Power Rankings: Thrashers now get Ilya-free preview

Updated Oct. 27

As hard as it is to imagine a team being in a make-or-break period this early in the season, that's the situation the Atlanta Thrashers find themselves in these days.

Think of it as kind of a Rorschach test for the team. Or perhaps more accurately for its captain Ilya Kovalchuk, who will spend the next three to five weeks on the shelf with a broken foot. How the rest of the players respond to his absence could go a long way toward determining whether one of the league's most dynamic players will remain with it after this season.

Kovalchuk, with nine goals already this season, can become an unrestricted free agent next July and so far has declined to sign a new contract with the team that drafted him first overall in 2001. More important, he has expressed his frustration several times over the last few years at the organization's failure to make any real progress. But Kovalchuk has been sounding positive notes this season after Atlanta added veterans Nik Antropov, Maxim Afinogenov and Pavel Kubina.

The newcomers and some strong play by youngsters Evander Kane and Zach Bogosian helped the Thrashers get off to a quick start. Atlanta stumbled last week, dropping three games in a row including one to San Jose when Kovalchuk was injured. Now the issue is whether the Thrashers can keep their heads above water and stay in the playoff race while missing their superstar for a dozen games or so.

If they do, it would go a long way toward convincing Kovalchuk that the team really is on the right track and worth the commitment of a new contract. If not, well ...

"That's why they call it a team," Atlanta coach John Anderson said. "We're not based just on one player. As much as Kovy is a great player and we need him, other guys have to play well too. We need to play like a team."

More than ever.

Here are the power rankings through Monday night's games:

Power Rankings
Current		Team	Previous
	1	Devils · Trends	1
	Even without a goal in December, Zach Parise is tied for the lead in plus-minus.
	2	Blackhawks · Trends	6
	The league's best team at home has three shutouts in its past four games.
	3	Penguins · Trends	3
	Need proof about how skilled this team is? How about a 6-0 record in shootouts.
	4	Capitals · Trends	7
	The goaltending has been underappreciated and a big reason the Caps have reached 50 points faster than any team in franchise history.
	5	Sabres · Trends	5
	Tim Connolly has been struggling offensively with only two goals in his past 23 games.
	6	Sharks · Trends	9
	A little more offense needed from guys not named Thornton, Marleau and Heatley.
	7	Predators · Trends	17
	Becoming a dad for the first time recently has worked for David Legwand. He has 18 points in his last 19 games.
	8	Kings · Trends	2
	A well-earned break after a 7-2-1 record in December and a gift coming with Ryan Smyth's return after Christmas.
	9	Coyotes · Trends	10
	Ilya Bryzgalov should be in the mix for the MVP award as well as the Vezina this season.
	10	Avalanche · Trends	8
	Colorado's power play is effective these days, connecting in 10 of the past 13 games.
	11	Flames · Trends	11
	Third periods are hurting the Flames, who are 3-4-2 when tied heading into the final 20 minutes.
	12	Senators · Trends	19
	Doing well at home isn't exciting the masses. Ottawa has only three sellouts in 20 games at Scotiabank Place.
	13	Red Wings · Trends	12
	Sticking close to the playoff cutoff line without any offense to speak of. The Wings have been blanked four times in the past 15 games.
	14	Bruins · Trends	4
	Wonder why a team with draft picks and prospects to spare is linked to rumors about Ilya Kovalchuk? B's were second in offense last year and 26th now.
	15	Thrashers · Trends	16
	The goalies are getting bombarded, with the Thrashers giving up a league-worst 34.9 shots per game. They have been outshot 26 times in 34 games.
	16	Wild · Trends	15
	They are 10-3-1 in their past 14 -- the hottest team in the West. And they gained four points in the standings.
	17	Panthers · Trends	27
	An offensive juggernaut? Looked like it last week as Florida climbed into the playoff picture.
	18	Stars · Trends	18
	The win total is weak compared with the other contenders, but the Stars are plugging along, especially at home with a 5-0-2 mark in the past seven.
	19	Canucks · Trends	13
	Five of the worst teams in the league have beaten the Canucks a total of six times, all in regulation, too.
	20	Rangers · Trends	24
	Rangers coach John Tortorella sent a message by scratching a couple of high-paid regulars, and apparently it was received.
	21	Canadiens · Trends	21
	Some good news on the injury front and a major boost with Andrei Markov back in the lineup.
	22	Maple Leafs · Trends	20
	A reason to believe. Rookie goalie Jonas Gustavsson comes back from a 17-games absence and pitches his first career shutout.
	23	Oilers · Trends	14
	Snapped back to reality in the cold air of Edmonton after a five-game win streak on the road.
	24	Lightning · Trends	26
	Marty St. Louis isn't scoring goals, but his 31 assists are second best in the league.
	25	Islanders · Trends	22
	All of a sudden they can't win at home. Bad timing, too, with several more games coming up at Nassau Coliseum.
	26	Blues · Trends	23
	David Backes is making a late push for a Team USA Olympic roster spot with five goals in his past five games.
	27	Ducks · Trends	28
	The power play is still clicking and that's helping the Ducks pick up points but not gain much ground.
	28	Flyers · Trends	25
	Things aren't getting any better for the Flyers, who are 3-12-1 in their past 16 games and 2-6-1 under Peter Laviolette.
	29	Blue Jackets · Trends	29
	Goalie Steve Mason has been pulled five times in his first 28 starts.
	30	Hurricanes · Trends	30
	Cam Ward has been struggling since returning, allowing 17 goals in five starts.