Which Russian NHL player helped lead the Atlanta Thrashers to their first playoff appearance?
2006–07 Atlanta Thrashers season The 2006–07 Atlanta Thrashers season began with the highest expectations in franchise history, even with the off-season loss of their second-leading scorer, Marc Savard, to the Boston Bruins. Veteran centers Steve Rucchin, Niko Kapanen and Jon Sim were acquired in hopes help fill the loss of Savard. With NHL superstars Marian Hossa and Ilya Kovalchuk and a healthy goaltender, Kari Lehtonen, the Thrashers clinched the first playoff berth in franchise history following the Toronto Maple Leafs' 7–2 loss to the New York Rangers on April 1. The Thrashers had a highly disappointing playoff series against the New York Rangers, as they were swept with losses of 4–3, 2–1, 7–0, and 4–2.
Vladimir Chebaturkin Vladimir Alexandrovich Chebaturkin (born April 23, 1975 in Tyumen, Soviet Union) is a professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for the New York Islanders, St. Louis Blues and the Chicago Blackhawks. He was drafted 66th overall by the Islanders in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft and went on to play 62 games, scoring 2 goals and 7 assists for 9 points and collecting 52 penalty minutes.