As the AJC’s Chris Vivlamore has reported, Eric Boulton has come to terms on a one-year contract with the Thrashers, joining Jim Slater as the longest tenured Thrashers with both players having been with the team since the start of the 2005-06 season. Slater may have seniority on a technicality since he’s been in the organization since he was drafted in 2002, but somehow I don’t see him arguing the point with Boults.
Some may wonder why a player like Boulton who has made a career out of being an enforcer was brought back when there already seems to be a full slate of forwards, many of who are of the sandpaper variety, and that’s a valid question. Well, Rick Dudley has been saying since he took over as GM that he wanted the Thrashers to be big, tough to play against, and full of character. If those three qualities don’t describe Eric Boulton I don’t know who they describe.
Boulton is a heart and soul player who is gritty on the ice and a locker room favorite off of it. He’s a joker but at the same time he’s a vocal presence in a young room who isn’t afraid to ask for more out of his teammates. In a transition year filled with new players and new coaches Boulton could end up being a stabilizing factor.
At this point in the offseason a GM’s goal is often to assemble as many quality players as possible and then sort out the roster in training camp. Yes, the Thrashers have an abundance of grit and leadership to fill out the third and fourth lines. Given how easy this team has been to play against at various times over the years that shouldn’t be seen as a problem.
I think you’d have a hard time finding a single roster player who isn’t happy to have the franchise leader in penalty minutes back in the fold.
There will be quite a fight for ice time between the 9 3rd & 4th line forwards this team has amassed.
Love Boults buy by my count we have 13 veteran forwards now under contract. No room for rookies or another 20+ goal scorer. Think we’ll package a vet or two to send somewhere?
How do you get the right mix of fourth liners together now? You have Boulton, Slater, Eager, and Thorburn for three spots. You expect Byfuglien, Antropov, Bergfors, Kane, Peverley, Little, White, Ladd, and either Burmistrov, Machacek, or Cormier on the top three lines. I also still think that they need another 20 + goal scorer. Frolov or Ponikarovsky would be good acquisitions to replace Afinogenov’s production. They also need another top four defenseman. Willie Mitchell would fit in at home in Atlanta.
I think “David” may be on to something, I believe Ponikarovsky would be a great fit in ATL, plus Antropov could probably help get him here, due to their friendship and days in Toronto… Just a thought, I would however take frolov before poni… He’s waaaay younger…
BOOO!!!!!! Why Bolt hes garbage the one player i didnt want back, is back. we could have gotten someone better. smh this dude isnt a great fight i would much rather have someone like arty or someone close to him. Tall, Strong, can score. No team even wanted bolt, only us smh.
Competition is a good thing…….. Boltzie has earned a bit of consideration over the years. He’ll fill a role, and do it w/ passion.
As far as his fisticuffs???
Boltz is a MONSTER!!!! If you’ll watch his style…. He’s strong as a BULL ELEPHANT! He’ll clutch, protect himself, occasional jab, and let the other guy get gassed in short order THEN??? WHOA NELLIE! The other guy had better turtle because ol’ Boltzie is gonna wail on his azz!!! Seen him do it more than once.
The O’fficial will make a move to break it up, and you can see Eric telling him “not yet, not yet!”. Most of the time the zebra gets in the way too damn fast!!! Anybody else seen this scenario??? Ben? could you ask him if that is indeed the case?
Boltzie is a beast if the O’fficial will let it play out.
Hopefully this is competition for Thorburn, White, and Eager to produce on the scoresheet.
Boults is a great enforcer and great teammate and leader on and off the ice. But he doesn’t do much on the scoresheet. And unfortunately, that’s the question I have about this year’s team… where are the goals going to come from?
We need a scorer or two. Some names to consider: Pontikarovski, Frolov, Afinogenov, Demitra, Guerin, Lang, Moore, Satan, Stempniak, or gasp…. Kovalchuk
Dave- I don’t think Boulton is taking a roster spot away from any of those players. Odds are they’d be playing on one of the top two lines.
I was kinda thinking Artyukin was a better version of Boulton with his flashes of offense
nice to have bolts back as far as leadership and locker room presence… but i think we have too many 3rd and 4th liners too. i kinda get the feeling he will sit out most games and brought in only when one of our younger guys needs a day off. i dont mind having him in that role, esp with what he brings to the team off the ice.