ATLANTA (AP) -- The Atlanta Thrashers signed center Niko Kapanen to a multiyear contract on Thursday.

Kapanen, who earned the league minimum $450,000 last season with Dallas, was acquired by the Thrashers with a draft pick for Patrik Stefan and Jaroslav Modry on June 24.

The 28-year-old Kapanen had career highs of 35 points and 14 goals last sesason. He had 20 goals and 56 assists in four seasons with the Stars.

Thrashers general manager Don Waddell acquired Kapanen to fill the void left by the departure of free agent center Marc Savard.