If Schubert’s in, who’s out?

After I left practice today, the Thrashers claimed Christoph Schubert off waivers from Ottawa. To make room on the roster, Colby Armstrong was placed on IR. Armstrong, who has been practicing after injuring his groin, was a likely candidate to be scratched for Saturday’s opener. The Thrashers don’t play again until Thursday, so he would have gotten a few more days of rest.

By the way, I asked coach John Anderson who will Armstrong play with when he returns and he said most likely Evander Kane and Marty Reasoner.

However, should Schubert stick with the big club, who is the odd man out? One of the seven defenseman was likely to join Armstrong as a scratch Saturday – Boris Valabik, Anssi Salmela or Mark Popovic.

What are your thoughts?

38 comments Add your comment

J.B.

October 2nd, 2009
2:15 pm

to sit anyone other than valabik would be flirting with disaster

DowntownATL

October 2nd, 2009
2:24 pm

Schubert has more NHL and deep run playoff experience than either Valabik, Popovic, or Salmela. He could likely force one of these three to Chicago. I’m not sure if any of those three would have to pass through waivers. I doubt he would displace Gratton or Boulton, but Thorborn could perhaps be expendable when Army returns.

J.B.

October 2nd, 2009
2:28 pm

Am I crazy or does it seem VERY likely some sort of trade is on the horizon?

DowntownATL

October 2nd, 2009
2:29 pm

J.B. = Not Crazy

J.B.

October 2nd, 2009
2:32 pm

thanks for the confirmation. i should have that put on a t-shirt…

Michael

October 2nd, 2009
2:35 pm

If Armstrong was going to play with Reasoner and Kane, where does that leave Peverly? I know there is probably a trade brewing, but I still don’t like the prospect of Peverly’s playing time getting squeezed a lot. Remember, last year we took forever to get on the same page and we can’t afford to go through that again. Too many new faces and that is exactly what we may be looking at.

[...] The Atlanata Thrashers claimed Chris Schubert off waivers today and Chris Vivalamore of the AJC wonders who that leaves out. [...]

Toby

October 2nd, 2009
2:45 pm

Either…

Boris sits
Gratton is out
Kane heads back to Vancouver

pond scum

October 2nd, 2009
2:46 pm

Well Schubert is surely a step up over Valabik,possibly the other 3 as well. Maybe he has a immediate positive impact like Pevs did last season.

And I too don’t like how it seems Pevs is getting squeezed out of icetime. Swallow your pride DW and send Kane on down and be done with it.

Spud Webb

October 2nd, 2009
2:57 pm

Michael, I couldn’t agree more. We cannot afford to take time getting to know each other again. Let Pevs play.
Boris will be enjoying nachos saturday night sitting next to King Kamal!!!

Smoothie

October 2nd, 2009
3:16 pm

We are gonna try to trade Whitey for another goalie to save our a$$es when Pavelec struggles. Pavs will have 2 good games for every bad 3 till he matures a bit. Anderson seemed very high on Peverley playing with Afinogenov earlier in camp. I have not heard him talk about White at all…perhaps he’s pissed at Todd for kicking his tail at the golf tourney this past Tuesday? j/k

Darkhorse

October 2nd, 2009
3:41 pm

Yeah, picking up another NHL depth dman at this point is rather odd. Is he really that much better than Oystrick or Pops at this point? Can he play Anderson’s system any better? Why pick up McCarthy if you are gonna put Pops, Salmela, or Boris down there with Oyster to make room for Schubert? Was he claimed on waivers or re-entry waivers? To add more salary to our budget/cap for a depth player at best leads me to believe something’s up on the trade front.

I agree with all of you above in saying I thinks it’s crap that Pevs appears to be getting squeezed on line and ice time. I think he can bring a lot to the table if given the time.

If a trade is brewing, I hope it’s for a legit top player, like a true #1 goalie or all star quality forward or dman. We don’t need to mess up what fragile chemestry the team may have trading away guys like White, Boris, Ansi, or Pevs to bring in another third or fourth liner to play on the top lines.

A legit goalie is about the only major thing I could realistically see us doing right now. I said a few days ago J.S. or Hiller with the Ducks spark my interest, but don’t give up the farm for them. Most goalies don’t bring much in the trade market anyway. I wonder if the Ducks like Boris in a way that reminds tham of Pronger? Size being the main comparing point there.

Smoothie

October 2nd, 2009
3:44 pm

@ C Viv – in your estimation, is Peverley outplaying White? Is there a chance Reasoner could get moved to the 4th line if Army comes back and Kane cements his spot in the lineup?

Kane — Pevs — Army

Boults / Gratts — Reasy — Slater

I think Reasy and Slater could have some really good chemistry…if Marty can click with Perrin, then he can click with Slater who is just a faster, stronger version of Perrin. Keeps Reasy extra fresh for PK time so you get his best when short-handed.

Sara

October 2nd, 2009
3:55 pm

I’d say we trade Boris for Price since MON lost Markov but Gainey probably wouldn’t got for it…Boris is too tall.

Let`s Start the Season

October 2nd, 2009
3:55 pm

Peverly needs to play. He was the turning point last season. Of the defensemen, Popovic has not only got to stay he`s got to play. He`s had a great camp, and looked really sharp when given pt in the home exhibitions. That should be giving the push to ship out out Boris, something DW can`t seem to do. Our GM has a patern of giving faltering former high draft picks way too many chances at the expense of lesser known players who are ready for a career year, and not giving them a well deserved spot.

j nes

October 2nd, 2009
3:56 pm

Smoothie–As much as I hope you are right, I am not sure there are many teams out there willing to take on Todd White at 2.4 million per year. He could be a second line center on a bad team or a third line center on a good team. I guess there could me some type of package in the works with one of our newly overstocked defensemen.

Furmanisanidiot

October 2nd, 2009
4:04 pm

Moose, White(and maybe one of the extra D players) for one of the Ducks Netminders

Michael

October 2nd, 2009
4:05 pm

Before last year, I would have been happy to see Charmin go, but he had a great year last year (73 points I think) and again, if the chemistry is there with this system, I hate to see him go. Sending Kane to the juniors would solve a lot of issues, but I know it is perceived that they won’t improve by going there. Can’t the Thrashers send him a diet and workout regime to follow so he can come to camp next year stronger as that seems to be the only thing he needs to work on.

How many teams have a #1 goalie they are willing to trade?

Let`s Start the Season

October 2nd, 2009
4:10 pm

Hey Michael, we do. But maybe no one`s asking for him, cause he`s on the IR, AGAIN.

Is it Opening Night yet?

October 2nd, 2009
4:12 pm

Well?

WELL???

Pam on Weck

October 2nd, 2009
4:24 pm

I’m so confused.

Smoothie

October 2nd, 2009
4:32 pm

http://www.silversevensens.com/2009/10/1/1061129/with-schuberts-demotion-a-legacy

Interesting write-up on Schubert’s gradual decline leading to his fate in becoming a Thrasher…take note of the forshadowing in the picture.

Jeff

October 2nd, 2009
4:36 pm

Schubert may continue to play left wing at even strength with us, just as he had been with the Sens.

Anyway, White needs to be traded and Peverley needs to play on one of the top two lines. Peverley also needs to play CENTER, not WING. Peverley is at his best playing center, he’s also much stronger on faceoffs than White. Furthermore, we’ll be a strong faceoff team with Peverley, Reasoner and Slater taking a lot of faceoffs. But with Antropov and White leading the way, not so much… That said, I am fine with Antropov playing center, as long as Peverley and Reasoner are centering the 2nd and 3rd lines.

Masha7Player

October 2nd, 2009
4:50 pm

There definitely seems like a trade is brewing. Most obvious – and most hopeful – is to package White and a D-man for a bonafide goalie. I really like Todd White and I hate to see the guys still doesn’t get any respect, but as Red Sox GM Theo Epstein and Moneyball Billy Beane stated long ago, “trade when the value is high”. White is a good value – 2.4 mil isn’t too bad of a hit for someone looking for a #2 center and he’s coming of the 70+ points campaign. I think there are some takers (Devils, Wild?)..but who really has a #1 goalie they are looking to get rid of? I am sorry – JS Giguere is not a #1 anymore..he reminds me of Peter Sidorkiewicz of the old Hartford Whalers…he stops the shots that hit him, but don’t expect him to make the big save. Maybe if you package Lehtonen, then the chances of getting a #1 goalie increase..basically some team who is looking to get younger in net and take less of a hit on the salary cap. Regardless, I want to see Pevs getting 2nd line minutes, and Reasoner 3rd line minutes– nothing less.

Brendan

October 2nd, 2009
4:52 pm

I can’t help it, I’ve got that Tom Lehrer song in my head.
——————

In “Whatever Became of Hubert”, Lehrer has one of best plays on words in all of musical comedy. In a song lamenting how Hubert Humphrey was shoved into the political background when he became LBJ’s VP, he sings “We must protest this treatment, Hubert / Says each newspaper reader. / As someone once remarked to Schubert, / ‘Take us to your Lieder.’”. It takes the audience a moment to get the pun, but then comes the roar of laughter.

Midfield

October 2nd, 2009
5:05 pm

It looks like Anderson will have to spend long nights in Duluth teaching his system to so many strangers now.

Hockey Biltong

October 2nd, 2009
5:15 pm

I smell a deal.

Toby

October 2nd, 2009
5:18 pm

Our PK has been atrocious for years…Hopefully this helps.

Wayne stuck in AL

October 2nd, 2009
6:30 pm

Schubert? I loved his symphonies…no,wait, that’s Franz…

Miami Screaming Eagle

October 2nd, 2009
6:38 pm

Has anyone figured out what Dudley’s role is with the team?
Have Dudely and Waddell’s roles been defined?

Who is gone? By Boris.

Brendan

October 2nd, 2009
8:05 pm

Dudley’s role is Head of player development. He is the Associate GM.

Zach

October 2nd, 2009
8:26 pm

WHO IS SCHUBERT????

Dwayne

October 2nd, 2009
8:28 pm

Even if Thrashers had not signed Schubert, Doris must sit…..he is an on ice cancer…got to go….why wont anyone listen to me???
I say a trade is brewing? I know a trade is brewing, I found my magic 8 -ball. It was in a little plastic baggy in my sock drawer. Dogs at 3:30 tomorrow, Thrashers right after, I am in heaven!!!

Miami Screaming Eagle

October 3rd, 2009
8:50 am

Thanks Brendan-
Boris has to sit, he has not earned a spot this season.

J-man

October 3rd, 2009
9:05 am

If Salmela sits, I’m not going to be happy. I guess it comes down to who do you trust to evaluate talent? On one hand we have Ottawa who has been to the playoffs regularly and went to the Stanley Cup finals a few years ago. Ottawa decided to keep a 28 year old career minor league goon with 2 NHL games (Matt Carkner) over Schubert. Then we have DW who has overseen the Thrashers making the playoffs once. This is more of what’s been called “dumpster diving”. Maybe DW will be lucky, but Ottawa is betting that he won’t. I can definitely say that the Schubert who played last year in the NHL can’t help the Thrashers although if he can return to his form prior to that, he probably can help. Schubert has apparently played some at wing without much success and I am highly skeptical that he’ll be able to keep an NHL job as a winger. If that was why he was picked, it’s going to be a disaster for sure. The only chance he has of helping the Thrashers is if he plays on the blueline.

five_hole

October 3rd, 2009
9:20 am

This is a really nice problem to have; who to play and who to sit? When was the last time the Thrashers had a problem like this? Ummmm, how about . . . never?

Personally, I see Schubert as the 22nd or 23rd guy on the roster. He’s the swing guy, who could help back up a 3rd or 4th line wing or the 6th d-man spot. He’s big and has nice straight-line speed. I don’t see him bumping a Thorburn, Boulton or Gratton for playing time. He might get time over Boris, Popovic or Salmela (although I like Salmela as the 5th d-man).

If we only had a solid #1 goalie that could play 60 games. . . . . .

Section119

October 3rd, 2009
9:24 am

Does anyone think for a minute that Kane stays past the 10 game limit for JRs? Schubert is cheap, so he stays up while Valabik and Salmela go up and down.

Is it Opening Night yet?

October 3rd, 2009
10:17 am

I woke this morning with visions of beer and brats.

9 hours to go!

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