(My Sportsbook) - After making the playoffs for the first time in franchise history last season, the Atlanta Thrashers entered the 2007-08 campaign with lofty expectations.

However, things haven't exactly worked out as planned, as the Thrashers lost their first six games of the season and fired head coach Bob Hartley as a result.

However, the Thrashers have been a much-improved club since the Hartley firing, as they've gone 7-4-0 in 11 games with general manager and interim head coach Don Waddell behind the bench.

Atlanta has played so well under Waddell that the GM has yet to find a permanent replacement for Hartley. Waddell jokingly referred to this fact after a recent victory saying, "If I find a better coach, I'll hire him."

The Thrashers' biggest contributor on the ice this season has been winger Ilya Kovalchuk, who is leading Atlanta in both goals (14) and points (22). In fact, the 24-year-old Russian also leads the NHL in goals heading into Monday's action.

Atlanta is 7-10-0 overall this season and would be out of the playoffs if the season ended today. The good news for the Thrashers is that they've been heading in the right direction since the 0-6 start and have plenty of time to get back in the conference playoff mix.