I think Detroit is going to try and sign him, especially since they no longer have the financial burden of Mary Ann Hossa hanging over their heads.

Zhithed to DW: I can haz contract? I can haz no work? I can party all summer with Baltic Sea babes and still be on team?

**Tell him to prove it, and people might believe you. I, for one, am still waiting for these “better hands” and “decent speed” to make an appearance in Blueland.**

I’ll go whisper it in his ear. Don’t get me wrong — I’m as disappointed as you guys are regarding how his talent has played out for the last few seasons. I’ve been listing Thorburn and Slater among the players I thought we could lose since at least the midpoint of the season. But, that said, I don’t think Thorburn is fundamentally undertalented. I think for whatever reason he needs a swift kick in the ass and/or speed work. He sprints well and his hands are good — it has been noted by the training staff that he has a very good multilevel shot, which we see occasionally on the ice. But he loafs. He’s not a good fighter, either. His numbers aren’t good enough in general. If we’re resigning him I hope that means that someone plans on really laying into him on bringing his game to another level.

Hockey, I like the way you think.

As for White…I’m extremely fond of White. The only disadvantage that I see to him is that traditionally he alternates between awesome years and less awesome years, and next year should be a less awesome year. He is also smaller and older. His advantages are many — he’s fairly tough for his size, age, etc. He has great work ethic. He plays the kind of two-way game that is essential to our success. He’s good on basically all of the special teams. He’s a good person. His point production has never been bad, especially for his salary. And, perhaps most importantly, Kovalchuk is his biggest fan. Kovy has never wavered in his support of White or his determination to play with him. We need to keep him.

Both photos are accurate.

Bob — I’d say it was Waddell who “leaked” the text message, but it’s rather relevant don’t you think? It makes me curious of all the other text messages he possibly receives from his players…I wonder if after the Kubina trade Kovalchuk texted him “I thought I destroyed him in Torino (2006)”

Tim, thanks for the info and that’s cool to know, but I wonder how desperate these Spirit guys are to be leaking Kovy’s texts to Wad, that just seems kind of goofy to me