2003–04 Atlanta Thrashers season

The 2003–04 Atlanta Thrashers season was the 22nd season of play for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on June 22, 1979, and 29th season for the organization overall.

Regular season

Final standings

Schedule and results

|1||October 9, 2003||2–1 || align="left"| Columbus Blue Jackets (2003–04) ||1–0–0–0 ||

|2||October 11, 2003||4–3 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (2003–04) ||2–0–0–0 ||

|3||October 14, 2003||2–2 OT|| align="left"| New York Islanders (2003–04) ||2–0–1–0 ||

|4||October 16, 2003||0–0 OT|| align="left"| @ New York Rangers (2003–04) ||2–0–2–0 ||

|5||October 18, 2003||7–2 || align="left"| Chicago Blackhawks (2003–04) ||3–0–2–0 ||

|6||October 21, 2003||2–3 OT|| align="left"| @ Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04) ||3–0–2–1 ||

|7||October 23, 2003||4–2 || align="left"| Nashville Predators (2003–04) ||4–0–2–1 ||

|8||October 25, 2003||2–3 || align="left"| Florida Panthers (2003–04) ||4–1–2–1 ||

|9||October 27, 2003||3–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (2003–04) ||5–1–2–1 ||

|10||October 30, 2003||2–3 || align="left"| @ Minnesota Wild (2003–04) ||5–2–2–1 ||

|11||October 31, 2003||1–2 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (2003–04) ||5–3–2–1 ||

|12||November 2, 2003||2–2 OT|| align="left"| San Jose Sharks (2003–04) ||5–3–3–1 ||

|13||November 5, 2003||7–4 || align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (2003–04) ||6–3–3–1 ||

|14||November 7, 2003||2–4 || align="left"| @ Columbus Blue Jackets (2003–04) ||6–4–3–1 ||

|15||November 8, 2003||4–3 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (2003–04) ||7–4–3–1 ||

|16||November 11, 2003||3–5 || align="left"| Ottawa Senators (2003–04) ||7–5–3–1 ||

|17||November 13, 2003||1–5 || align="left"| @ Carolina Hurricanes (2003–04) ||7–6–3–1 ||

|18||November 15, 2003||0–4 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (2003–04) ||7–7–3–1 ||

|19||November 16, 2003||5–2 || align="left"| Florida Panthers (2003–04) ||8–7–3–1 ||

|20||November 19, 2003||5–4 OT|| align="left"| Boston Bruins (2003–04) ||9–7–3–1 ||

|21||November 21, 2003||6–3 || align="left"| @ Florida Panthers (2003–04) ||10–7–3–1 ||

|22||November 23, 2003||1–0 || align="left"| Phoenix Coyotes (2003–04) ||11–7–3–1 ||

|23||November 25, 2003||3–6 || align="left"| Ottawa Senators (2003–04) ||11–8–3–1 ||

|24||November 27, 2003||1–3 || align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (2003–04) ||11–9–3–1 ||

|25||November 29, 2003||2–1 || align="left"| Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04) ||12–9–3–1 ||

|26||December 1, 2003||3–4 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (2003–04) ||12–10–3–1 ||

|27||December 3, 2003||4–6 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (2003–04) ||12–11–3–1 ||

|28||December 5, 2003||6–2 || align="left"| Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2003–04) ||13–11–3–1 ||

|29||December 6, 2003||4–3 OT|| align="left"| @ Florida Panthers (2003–04) ||14–11–3–1 ||

|30||December 10, 2003||4–3 OT|| align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (2003–04) ||15–11–3–1 ||

|31||December 12, 2003||6–3 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (2003–04) ||16–11–3–1 ||

|32||December 13, 2003||0–4 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (2003–04) ||16–12–3–1 ||

|33||December 16, 2003||0–5 || align="left"| Washington Capitals (2003–04) ||16–13–3–1 ||

|34||December 18, 2003||0–3 || align="left"| New Jersey Devils (2003–04) ||16–14–3–1 ||

|35||December 20, 2003||7–4 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (2003–04) ||17–14–3–1 ||

|36||December 21, 2003||4–1 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (2003–04) ||18–14–3–1 ||

|37||December 26, 2003||3–1 || align="left"| Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04) ||19–14–3–1 ||

|38||December 28, 2003||2–5 || align="left"| @ Ottawa Senators (2003–04) ||19–15–3–1 ||

|39||December 29, 2003||1–2 || align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (2003–04) ||19–16–3–1 ||

|40||December 31, 2003||5–6 OT|| align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (2003–04) ||19–16–3–2 ||

|41||January 3, 2004||1–5 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (2003–04) ||19–17–3–2 ||

|42||January 8, 2004||1–2 || align="left"| @ Dallas Stars (2003–04) ||19–18–3–2 ||

|43||January 10, 2004||2–5 || align="left"| @ San Jose Sharks (2003–04) ||19–19–3–2 ||

|44||January 11, 2004||1–1 OT|| align="left"| @ Phoenix Coyotes (2003–04) ||19–19–4–2 ||

|45||January 14, 2004||1–2 || align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (2003–04) ||19–20–4–2 ||

|46||January 16, 2004||3–4 || align="left"| Carolina Hurricanes (2003–04) ||19–21–4–2 ||

|47||January 18, 2004||5–2 || align="left"| @ Carolina Hurricanes (2003–04) ||20–21–4–2 ||

|48||January 20, 2004||4–1 || align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (2003–04) ||21–21–4–2 ||

|49||January 22, 2004||1–1 OT|| align="left"| Colorado Avalanche (2003–04) ||21–21–5–2 ||

|50||January 24, 2004||0–3 || align="left"| New York Islanders (2003–04) ||21–22–5–2 ||

|51||January 25, 2004||2–3 || align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (2003–04) ||21–23–5–2 ||

|52||January 28, 2004||1–1 OT|| align="left"| St. Louis Blues (2003–04) ||21–23–6–2 ||

|53||January 30, 2004||1–4 || align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (2003–04) ||21–24–6–2 ||

|54||January 31, 2004||2–5 || align="left"| @ Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04) ||21–25–6–2 ||

|55||February 3, 2004||4–5 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (2003–04) ||21–26–6–2 ||

|56||February 5, 2004||1–5 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (2003–04) ||21–27–6–2 ||

|57||February 10, 2004||2–5 || align="left"| @ Calgary Flames (2003–04) ||21–28–6–2 ||

|58||February 11, 2004||1–5 || align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (2003–04) ||21–29–6–2 ||

|59||February 13, 2004||4–1 || align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (2003–04) ||22–29–6–2 ||

|60||February 16, 2004||2–7 || align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (2003–04) ||22–30–6–2 ||

|61||February 17, 2004||4–1 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (2003–04) ||23–30–6–2 ||

|62||February 19, 2004||3–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Ottawa Senators (2003–04) ||24–30–6–2 ||

|63||February 21, 2004||4–5 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (2003–04) ||24–31–6–2 ||

|64||February 25, 2004||2–4 || align="left"| Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04) ||24–32–6–2 ||

|65||February 27, 2004||3–2 || align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (2003–04) ||25–32–6–2 ||

|66||February 29, 2004||3–2 || align="left"| New York Rangers (2003–04) ||26–32–6–2 ||

|67||March 2, 2004||4–3 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (2003–04) ||27–32–6–2 ||

|68||March 5, 2004||2–3 OT|| align="left"| Carolina Hurricanes (2003–04) ||27–32–6–3 ||

|69||March 6, 2004||2–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (2003–04) ||27–32–7–3 ||

|70||March 9, 2004||0–2 || align="left"| New York Rangers (2003–04) ||27–33–7–3 ||

|71||March 12, 2004||2–4 || align="left"| @ Carolina Hurricanes (2003–04) ||27–34–7–3 ||

|72||March 13, 2004||5–2 || align="left"| Washington Capitals (2003–04) ||28–34–7–3 ||

|73||March 15, 2004||1–0 OT|| align="left"| Carolina Hurricanes (2003–04) ||29–34–7–3 ||

|74||March 17, 2004||3–4 OT|| align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (2003–04) ||29–34–7–4 ||

|75||March 19, 2004||3–2 || align="left"| Florida Panthers (2003–04) ||30–34–7–4 ||

|76||March 20, 2004||2–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (2003–04) ||30–34–8–4 ||

|77||March 24, 2004||3–2 || align="left"| Washington Capitals (2003–04) ||31–34–8–4 ||

|78||March 26, 2004||0–5 || align="left"| New Jersey Devils (2003–04) ||31–35–8–4 ||

|79||March 27, 2004||3–0 || align="left"| @ Florida Panthers (2003–04) ||32–35–8–4 ||

|80||March 29, 2004||2–4 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (2003–04) ||32–36–8–4 ||

|81||April 2, 2004||2–3 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (2003–04) ||32–37–8–4 ||

|82||April 3, 2004||2–1 || align="left"| @ Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04) ||33–37–8–4 ||

Legend:

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. Player Regular season 17 LW 81 41 46 87 −10 63 19 RW 82 17 38 55 5 76 13 LW 76 20 32 52 −12 74 9 C 45 19 33 52 −8 85 27 C 82 14 26 40 −7 26 28 C 69 11 26 37 −12 20 26 RW 78 16 15 31 −9 123 8 D 67 3 26 29 2 30 15 LW 31 13 12 25 −8 18 10 LW 66 10 15 25 0 73 16 LW 58 9 15 24 2 68 25 D 65 8 13 21 0 94 36 D 68 5 15 20 −4 20 11 RW 70 10 8 18 −18 22 23 D 63 3 7 10 −7 76 38 D 38 2 8 10 −13 13 2 D 71 1 9 10 −10 134 4 D 38 2 5 7 −9 55 39 D 27 2 2 4 −7 26 6 D 17 0 4 4 −1 16 49 LW 16 3 0 3 0 6 14 LW 52 3 0 3 −10 28 24 C 33 1 2 3 −7 22 20 RW 62 1 1 2 −5 181 31 G 64 0 2 2 35 41 C 7 0 1 1 −2 0 47 D 3 0 1 1 0 0 41 C 2 0 1 1 0 0 21 C 12 0 1 1 0 10 22 C 14 0 1 1 −3 4 48 D 2 0 1 1 1 0 42 LW 5 0 1 1 0 4 29 C 2 0 1 1 0 0 39 LW 5 0 0 0 0 17 34 G 18 0 0 0 2 5 D 37 0 0 0 −8 25 29 LW 6 0 0 0 −2 2 32 G 4 0 0 0 0 12 RW 24 0 0 0 −6 25 43 D 1 0 0 0 −1 0

Goaltending Player Regular season 31 Pasi Nurminen 64 25 30 7 1792 173 2.78 .903 3 3738 34 Byron Dafoe 18 4 11 1 499 51 3.14 .898 0 973 32 Kari Lehtonen 4 4 0 0 106 5 1.25 .953 1 240

Awards and records Awards TypeAward/honorRecipientRef League(annual) NHL Second All-Star Team Ilya Kovalchuk (Left wing) Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy Ilya Kovalchuk League(in-season) NHL All-Star Game selection Ilya Kovalchuk NHL Offensive Player of the Month Ilya Kovalchuk (October) NHL Offensive Player of the Week Ilya Kovalchuk (October 20) Ilya Kovalchuk (October 27) NHL YoungStars Game selection Garnet Exelby Team Community Service Award Andy Sutton Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy Garnet Exelby Players' Player Award Pasi Nurminen Team MVP Ilya Kovalchuk Three Stars of the Game Award Ilya Kovalchuk

Milestones MilestonePlayerDateRef First game Tommi Santala October 9, 2003 Karl Stewart November 7, 2003 Kari Lehtonen March 19, 2004

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.

Trades Date Details Ref To Florida Panthers To Atlanta Thrashers To Los Angeles Kings To Atlanta Thrashers To Carolina Hurricanes To Atlanta Thrashers To Nashville Predators To Atlanta Thrashers To Columbus Blue Jackets To Atlanta Thrashers To Ottawa Senators To Atlanta Thrashers To Florida Panthers To Atlanta Thrashers To Los Angeles Kings To Atlanta Thrashers

Players acquired Date Player Former team Term Via Ref Brian Swanson Edmonton Oilers Free agency Eric Healey Manchester Monarchs (AHL) Free agency Randy Robitaille New York Islanders Free agency Bill Lindsay Montreal Canadiens Free agency Shawn Heins Pittsburgh Penguins Free agency Serge Aubin Colorado Avalanche Waiver draft Shawn Heins New York Rangers Waiver draft Ronald Petrovicky New York Rangers Waiver draft Brad Larsen Colorado Avalanche Waivers

Players lost Date Player New team Via Ref Yuri Butsayev HC CSKA Moscow (RSL) Free agency (II) , retrieved May 9, 2022 Mark Hartigan Columbus Blue Jackets Buyout Damian Rhodes Contract expiration (III) Ben Simon Nashville Predators Free agency (VI) Andreas Karlsson EHC Basel (NLA) Free agency (UFA) Per Svartvadet Modo Hockey (SHL) Free agency (UFA) Jeff Farkas Retirement (VI) , retrieved May 9, 2022 Dallas Eakins Vancouver Canucks Free agency (UFA) Jeff Odgers Retirement (III) , retrieved May 9, 2022 Shawn Heins New York Rangers Waivers Lubos Bartecko HC Sparta Praha (ELH) Free agency (UFA) , retrieved May 9, 2022 Tony Hrkac Nashville Predators Free agency (III) Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre Washington Capitals Waivers Bill Lindsay Washington Capitals Waivers Brian Swanson Kassel Huskies (DEL) Free agency, retrieved May 9, 2022 Randy Robitaille ZSC Lions (NLA) Free agency

Signings