Nik Antropov signed with the Thrashers as a free agent last July with the plan to center the team's top line alongside Ilya Kovalchuk.

Kovalchuk is gone, traded to New Jersey at midseason, but Antropov, in his stead, is putting up career-best numbers.

Antropov had a goal and an assist in Tuesday's win over Buffalo. Entering today's game against Ottawa, he leads Atlanta with 59 points, which matches his career-high set last season with Toronto and the New York Rangers. His team-high 40 assists are 10 better than his previous high. His current plus-17 rating is also the best of his career.

In the 14 games since Kovalchuk was traded, Antropov has 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) and has taken 32 shots.

"Kovy is a pretty intimidating guy to play with," Thrashers coach John Anderson said. "Not because of how he acts. When you are brought in with the perception of having to get him the puck, you are not even thinking about shooting the puck on net.

"Also he had sticks he didn't like. Now, he shoots way harder with the wrist shot. He's gaining a little more confidence. It's been like a progression. Now he feels good about the way he shoots the puck."

Antropov, who has been battling a sore hip, did not practice on Wednesday.

While Antropov has been shooting and scoring more, he can still set up a goal. He had a beautiful drop pass that Maxim Afinogenov ripped past Buffalo goaltender Ryan Miller on Tuesday.

"I think he has great skills," Afinogenov said. "You can see that from the beginning of the season. He had so many opportunities to score but the puck didn't go in for him. Right now, he's finding the net and shooting a little bit more. It's easy to play with him."