Williams departs Hawks for Atlanta

As was expected, Jason Williams is not returning to the Blackhawks

Williams, an unrestricted free agent, signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Thrashers on Monday for a reported $2.2 million.

The Hawks had little interest in re-signing Williams, who had 13 goals and 23 assists in 43 games, missing 35 more with a sports hernia. Williams' value to the Hawks was as a power-play point man, but they now have Brian Campbell to fill that role.

Williams also had some minor disagreements with coach Denis Savard over playing time, which didn't help his chances of coming back.

In another NHL signing, the Vancouver Canucks reached an agreement on a one-year contract with center Jason Krog, the American Hockey League MVP who helped lead the Chicago Wolves to the Calder Cup.