In a early morning meeting between highly regarded coach Barry Trotz and the teams front offce. It was early in the morning when discussion on Barry's new contract had been finalized, instantly a press conference was announced for later in the day.

When the press conference began at the table sat G.M Kirk Shuck, Head Coach Barry Trotz and an empty chair. The press conference began with G.M Kirk Shuck stepping ip to announce the details of the contract which was rumoured to be floating around the million dollar a season range. This is what he had to say, " Today the team is happy to announce the re-signing of our head coach Mr. Barry Trotz to a 3 year 850 per year deal. We are happy to have Barry hear in Atlanta and look forward to him leading our group of young men for at least another three seasons."

When the dollar number was announced one local reporter jumped on Barry asking him, "Why give the team such a discount you are one of the highest rated coaches in the sim weren't other franchise's offering for your services?" he replied simply with, "I got compensated more than fairly and am just happy to be staying hear in Atlanta and watching SEC Football. not CFL or something up in the Canadian snow."
Not a second later a question to Barry was asked as one reporter asked, "What's it like knowing you get to coach one of the more rounded BRHL2 rosters out their?" his response was typical of the moddest coach when he said, "I think we are a far far distance away from being a well rounded bunch with the embarassing loss the other night to Washington it is clear to me were not at peak performance."

Another reporter then asked coach Trotz, "Whats it like working for a G.M who pushes players in and out of the door so quickly?" he replied, " I just coach the players he gives me and do the best I can to make the men in that locker room better people and better players while they are in Atlanta."


With the crowd becoming quiet G.M Shuck stepped up and said he had another announcement to make. He was at the podium holding a thrashers crested jersey.. the crowd gathered in a frenzy to see what the g.m had to say.. This was the announcement he made, he held up a number 76 jersey.
"In a recent deal the team is sad to see Mike Fisher leave town for the third time, going with him were patrick macneill and noah welch. In return for the combo of these three young players the team has recieved dynamic young powerforward dustin penner along with a 2nd, 3rd round drafts picks and 1.5 million cash.. a stipulation was added to this deal where Dustin cant play 2nd line or better or powerplay against the hurricanes this season or the team will pay carolina 500k per offense."

As the crowd began to roar Dustin Penner came out from behind the curtains and greeted the local press and put on his first Thrashers uniform. When asked what it feels like to be a Thrasher Dustin said, "The feeling is tremendous, to into a locker room and see names like Heatley, Gaborik, Chara, Souray, Brindamour, Hemsky i know this is going to be a great team and we will challenge for the cup this year and for many years to come."

Then asked what his favorite part about coming to Atlanta is Penner quickly replied, "My teammates, when discussing my role with coach I was pumped up about the season when i saw my line-mates I think i can score 35 goals BRHL2this season."

The media then turned it attention back to the g.m. one reporter yelled, "hey if we stand hear too long you going to trade us too??" the crowd chuckled at the the joke before the g.m said, "In Atlanta we have been critisized about the amount of trades we have been making and ones that have been made in the past. We feel we skate one of the best young teams to the ice every night. with only pandalfo or staios being lost next season with the current team all staying together, and our team in the ahl, combined with prospects playing overseas or in junior still combined with the amazing assortment of picks the team has assembled the team should be in terrific shape for 4-6 years. with tyrell fast running the teams g.m spot."

An out of town reporter stood up and asked, "i had heard horcoff's name was on a jersey, any truth to the rumour?" the g.m calmy replied, "im going to take it easy on you since your a rookie in the reporting game but to try and make such false things into rumours is childish. About a week ago the team had begun negciations with the Hurricanes involving Mike Fisher and Dustin Penner as the thrasher were over cap and in major need of some cap space. 3-4 days went by so the team entered talks with colorado about yes shawn horcoff, a deal had yes been completed but when i went to fax in confirmation to the league office a fax was sitting on the machine saying please wait for me for one day so the team took the time and showed the class to grant the g.m this wish as they had been in negociations but then 3-4 day span went and couldnt get ahold of each other so it was picked up later and thats why this great young power forward Dustin Penner is sitting hear right now."


With that the coach stood up and introduced the team and their new line-up

CENTER LEFT WING RIGHT WING DEFENCE DEFENCE
1 Dany Heatley Ales Hemsky Marian Gaborik Steve Staios Zdeno Chara
2 Dainius Zubrus ** Rod Brind'Amour Dustin Penner** Tom Poti Sheldon Souray
3 Dan Fritsche* Jay Pandolfo Fernando Pisani Niklas Kronvall Jan Hejda
4 Tim Connolly Jussi Jokinen* Marian Gaborik* Petteri Nummelin Zdeno Chara


POWER PLAY

CENTER LEFT WING RIGHT WING DEFENCE DEFENCE
1 Dany Heatley Rod Brind'Amour Marian Gaborik Tom Poti Sheldon Souray
2 Dany Heatley** Ales Hemsky Dustin Penner ** Tim Connolly Petteri Nummelin


PENALTY KILL

CENTER WINGER DEFENCE DEFENCE
1 Rod Brind'Amour Jay Pandalfo Zdeno Chara Sheldon Souray
2 Rod BrindAmour** Fernando Pisani Zdeno Chara Steve Staios


STARTING GOALIE

Chris MASON