Perrin: I meant it
Eric Perrin is out of the Thrashers lineup tonight. The more important thing is whether he will get traded by 3 p.m. Wednesday, the NHL deadline. That’s what he wants, and I hope for his sake he gets what he wants. claimed off waivers by noon tomorrow.
It’s always somewhat controversial when a guy says publicly he’d like a trade. Perrin, a smart guy, probably figured being open about it would increase the chances it would happen. Except when they’re free agents, players aren’t like most of us, with the freedom to apply for jobs wherever they’d like to work. All they can do is do their best, or withhold their services, or something in between. Perrin, unaware when he spoke with reporters Tuesday morning that he was being waived, said he will do his best for whatever team he plays for the rest of the season, even if that team is the Thrashers. That, he said, is the way he was raised. “My dad would give me a whoopin” for doing anything less, he said. And he said he’d act professionally, too. “I’m definitely not going to be a cancer.”
You can argue about whether Perrin got a raw deal this season or whether he got the opportunity he earned by his performance. You can argue about whether you think he has anything to add to a playoff team or a playoff contender. I’m not so sure you can fault him, though, for being honest about the way he feels. He didn’t rip a teammate or even, really, his coach. He definitely didn’t rip the fans or Atlanta; he said he loves it here. He just said he was disappointed in the opportunity he got this season.
Jim Slater steps in at center on the No. 4 line in Perrin’s place. It will be Slater’s first game back since dislocating his shoulder Jan. 20 against Montreal. Grant Lewis makes his NHL debut in place of defenseman Nathan Oystrick, who is out sick.
With Niclas Havelid traded to New Jersey, the defensive pairings are Tobias Enstrom-Zach Bogosian, Ron Hainsey-Boris Valabik and Garnet Exelby-Grant Lewis.
This post was edited to update with the waiver information.
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80 comments Add your comment
Buzilla in CT
March 3rd, 2009
1:09 pm
Later Perrin. Don’t like the door hit you in the arse
First!
GaVaHokie
March 3rd, 2009
1:13 pm
Buzz… have you seen Salmela play any while watching the Jersey games?
Exelby and Lewis tonight?… ugh…er, Go get ‘em guys!
R. Stroz
March 3rd, 2009
1:14 pm
Buzilla is first. We are doomed tonight.
Anonthrashers
March 3rd, 2009
1:15 pm
Go get Sim off waivers. Apparently Perrin is on waivers now.
NASCAR Dave
March 3rd, 2009
1:22 pm
NOW, let’s get rid of the other Erica’s (CHRISTEN and BOULTON)
For new toilets at Philips.
Russ
March 3rd, 2009
1:32 pm
Wow, look at those defense pairings. For better or worse, you can’t say the Thrashers aren’t giving the young guys ice time right now (not that they have much choice). Hopefully these guys develop and the Thrashers blueline will look similar to this line-up for years to come.
Bob
March 3rd, 2009
1:36 pm
I love those d pairings, #1 pick here we come . . . can’t blame Perrin for wanting out, he did get the raw deal this year after what he did last season.
Mikeyy
March 3rd, 2009
1:38 pm
who the f is grant lewis.
NASCAR Dave
March 3rd, 2009
1:39 pm
Already deleting my comments… How pitiful. The Spirit has infected the AJC, too, it appears.
How sad you let your paper get coerced by an Incompetent Organization.
Pathetic.
B. Thenet
March 3rd, 2009
1:39 pm
I admire Perrin’s honesty. But I doubt a playoff team is going to take a chance on him.
sisu
March 3rd, 2009
1:44 pm
Well it is no surprise he wants out, it is the second time this season he has said so. Good bye!
Russian
March 3rd, 2009
1:48 pm
Satan is on Waiver too. I like to see him here. I know he did not play well with Crosby, but he will be a good 3-d, or may be 2-d line forward.
If we loose Reasoner and I think we will, I like to see two lines like that:
Kovy – Pever – Little
Slava – White – Satan
What do you think Don Waddell? Pick him up.
mknobler
March 3rd, 2009
1:50 pm
NASCAR Dave,
Are you sure your comment was deleted and not on a previous page or other post?
We don’t delete comments lightly, and we aren’t protecting any individual or organization.
mknobler
March 3rd, 2009
1:53 pm
Russian, Satan is an unrestricted free agent this summer and getting $3.5 million. No need to pick him up now.
Russian
March 3rd, 2009
1:55 pm
Mike, I know it, but may be we can give him a contract for 2-3 years. Just my opinion.
Barry
March 3rd, 2009
1:58 pm
As I stated on the Blueland Blog, what makes Perrin think he deserves more playing time playing top 6 minutes over the likes of Kovy, White, Little, Kozlov, Reasoner, and Peverley??? Of course Perrin is going to play on the 3rd line. Where else is he going to play??? Ya he had a good year the season before, but this season he hasn’t. In the NHL you earn your ice time. Anderson said that from the start. He said he didn’t care if players played for him in Chicago…they won’t get special treatment. Anderson said you earn your ice time and if you play badly you lose ice time. What else did Perrin expect??? He’s a hard worker and all but I think this is just classless IMO to come out and complain about your team and your head coach in the media. He needs to take a look in the mirror. If he has a problem he needs to come to Anderson. Oh well…it’s all over now if he’s on waivers.
Smoothie
March 3rd, 2009
2:01 pm
Finally!! Bogey gets to play with the tiny Enstrom-boli (as my g-friend likes to call him when she’s not referring to him as the tiny Swede) to see what kind of synergy they might have. Just because Z-Bo is so good moving the puck doesn’t mean he hasn’t show flashes of Scott Stevens’ type blueline physicality.
Also, I wouldn’t mind a one month flyer for Simmer…he was an emotional catalyst for us during the playoff stretch run 2 yrs ago…broken orbital bone and all. I’ll never forget the caged-faced Sim scoring on TB in the shootout that year to clinch the 3 seed.
For giggles:
Kovy — Little — Pevs Dispenser
Slava — Whitey — Simmer
Stewie — Marty — Army
Boultsie — Jimmy Skandolous — Thorby
How can that lineup lose!!?
blazing farts
March 3rd, 2009
2:08 pm
Perrin isn’t being a cancer, he is a guy who has repeatedly misinterpreted his own worth. I remember him actually being moved to the first line in a JA attempt at providing some sort of spark- and before the game Perrin did an interview in which he said he was going to provide “grit” to that line. I almost inhaled my soda. He is a little French guy who is not gritty at all.
It’s the same thing now, Perrin wants out mostly in lieu of his playing time, when he should be happy he has / had an NHL job on a bottom feeder team. Perrin is not good enough for our 4th line most of the time, I don’t see many other teams drooling over possibly getting his services. Like I said, this is not the first time he has shot himself in the foot. Good luck EP, go provide grit to those other teams who are lining up to claim you.
Sam
March 3rd, 2009
2:14 pm
Excellent blog, Knobler. Thanks.
I remember Perrin’s contributions last season and him being the short-handed assist league leader. That talent doesn’t evaporate overnight. I can sympathize with his frustrations and I wish him well. Great, true points about him not dissing anyone here, including, GM, coach, teamamtes and fans. I respect that.
I think the Enstrom-Bogosian pairing should be a good one when they find their rhythm. And I can now see how Slater brought focus and effectiveness to the energy of the 4th line. I’m ready to have him back.
Jimbo
March 3rd, 2009
2:25 pm
Perrin has produced virtually nothing for us. He looks active on the ice but doesn’t hit, takes dumb penalties every now and then, and isn’t aggressive on the PK. As Buzz says “don’t let the door hit you in the arse on the way out”. Bogosian-Enstrom is probably our #1 pairing for the next few years. Should be fun to watch. Bogo is really coming on. I like Lewis in camp. Looks very solid in all phases of the game. Good position player who may die of a heart attach when he sees where X skids of falls off to. X and christensen should be lugging their sticks off with Perrin.
GaVaHokie
March 3rd, 2009
2:25 pm
I still love Tortorella’s comments about Perrin when he left Tampa.
http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/comments/tortorella_says_good_bye_to_perrin/
Russian
March 3rd, 2009
2:29 pm
Oh Yes! After Perrin has been waived, Jimmy will be bust his ass to do something today.
Toby and Bogus will be interesting pair today. They might be a GREAT pair and score goals. OR They might be HORRIBLE and out of position. They are both offencive D-men. We will see today. I acn not wait to Florida and Thrashers game.
Bob
March 3rd, 2009
2:40 pm
Devils need to pick up Satan, just cause
ranallo10 (in AT)
March 3rd, 2009
3:01 pm
Bob — I 100% agree. It’s a match made in … yeah, just cause.
“That talent doesn’t evaporate overnight.” — No, that talent was an aberration from the beginning. Shorthanded goals are due to being in the right place at the right time, and having the skill to finish it. He benefited from having great chemistry with his PK linemate (Dupuis), and having enough skill to put the puck home. Now that Dupuis is gone and he’s still been on the PK, his shorthanded production has dropped. Is that a case of changed system, changed linemates, or his talent finally coming back down to earth from the peak it was last season? I’d argue a combination of all three. Personally, I didn’t expect him to get near his production from last year, which is the reason I felt it was time to trade him during the offseason (when his value was the highest). Good luck wherever he ends up, but honestly I will not miss him too much.
Good ol’ Dave, worrying about conspiracies with the AJC and ASG. Don’t forget your helmet next time you post, you don’t want them reading and possibly altering your thoughts!
And “Erica” Boulton?? How on earth could you consider that man a girly player?
Mikeyy — Grant Lewis is one of the top Chicago defenders this season. He’s not the next superstar, but I for one am happy he’s finally getting a chance to play at the NHL level. Let’s see how he does (but judge him lightly due to his linemate). He had 21 assists in Chicago and I believe leads the team in PIMs (70ish). It’ll be nice to see him for a game or two.
mknobler
March 3rd, 2009
3:07 pm
Sam, thanks.
Jimbo, the three penalties in his last road game notwithstanding, Perrin actually didn’t take many penalties at all. He had 18 penalty minutes all season. Of the players who had been on the roster since the start, only Erik Christensen and Bryan Little had fewer, both with 14.
Kaat
March 3rd, 2009
3:15 pm
I thought Jon Sim was an asset when he was here. All heart. I’d like to see him back.
Tony C.
March 3rd, 2009
3:25 pm
Where’s Oystrick??? Please don’t tell me we’re trading this guy-he really turned it around from last year.
mknobler
March 3rd, 2009
3:34 pm
Tony C., Oystrick is out sick.
LAC
March 3rd, 2009
4:01 pm
Perrin was not much here, but he DID call out waddell, something ALL of us need to do The Stinking BUM !
blankspace6
March 3rd, 2009
4:11 pm
Perrin got what he deserved. Hope he likes riding a bus in the AHL.
GaVaHokie
March 3rd, 2009
4:20 pm
LAC… when did he call out Waddell?
Thomas Magnum
March 3rd, 2009
4:24 pm
Some friends and I started a new Thrashers blog today. Everyone please go and check it out!
http://thewordonthebird.blogspot.com/
Toby
March 3rd, 2009
4:40 pm
blankspace6…Couldn’t agree more. I hope he freezes in Chicago
Tony C.
March 3rd, 2009
4:56 pm
KNOBES: Ah, I’d forgotten. Hope it clears up soon. Thanks for the update.
Any word on what #17 thinks of Frolik’s season to date? Also, Mike, if you could find out why Hoffman hasn’t been called up? Keep the good work coming!
mknobler
March 3rd, 2009
5:06 pm
I’m surprised at the venom toward Eric Perrin. This isn’t a Manny Ramirez with the Red Sox situation. He didn’t stop trying; he just got frustrated. Even if you think his on-ice performance didn’t justify those frustrations, why would you be angry about it? When I started this job last summer he seemed like one of the more popular guys on the team.
Tony C, The word on Hoffman was that he got hurt a couple of times and thus hasn’t been able to get in a rhythm. Plus, he pretty much fills the Eric Boulton role, and Eric has been filling that pretty well lately.
mknobler
March 3rd, 2009
5:11 pm
BTW, I wonder how many of you plan to be on hand when Sean Avery comes here in three weeks. Sure adds a little spice to a late-March game at Philips.
Smoothie
March 3rd, 2009
5:38 pm
Mike, you want venom?
Sean Avery can kiss my stendec!!!
Now that’s venom.
Brendan
March 3rd, 2009
5:40 pm
Okay, shoot me! I liked Eric Perrin. And in the 2007-08 season, I thought he performed rather capably, for a person in his role, at his salary. No one would confuse him with Eric Staal. But, considering who WE ARE, and what Perrin IS, we were fortunate to have him.
I’m not the slightest bit upset with Perrin, or his comments. I’m disappointed that Waddell didn’t approach Perrin on July 1, 2008 for a 1-year contract extension, that would keep him here until the 2010 season ended. Instead, I think Waddell blamed Perrin, among others, as part of the “veterans” he felt didn’t contribute enough, leading to the 28th place finish.
678910
March 3rd, 2009
5:53 pm
they need to Fire stupid Waddell pronto ! This bum is trying to destroy hockey in Atlanta ! Wait, he already did !
FIRE STUPID WADDELL so we can move on !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Frosty the snowman
March 3rd, 2009
6:27 pm
Why would anybody be surprised that players are frustrated with this organization? Why wouldn’t every player on this team want to be traded? This is not a desirable franchise to play for!
Alan
March 3rd, 2009
6:34 pm
The vitriol directed at Eric Perrin is solely due to his disrespect by coming out to the media and directly stating that he wants to be traded. No one ever dreamed he would notch as many points as he did last year, and no one was expecting a repeat performance this year. Except for him.
He seems to feel that he didn’t get enough of a shot on the top lines this year. Really, he’s not a top-six player. He was given a chance, and he didn’t produce. That seems to be what is the issue here.
He hustles, and works his tail off every game. For that, he can be commended. He’s a stand-up guy, one with a great personality. It was fun meeting him at the draft party during the off-season, and he seemed optimistic for this season to get here.
As per your article yesterday, Knobler, It now seems that his optimism is more directed towards leaving town than it is to playing out his contract. It is for that reason he has attracted our ire.
I wish nothing but the best for him in the future, regardless of the present, and I’m sure many of us feel the same. Whether they want to admit it or not.
Waddell is clueless
March 3rd, 2009
6:45 pm
does he not get it ? Does he understand his job ? Does he realize all the other GMs in the league laugh at him ? he is an embarrassment, and its embarrassing to be a fan of this team when they continue to let him hang around !
Waddell is clueless
March 3rd, 2009
6:45 pm
so, FIRE WADDELL
PUTTING ON THE FOIL
March 3rd, 2009
8:03 pm
Nascar Dave just lost what little credibility he had calling Bolts a girly man.
FIRE WADDELL
Tony C.
March 3rd, 2009
8:18 pm
Waddell is clueless: Not trading Holik to NJD LAST year, when they offered the SAME guy we got from them THIS year. Zhitnik-for-Coburn, Uwe Krupp, Steve Rucchin (as a “scoring center”), I can do this all day dude…Even *IF* Waddell “gets it” he doesn’t have the juice to make it happen.
Hockeyfan
March 3rd, 2009
8:30 pm
What was it, December when Perrin whined to the Montreal press about how he didnt want to be in Atlanta? Did he think nobody would see it here and translate the French interview? Hope he sits on the bench in Chicago for the rest of the season
stendec
March 3rd, 2009
8:52 pm
Damn Kari “Fat as A Blimp” to Hell! A goal is the last minute. Talk about spitting in the faces of teammates. He can go take a flying (X)!
SickofWaddell
March 3rd, 2009
9:15 pm
I am tired of Waddell. He continues to trade away talent in the hopes of some player nobody has heard of before. I want to know Waddell’s office is still in the locker room. Hey Waddell, get out of the locker room and leave the guys alone. Unfortunately it looks like you may be around a while but many of us are hoping you get fired. I have seen kids manage a fantasy team better that you. Bring on Dan Bouchard as GM.
stendec
March 3rd, 2009
9:22 pm
Thank God I have suffered through Kari “Fatso” Letemin for the last season! If he is with the Toiletlids next season I will cheer passionately against them. If he is gone I will root for whoever is between the pipes. The exhibition tonight was totally unacceptable and completely unforgivable! A 1-0 lead. Marshmallow goal! A 2-1 lead. Monkey puck goal! Who in Hell knows what the excuses were for the other goals. Again, this fraud son of a betch Finn has NO talent whatsoever. Damn mother (X)! This bestard is going to give up four or more goals per outing. Ship his sorry a## out! I see home guys at least made it close. No team can score more than the LaLa Land golden puke will allow! Just the facts.
Tony C.
March 3rd, 2009
10:21 pm
Dude, would Brouchard take the job???