Bogo's a Go

Knobler is reporting that DW has begun negotiations with Zach Bogosian to get him signed to his rookie contract. Under the current CBA, the base salary for rookies is fixed (but varies based on where you were drafted) but lets the teams work out incentives.

Apparently DW wants to have the contract done and filed in time for Bogo to lead our prospects onto the ice at the Traverse City tournament in mid-September. From there, he'll come back to the Ice Forum for his first NHL training camp. DW had good things to say about how Bogo was looking at the Team USA juniors evaluation camp where he met with him in Lake Placid recently. He seems to think that his body is ready for the NHL, and the only thing to worry about is his mind. From everything I've heard about the kid, he should be mentally fit to handle the transition, too.

This is good news since Nikulin is obviously not going to be heading our way, and Bogosian is the biggest pick up of this off season for Atlanta. But who knows? Maybe Joe Sakic's press conference will be to tell everyone that he has always loved the Varsity, and thus wants to finish his career as a Thrasher.