Who’s missing, and why
Whatever sport you cover, one thing never changes. When you go to practice, you count heads. If somebody’s missing or not taking part, you need to know about it and find out why.
Today, defenseman Nathan Oystrick didn’t practice for the Thrashers. The trade deadline is Wednesday. Was something up? No, it turns out. He showed up sick and was sent home.
Goalie Kari Lehtonen has a little added incentive to play well this week. His parents are in town from Finland (just in time for the rain and snow of this past weekend). Lehtonen knows his name has been brought up in trade rumors. His reaction: “I would like to stay here. This is my home. But there’s no bad place in the NHL. Let’s hope I can stay here and do something good.”
On another subject, Ilya Kovalchuk was named the NHL’s third star of the week after getting four goals and four assists in three games. Kovalchuk joined first star of the week Martin Brodeur of the Devils and second star of the week Jarome Iginla of the Flames. The NHL announces its player of the month for February later today. Stay tuned.
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88 comments Add your comment
Anonthrashers
March 2nd, 2009
12:21 pm
Ilya Kovalchuk was announced as the #1 Star of the Month of February per the NHL Network.
GaVaHokie
March 2nd, 2009
12:48 pm
I don’t think Kari’s going anywhere for 7 reasons… first three reasons… Anderson likes him, Waddell drafted him, Kari wants to stay.
Three more reasons… he’s cheap, he won’t win an arbitration hearing, and he still has plenty of potential.
The one solid chance of trading Kari, that I can see, is if Waddell could get Pascal Leclaire from Columbus (which is rumored), who has a contract for two more seasons, but is more expensive than Kari.
And I fully expect Leclaire to be traded to Ottawa for a much better package than we can offer… thus, reason #7 why Kari will stay.
ranallo10 (in AT)
March 2nd, 2009
1:58 pm
Gotta love Lehtonen’s attitude.
Hokie: I agree on the first 6 reasons you listed. I don’t believe Leclaire is better than Lehtonen, and would rather see Lehtonen re-signed on the cheap for the same years Leclaire has remaining. Leclaire plays for a defensively strong team, which is evident in how quickly Mason excelled at the NHL level. It’s not happenstance that two talented goalies play like All-Stars unexpectedly…it’s because Howson and Hitchcock have built a strong defensive team. I don’t believe Leclaire would be successful in Atlanta, especially because Lehtonen hasn’t been abundantly successful either.
Sorry Knobler, but I have to continue the conversation from the most recent blog…
Smoothie: I agree that Schenn or Duchene are not bad consolation prizes, but I see the situation as a different “problem” to be faced. I see the #3 pick this year the same way I saw the #6 pick last year…there is a deep talent pool in that region of the draft, so not many players separate themselves as being better than the rest. I think it’s always a good option to look at what your team needs (in this case everything), and see if that need would still be available at about the same quality a few picks lower in the draft. If the answer is yes, then I think it’s better for a rebuilding team to take the similar talent and stockpile some more draft picks.
Think back to last year’s draft — is the difference in skill between Filatov (6th) and Boedker (8th) or Bailey (9th) substantial enough that it isn’t worth a 2nd or 3rd round pick to move down a few spots?
The Islanders dropped from #5 spot (Toronto took Schenn) to #8 in the draft in two separate trades. With that pick they took Josh Bailey–who has played 48 games in the NHL scoring 16 points–and received Toronto’s third round pick (68) and their 2009 second round pick (could be a 35-40). In exchange for Toronto’s 7th pick, they got from Nashville the 8th pick and a second rounder, number 40.
Brendan was opposed to that move, to my recollection, but thus far their dropping in the draft has worked well for them, and could potentially set them up with three more players that could contribute in the future for their team. It could still come back to bite them, but I think it was a bold enough move and the talent they acquired was good enough to make the gamble worth it in the long run. Schenn is a good defender, but Bailey has been playing well enough to be a #2 center for them for a while.
GaVaHokie
March 2nd, 2009
2:06 pm
Ranallo… I agree and part of the reason I was pointing out that Leclaire was more expensive than Lehtonen is I don’t see where Leclaire is any better… maybe less accident prone, but certainly not talent wise.
If Kari was UFA, I would look at those options for contract reasons, but Kari being RFA, I’d stay the course.
ranallo10 (in AT)
March 2nd, 2009
2:10 pm
Basically, I think the difference between Duchene (ranked 3rd) and Schroeder (ranked 12th) can only be determined during player interviews and their workouts. If Atlanta traded down several times and still got Schroeder (a small speedy playmaking right wing known for his passing ability), I would be happy as a fan. The lowest I’d want to see them draft is #10.
If Atlanta doesn’t get the opportunity to draft Tavares or Hedman (I don’t believe they will), I would be happy with Duchene, Schenn, Svensson-Paajarvi, Cowan, or Shroeder. Extra picks is always nice. Granted, I don’t believe those extra picks would go too far with this scouting department, but those picks could quickly be bundled and turned into another player or proven prospect.
hordi
March 2nd, 2009
2:21 pm
for a team that is a seller, we really don’t have much to sell. i like havelid, but we won’t get a roster player for him. my guess is that it will be a 3rd rd pick DW will botch. we may not even be able to dump some of the dead weight like perrin , slater, or EC. sadly..lehtonen has the most value if we actually want something good in return. IMO, Pavs will be better than fragile kari, but DW may not pull the trigger as it doesn’t seem like we are shopping him, and that’s normally a sign that he will stay. most teams don’t want to give up roster players, and DW has at least hinted at wanting nhl players rather any more picks. he called them “live bodies”, so i am assuming that’s what he meant.
Smoothie
March 2nd, 2009
3:11 pm
ranallo: I agree with you there that the talent differential may not be that great between the # 3 pick and the #10-12 picks in this supposedly deeper draft than 2008. Of the top 5 picks last spring, I think we’re doing very well with our # 3 selection as # 4 (Pietrangelo) only played 8 games and # 5 (Schenn) has only performed marginally better than Z-Bo.
So while I agree that there is no guarantee that # 3 is going to be heads and shoulders better than #s 6-12 over the course of time, the immediate impact we can get at # 3 – 5 may be better than what we get on the back end of the Top 10. However, looking at the physical specs and birthdates of players not named Hedman or Tavares, it appears we may be better off dropping down and getting more picks if possible.
I definitely think DWad will be more apt to drop down in the draft if he is able to pick up some able-bodied veterans at the trade deadline when he likely unloads Havelid and (shudder) Reasoner. I doubt we’ll get much of anything for Perrin or EC than middle-round picks. If that’s the case, we may be better off holding onto EP and EC to augment the training camp competition at the end of the summer.
It certainly will be an interesting spring when it comes to DWad’s task of rebuilding this team. The biggest question is: of our current Top 6, who is legitamately a Top 6 player for the future of this franchise?
I say only Kovy, Little, Pever and maybe White. I love Slava and think he’s had a decent year offensively, but he’s becoming more and more of a liability on defense due to his age and diminishing speed. Problem is we are stuck as he won’t waive his NTC. Do we ask him to move to the top line as a RW with Kovy and Little so you have more flexibility with re-tooling your 2nd scoring line?
Brendan
March 2nd, 2009
3:59 pm
I am still very much opposed to that Islanders deal. I’m glad they got Bailey and that he has worked out so well. But I do believe the Isles will rue the day they let Luc Schenn get away. If they simply “had to have” Josh Bailey, another deal could have been worked out. Whether than was a player off their roster, two future 2nd round picks, or the very promise of their next year’s 1st rounder, the Isles could have had Josh Bailey AND Luc Schenn. Although, I think the price tag for making that move might have been too high. But the point is, there’s no reason for Schenn to be wearing the Maple Leafs logo. How hard is it, really, to be the 2nd line center on a team as bad as the Islanders are?
I repeat, I wouldn’t have budged from #5 and I would have taken Schenn. I felt that way thennnn, as I still feel that way TODAY. And probably tomorrow, next month, next year, and so forth. Again, if this works out for the Islanders, great! Lord knows, they need to catch a break. I’m not an Islander ‘hater.’ They have my sympathy. They’re run by arguably the worst ownership in the NHL.
Sara
March 2nd, 2009
4:10 pm
Frankly more than roster moves I’m concerned with the overall direction of the team. I’ve been hearing more and more grumblings about Anderson and his system from other fans and I’m beginning to wonder myself. The defensive side of the game is still awful and this team is full of pansies. The discussion I got into with a few other fans at the game on Friday was what exactly is coach telling these guys? How does Thorburn get rocked and not one single person on the ice (which included Boris) does a thing about it? Boris doesn’t play physical, Bogosian was always said to have a nasty edge to his game….anybody seen it? Army was considered a tough, gritty, physical player in Pittsburgh – did he leave his nuts there too when he got traded? (Perhaps Sid wanted to borrow a pair to see what it was like…)
Last season we were a soft team as well but we were built like one too – team full of smurfs. I thought Waddell actually did a decent job of bringing in bigger guys either with the trade deadline deal, the draft, or free agency. So what gives? I still think the best game of the season was the game in TO earlier this season when we literally ran those guys over on the ice and on the scoreboard. What happened to *those* Thrashers?
I don’t know – maybe someone can talk me down. I don’t really want to hate on the relatively new coach – lord knows there are tons of problems that go way beyond him and he hasn’t exactly been able to work in prime conditions. But still – I’m just not quite sold on his system yet. Course, I’d be curious to hear if coach thinks this team has ever really played his system this year.
NASCAR Dave
March 2nd, 2009
4:39 pm
SARA… It’s not COACH, it’s the players DONNIE gave him. Small, speedy, undersized smurfs… Doesn’t work does it??? That’s what we’ve been telling you all along, DONNIE just doesn’t get it… Glad you are starting to smell the coffee…
ranallo10 (in AT)
March 2nd, 2009
4:46 pm
Sara: You’re a fan of the Redwings, I would think you’re accustomed to “soft” hockey (i.e., one that wont fight or run people through the boards for looking funny at a teammate). The Redwings win without roughing it up, playing “physical” hockey (Dan Cleary and Tomas Holmstrom don’t scare many people), and are typically near the bottom of the league in PIMs and fighting majors.
I’m not saying Atlanta or Anderson are emulating that system, but a team can win without having to incur the penalties that come with more physical hockey. I’m sure some people enjoy it, but I don’t like watching Anaheim games…and low-and-behold, they typically lead the league in PIMs and fighting majors while playing a physical/borderline dirty brand of hockey.
I don’t think this one season is enough to judge Anderson on. I’m all for giving him a full two years, at least, before going against his being the head coach. But then, Anderson was my #1 choice on the list for realistic potential head coaches.
Brendan: I agreed and still agree that Schenn was a bad player to pass up on. However, the idea of their moves is what I appreciate. Snow had the balls to pass on a sure fire pick in order to hopefully set up his team for future success. Every position on the roster has to be filled, and in New York they don’t have the luxury of luring top UFAs and spending max cap just because they’re the Hockey Mecca (alah Toronto). Thus, I can understand their philosophy of rebuilding their team with as many picks as possible, to better stock the cupboards so they can actually have a “system” in place. Giving up the chance to draft Schenn is a gamble that might never work out for them, but at least they’re rolling the dice. However, had they been picking #6 and Schenn was off the boards, I think I would’ve been fine seeing them slip lower and still coming out with Boedker, Wilson or Bailey.
Jeremy H
March 2nd, 2009
5:05 pm
So Mark, the point of the title, “Who’s missing and why” was to say one rookie defenseman was sent home sick? I like ya man, but this one let me down. Better luck next time.
Jeremy H
March 2nd, 2009
5:06 pm
Obviously when I said Mark, I meant Mike.
David Hooton
March 2nd, 2009
5:12 pm
Too Bad Don Waddell and the ASG were not missing
ranallo10 (in AT)
March 2nd, 2009
5:13 pm
Obviously when I said Redwings, I meant Red Wings.
R. Stroz
March 2nd, 2009
5:20 pm
Havelid traded to New Jersey
mknobler
March 2nd, 2009
5:27 pm
Jeremy H, I could have given you a blow by blow from a practice in March by a team tied for the second worst record in the league. Or I could have speculated on a trade that isn’t going to happen. But I chose to tell you about the rookie D-man.
OK, so I’ll throw out a trade idea that won’t happen. Niclas Havelid for Jordan Cheechoo. Cheechoo is playing on the third line for the Sharks, who could use another defenseman and probably shouldn’t be spending $3 million for a third-line forward. He’d be a top-six forward in Atlanta. Havelid makes $2.9 million, so the Thrashers aren’t adding much salary, and they get a player they need. Only problem is, the Sharks are playing well enough they might just sit with what they’ve got.
Tharashes27
March 2nd, 2009
5:27 pm
Who the hell is Ansi Salmela?
FormerIslesFan
March 2nd, 2009
5:36 pm
Here is what TSN says:
Signed as a free agent by the Devils on May 30, 2008, rookie defenceman Salmela has three assists in 17 games played. The 24-year old Nokia, Finland, native also represented his homeland at the 2004 World Junior Championship and 2008 World Championships.
Smoothie
March 2nd, 2009
5:42 pm
Hey, at least we got a young defensemen who has been schooled in the fundamentals of stay-at-home defense in exchange for a stay-at-home D-man who will either retire or probably re-sign somewhere else. If Havy comes back to ATL for 2 yrs to finish up his career, even better.
R. Stroz
March 2nd, 2009
5:46 pm
I wonder if Waddell knows about the trade yet?
Smoothie
March 2nd, 2009
5:46 pm
Damn it! Another smallish lefty! Don’t we already have enough smallish, Scandinavian left-handers (Enstrom) on this team? Hopefully, this Salmela is a depth move only and potential trade-fodder for later to a team drafting in the top 20 rather than the last 10.
Don Waddell
March 2nd, 2009
5:57 pm
Nic Havelid is a big part of our plans for the remainder of the season.
mknobler
March 2nd, 2009
5:59 pm
He’s a live body.
Brendan
March 2nd, 2009
6:01 pm
It was a gamble, all right, Ranallo. I hope it worked for them. If I’m the NY Isles, and I know that the free agent market isn’t going to be kind to me, I’d take whomever I could get at #5, knowing that my ‘throw away’ later round picks are a ’shot in the dark’ at best. At #9, good players are usually still available. And I credit the Isles with getting the player (Josh Bailey) whom they claimed was their intended target all along. He has shown every outward sign of being a successful center.
Would Luc Schenn have AGREED to sign with the Islanders? I don’t know. But I assume so. If the Isles knew, ahead of time, that Schenn would NEVER come to terms with them, instead opting to re-enter the draft the next year, then trading him was the ‘right thing to do.’ If Schenn said words to the effect of, “I’m signing with the team that drafts me,” then I renew my strong objection to passing on him. And I believe the Islanders fans should be filled with rue, even as we speak. After each one of these sentences. Like this one. And that one. Even though, technically, those weren’t sentences. I conferred with an English teacher on that one. She said a sentence must contain a verb. And I agreed.
Don Waddell
March 2nd, 2009
6:11 pm
I made a great trade; because, at the end of the season, the new guy’s contract expires. That’s right, he’s RFA as of July 1, 2009.
hordi
March 2nd, 2009
6:23 pm
I really don’t see the point in harping on Havelid being dealt for a non roster player. What did you expect for a 35 year old rental not named Tkachuk ? All i’ve read on the Thrashers board by the puck bunnies is complaints about how good Havelid is, how he was the best d man in franchise history. What does that say ? Honestly ? Better than Tamer, Daniel Tjarqvistewrshjs or whatever his name was ? Are you kidding me.. I am surprised we got a young fiery player with at least the prospect of potential in his game for a player in the twilight of his career. Thanks for the help around the community Havs, it will be missed, but this is actually a sign of rebuilding. I think the Devils have a little better talent evaluation than we do, if Lou likes this kid, that’s good enough for me.
B. Thenet
March 2nd, 2009
6:23 pm
Oh goody, a 24 year old defenseman who has no interest in playing defense.
That should help the Goals Against number go down next year.
This has the appearance of a trade made based on getting talent, and not on getting talent that could make our team better.
mknobler
March 2nd, 2009
6:28 pm
In addition, the Thrashers sent the Devils minor league forward Myles Stoesz, a 22-year–old who has played mostly for the Gladiators.
mknobler
March 2nd, 2009
6:30 pm
B. Thenet, what makes you say he “has no interest in playing defense?”
B. Thenet
March 2nd, 2009
6:46 pm
All the comments I have seen from Devils fans say he is a strong offensive defenseman whose inability to cover his own men left him on the outside looking in for the Devils. A good guy for the PP unit.
Look, with Bogosian, Hainsey, Enstrom, and kids like Postma in the system. I just wonder if we don’t have any other areas of weakness we need to target other than offensive defenseman.
When you look at our putrid GF vs. GA. I don’t see how offensive defensemen can be something we are looking to upgrade at. This is a team with several glaring weaknesses, we did not address any of them in this deal.
I crapped on the Peverley deal, so hopefully I am as wrong about that as this. But this seems to create more depth issues than it solves our other issues with a lack of depth.
NASCAR Dave
March 2nd, 2009
6:47 pm
Don FRUADell is up to his old tricks… Are you SHEEP happy??? LOL!!! Gettin what you pay for, huh??? “Quality” Don Waddell hockey…. (pfffttt)
My goodness, I can’t stop LAUGHING!!!
hordi
March 2nd, 2009
6:48 pm
I don’t understand why Myles Stoesz was included in the deal with Havelid. Why did we throw in an ECHL fan favorite ?
I agree Sara, this team is still plagued by being soft and it’s befuddling. I don’t like the mindset of doing nothing when one of our players is intimidated or rail-roaded. Boulton is the only guy to stick up for teammates, but that isn’t enough. I miss the days of those Petrovicky teams, those teams had heart and would battle anyone, win or lose. Valabik does it in spurts, pretty much only when he is forced most of the time. Or he stares at them, which does nothing.
R. Stroz
March 2nd, 2009
6:56 pm
Dumb Waddell just gave away the Glads best fighter, Myles Stoesz.
Now the Glads fans will have a reason to hate Waddell.
Jason
March 2nd, 2009
7:00 pm
Mike-Are you a little suprised, as I am, DW didn’t wait at least until late tomorrow or deadline day to move Havelid? I admit to knowing absolutely nothing about Salmela, but we might could have squeezed a better return than an upcoming 5′11 RFA that was just signed this past offseason. Right? At least a third rounder or something because two other teams wanted him also when they realized JBo and Pronger weren’t moving on Wed. It’s all a gamble, but I thought DW could have better maximized Havelid’s value with more buyers out there.
Another thought Mike…..How close does this put the Thrashers to the cap floor? With MS gone, I can’t imagine we are very far from it. Now with Havelid’s contract also gone, I wonder if we can even make anymore deals through Wed without taking back an NHL contract?
GaVaHokie
March 2nd, 2009
7:22 pm
Okay, CERTAINLY this deal has to put us under the salary cap floor… Mike?
How can we trade Schneider and Havelid and stay within the salary cap?
Can’t believe Havelid didn’t garner more interest than an underdrafted European prospect… I thought I told Waddell to stop scouting Europe after Glen Metropolit.
mknobler
March 2nd, 2009
7:22 pm
Hordi, Don Waddell said Stoesz’ agent had requested a move.
Jason, I can’t do the cap math, which gets complicated, because you have to pro–rate the salaries over the remaining games. But you’re right that swapping Havelid’s $2.9 million for Salmela’s entry-level two-way deal does lower the Thrashers’ salary cap number. The Thrashers weren’t likely to move any big salaries, anyway, but I don’t know where that puts them with respect to taking draft picks for a guy like, say, Erik Christensen, who is making only $750,000. (Gosh, it would be nice if I made only $750,000. I guess I should be careful about using that word “only.”)
I don’t know that waiting would have done Waddell any good. The guy has shown a willingness to wait in the past (Marian Hossa deal, for example), but when teams are telling him they won’t part with live bodies and only with draft picks, if he wants to go after a live body he doesn’t have a lot of leverage.
GaVaHokie
March 2nd, 2009
7:24 pm
Anyway… good luck to Havelid, he’s got an incredible chance to win the Cup… NJ is my top choice in the East.
Bob
March 2nd, 2009
7:34 pm
So who wants to rate the odds that Waddell beat Sweet Lou in this deal? That’s what I figured . . . we get one of Sweet Lou’s castoffs (he doesn’t let guys get away that he didn’t want gone in the 1st place).
Sara, I’m with you, it was obvious to me early in this season that Coach’s system, all offense all the time, just isn’t going to work in the NHL. It’s interesting that they’re having more success recently after Coach switched the system up some and is having the guys play back more.
R. Stroz
March 2nd, 2009
7:35 pm
According to nhlnumbers.com, the Thrashers prorated payroll is $43.4 million, assuming Bogosian makes his bonus numbers. However, if Bogosian doesn’t meet any of his bonus numbers, the Thrashers payroll is $41.5 million.
The salary floor is $40.7 million and the Thrashers are currently the lowest payroll in the league.
http://nhlnumbers.com/compare.php?season=0809
mknobler
March 2nd, 2009
7:42 pm
OK, I just ran a little salary cap calculation which I’m sure is flawed but gives an interesting approximation. Factoring in the salary paid to Mathieu Schneider through 59 games and the salary paid to Niclas Havelid through 63 and the full-year salaries for the rest of the roster, even without taking into account Alexei Zhitnik’s buyout (a $1.17 million hit, right?), I got $41,427,744. The cap floor is $40.7 million. So the Thrashers would appear to have some wiggle room above the floor.
Tony C.
March 2nd, 2009
7:45 pm
Yeah, good for Nic.
Maybe we spin Salmela into another player, if not today, then maybe draft-day.
mknobler
March 2nd, 2009
7:45 pm
Grant Lewis is coming down from Chicago to be on hand for the game against the Panthers in case the Thrashers need a defenseman to fill in for Nathan Oystrick, who was ill today.
Sara
March 2nd, 2009
7:49 pm
Hmmm…ranallo…the Wings aren’t as “soft” as people think they are. Granted they are far removed from the days of Shanny, Vlady, Mac, and Kocur policing the ice, but they can muck it up when necessary. That game against San Jose last week? Datsyuk had six hits in that game….friggin’ Datsyuk. The Red Wings conform their style of play to their opponents – against a team like us for example, they’ll be all about the up and down skating. Against a more physical team like San Jose or Philly, they’ll get chippy in the corners and dish out some hits of their own.
And no way no how does any opponent get away with dropping one of their players…tough guys or not someone is going to respond.
Dave you can gripe all you want about how it’s just because of low-calibre players … but then again you were one of the people who thought Jason Williams was terrible…yeah, real terrible stats he’s been putting up there in Columbus huh? That’s what makes you clueless. I specifically talked about players who had reputations prior to ever being near the Thrashers or even affiliated with the Thrashers and yet somehow not one of the three guys who were all billed as physical, nasty players has been that. Not Armstrong, not Bogosian, not Valabik. None of them play with the edge that supposedly was an intrinsic part of their game according to scouting reports done by people not named Waddell and not employed by Atlanta Spirit. Unless of course you want to suggest that Central Scouting or the folks at TSN as examples are incompetent idiots too??
We have players that are known in league-wide circles to be, alledgedly, physical players…and yet they don’t play that way. That’s got nothing to do with the GM…not this year when he isn’t the one behind the bench. There’s a disconnect somewhere in that lockerroom and on the ice – I’m trying to figure out if that disconnect is because of Coach or something else. Even in games when the team plays well, that physical element is missing in the games, even though it supposedly exists on our roster. It’s a discussion about 5 of us got into at the game on Friday – and all four of the other people I was speaking with said they weren’t sold on Anderson being the right guy.
It’s a legit question and discussion point – not my fault if you lack the depth or perception to discuss anything that doesn’t involve using more words than “Donnie Fraudell” or “sheep.”
GaVaHokie
March 2nd, 2009
7:52 pm
Mike… I’m glad you suggested Cheechoo for Havelid just before it was announced. Glad to see even you expected a little bit more.
It really is a head scratcher with so many teams needing to dump salary. This was our biggest bargaining chip in my mind.
All those names out there like Afinogenov, Upshall, Connolly, Knuble… I would have been happy with Havelid to Vancouver for Wellwood.
That’s three trades, and three propect D-men in return.
Darren
March 2nd, 2009
7:58 pm
I’m certainly not encouraged looking at Hockey’s Future’s rankings, and seeing Salmela ranked 18th out of their entire organization…
I’m pretty sure they should have taken the second round picks they were offered, instead…
sisu
March 2nd, 2009
7:58 pm
Looking at the stats he is a product of Pelicans, maybe DW talked to Pasi in Finland about this…
Darren
March 2nd, 2009
8:01 pm
Or rather, pick. In any case, unlike the Schneider trade, I’m not impressed. Time will tell…
GaVaHokie
March 2nd, 2009
8:03 pm
Here’s a good write-up on Salmela on the Hockeysfuture site.
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/10966/devils_top20_prospects_spring2009/
He was ranked 15th among NJ propects… argh… but he’s one of those “adjusting to the North American game” kind of players like Enstrom was.
sisu
March 2nd, 2009
8:04 pm
Good riddance to Perrin, maybe the Rangers will want him…
mknobler
March 2nd, 2009
8:04 pm
Sisu, good guess, but Waddell said he didn’t speak with Pasi. Said they were very familiar with Salmela and had 35 to 40 scouting reports on him.
sisu
March 2nd, 2009
8:07 pm
Having just spoken to someone that knows the Pelicans well it sounds like there is potential in Salmela, he is more of a mobile defense man who played fairly well in Finland. Could be that the team is stocking young d men in hopes of bundling for a veteran?
GaVaHokie
March 2nd, 2009
10:22 pm
sisu… I think the simplest answer is the right one… Waddell REALLY likes Salmela.
Waddell tends to repeat what works for him in the past… in this case, he’s trying to replicate the “Enstrom” situation.
Anderson has been talking over the last few weeks about the stubborn vets who’s habits were hard to break. Pair that with several other occasions where we heard that Havelid refuses to join the rush.
Salmela seems to be another player along the lines of Enstrom, Hainsey and Bogosian (and Kiwi for that matter). I’ll say don’t expect this guy to come in here with New Jersey style defense… this guy should have a nose for the net.
Frosty the snowman
March 2nd, 2009
10:29 pm
Salmela is gonna be another defensive liability. Just what this team needs, more help at having one of the worst goal against average and worst defenses. Another one of Wadell’s “we think he’s really gonna be a great player for this team” guys.
Brendan
March 2nd, 2009
11:39 pm
Let’s see if Waddell does a better job with Perrin. Hopefully, Waddell picks a GM a little less vaunted than Lou Lamoriello with which to trade. Why not try to fleece the Blues? Let’s get some revenge for the Tkachuk deal! Larry Pleau and John Davidson don’t strike me as Mensa candidates. Also, the Dallas Stars are right on the bubble, and lost a big game vs. Pittsburgh over the weekend. Wonder what they’d be willing to part with? Then again, is Perrin what that team lacks?? I’m trying to think of a team that really “needs” what Perrin brings to the table.
12345
March 3rd, 2009
5:59 am
Another in a long line of awful trades by the unquestioned worst GM in all professional sports. Just how many of you out there ever think this guy will play more than 1-4 games for Atlanta and then disappear into hockey abyss… Don Waddell has to be STOPPED, at this point by whatever means we can derive. He is killing this team like he has since day one ! The guy is a liar and has no idea of NHL talent and has made us the laughing stock of the hockey world. Simply put Waddell you are:
NOTHING HAPPENING STREET TRASH !, only problem is he cannot be taken to the curb with the sprit morons in charge… Thanks Don YOU $UCK !
Smitty
March 3rd, 2009
7:39 am
How much money has DW saved the ASG with the Schneider and Havelid trades. Before anyone starts to rip Anderson, take a look at Schneider and see what he has done with Montreal. It is amazing how much better a player looks or appears to look when he plays for a better organization or on a team with more talent. I do not think you can blame JA if Schneider has looked better in Montreal.
hordi
March 3rd, 2009
8:14 am
Thanks for the Stoesz update Mr Knobler. Much appreciated. I assume Perrin will be the next to go, but again.. don’t expect much in return, as there won’t be a huge market for Perrin. I don’t know where he gets the idea that he adds grit to a team, that is poorly developed ply on his part, I have never seen much grit from Perrin, even when he had a good year. This guy is not Chris Neil, he is a small speedy type, who is having an awful year with no Dupuis to help him out and make him look good.
12345 and other doomsayers, these trades aren’t awful, they are predictable. I don’t see how getting rid of players in the twilight of their career is so horrid. Some of you rate Havelid extremely too high, some of you see the success MS is having on the Habs and translate that into a mistake by DW. The Habs are light years better than the Thrash, of course MS will be better there. He has room for error there, whereas an error here leads to goals for the other team. MS was here to mentor Bogosian, which he did. Havelid is 35 years old and at the end of his contract, and made no indication he wanted to be here, and is more than likely headed to Sweden next year to finish his hockey playing career. We got a live body hardly anyone has seen play. Give the kid a chance before passing judgment, and last time I checked…with HAVELID and MS…we still stunk. Some of you act as if we just traded away Lidstrom and Chara. yikes. Who do you all think we’ll get for Perrin ? Joe Thornton , Malkin ? It isn’t a video game, your favorite players don’t necessarily have the value you place upon them, because you simply like them.
GaVaHokie
March 3rd, 2009
8:24 am
Well, if it’s any consolation, here’s a comment from a Devils fan…
“Not sure how I feel about this one. Salmella has a rocket of a shot, and shows great speed on the rush. Problem is he is a liability on defense which is why he was playing in Lowell. I hope this doesn’t blow up in our face in the coming years. I was hoping to watch Salmella grow in NJ.”
GaVaHokie
March 3rd, 2009
8:35 am
Now that I’ve had a good night’s sleep and the initial shock is over, I’ll say I’m interested in this pick-up… I won’t say I’m pleased until I see him play, but it could be interesting.
From what I can see, Salmela had no business being in the Devils organization. I’m not even sure why Lou went after him in the first place… not because he’s bad, but because he’s not their style of hockey… this guy sounds like he belongs in Anderson’s system. Most of our recent success has come from guys like Enstrom and Bogosian bringing the puck up ice. This trade adds more finesse to our blueline.
And now, I’ll reserve judgment until I see him play.
Of course… I don’t REALLY need to see him play… 12345 doesn’t like him, so that should be all I need to know.
Toby
March 3rd, 2009
8:40 am
Terrible trade…on this team, this guy may have 15 goals but will be -30. DW admitted to receiving offers of a 2nd round pick. That make this trade even worse.
Perrin can be shot out of a cannon. These quotes are coming off a game where his only stats were 6 penalty minutes. I hope we trade him to the Isles.
pudge
March 3rd, 2009
8:55 am
With neither player playing a single game for their new respective teams, I find it nonsensical that people are claiming a “winner” in this trade or calling it a terrible trade. How is that justified when neither player has even suited up yet ? I have little faith in our GM, but thank goodness none of you are NHL GM’s, that much is evident. Calling a trade “bad” before a single game has been played.
Midfield
March 3rd, 2009
9:35 am
Gavahokie, most of our recent success is coming from Kovalchuk’s elevated game and Peverly fitting the roster quite nicely. Thrashers continue to be pretty “consistent” in terms of SAG and scoring chances against.
h
March 3rd, 2009
9:50 am
I’m with Hokie on this one. I’m very intrigued by this deal. We just got about 12 years younger and picked up a guy who seems to be able to play. I’m not too offended about a young guy who couldn’t break in with the Devils style of play. Sounds like Havy really may go back home, and if so, then at least we got some potential for him. Much better than a number 2 pick which wouldn’t help us for about 3-4 years. Enstrom’s numbers with this team are solid and if we can pick up another like him, then so be it. Not a fan of having too many smaller guys, but 2 smaller guys who can move the puck and move it out of our end work for me. Boris and Hainsey are bigger guys, as is Bogo, so if you add one bigger guy to that mix, you have a pretty good rotation. Sounds like Salmela is expected to join the team this week, which make sme wonder if X or Oystrick may be on the move…..I’ll take a bag of pucks for Perrin, but let’s teach him a lesson and send him to the Island
Dwayne Johnson
March 3rd, 2009
9:50 am
so, the new guy, salemenella, he can leave Atl after July 1, 2009???
sisu
March 3rd, 2009
10:11 am
H, he could join Sim:)
h
March 3rd, 2009
10:16 am
Dwayne-Salmela is a RFA with arbitration rights in 2009
h
March 3rd, 2009
10:17 am
sisu…and Sutton….ha!
GaVaHokie
March 3rd, 2009
10:24 am
Dwayne… Salmela is a restricted free agent, which means we hold his rights. We can extend him, we can match any offers other teams make for him, or we get compensated if another team signs him.
Midfield… agreed, but certainly you’ve noticed the amount Bogosian and Enstrom have been carrying the puck up ice as of late. Allowing your forwards to push up and having defensemen who can distribute the puck is always a plus.
NASCAR Dave
March 3rd, 2009
10:52 am
SARA, I see what you are doing… Trying to get people on the “blame coach” bandwagon, but it ain’t gonna work this time… remember KNOBLER’s article where WADDELL said Anderson’s job is secure??? LOL Even your hero DONNIE would agree this is NOT Coach’s fault… It doesn’t matter what system you utilize, if you do not have QUALITY players, you will not amount to jack… WADDELL has been unable (for a DECADE, now, BTW) to “build” a quality team, with “QUALITY” players… The Free Agents he signs had their best years 3 or 4 years ago, if they ever even HAD a Good year… Every single problem with this team can be DIRECTLY connected to choices by by Don Waddell… The answers are all out there, SARA… We have stupid as F&$# owners who are SISSIES… That’s right, I call em like I see them… Owners are weak sissies, afraid to fire WADDELL… WAddell has no clue what he is doing… Players like MYLES STOESZ tell there agents they “WANT OUT”… Yeah, SARA, that’s all Coaches fault, LOL!
You are so dim it’s funny…
Jarndyce
March 3rd, 2009
11:32 am
What I find amusing is that for all the grumbling about Waddell’s inability to draft players that make any impact, people still want a draft pick instead of a player that the best GM in the league thought worthwhile enough to sign.
Dwayne Johnson
March 3rd, 2009
11:50 am
Salmenella wont stay because we won’t match, we will get a pick for compensation. Dudley Don will pick another winner. Lou has been targeting DW all year, probably building up Salmenella thru some of his buddies who put a little bug in DW’s ear on how great this guy is gonna be, but can’t get him in the lineup because he needs his vets d-men in the line up because of the loss of Martin Broduer.
GaVaHokie
March 3rd, 2009
11:55 am
Jarndyce… “can’t see the forest for the trees”
They want to jump over Waddell for everything… it’s even funnier when he grabs someone like Salmela where no one knows how to react, like 12345 above… notice there’s no critique of Salmela’s playing ability in that rant.
It would be too easy for them if he traded Havelid for a 2nd round pick… “another wasted draft pick.”
In my short conversations with Devils fans, many seem upset to be losing Salmela… some sound just as upset as we were over Coburn for Zhitnik… “trading the future for a quick fix old vet”.
GaVaHokie
March 3rd, 2009
11:57 am
Dwayne… Atlanta has 35-40 scouting reports on Salmela, I’m sure we didn’t need Lou’s opinion.
So, Salmela (who hasn’t played a game here yet) is already leaving this summer? When did you talk to him?
R. Stroz
March 3rd, 2009
12:14 pm
GaVaHokie – What I would like to know is if Waddell had so many scouting reports on Salmela and thought he was so good, why didn’t the Thrashers try to sign him last off season?
The best I can tell no team had Salmela’s rights as he was undrafted.
Dwayne Johnson
March 3rd, 2009
12:25 pm
GaVa…I talked to Uncle Louie, he is gonna resign Salmenella. 35-40 scouting reports…are those reports from Atlanta’s scouts??? haha as in funny haha, not queer funny.
the devil fans that are upset at losing salmenella are in on the conspiricy too. Go Thrashers!!!! I hope they pop j. poomeister in the chops tonite.
GaVaHokie
March 3rd, 2009
12:27 pm
Stroz… good question… that should be one for Knobler or Ben Wright to ask him. Maybe Waddell tried and he chose the Devils… you’re assuming Salmela was desperate to sign with just anybody. Maybe he had some choices… no?
Look at the Fabian Brunnstrom situation last year… that guy had a list of teams he would “consider” having tryouts for… a guy who was undrafted BTW.
R. Stroz
March 3rd, 2009
12:39 pm
Knobler – Would you ask Waddell the following?
If you had so many scouting reports on Salmela and thought he was so promising, why didn’t the Thrashers try to sign him last off season?
GaVaHokie
March 3rd, 2009
12:40 pm
Stroz… here you go… http://puckagency.blogspot.com/2008/06/d-anssi-salmela-signs-with-new-jersey.html
B. Thenet
March 3rd, 2009
12:44 pm
Eric Perrin has been waived by the Thrashers.
GaVaHokie
March 3rd, 2009
12:50 pm
Does anyone speak Finnish? Here is a video interview when Salmela when he signed with NJ… somewhere in here he mentions that several teams were interested in him but his agent thought NJ was the best fit…?!… a small, offensive defenseman… NJ?
http://www.iltasanomat.fi/urheilu/t/nhl/1534988
R. Stroz
March 3rd, 2009
1:01 pm
The waiver list per tsn.
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=269562&lid=headline&lpos=secStory_main
ranallo10 (in AT)
March 3rd, 2009
1:06 pm
Stroz: I would assume that means that his scouts have watched 30+ SM-liiga games in which his team played. “Scouting reports” doesn’t necessarily mean the report was focused on the nuances of Salmela’s game, but instead make mention of a good play or two from him at least once.
IE, “the Pelicans lost tonight, Salmela got burnt by (insert Finnish player here) for the game winning goal”. Low and behold, you have a scouting report! YAY!!!
Seriously though, why are we nitpicking at this transaction? I’d rather discuss the viability of Nikulin actually joining the roster next year than talk about how poorly Waddell traded one Tier II/III defender for a 24 year old unproven rookie instead of a second round pick. Both serve little purpose, but this one is simply being discussed as a way to complain about the GM (as Jarndyce and Hokie have highlighted). Nikulin would devolve into the same discussion, ultimately, but at least it’s a fun topic to speculate on.
In my opinion Salmela will serve just as much to the improvement of this team as Skinner has thus far…very little at best. I’ve never seen the guy play so I’ll have an open mind when watching him, but like Peverley I will expect little (if anything) from them during their time here. Anything better than craptacular will please me, at this point. Peverley has been a pleasant surprise thus far…it’d be nice if Salmela was too, but I don’t expect it.
GaVaHokie
March 3rd, 2009
1:07 pm
Wow… those are some interesting names… all the talk of trading Gary Roberts and he’s on the waiver wire. Goes to show what the trade market looks like… we might end up being the lucky one’s for getting ANYTHING.
Might not see too much action tomorrow… Leafs will dump their roster, Derek Morris and Bill Guerin will move… maybe Pascal Leclaire to Ottawa or Toronto.
BlueSpark
March 3rd, 2009
1:08 pm
Islanders have waived Jon Sim. Any takers?
NASCAR Dave
March 3rd, 2009
1:20 pm
I like my name for this kid, “SALMONELLA”… LOL
So, what’s with all the toilets not working at Philips Arena, DONNIE??? That is your specialty, right??? Toilets??? LOL at your actions…
h
March 3rd, 2009
2:41 pm
Takers for Jon Sim? Are you kidding? Why don’t we bring back Larsen, JP Vigier and Dupuis too…..garbage in, garbage out. Seriously, I liked Sim when he was here, but for what purpose? Dumping Perrin rocks! Opens up a nice roster spot. Only guy left (with value) to trade is Reasoner…..Everyone is speculating about Armstrong, but unless we get a great offer for him, I’d be shocked if he goes anywhere. To all those ripping the Havelid trade, what did you expect to get for him……seriously….what? A top 6 forward? please…A guy in the league playing 18-20 minutes a game? really? A 1st round pick? huh uh….so what was it? What trade would make you happy? uh huh….that’s what I thought….and don’t repond by making up trades that we’d never be able to make…..Again, I’m with Hokie here….let’s wait and see. At least we won’t have to wait 3-4 years to see.
GaVaHokie
March 3rd, 2009
3:28 pm
Looking at the timeline, it looks like New Jersey signed Salmela in May of 2008, which was about the same time we were trying to get a commitment from Nikulin.
… that may have been a distraction for us.