 After spending parts of the next two seasons with the Red Wings, Butsayev was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers along with a draft pick for defenceman Jiri Slegr.After spending parts of two seasons with the Thrashers, Butsayev returned to Russia during the 2003 season and has played there ever since.Butsayev played only 99 games in the NHL 75 with the wings and 24 with the thrashers.