General Manager Don Waddell.

NHL Notebook Kovalchuk a long shot to head home Ilya Kovalchu, seen celebrating a goal in an October 22 game, has been speaking with the Atlanta Thrashers about a long-term contract.

Fantasy Forecast for Wednesday, November 11 TUESDAY'S ROUNDUP: Outstanding news from Atlanta.

Ilya Kovalchuk is indeed a fast healer. The Thrashers' captain appears ready to return to the lineup less than three weeks after breaking a bone in his right foot.

Playing in the NHL has been unusually hazardous to competitors' health in the first five weeks of the season.

The Atlanta Thrashers will be raising Kane with the Russians as the road warrior Thrashers take on the New York Islanders on Saturday night .

The trend continues -- and it's not a good one. The Thrashers again fell behind early, this time by two first-period goals, en route to a 4-3 loss to Columbus on Thursday at Philips Arena.