Thrashers.Today.Com

By Bud L. Ellis
thrashers.today.com

ATLANTA – Training camp is in full swing, and so too is the anxiety surrounding who is going to man the pivot on the Atlanta Thrashers’ top line this season.

Erik Christensen, acquired from Pittsburgh in the Marian Hossa deadline deal, emerged as a not-so-clear-cut favorite to center the first line after the first two workouts. That was before Christensen went into the boards during Tuesday’s intrasquad game and left the ice with a shoulder injury.

Published reports Wednesday give fans a reason to breathe easy, though, as results of an MRI were negative. Still, I wouldn’t expect Christensen to travel with the team to this week’s exhibition games tonight in Nashville or Friday in St. Louis.

Todd White, who unperformed as the front-line center last season – the first of a four-year deal he signed in the summer of 2007 – will be on the trip. There are some who would like to see youngster Bryan Little get a crack at the No. 2 pivot, but the simple fact is the Thrashers aren’t paying White a ton of jack to play on the third line.

I don’t see Little as being ready to man the front line just yet. Jason Williams, penciled in for now at right wing on the top line, could move to center if Christensen doesn’t work out. Stay tuned.

First-round draft pick Zach Bogosian appears to have recovered from a hip flexor injury suffered in last week’s Traverse City Prospect Evaluation Tournament title game. Bogosian probably won’t be on this week’s trip, either, but I fully expect him to win a roster spot. One interesting thing is Bogosian can actually be with the Thrashers for the first nine games this season without it counting toward his contract. After nine games, Bogosian either can be returned to juniors and it not count as a year on his contract.

Dude is too gifted, and too rugged – even at age 18 – and the Thrashers’ defense needs upgrading. Unless he’s just overwhelmed, I think Bogo is here to stay.

We know Tobias Enstrom is here to stay. The second-year D-man, who was a rookie All-Star pick last season, has been signed to a four-year extension. Good move.

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