Thursday July 2, 2009

ATLANTA (AP) -- The Thrashers have signed free agent forward Nik
Antropov, the player general manager Don Waddell says was his top priority in free agency.

The Thrashers signed the 29-year-old Antropov to a multiyear deal on Thursday, one day after trading for defenseman Pavel Kubina.

Antropov set a career high with 59 points and 28 goals with Toronto and the New York Rangers last season. He was traded to the Rangers on March 4.

He had 56 points with the Maple Leafs during the 2007-08 season. Waddell said he already has received a message from team captain Ilya Kovalchuk "saying great job."

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)