ATLANTA (AP) -Atlanta Thrashers captain Scott Mellanby is expected to announce his retirement Tuesday.

The Thrashers have scheduled a telephone news conference for the 40-year-old Mellanby and general manager Don Waddell for Tuesday morning. A team spokesman said Mellanby's future with the team will be discussed.

Mellanby had 12 goals and 24 assists in his 21st season, helping to lead the Thrashers to their first playoff berth. It was the 17th time the right winger collected at least 30 points.

The Thrashers were eliminated from the playoffs in four straight games by the New York Rangers.

Mellanby spoke of his probable retirement after the playoff loss.

"I want to take a couple of days to be sure, but I'm 99 percent there," Mellanby said.

"I still feel like I can play the game. It's all the outside stuff, the training, the preparation. I don't think I'm prepared to go through that again."

The Thrashers have only eight players on their roster signed for next season.

They have 13 unrestricted free agents, including centers Keith Tkachuk and Eric Belanger, wingers Slava Kozlov and Pascal Dupuis, and defensemen Greg de Vries and Andy Sutton.

After the loss to the Rangers, Waddell said the team will be younger next season, with forwards Bryan Little, Brett Sterling and Colin Stuart thought to be ready for the move up from AHL Chicago

Atlanta Thrashers captain Scott Mellanby announced today that he has officially retired from the National Hockey League. Mellanby, 40, has enjoyed an illustrious NHL career, registering 840 points (364 goals, 476 assists), along with 2,479 penalty minutes in 1,431 career games over 21 seasons with the Flyers, Oilers, Panthers, Blues and Thrashers. He finishes his career tied for 17th on the NHL all-time games played list. Mellanby tallied 53 points (24 goals, 29 assists) in 136 playoff games and appeared in the Stanley Cup Finals with Philadelphia in 1987, and Florida in 1996.

"I've been fortunate to live my dream for the past 21 years, and it's with a heavy heart that I'm retiring from the National Hockey League," said Mellanby. "I'd like to thank all of my great teammates, the fans who have supported me, and all the wonderful people I have met along the way."

Mellanby signed with Atlanta as a free agent on July 25, 2004 and was named the franchise's fifth captain on Sept. 27, 2005. He registered 70 points (24 goals, 46 assists) in 140 games over two seasons with the Thrashers and became just the 24th player in NHL history to skate in 1,400 games on Jan. 20, 2006.

"Scott is a tremendous individual who has earned our utmost respect as a true professional both on and off the ice," said Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell. "He has helped our organization grow and has played an important role in helping shape a culture that will allow the Thrashers to be successful for many years to come."

The native of Montreal, Quebec received the 2007 Thrashers' Gilner-Reeves Community Service Award and was also the team's nominee for the NHL's King Clancy Memorial Trophy and Masterton Memorial Trophy.

"It was a real honor to coach Scott and I wish I could have begun working with him earlier in his career," said Head Coach Bob Hartley. "His experience and respect in the locker room was invaluable to the success of our club. He has helped show our younger players what it means to be a professional and how to represent an organization with class."