Comments on: Slater accepts qualifying offer

By: Curly

Curly — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:12:25 +0000

Randy… To answer your question from a previous blog… Michael Forney struggled with injuries for two years at North Dakota. He played last year in the USHL for Green Bay and had pretty good stats. However, he is not projected to make in the NHL, and would be considered a long shot.

By: Dwayne

Dwayne — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:38 +0000

nothing on Tampa’s website on ninnymaki

By: sisu

sisu — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:28:36 +0000

okay, looks like Antero maybe signing with the Bolts after all:( I am amazed that Ecklund finally got something right…(the sky is falling!)

By: sisu

sisu — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:18:09 +0000

Niittymaki is going to Russia, not Tampa. Ecklund, ROTFL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: Brendan

Brendan — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:41:31 +0000

If the Atlanta Thrashers were actually poised and ready to compete for the Stanley Cup next Spring, I would be concerned about Jim Slater being my 4th line center. We’re not that team. We’re not “close, real close” to being that team. My personal belief is as follows: “We’re in Year Three of a Four Year building project.” I think the “Opening Night” budget will bear that out. I see free agents signing 1-year deals. It would have been nice to have some of that. I still like Marcel Goc and Mike Grier, unless they’re already gone, too. And the way to get THIS YEAR’s FREE AGENT OFFFFFFFFF next year’s books is to sign them to a 1-year deal, or a two-year deal, then trade them! Whether that’s at the 2010 trade deadline, next year’s draft, or packaged in a deal during “Frenzy 2010.” But, like Ranallo (in AT) points out, try to see it from THEIR side. Why come here? Unless Atlanta turns out to be their best option, they won’t. But the sad thing is, Atlanta had plenty of room for Koivu’s $3.25M, which would have no bearing whatsoever on next year’s cap. Bygones.

By: Dwayne

Dwayne — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:01:57 +0000

Didn’t Thorburn get more than a few shifts with Kovy? Seems I remember quite a few when Kovy was double shifted? Maybe a few times when players got injured during a game? Maybe when Don called down to the bench and told JA “I got a great idea”? Seems he couldn’t hit an empty net either. These blogs are very intresting, alot of good points are made for and against Thorburn and Slater, I know they are 4rth liners at best, but they are a part of a team that has little sucsess the past few years, yeah, I know, but so is most everyone else. How many years did JA sign on for? Did he, Dudley and DW sit down and agree that with the additions made and the best subtraction ever(exlb gone) that this is the team best suited for his coaching style? PK can’t get any worse, man advantage will be better. Just need Kari’s signature on the bottom line of a contract with The Thrasher logo on it.

By: Not quite true

Not quite true — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:30:13 +0000

“The worst thing that ever happened to Jim Slater is that he was drafted at #30 instead of #34.”

Considering the players drafted at number 31 through 34 have a total of 21 NHL career games played (1 player with 11 NHL games played and 1 with 10 NHL games played), I’m glad we picked Slater at #30. His problem isn’t being drafted at #30, its’ the ignorant fans that don’t realize that the entire 2nd round that year only produced 4 players who have played more NHL games than Jimmy. Only 10 players in the 2nd round that year played more than 1/2 a season (41 NHL games). And the numbers look even more bleak when going to the rounds after that.

By: Alan

Alan — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:28:11 +0000

Should have let each and every last one of them fall. Bailout? Where’s mine?

By: Sara

Sara — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:04:08 +0000

Stroz – I’d rather give the money to Thorburn… he may not be a great hockey player, but at least he contributes positive things to society as a whole through charitable endeavors. As opposed to bankers, who have spent decades sucking the lifeblood out of our economy. But I digress…..

Me seeing the word TARP is like a bull seeing a red flag – instant-boil.

By: R. Stroz

R. Stroz — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:45:05 +0000

Ok everyone, there is some humor and truth to the following post:

Thorburn doesn’t skate well, fight effectively, and has hands of steel.

Isn’t that kind of like a farmer who gets paid NOT to grow corn or wheat (for those of you that aren’t aware of this subsidy program, there are government programs which pay farmers not grow crops).

On the other hand, Thorburn gets paid more money than a bank president whose bank took TARP money.