Thrashers head coach John Anderson wants to take another look at some of the players battling for NHL roster spots, so he is holding off on making any more cuts until Saturday.

The result is that the Thrashers squad that takes on the Hurricanes in Raleigh on Friday night will include many players who aren't locks to make the Thrashers' opening night roster.

Asked on Thursday if he wants to have his regular season roster in place heading into Sunday's final preseason game Anderson said he'd like to have it "as close as possible within reason."

That means Friday night will be the last chance for many players to make an impression on the coaches and management before Saturday's cuts which will trim the roster down significantly from the current 37 players.

"There might be somebody we just have to have one more look at (on Sunday), but that would be the only reason we'd sit a veteran (for the last preseason game)" said Anderson.

One player who will see plenty of ice time on Friday night is Maxim Afinogenov who saw limited time in Wednesday night's win over the Predators as he eased himself into action after battling an illness.

Speaking of Afinogenov's ice time Anderson said it “wasn’t enough for me to see how he was but it was good enough for him to get started but he'll play the next two games and he'll play a lot.”

Afinogenov is still on a pro tryout with the Thrashers and is trying to earn an NHL contract over the next two games.

Also looking for an NHL job is goaltender Manny Legace who will start in goal on Friday and play the first two periods. The plan is for Drew MacIntyre to come in for the third period, but that could change if Legace is on a roll.

For his part Legace is staying upbeat and enjoying his time in camp

"It's not my decision and I can't be thinking about it every night," said the veteran goalie. "They've got great goalies here and one of the best in the league is hurt. They've got some decisions to make but it's all up to them. I've just got to come to the rink and be happy and have fun and enjoy being around the guys. Its fun. This game is such a great game. They have a great room with a great bunch of guys here. It's not cliquey. Last night after the game pretty much the whole team was out and had dinner together. It's fun."

Whether he sticks with the team or not, Legace likes what he has seen in Atlanta, especially when it comes to the mood on the ice and in the locker room, and what he sees reminds him of a certain championship team he played for.

"It's a pretty good locker room to be honest with you. Obviously I haven't been here in a grind situation in the middle of the season to see how guys handle it, but iIt's the same feeling as training camp in Detroit, that same type of "work hard enjoy each other, let's get the season off on the right foot" attitude."

Tonight's expected line combinations are:

Forwards

Peverley- White- Afinogenov
Stapleton- Krog- Machacek
Fritsche- Reasoner- Crabb
Boulton- Slater- Gratton

Defense

Valabik- Salmela
Oystrick- Postma
Vernace- Popovic

Goalies

Legace
MacIntyre