1999–2000 Atlanta Thrashers season


The 1999–2000 Atlanta Thrashers season was the inaugural season of the franchise that would play in Atlanta for 11 seasons.
The Thrashers managed only 14 wins during their first season in the National Hockey League. It was the worst season in the history of the franchise, and as of right now stands as the lowest full-season point total for any team since the beginning of the "three point" NHL standings system in 1999–2000; the Detroit Red Wings later tied the mark, but in the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 NHL season.

Offseason

NHL draft

Atlanta's picks at the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.
Round#PlayerPositionNationalityCollege/junior/club team
11Patrik StefanCenterLong Beach Ice Dogs
230Luke SellarsDefenseOttawa 67's
368Zdenek BlatnyLeft WingSeattle Thunderbirds
498David KaczowkaLeft WingSeattle Thunderbirds
499Rob ZeppGoaltenderPlymouth Whalers
5128Derek MacKenzieCenterSudbury Wolves
6159Yuri DobryshkinRight WingKrylya Sovetov Moscow
7188Stephen BabyRight WingGreen Bay Gamblers
8217Garnet ExelbyDefenseSaskatoon Blades
9245Tommi SantalaCenterJokerit
9246Ray DiLauroDefenseSt. Lawrence University

Expansion draft

These results are numbered 1–26 for aesthetic purposes, but the players were not necessarily chosen in this order. As the Thrashers were the only team participating in the draft, the order is inconsequential.
#PlayerDrafted from
1.Trevor Kidd Carolina Hurricanes
2.Norm Maracle Detroit Red Wings
3.Corey Schwab Tampa Bay Lightning
4.Petr Buzek Dallas Stars
5.Brett Clark Montreal Canadiens
6.Kevin Dean New Jersey Devils
7.Maxim Galanov Pittsburgh Penguins
8.David Harlock New York Islanders
9.Jamie Pushor Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
10.Darryl Shannon Buffalo Sabres
11.Chris Tamer New York Rangers
12.Mark Tinordi Washington Capitals
13.Yannick Tremblay Toronto Maple Leafs
14.Kelly Buchberger Edmonton Oilers
15.Sylvain Cloutier Chicago Blackhawks
16.Phil Crowe Ottawa Senators
17.Peter Ferraro Boston Bruins
18.Johan Garpenlov Florida Panthers
19.Jody Hull Philadelphia Flyers
20.Matt Johnson Los Angeles Kings
21.Tomi Kallio Colorado Avalanche
22.Steve Staios Vancouver Canucks
23.Mike Stapleton Phoenix Coyotes
24.Ed Ward Calgary Flames
25.Terry Yake St. Louis Blues
26.Alexei Yegorov San Jose Sharks

Regular season

The newly formed Thrashers selected Patrik Stefan with the first overall selection in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. They played their first game on October 2, 1999, losing 4–1 to the eventual Stanley Cup Champions, the New Jersey Devils. Captain Kelly Buchberger scored the franchise's first goal in the loss. The Thrashers would not get their first win until two weeks later. Damian Rhodes blanked the New York Islanders 2–0 on the road. The Thrashers would not get their first victory in Atlanta until October 26 when they beat the Calgary Flames in their return to Atlanta 2–1. Andrew Brunette led the team in scoring with 50 points as the Thrashers finished last in the Southeast Division with a NHL worst record of 14–57–7–4. Atlanta also won less games then any NBA team that season including the Los Angeles Clippers which they won 15 games.
In addition to being shut out a league-high 12 times, the Thrashers struggled offensively and defensively, scoring the fewest goals and allowing the most goals out of all 28 teams. They also tied the Chicago Blackhawks for most short-handed goals allowed, with 13.

Final standings

Schedule and results

Player statistics

Regular season

;Scoring
PlayerPosGPGAPtsPIM+/-PPGSHGGWG
LW8123275030-32902
C8119254488-331003
RW5814193347-24400
D7510213122-42412
RW5216102624-14102
C725202530-20100
C6210122230-29401
D635141941-22300
D495131865-14101
RW6851217139-34000
LW732141631-30000
LW2769154-21000
C51591414-17100
C2049134-13200
RW14741112-4011
LW735611219-17200
RW33471118-13101
D581101138-26000
D69281091-32000
D4043720-12000
C383476-8000
LW64257144-11000
D141676-13010
RW4451644-5020
D4406636-8000
D2723566-5000
LW2514517-7001
D71342-3100
D2310114-5010
D2710171-17000
RW71014-3000
D140114-12000
RW30110-1000
C20000-1000
LW80004-5000
G1600040000
D400013-1000
G1500000000
G3200000000
D30002-4000
G2800020000
G100000000
LW300000000

;Goaltending
PlayerMINGPWLT/OTGAGAASOSASVSV%
15612851931013.881803702.874
1618324192943.491852758.890
765153110554.310395340.861
920162112493.200451402.891
59101044.0703228.875
Team:492382146173033.69225332230.880

Awards and records

Records

Milestones

Transactions

Trades

Free agents

The Atlanta Thrashers signed the following free agents in the 1999-2000 season. Unrestricted free agents chosen in the expansion draft later signed by the Thrashers are included in the list.
Nelson Emerson, Dean Sylvester, Chris Tamer, Steve Staios, Sergei Vyshedkevich, Ray Ferraro, Herbert Vasilyev

Claimed from waivers