I normally don’t like to comment about trade rumors or assumptions of locker room discord, but when Kevin Allen says something about the Thrashers, I listen. He’s one of the national press who has always had his finger on the pulse of the team – and who’s paid closer attention to the team than nearly anyone else. Allen has heard rumors to the effect that the Thrash might be willing to turn Bergfors for a second rounder or prospect, which later could be used at the March trade deadline to acquire a spare piece for a playoff run. Saith Allen:
↵↵↵The Thrashers don’t want an NHL player in return for Bergfors. There’s logic to that strategy. The Thrashers are the NHL’s second-highest scoring team. They don’t need Bergfors goals. But they expect they will want to add a player at the trade deadline in hopes they could make a playoff run. They would like to wait a while to see what the team needs most before acquiring someone for the roster. They are a low-budget team, and moving out Bergfors’ salary would allow them to have cash to acquire a rental player in March. Since salaries are pro-rated, the Thrashers might be able to add a $2 million player at the deadline.
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Bergfors, you might remember, was a key piece in February’s Kovalchuk trade. He’s considered a top young player in the game, but unfortunately he isn’t fitting in well in coach Craig Ramsay’s system.