Jason Krog gave strong consideration to returning, but in the end, the final decision came down to signing where he believed he at least a legitimate shot to play some games at the next level.
Krog, the slick playmaker, was the focal point of the Manitoba Moose offence last season as he put up 86 points and helped the team reach the Calder Cup final for the first time in franchise history.
And while the Vancouver Canucks made an offer that was for slightly more money and the same term, Krog ended up taking a two-year deal from the Atlanta Thrashers when he became an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
One of the biggest reasons was that the Thrashers head coach is John Anderson and one of the assistants is Todd Nelson, who were at the helm of the Chicago Wolves when Krog helped them to the Calder Cup championship in 2008.
"Having two coaches there should help me get some games in Atlanta," said Krog, who played only four early season games with the Canucks during his lone recall last season. "It didn't bother me at the time, but if I had signed with Vancouver it was going to be completely signing with Manitoba. I didn't think (the Canucks) looked at me as someone who could help them out up there.
"That isn't a bad thing, but at the same time it's nice having someone in your corner that will look at you for a recall."
Barring a playoff meeting between the Wolves and Moose, Krog made his one and only visit to the MTS Centre this weekend.
Krog earned and assist on the Wolves lone goal as the Moose defeated the Wolves 2-1 last night.
After coming up two wins short of a second consecutive Calder Cup last spring, Krog was still tempted to re-sign with the Canucks.
Tough decision
"The Moose organization and the fans treated me so well -- it was a good hockey family here," said Krog, who turned 34 on Friday. "It was a tough situation and a tough decision. Going so far here last year but not winning, I kind of felt like I should come back here (to the Moose) and finish what we started here. But that's part of the business."
There had been whispers Krog was less than 100% during the Calder Cup final series with the Hershey Bears and he confirmed he was dealing with a hip pointer and a foot injury.
"I was a little banged up, but everybody was. That was no excuse," said Krog.
Somewhat surprisingly, Moose fans booed Krog when he touched the puck at various points during the weekend.
Wolves head coach Donny Granato made Krog his captain and is expecting big things from him this season.
"He's got a great history with the Wolves, he's comfortable in that role and we're certainly comfortable with him," said Granato. "We know what he's capable of doing and he's done it consistently."
Krog was excited to be named captain for the first time since wearing the C for the University of New Hampshire.
"Anytime you get looked upon as a leader, it's an honour," said Krog. "This is a good organization with a lot of prominent guys who have been captain."
ken.wiebe@sunmedia.ca
