The Atlanta Thrashers on Wednesday signed free-agent defenceman Karel Pilar, who is attempting an NHL comeback after a heart condition.

Pilar showed promise in parts of three seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs but was sidelined by viral myopathy, a condition that stiffens the heart.

Karel Pilar (red) played in the Euro Hockey Tour in April for his native Czech Republic.
(Petr David Josek/Associated Press)

The 29-year-old returned to professional hockey after a nearly two-year absence in the spring, recording two goals and five assists in 10 games with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League.

Pilar has six goals and 24 assists in 90 career NHL games, all with the Maple Leafs. The Czech defender last played in the league in the 2003-04 season.

Atlanta also signed free agent forward Milan Bartovic.

Bartovic, 26, has appeared in 50 NHL games with Buffalo and Chicago during his career, scoring three goals and 14 assists. The Slovakian spent last season playing in Switzerland and Sweden.