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2003–04 Atlanta Thrashers season

National Hockey League team season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2003–04 Atlanta Thrashers season was the Thrashers' fifth season.

Division2nd Southeast
Conference10th Eastern
2003–04 record33–37–8–4
Home record18–17–4–2
Quick facts Atlanta Thrashers, Division ...
2003–04 Atlanta Thrashers
Division2nd Southeast
Conference10th Eastern
2003–04 record33–37–8–4
Home record18–17–4–2
Road record15–20–4–2
Goals for214
Goals against243
Team information
General managerDon Waddell
CoachBob Hartley
CaptainShawn McEachern
Alternate captainsDany Heatley
Vyacheslav Kozlov
ArenaPhilips Arena
Average attendance15,121
Minor league affiliatesChicago Wolves
Gwinnett Gladiators
Team leaders
GoalsIlya Kovalchuk (41)
AssistsIlya Kovalchuk (46)
PointsIlya Kovalchuk (87)
Penalty minutesFrancis Lessard (181)
Plus/minusShawn McEachern (+5)
WinsPasi Nurminen (25)
Goals against averagePasi Nurminen (2.78)
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Regular season

Final standings

More information No., CR ...
Southeast Division[1]
No. CR GP W L T OTL GF GA PTS
11Tampa Bay Lightning82462286245192106
210Atlanta Thrashers8233378421424378
311Carolina Hurricanes82283414617220976
412Florida Panthers82283515418822175
514Washington Capitals82234610318625359
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Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime loss; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points
         Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.

More information R, Div ...
Eastern Conference[2]
R Div GP W L T OTL GF GA Pts
1 Z- Tampa Bay LightningSE82462286245192106
2 Y- Boston BruinsNE824119157209188104
3 Y- Philadelphia FlyersAT824021156209188101
4 X- Toronto Maple LeafsNE824524103242204103
5 X- Ottawa SenatorsNE824323106262189102
6 X- New Jersey DevilsAT824325122213164100
7 X- Montreal CanadiensNE8241307420819293
8 X- New York IslandersAT82382911423721091
8.5
9 Buffalo SabresNE8237347422022185
10 Atlanta ThrashersSE8233378421424378
11 Carolina HurricanesSE82283414617220976
12 Florida PanthersSE82283515418822175
13 New York RangersAT8227407820625069
14 Washington CapitalsSE82234610318625359
15 Pittsburgh PenguinsAT8223478419030358
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Divisions: AT – Atlantic, NE – Northeast, SE – Southeast

Z – Clinched conference; Y – Clinched division; X – Clinched playoff spot

Schedule and results

More information Game, Date ...
2003–04 regular season[3]
October: 5–3–2–1 (home: 3–1–1–0; road: 2–2–1–1)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
1October 9, 20032–1Columbus Blue Jackets (2003–04)1–0–0–0W
2October 11, 20034–3@ Washington Capitals (2003–04)2–0–0–0W
3October 14, 20032–2 OTNew York Islanders (2003–04)2–0–1–0T
4October 16, 20030–0 OT@ New York Rangers (2003–04)2–0–2–0T
5October 18, 20037–2Chicago Blackhawks (2003–04)3–0–2–0W
6October 21, 20032–3 OT@ Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04)3–0–2–1OTL
7October 23, 20034–2Nashville Predators (2003–04)4–0–2–1W
8October 25, 20032–3Florida Panthers (2003–04)4–1–2–1L
9October 27, 20033–2 OT@ Toronto Maple Leafs (2003–04)5–1–2–1W
10October 30, 20032–3@ Minnesota Wild (2003–04)5–2–2–1L
11October 31, 20031–2@ Washington Capitals (2003–04)5–3–2–1L
November: 7–6–1–0 (home: 4–3–1–0; road: 3–3–0–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
12November 2, 20032–2 OTSan Jose Sharks (2003–04)5–3–3–1T
13November 5, 20037–4@ Buffalo Sabres (2003–04)6–3–3–1W
14November 7, 20032–4@ Columbus Blue Jackets (2003–04)6–4–3–1L
15November 8, 20034–3@ New York Islanders (2003–04)7–4–3–1W
16November 11, 20033–5Ottawa Senators (2003–04)7–5–3–1L
17November 13, 20031–5@ Carolina Hurricanes (2003–04)7–6–3–1L
18November 15, 20030–4@ Philadelphia Flyers (2003–04)7–7–3–1L
19November 16, 20035–2Florida Panthers (2003–04)8–7–3–1W
20November 19, 20035–4 OTBoston Bruins (2003–04)9–7–3–1W
21November 21, 20036–3@ Florida Panthers (2003–04)10–7–3–1W
22November 23, 20031–0Phoenix Coyotes (2003–04)11–7–3–1W
23November 25, 20033–6Ottawa Senators (2003–04)11–8–3–1L
24November 27, 20031–3Toronto Maple Leafs (2003–04)11–9–3–1L
25November 29, 20032–1Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04)12–9–3–1W
December: 7–7–0–1 (home: 5–4–0–0; road: 2–3–0–1)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
26December 1, 20033–4@ Pittsburgh Penguins (2003–04)12–10–3–1L
27December 3, 20034–6Boston Bruins (2003–04)12–11–3–1L
28December 5, 20036–2Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2003–04)13–11–3–1W
29December 6, 20034–3 OT@ Florida Panthers (2003–04)14–11–3–1W
30December 10, 20034–3 OTLos Angeles Kings (2003–04)15–11–3–1W
31December 12, 20036–3Pittsburgh Penguins (2003–04)16–11–3–1W
32December 13, 20030–4@ New York Islanders (2003–04)16–12–3–1L
33December 16, 20030–5Washington Capitals (2003–04)16–13–3–1L
34December 18, 20030–3New Jersey Devils (2003–04)16–14–3–1L
35December 20, 20037–4@ Pittsburgh Penguins (2003–04)17–14–3–1W
36December 21, 20034–1Philadelphia Flyers (2003–04)18–14–3–1W
37December 26, 20033–1Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04)19–14–3–1W
38December 28, 20032–5@ Ottawa Senators (2003–04)19–15–3–1L
39December 29, 20031–2Montreal Canadiens (2003–04)19–16–3–1L
40December 31, 20035–6 OT@ Detroit Red Wings (2003–04)19–16–3–2OTL
January: 2–9–3–0 (home: 1–4–2–0; road: 1–5–1–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
41January 3, 20041–5@ Montreal Canadiens (2003–04)19–17–3–2L
42January 8, 20041–2@ Dallas Stars (2003–04)19–18–3–2L
43January 10, 20042–5@ San Jose Sharks (2003–04)19–19–3–2L
44January 11, 20041–1 OT@ Phoenix Coyotes (2003–04)19–19–4–2T
45January 14, 20041–2Montreal Canadiens (2003–04)19–20–4–2L
46January 16, 20043–4Carolina Hurricanes (2003–04)19–21–4–2L
47January 18, 20045–2@ Carolina Hurricanes (2003–04)20–21–4–2W
48January 20, 20044–1Buffalo Sabres (2003–04)21–21–4–2W
49January 22, 20041–1 OTColorado Avalanche (2003–04)21–21–5–2T
50January 24, 20040–3New York Islanders (2003–04)21–22–5–2L
51January 25, 20042–3@ New Jersey Devils (2003–04)21–23–5–2L
52January 28, 20041–1 OTSt. Louis Blues (2003–04)21–23–6–2T
53January 30, 20041–4Toronto Maple Leafs (2003–04)21–24–6–2L
54January 31, 20042–5@ Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04)21–25–6–2L
February: 5–7–0–0 (home: 1–2–0–0; road: 4–5–0–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
55February 3, 20044–5@ Boston Bruins (2003–04)21–26–6–2L
56February 5, 20041–5Philadelphia Flyers (2003–04)21–27–6–2L
57February 10, 20042–5@ Calgary Flames (2003–04)21–28–6–2L
58February 11, 20041–5@ Edmonton Oilers (2003–04)21–29–6–2L
59February 13, 20044–1@ Vancouver Canucks (2003–04)22–29–6–2W
60February 16, 20042–7@ Buffalo Sabres (2003–04)22–30–6–2L
61February 17, 20044–1@ Montreal Canadiens (2003–04)23–30–6–2W
62February 19, 20043–2 OT@ Ottawa Senators (2003–04)24–30–6–2W
63February 21, 20044–5@ Philadelphia Flyers (2003–04)24–31–6–2L
64February 25, 20042–4Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04)24–32–6–2L
65February 27, 20043–2@ New Jersey Devils (2003–04)25–32–6–2W
66February 29, 20043–2New York Rangers (2003–04)26–32–6–2W
March: 6–4–2–2 (home: 4–2–0–2; road: 2–2–2–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
67March 2, 20044–3@ New York Rangers (2003–04)27–32–6–2W
68March 5, 20042–3 OTCarolina Hurricanes (2003–04)27–32–6–3OTL
69March 6, 20042–2 OT@ Boston Bruins (2003–04)27–32–7–3T
70March 9, 20040–2New York Rangers (2003–04)27–33–7–3L
71March 12, 20042–4@ Carolina Hurricanes (2003–04)27–34–7–3L
72March 13, 20045–2Washington Capitals (2003–04)28–34–7–3W
73March 15, 20041–0 OTCarolina Hurricanes (2003–04)29–34–7–3W
74March 17, 20043–4 OTBuffalo Sabres (2003–04)29–34–7–4OTL
75March 19, 20043–2Florida Panthers (2003–04)30–34–7–4W
76March 20, 20042–2 OT@ Washington Capitals (2003–04)30–34–8–4T
77March 24, 20043–2Washington Capitals (2003–04)31–34–8–4W
78March 26, 20040–5New Jersey Devils (2003–04)31–35–8–4L
79March 27, 20043–0@ Florida Panthers (2003–04)32–35–8–4W
80March 29, 20042–4@ Toronto Maple Leafs (2003–04)32–36–8–4L
April: 1–1–0–0 (home: 0–1–0–0; road: 1–0–0–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
81April 2, 20042–3Pittsburgh Penguins (2003–04)32–37–8–4L
82April 3, 20042–1@ Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04)33–37–8–4W

Legend: W Win (2 points) L Loss (0 points) T Tie (1 point) OTL Overtime loss (1 point)

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Player statistics

Scoring

  • Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing
  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Thrashers only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Thrashers only.
More information No., Player ...
No. Player Pos Regular season
GP G A Pts +/- PIM
17Ilya KovalchukLW81414687−1063
19Shawn McEachernRW82173855576
13Vyacheslav KozlovLW76203252−1274
9Marc SavardC45193352−885
27Patrik StefanC82142640−726
28Randy RobitailleC69112637−1220
26Ronald PetrovickyRW78161531−9123
8Frantisek KaberleD6732629230
15Dany HeatleyLW31131225−818
10Serge AubinLW66101525073
16Jeff Cowan‡LW5891524268
25Andy SuttonD6581321094
36Daniel TjarnqvistD6851520−420
11J. P. VigierRW7010818−1822
23Ivan MajeskyD633710−776
38Yannick TremblayD382810−1313
2Garnet ExelbyD711910−10134
4Chris TamerD38257−955
39Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre†‡D27224−726
6Shawn HeinsD17044−116
49Zdenek BlatnyLW1630306
14Ben Simon†LW52303−1028
24Tommi SantalaC33123−722
20Francis LessardRW62112−5181
31Pasi NurminenG6402235
41Daniel Corso†C7011−20
47Kurtis FosterD301100
41Simon Gamache‡C201100
21Derek MacKenzieC12011010
22Kamil Piros‡C14011−34
48Kyle Rossiter†D201110
42Karl StewartLW501104
29Brian SwansonC201100
39Kip Brennan†LW5000017
34Byron DafoeG180002
5Tomas Kloucek†D37000−825
29Brad Larsen†LW6000−22
32Kari LehtonenG40000
12Bill LindsayRW24000−625
43Mike WeaverD1000−10
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Goaltending

More information No., Player ...
No. Player Regular season
GP W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
31Pasi Nurminen642530717921732.78.90333738
34Byron Dafoe184111499513.14.8980973
32Kari Lehtonen440010651.25.9531240
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Awards and records

Awards

More information Type, Award/honor ...
Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League
(annual)		 NHL Second All-Star Team Ilya Kovalchuk (Left wing) [4]
Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy Ilya Kovalchuk[a] [5]
League
(in-season)		 NHL All-Star Game selection Ilya Kovalchuk[b] [7]
NHL Offensive Player of the Month Ilya Kovalchuk (October) [8]
NHL Offensive Player of the Week Ilya Kovalchuk (October 20) [9]
Ilya Kovalchuk (October 27) [10]
NHL YoungStars Game selection Garnet Exelby[c] [12]
Team Community Service Award Andy Sutton [13]
Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy Garnet Exelby [14]
Players' Player Award Pasi Nurminen [15]
Team MVP Ilya Kovalchuk [16]
Three Stars of the Game Award Ilya Kovalchuk [15]
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Milestones

More information Milestone, Player ...
Milestone Player Date Ref
First game Tommi Santala October 9, 2003 [17]
Karl Stewart November 7, 2003
Kari Lehtonen March 19, 2004
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Transactions

The Thrashers were involved in the following transactions from June 10, 2003, the day after the deciding game of the 2003 Stanley Cup Final, through June 7, 2004, the day of the deciding game of the 2004 Stanley Cup Final.[18]

Trades

More information Date, Details ...
Date Details Ref
June 21, 2003 (2003-06-21) To Florida Panthers
  • 2nd-round pick in 2003
 To Atlanta Thrashers
[19]
September 15, 2003 (2003-09-15) To Los Angeles Kings
To Atlanta Thrashers
  • Future considerations
 [20]
October 3, 2003 (2003-10-03) To Carolina Hurricanes
  • 4th-round pick in 2004
 To Atlanta Thrashers
[21]
December 2, 2003 (2003-12-02) To Nashville Predators
To Atlanta Thrashers
[22]
December 31, 2003 (2003-12-31) To Columbus Blue Jackets
  • Future considerations
 To Atlanta Thrashers
[23]
January 6, 2004 (2004-01-06) To Ottawa Senators
To Atlanta Thrashers
[24]
March 8, 2004 (2004-03-08) To Florida Panthers
To Atlanta Thrashers
[25]
March 9, 2004 (2004-03-09) To Los Angeles Kings
To Atlanta Thrashers
[26]
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Players acquired

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerFormer teamTermViaRef
July 24, 2003 (2003-07-24) Brian SwansonEdmonton OilersFree agency[27]
August 12, 2003 (2003-08-12) Eric HealeyManchester Monarchs (AHL)Free agency[28]
Randy RobitailleNew York IslandersFree agency[28]
August 25, 2003 (2003-08-25) Bill LindsayMontreal CanadiensFree agency[29]
September 10, 2003 (2003-09-10) Shawn HeinsPittsburgh PenguinsFree agency[30]
October 3, 2003 (2003-10-03) Serge AubinColorado AvalancheWaiver draft[21]
Shawn HeinsNew York RangersWaiver draft[21]
Ronald PetrovickyNew York RangersWaiver draft[21]
February 25, 2004 (2004-02-25) Brad LarsenColorado AvalancheWaivers[31]
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Players lost

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerNew teamVia[d]Ref
July 1, 2003 (2003-07-01) Yuri ButsayevHC CSKA Moscow (RSL)Free agency (II)[e][34]
Mark HartiganColumbus Blue Jackets[f]Buyout[36]
Damian Rhodes[g]Contract expiration (III)[32]
July 14, 2003 (2003-07-14) Ben SimonNashville PredatorsFree agency (VI)[38]
July 18, 2003 (2003-07-18) Andreas KarlssonEHC Basel (NLA)Free agency (UFA)[39]
July 21, 2003 (2003-07-21) Per SvartvadetModo Hockey (SHL)Free agency (UFA)[40]
July 28, 2003 (2003-07-28) Jeff FarkasRetirement (VI)[41]
August 6, 2003 (2003-08-06) Dallas EakinsVancouver CanucksFree agency (UFA)[42]
August 7, 2003 (2003-08-07) Jeff OdgersRetirement (III)[43]
September 30, 2003 (2003-09-30) Shawn HeinsNew York RangersWaivers[44]
November 2, 2003 (2003-11-02) Lubos BarteckoHC Sparta Praha (ELH)Free agency (UFA)[45]
November 4, 2003 (2003-11-04) Tony HrkacNashville PredatorsFree agency (III)[46]
March 9, 2004 (2004-03-09) Jean-Luc Grand-PierreWashington CapitalsWaivers[26]
Bill LindsayWashington CapitalsWaivers[h][26]
April 20, 2004 (2004-04-20) Brian SwansonKassel Huskies (DEL)Free agency[49]
April 26, 2004 (2004-04-26) Randy RobitailleZSC Lions (NLA)Free agency[50]
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Signings

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerTermContract typeRef
June 18, 2003 (2003-06-18) Byron Dafoe1-yearOption exercised[51]
July 11, 2003 (2003-07-11) Tommi SantalaEntry-level[52]
July 17, 2003 (2003-07-17) Ivan MajeskyRe-signing[53]
Andy SuttonRe-signing[53]
July 24, 2003 (2003-07-24) Kamil PirosRe-signing[27]
July 26, 2003 (2003-07-26) Vyacheslav KozlovRe-signing[54]
August 11, 2003 (2003-08-11) Pasi Nurminen1-year[i]Re-signing[55][56]
August 13, 2003 (2003-08-13) Marc Savard1-yearRe-signing[57][56]
August 20, 2003 (2003-08-20) Stephen BabyEntry-level[58]
September 15, 2003 (2003-09-15) Joe DiPentaRe-signing[59]
June 2, 2004 (2004-06-02) Lane MansonEntry-level[60]
Brad SchellEntry-level[60]
Brian SipotzEntry-level[60]
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Draft picks

Atlanta's draft picks at the 2003 NHL entry draft held at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee.[61]

More information Round, # ...
Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
18Braydon Coburn CanadaPortland Winterhawks (WHL)
4110Jim Sharrow United StatesHalifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
4116Guillaume Desbiens CanadaRouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)
4136Michael Vannelli United StatesSioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
5145Brett Sterling United StatesColorado College (NCAA)
6175Mike Hamilton CanadaMerritt Centennials (BCHL)
7203Denis Loginov RussiaAk Bars Kazan (Russia)
8239Tobias Enstrom SwedenModo Hockey (Sweden)
9269Rylan Kaip CanadaNotre Dame Hounds (SJHL)
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Notes

  1. [a]
    Shared with Jarome Iginla of the Calgary Flames and Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets
  2. [b]
    Kovalchuk was voted to the starting lineup, receiving more votes than any other player.[6]
  3. [c]
    Exelby did not play and was replaced by Matt Stajan of the Toronto Maple Leafs.[11]
  4. [d]
    In parentheses is the player's free agency group on July 1 if applicable.[32]
  5. [e]
    The Thrashers retained Butsayev’s NHL rights through the 2006–07 season.[33]
  6. [f]
    Hartigan signed with Columbus on July 15.[35]
  7. [g]
    Rhodes retired.[37]
  8. [h]
    Claim rescinded due to the severity of the throat injury Lindsay suffered during a January 3 game.[47][48]
  9. [i]
    Club option for a second year.

References

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