When the Thrashers open training camp in September there should be plenty of competition for spots on the blueline. Some players from the past season will inevitably have signed with other teams, leaving openings for some new blood. While it's entirely possible that some holes could be filled via free agency there are plenty of prospects in Chicago hoping that the Thrashers opt to go with a youth movement. If they do, two of their options are capable 24 year-old blueliners who had big years with the AHL Wolves. Mark Popovic has been in the Thrashers system since the 2005-06 season after coming over from a trade with Anaheim and already has 359 AHL games under his belt. The Stoney Creek, Ontario native has impressed the coaching staff in Atlanta when called up for brief stints and is billed as a solid defender who can both skate with the puck and make crisp outlet passes. Then there's first-year pro Nathan Oystrick who played for four years at Don Waddell's alma mater- Northern Michigan. Oystrick would have been a strong contender for AHL rookie of the year honors in any other year after picking up 15 goals and 47 points, but he was overshadowed by teammate and rookie sensation Brett Sterling who set a new AHL rookie goal-scoring record.

Both players have NHL talent and despite being the same age they are at different points in their careers and are looking at their situations in very different ways. Oystrick spent the past season adjusting to life as a pro while Popovic settled in as a veteran and hoped for a chance to get called up.

"I've just been trying to have fun and try to get better in all aspects of the game," said 6'1", 210 lb Popovic during the AHL playoffs. "Just being more professional on and off the ice, whether it's my diet, working out during the season or maintaining my weight. Those are things you learn as you go along in your career. This year I just wanted to have fun. If I was going to be in the minors this year- it's not exactly where you want to be when you start the year when you set your goals- but if I was going to be here I wanted to make sure that when I finished the season I was a better player than when I went in and I think I've done that."

Meanwhile the 6'0", 215 lb. Oystrick made the adjustment from college to pro hockey look effortless, despite the differences.

"I think I've had a pretty good year and adjusted to the game pretty quickly. The guys are a lot stronger" according to Oystrick, who hails from Regina, Saskatchewan. "And I don't want to say they're a lot more skilled, but they're definitely more skilled. The pace of the game is different. Not so much the speed, but a lot more guys coming down one-on-one. They'll pull up instead of driving down the wall. And just a lot of little things like stick on puck and better positioning."

The ability to adjust to the AHL earned Oystrick (right) plenty of quality ice time which led to his impressive point totals (Oystrick's 47 points are nine more than any Thrashers defenseman has ever scored in a season). Even he was surprised with his success though.

"I was expecting to score some but maybe not as many as I did. Obviously playing on a team like this it's pretty easy to put up points. You just get the puck to guys like Sterling and (Darren) Haydar and (Jason) Krog and they'll find the back of the net."

Oystrick may have led Wolves defensemen in points, but Popovic wasn't far behind him. He scored one more goal than his rookie counterpart and finished the season wit 16 goals and 40 points. Popovic provided valuable leadership on the blueline and was able to focus on rounding out his game in order to be prepared for a future in the NHL.

Heading into what promises to be a competitive training camp Popovic is confident that he has the tools Atlanta is looking for.

"My skating has always been one of my strengths. And I think I've shown a lot of poise in all situations here in Chicago. I played on the power play, penalty kill and against the other team's top lines. I've learned how to do all of that. And looking at Atlanta, there are role models there to look up to like Nic Havelid. He's so consistent night after night, 82 games a year and into the playoffs. I'd hope that I could do that at the next level."

Popovic's confidence will be a huge asset for him in camp, but Oystrick still feels that he has a lot to prove, especially after missing most of prospect camp last summer with a bout of mono.

"Last year was a pretty big letdown. But I came back and had a pretty solid season and I think that with a hard-working effort this summer I can go to into camp prepared. It's going to be huge. I want to get in the weight room and get running and stuff like that before camp. Hopefully I can go to Atlanta in the summer and maybe open a couple eyes up and see what happens from there. Obviously there are going to be a lot of guys battling for a spot and I'm going to have to have the biggest summer of my life to make the team next year."

Having been through a few pro camps already Popovic is much more relaxed, albeit determined, about the process.

"I'm under contract for next year, so I'm not too worried about it. It's out of my control right now. I'll worry about it when the time comes. All I know is that I'll be ready."

He better be. If you assume that recently-signed Tobias Enstrom and hulking defenseman Boris Valabik will also be competing for spots in September then things could get very interesting. Throw in Niclas Havelid, Alexei Zhitnik who are under contract for next season as well as restricted free agents Garnet Exelby and Steve McCarthy and things get downright crowded, and that's without even looking at free agents. If nothing else we know that the Thrashers will have plenty of options.