The Atlanta Thrashers announced Monday they have re-signed free agent Bryan Little to a three-year contract.  The contract is reportedly worth just over $7 million.

The 22-year-old restricted free agent forward was drafted in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft during the first round as the 12th overall draft selection.  During his first season with the Thrashers, Little appeared in 48 games in which he totaled 6 goals and 10 assists for 16 points.  Last season, he recorded only 13 goals and 21 assists for 34 points in 79 total games after recording 31 goals and 20 assists for 51 points during his first complete 79-game NHL season, which was the 2008-2009 season.  

Little, native of Edmonton, is improving as is several of the other players such as Evander Kane and Zach Bogosia and that is going to help the Thrashers struggling powerplay, which was only 16.1% last season when they finished in 25th position in the NHL.  Further, a few players have been added to the team that will help with the under-performed powerplay – Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien.

Now, the Thrashers can turn their concentration to re-signing Niclas Bergfors who Atlanta acquired from the New Jersey Devils.  Bergfors was drafted in the first round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils as the 23rd overall draft selection.  During his first season with the Devils, he appeared in a single game but recorded no points.  His second season, he recorded one goal in eight appearances.  During the 2009-2010 season with the Devils, Bergfors recorded 13 goals as well as 14 assists for 27 points in 54 games.

During his time with Atlanta, Bergfors has recorded 17 points for 27 games.  His rookie year ended with totals of 21 goals as well as 23 assists and he went on to be part of the NHL’s All-Rookie team.

Both of these guys, Bryan Little and Niclas Bergfors will add intensity to the team.

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