Updated II: Ramsay the next coach, deals done
NOTE: SINCE I POSTED THIS FINAL VERSION WITH TONS OF NEWS AFTER 2 A.M., I’M GOING TO LEAVE THIS BLOG UP TODAY FOR ALL THOSE WHO WANT TO COMMENT ON THE BIG DAY. I WILL POST NEW BLOG AFTER TALKING TO RAMSAY.
The Thrashers will officially name Craig Ramsay as the francishe’s fifth head coach on Thursday. The announcement will come later this afternoon. The 59-year-old Ramsay has served as assistant coach with the Boston Bruins the past three seasons.
In a conference call to discuss the two trades the Thrashers made early Thursday morning, general manager Rick Dudley said he “won’t tip our hand” about the new coach. However, he did acknowledge that he has spoken to Ramsay “quite a bit.” He said the two had coffee in Los Angeles on Wednesday morning and Ramsay had dinner with team president Don Waddell Wednesday night.
There is a report from TSN that John Torchetti, the Chicago Blackhawks assistant who was the other leading candidate for the head coach job, would join the Thrashers as an associate head coach. I have not confirmed that. I do know that when the deal is announced today, Torchetti won’t be involved. Just Ramsay.
Ramsay interviewed with the Thrashers several weeks ago. The 59-year old has served stints as head coach for Buffalo and Philadelphia. He has also served as an assistant with Florida, Ottawa, Tampa Bay and, most recently, Boston. He was an assistant with the Bruins for the past three seasons.
Ramsay played 14 NHL seasons with the Sabres, where he was a teammate and linemate of Thrashers general manager Rick Dudley. He retired in 1985 with 672 points (252 goals, 420 assists) in 1,070 games. He won the Selke Award as the league’s top defensive forward in 1984-85. He played in 776 consecutive games between 1973-83.
By now you know the old news. The Thrashers acquired Dustin Byfuglien, Brent Sopel, Ben Eager and Akim Aliu from Chicago for Marty Reasoner, Joey Crabb, Jeremy Morin and a first- and second-round draft pick in this year’s draft.
In order to make that deal work, the Thrashers also made a trade with San Jose, sending Mike Vernace, Brett Sterling and a seventh-round pick in this year’s draft for future considerations.
Here are some of the highlights from Dudley’s after 1 a.m. conference call:
* He thinks Byfuglien is a 20-30 goal scorer and that he is every bit the player that excelled in the playoffs.
*He called Sopel a “character guy” that will “block as many shots as he takes.”
*Praised Eager’s forechecking and his “pugilistic side.”
*Called Aliu “a bit of a wildcard” that just needs to mature into an NHL player.
*Now that he traded his second-round pick, Dudley would like to try to replace it. The team will pick No. 8 and then not again until 87th as it stands now.
*He said he would continue to talk to UFAs such as Colby Armstrong and Pavel Kubina but admitted they have “pieces in place that make it easier to move on without them.” He also said, in regards to talks with Kubina, that they are a “little ways apart right now.”
*He said he’s not done dealing and would like to trade for a 20-goal scorer and maybe a defenseman.
*Team will focus on restricted free agents after the draft.They have deadline of June 28th to make qualifying offers.
Back to the deals: I talked to Reasoner about the trade. He said he talked to his agent early Wednesday and heard rumblings that something might be happening. Here is some of what he said.
“You can’t beat going to a team that just won the Stanley Cup. I’m pretty excited.”
“It’s always a little shocking to be traded, but we’ve been through it before.”
“I would have liked to have stayed in Atlanta another year and help that team build, but it’s a new chapter. It will be exciting. You can tell from watching the playoffs that the Blackhawks have taken over the city.”
“[My time in Atlanta] was good. I met a lot of great people. … I think you learn a lot about yourself when you are in different situations and I definitely learned a lot about myself there. I will always have fond memories. My daughter was born there. … You become part of the community even if it’s a short amount of time. But we signed up for this.”
I also spoke with Ron Hainsey about the deal. He said he was not surprised that Dudley made a deal with Chicago, considering his relationship with the franchise.
“We added some great pieces today,” Hainsey said. “We hate to see Marty go but we got a lot back. We got a player who was a huge part of their playoff run, a veteran right-handed shooting defenseman. Another good player and a prospect. Those are some pretty big pieces.”
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174 comments Add your comment
brandon
June 23rd, 2010
6:24 pm
thumbs up. pulled a good’n duds.
eddie
June 23rd, 2010
6:24 pm
good trade
Don (Not That One)
June 23rd, 2010
6:24 pm
I Love it. So with Evander Kane and Byfuglien, now we have the Bruise Bros.
Love to see Dustin in their crease reeking havoc during the power play.
nickz
June 23rd, 2010
6:26 pm
Nice! I kept wondering when I would hear something about what the Thrashers were doing this offseason besides not hiring a coach.
Bring in Torchetti as well and this is a very good start!
Russian
June 23rd, 2010
6:26 pm
Not bad. Good move. Dudly rules.
ThrasherTim
June 23rd, 2010
6:26 pm
At first blush, I don’t understand this deal. We get 2 guys with only 1 year left on the deal (one who already gave the media the dreaded “it is what it is” quote, deal 2 of this year’s draft picks, a top prospect (reportedly) in Morin and trade one of the only guys lately to sign a multi-year deal with the Thrashers over the last few years in Marty Reasoner — also one of the guys with heart on the team who everyone respects.
I am sure more dealing is fortcoming and maybe some info. on RFA/UFA signings. Will be interested in the rest of the take from Thrash Nation.
ash
June 23rd, 2010
6:32 pm
Okay trade. Hate to see my former teamate and great guy Marty Reasoner leave. Just last week Dudley was saying how great Morin would be. I think we gave up a lot of potential for 1 guy that had 1 great playoff run. I wonder if Torchetti will be the coach based on this as he would know the players best. Although Dudley wants a guy that coaches them up.
The AJC needs to get updated on the Thrashers. This trade had rumblings very early today and was reported well before 6:00 on other sites.
dj
June 23rd, 2010
6:33 pm
I think it’s a good trade for both teams. I think Sopel and Byuf will see how the season goes before they decided to resign or take on the free agent market. I know a lot of people think that Atlanta gave up the future but if we don’t make some sort of playoff run in the next two years there will not be a future. And for the first time in my life, I’m happy ASG allowed this to happen.
Thrashers27
June 23rd, 2010
6:34 pm
Yeah, Tim, but I remember Oduya saying the same thing after he was traded here and I got the feeling he felt differently after he’d spent some time here. After thinking about it, I think we might regret seeing Morin go…but I suppose you gotta give something to get something.
This team is headed toward big, mean and ugly. As long as we can do it without adding Avery, Hartnell, or Carcillo, I’ll be fine with it.
Jack
June 23rd, 2010
6:36 pm
Rock on I like it. Kovalchuk trade gave us some leverage to give up a 1st rounder. Sorry Reasoner good luck in Chicago
Flagstaff
June 23rd, 2010
6:39 pm
I felt the same way after the Exelby deal– good guys leaving, but also a great return (but, as for Kubina, that’s another story). Good job Duds!
bigdawg`
June 23rd, 2010
6:48 pm
I’d love to give the Thrash the benefit of the doubt, but as long as the Atlanta Spirit “owns” the team, I believe it’s just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic!
Do any of you see the AS opening up the purse and spending big bucks on a free-agent when they wouldn’t even sign Kovie?
brandon
June 23rd, 2010
6:48 pm
Giving away jeremy morin will prove to be a huge mistake. Especially for a team trying to build through youth. Not so happy about this one.
4 jacks
June 23rd, 2010
6:50 pm
If I am Dustin, Ben or Brent, I am absolutely sick. The trade will be determined by the attitude these guys bring from being with a big winner this year, to a team that has very poor ownership and leadership, but as Marty says “we sighed on for this”. On the surface, seems like somewhat of a 50/50 trade depending on how Morin turns out, that could weigh it to either teams advantage. Personally I only go to 7 or 8 games per year, as my money comes hard, so I am not a big player. I still will not go back until I start seeing some results and commitment from ownership to bring in some leaders, as in coaching staff, players, and be willing to spend some money to field a winner. Who knows, maybe this is a start, but it has been alot of years. I want to see some real improvement from top to bottom. Good luck Atlanta fans.
Stat Man
June 23rd, 2010
6:52 pm
No way to know how it will play out – but one things for certain – this trade was made for the URGENCY to get the team kickstarted.
You can’t keep staying pat like we have in years past and expect fans to get excited over “youngsters developing”.
I think this brings the franchise’s off season good trade tote board to:
Dudley (GM for 2 months) – 1
Waddell (GM for 10 years) – 0
World Be Free
June 23rd, 2010
6:52 pm
Guys, get real and get excited for one. This is a great deal for NOW and a chance to show what Dudley is capable of doing. The Hawks’ players knew there was the possibility of getting traded, it comes with the territory. they just won the Cup for crying out loud!
Joey M
June 23rd, 2010
6:54 pm
Maybe we can sign Evgeni Nabokov and at least try to put a winner out there again.
William Satterwhite
June 23rd, 2010
6:54 pm
“I Love it. So with Evander Kane and Byfuglien, now we have the Bruise Bros.”
For what it’s worth, the prospect in the deal Akim Aliu could also be a “Bruise Bros”.
ChitownTransplant
June 23rd, 2010
6:55 pm
As a die-hard Hawks fan and part-time Thrashers fan (when the Hawks aren’t in town), I’m elated to see three great former Blackhawks players here in Atlanta. Hopefully, they can rub off on a team that needs more than a step in the right direction.
I hope these guys know that Atlanta may not be home for very long. That is, if this lousy management fiasco leads the team elsewhere. Let’s enjoy it while we can! Welcome to Atlanta: Big Buff, Eager and Sopel we need you guys!! Can’t wait for Pre-Season to start!!
Dave
June 23rd, 2010
7:01 pm
throw in torchetti as head coach , dudley n we got the mini blackhawks of the nhl eastern conference!
BlueSpark
June 23rd, 2010
7:03 pm
Show me your lines!
Antro – Little – Bergfors
MacArthur – Peverly – Byfuglien
Kane – Slater – Thorburn
Boulton – Cormier – Artyukhin
White rides the pine.
rob
June 23rd, 2010
7:04 pm
To all those who have sit and B!TCHED about how awful and behind we are. This isn’t business as usual. Give Duds a year of your time as the GM and THEN let’s evaluate. Get us a goalie and things might get interesting. Might want to get your jerseys back out of the closet because it looks as though hockey may be entertaining here again! Could the slogan for the year be “New Team, New Attitude!” ? Goalie concerns me still but I will trust that Duds knows what he is doing, for now. BAH!!! BAH!!!
BlueSpark
June 23rd, 2010
7:04 pm
I guess maybe Eager could replace Boulton, though he’s a sentimental favorite (of mine, anyway).
Rogie
June 23rd, 2010
7:04 pm
Very similar to what the Washington Caps did right before the 1982 season. They had never made the playoffs in their 8 years in the league (despite only 5 teams not making the playoffs). They acquired Rod Langway, Doug Jarvis, Brian Engblom, and Craig Laughlin from the Canadiens for Ryan Walter and Rick Green. It saved the franchise. It was not only an infusion of talent, but it brought players from a franchise with a winning tradition who had won Stanley Cups. These guys are just that. They will instill that sort of winning expectation and work ethic to the younger players on the franchise. And….supposing that the Thrashers are not playoff bound next season —- Byfuglien will be like Kovalchuk — teams will covet him and we will get a significant return in any trade deadline deal.
Dave
June 23rd, 2010
7:05 pm
i wouldn’t call this a block-buster trade because the thrash did not get sharp from the hawks considering we gave them a talented young prospect in morin.
dre
June 23rd, 2010
7:06 pm
“It is what it is,” Byfuglien told “The Afternoon Saloon” on WMVP-AM 1000. “It’s part of the job. You’re not going to stick in one spot the whole time so I’ve got to go.” – Thrasher fans, greet your newest player. Welcome to Atlanta Buff. You’re right, Atlanta is what it is, a mediocre sports town at best.
Dave
June 23rd, 2010
7:07 pm
pavelec better step up this year. If he does not improve by leaps-and-bounds i cannot see the thrash going to the playoffs. However if pavelec steps up i can see a good run in the playoffs.
Brendan
June 23rd, 2010
7:09 pm
At first glance, I am LOVIN’ this. I didn’t think there was ANY chance we’d get Byfuglien. Now, we add three players with Cups on their resumes, plus look what this does to our defense!
1. Enstrom & Sopel
2. Hainsey & Bogosian
3. Oduya & Valabik
Spares: UFA’s Popovic, Schubert, Kubina. Plus there’s Arturs Kulda as a prospect.
That’s the makings of a defense. Imagine if we could get Kubina back? Of course, you can’t put it past the Thrashers to re-sign Chelios, either.
On Offense, Kane, Antropov, and Buffy. And then Eager, Peverley, and Bergfors. Thorburn, Little, and Slater, and then Artyukhin, Todd White, and Boulton rounds it out, assuming R2Kin and Boulton re-sign, as pending UFA’s. Maybe Max Afinogenov gives that 1-year offer another glance??
Dave
June 23rd, 2010
7:10 pm
championships start with good offense great defense and good goaltending. I think the thrash have a decent offense decent defense poor goaltending. If pavelec is not doing good before the trade deadline we should make him a backup and trade for a solid goaltender.
rob
June 23rd, 2010
7:14 pm
Blue Spark,
I see White waived, Boults riding the bench or unsigned, and a free for all to fill in 2nd-4th lines. The prospects, including our picks, should push hard for a spot this year. Now is the time to start something and it doesn’t look like business as usual for us this year, at the least we won’t be a team others are “happy” to play against now. Anymore word on Artyukin signing here or going over to KHL?
Brendan
June 23rd, 2010
7:19 pm
Here are the pending RFAs: Ben Eager, Clarke MacArthur, Bryan Little, Nick Bergfors, Ondrej Pavelec, and Peter Mannino (Goalie). The UFA’s are: Max Afinogenov, Colby Armstrong, Slava Kozlov, Artyukhin, Boulton, and Kubina.
Kubina may be the key. If we retain him, we can move some others, maybe even Hainsey and Valabik.
Gotta be honest, I did hope, last season, that if we pulled off a trade with Chicago, that the return might include Cam Barker. But Barker was moved prior to the trade deadline. If not Barker, then I had designes on Versteeg, Byfuglien, and Sharp. I don’t mind Ben Eager. But man, Versteeg would have been better. Oh well, I still say we did well. Three players are coming with recent proven playoff success. At least we’re not saddled with a cap hit contract of $7.14 million for player who’ll be 36 years old when it’s over.
Jack
June 23rd, 2010
7:20 pm
now that Byfug has been playing forward, it will be interesting how we use him.
World Be Free
June 23rd, 2010
7:21 pm
Rogie-I see some similarities to the 1982 trade between Montreal and Washington, though I can’t say we are sending that much back to Chicago. They needed the cap relief. I know Florida would not be in play with Chicago, too many people in Chicago are too pissed at Tallon for signing those stupid Huet and Campbell contracts. Dudley was a much better trading partner.
Dickie Dunn
June 23rd, 2010
7:22 pm
I tried to capture the spirit of the thing…..
Fan from Carolina
June 23rd, 2010
7:23 pm
Wow! Now to sign everyone for the long term. I’m surprised that Buff was traded. Such a key ingredient that can’t be replaced. May I be the first one to say ‘no repeat’ for Chicago next year.
Telfo
June 23rd, 2010
7:23 pm
Kovalchuk is gonna turn into something like the Lindros trade… it will be traced to moves for years to come
i like the deal. we didnt give up much that can help us now and got a lot tougher
Andrew
June 23rd, 2010
7:23 pm
Byfuglien is highly overrated. Sopel is a piece of garbage who is grossly overpaid. Eager is a dime-a-dozen 4th liner. Can’t believe the Thrashers gave a first and a second plus a prospect for these guys.
Sara
June 23rd, 2010
7:33 pm
I LOVE this deal. The number one pressing need for the Atlanta Thrashers is to win – which comes faster with warm bodies on the ice and not prospects that will take 2-3 years to pan out.
Also – what’s with the comments about Buff maybe deciding to sign after a season or being a trade deadline piece next year?? Did y’all miss that whole RFA thing?
Smoothie
June 23rd, 2010
7:33 pm
Buf is only 25 so even though he is a RFA next season, we still have a good shot at extending him as he won’t be a UFA till he’s 27. Look on the bright side people! He is a great piece to add not only for even-strength muscle, but on the power play. This takes the pressure off of Antropov and big Nik doesn’t have to do all the dirty work. Nik is a play-maker and now he can excel even more thanks to the presence of Big Buf. Not to mention Reasoner, God bless him cuz I love him to death, is a UFA next season as well. His skills are diminishing and there’s no guarantee he will be extension-worthy beyond this season. The NHL is a young man’s game and while we lost Morin, we still have Klingberg, Cormier, Postma, Vish, Kulda and the 8th pick, which I doubt we’ll trade. Eager will be a very nice complement to Cormier and Thorburn on the 4th line and can even log some 3rd line minutes on occasion. I’m not a huge fan of Sopel, but we’ll be looking for him to stay at home and block a lot of shots while Bogosian spreads his wings. I’m thinking Bogo / Sopel as the 3rd pair, 3rd pair in name only, with a fairly even distribution of ES minutes. Hainsey / Oduya and Enstrom / Kulda gives us the balance we need on each pairing. The PK pairings will be different I reckon. The one thing we need to replace is Marty’s stellar PK, but there is plenty of time to make more moves that make sense.
Stat Man
June 23rd, 2010
7:45 pm
For all the haters out there talking about giving up picks & prospects, I ask 2 questions:
1) When we ACQUIRED picks and prospects, where were you then? Probably bitching about trading away known players for a pig in a poke!
2) Don’t you realize that you don’t BUILD a winner in the NHL thru the minor leagues – you SUSTAIN a winner? That is unless you are willing to go thru a 15 year building plan.
Rod Blagojevich
June 23rd, 2010
7:46 pm
Did we get Torchetti in the trade as well? It’s starting to feel like home for me here now. Don’t tell the Feds you saw this.
GaVaHokie
June 23rd, 2010
7:48 pm
I can draw a few conclusions from this…
1) Kubina is gone
2) Torchetti will be Coach
3) Eager replaces Boulton
4) Chicago didn’t want White
5) Dudley is concerned about Morin’s skating.
East Point Bob
June 23rd, 2010
7:49 pm
Bad Trade… Morin should not have been traded Period !
Brendan
June 23rd, 2010
7:54 pm
I’m liking the Dudley Administration so far. We’re getting bigger and tougher. I’d even support bringing Artyukin back, if he’s amenable. This team needed grit. Now, it’s got Oduya, Bergfors, Byfuglien, and Bogosian and Kane. It’s starting to come together. But we’re by no means done. We must get a goalie.
Stop. We can’t get Nabokov. Forget about it. But in realistic terms, maybe Biron can be had. Maybe trades for Harding or Deslauriers. What’s the Kings goaltending situation? They going with Quick and Bernier? Anyone like Ersberg? He’d only cost $750,000, if ya do. Then he hits the open market in 2011. We certainly can’t beat Niittymaki, why not make a play for him? Has Leighton’s agent declared an ‘asking price?’ If so, how horrible is it. Tim Thomas, 35 years old, is under contract for 3 more years, and Boston would likely part with him, if anyone’s seriously interested. It’s one of those “decreasing contracts,” that pays him $6 million this year, then $5 next year, and $3 million in 2012-13. Anyone want to take a shot at Vesa Toskala?? Chicago might be willing to give us Cristobal Huet, who is under contract for two more years at $5.625 million cap hit.
Mike
June 23rd, 2010
7:54 pm
I don’t know how I feel about this trade. First, I hate to see Marty go. Good luck in Chicago Marty.
I think the winner of this trade will be determined if the Thrash do some serious winning in the next two or three years and by how good Morin turns out to be. If Morin turns out to be great and the Thrash don’t win much, Chicago wins the deal.
Buff stats are similar to Armstrong. I think Buff is an upgrade over Colby.
Eager is just another fourth liner. NOTHING special.
Sopel might be a good stay at home D-man, but he’s not going to put up points.
I hope Eager and Sopel are parts to a future deal.
We’ll see how this trade looks, but I’m not overly thrilled like I was last year when DW sent Exelby and Stuart to Toronto for Kubina and Stapleton. *Stat man*, you forgot about that one in your Dudley versus Waddell off season trade score sheet.
World Be Free
June 23rd, 2010
7:57 pm
Eager is an energy guy. I agree that he is a 4th liner, but he hits alot at times when his team needs it. Actually, I was just as enthused to ger Eager as I was Buff cause if his energy. Sopel means maybe one of the other blueliners may be expendable, especially with the kids in Chicago.
the TRUTH
June 23rd, 2010
7:58 pm
What year are we on as far as THE PLAN?
GaVaHokie
June 23rd, 2010
7:58 pm
First glance, it seems like we over spent… take Morin out of the equation, and I would be happy. I’ll say at the moment I’m just content. The finesse days are over… this team is going to drop the hammer next year.
Stat Man
June 23rd, 2010
7:59 pm
Mike – I’ll concede that one to you, but I was more scoring it on an URGENCY basis. This trade beat the X trade along those lines.
Look folks, the team ain’t heading to Winnipeg this year or next (hopefully) – but don’t fool yourselves that the Thrashers fly north not too long from now unless we get things turned around pretty darn fast – so again – time to build with youngsters is over – URGENCY.
P.S. – You’ll be amazed the ability to lure free agents here should we actually string a couple winning seasons together I bet!
Mike
June 23rd, 2010
8:05 pm
Stat Man, I agree with your point on the urgency.
Pittsburgh Pirate Fan
June 23rd, 2010
8:08 pm
Stat Man-you gotta understand NOTHING will make some of these guys happy. This team just got an injection from a team that just won the Stanley Cup. Injection of size, energy and attitude. They would have bitched if Dudley did nothing as well.
Arthur Blank
June 23rd, 2010
8:08 pm
I want to have sex with Vicki Locke, Karen handel, and Shirley Franklin, in that order.
Mike
June 23rd, 2010
8:09 pm
why not at the same time, Mr. Blank?
ThrashDawg
June 23rd, 2010
8:11 pm
You can argue back and forth about if this was a good trade or not and nobody really knows for sure…time will tell. But, one thing is for certain this trade brings CREDIBILITY to the Thrashers in the sense that most of the league, not to mention upcoming UFA, probably did not think the organIzation had much CREDIBILITY before. Only time will tell if the players work out on either side of the trade…but for now this trade could be a game changer in Atlanta by making a statement to the NHL that Dudley and Atlanta mean business! My personal thoughts were that hiring a proven winning coach would be the answer for the credibility gap, but maybe this is a better way to go!
gt2211
June 23rd, 2010
8:39 pm
For some reason many of you think that Buff is going to bring toughness. The biggest complaint in Chicago this past season was his “soft” play. Overall he is a poor skater that on many nights was a no show. If you can make it to the playoffs he may come up big like he did this year, but he will be no help in getting there. As for Sopel, just take a look at his playing time, or should I say lack of, this past year. He is very slow with no shot. His speciality is PK, but at 2 Mil.? Sorry Atlanta, you guys just got taken on this one!
Somaatl95
June 23rd, 2010
8:40 pm
Had told Mr. Heat Miser several times during the playoffs that I thought Chicago was gonna win it all and that I really liked the play and style of #33, calling him a “Fast Fridge on Skates”, and that I hoped we would get him. His play impressed me so much I was going to get one of the Blackhwaks St Pattys Jerseys (http://www.nfljerseysupply.com/chicago-blackhawks-33-dustin-byfuglien-green-jersey-4598.html) because its impossible to find any for the Thrashers. Now I can get it and wear it to the Thrashers games!
I love this trade!
Hawks Fan Mike
June 23rd, 2010
8:43 pm
Sopel is a loss for Chicago, he did all the dirty work when it was needed; you’d always see him limping to the bench after blocking another shot. He’s the type of role player that teams need to win Championships. Wasn’t a big Eager fan but he did bring a lot of energy when it was needed; and Big Buff wasn’t the best in the regular season, but when the Play-offs started, that was another story.
GaVaHokie
June 23rd, 2010
8:43 pm
Aliu seems to be another bruiser… Steve Downie knocked his teeth out during a practice over a hazing incident.
I since this team is becoming the Dudley Dirtbags… for better or worse.
dre
June 23rd, 2010
8:43 pm
Arthur,
Quite an ecclectic mix I must say. LOL
woodie
June 23rd, 2010
9:03 pm
Welcome to Loserville gentlemen.
Sage of Bluesland
June 23rd, 2010
9:14 pm
“It is what it is.”
Indeed.
Well, only time will tell if this move was a success or not…It is an injection of something the team doesn’t seem to have: Life. So, I can appreciate that.
Hoping for the best–but, sadly, I’m so used to expecting the worst…Call it the Waddell-Syndrome, if you will…
Zach
June 23rd, 2010
9:20 pm
this new guy doesn’t seem like he want’s to play here. Can you blame him?
Somaatl95
June 23rd, 2010
9:25 pm
Are some of you people EVER happy with the Thrashers? Or do you follow them to come to here and bitch and complain like a prototypical nagging wife? We have not been the best team in the NHL. We are reminded about it frequently, but even when something that could be considered good happens you people still bitch and complain and nag! C’mon!
Piddle in your Cornflakes
June 23rd, 2010
9:28 pm
Anyone not surpised to see Sage whip out his, well, Waddell and pee on the parade?
Pittsburgh Pirate Fan
June 23rd, 2010
9:30 pm
When I read some of today’s post I really have to wonder why the hell some of you people post here or attempt to portray yourselves as hockey fans. This is a good trade for both teams, it is not a great trade. It gives Atlanta players that just won a Stanley Cup, the parade is barely over with.
This is a good start moving forward, a deal Waddell couldn’t have pulled off. Dudley did and I think he has more up his sleeves. It will give some of you babies more to cry about.
Mike
June 23rd, 2010
9:30 pm
Wow. The people on this blog amaze me. The other day people are saying we have a lot of centermen, so Dudley trades from a position of strength and people complain. Yes, hate to see Marty go because he worked hard while he was here, but you have to give up something worthwhile to get something worthwhile in exchange.
People complain that the Spirit group doesn’t do anything, yet they pull off a big trade and everyone still complains. As least they didn’t have to give up their first first round draft pick which is a good thing.
We gave up Morin, but we don’t know who their prospect is going to be so it may be someone with good stats. Yes Duds spoke highly of him the other day, but anyone think that was done to push his trade value up a little.
Yes, we need a goalie and I believe we will get one. I expect Hedberg to leave and we pick up a solid veteran. There are plenty on the market so we just need to wait to see what Duds does. Get a good goalie and with the defense we now have, with or without Kubina, you have to like the direction the team is headed.
People say build through youth, but at the same time say they need to make the playoffs in the next season or two to keep hockey in Atlanta. Make up your mind as you can’t have both!
ryan
June 23rd, 2010
9:46 pm
I know you don’t want to here about the Hawks on this site but could this trade be an omen for the other the team on ASG.
BG33Brown
June 23rd, 2010
9:48 pm
I’m not a fan of this move b/c of Buff. As someone stated above, he is a big game player, but takes a lot of games off. I like Sopel and Eager is okay, but I would have rather just gotten versteeg and sopel.
GaVaHokie
June 23rd, 2010
9:48 pm
I’m sure all these guys wanted a second run at the Cup and a chance to be present when the banner is raised Opening Night… so, if “it is what it is”, that’s why.
Russ
June 23rd, 2010
9:58 pm
As a Blackhawks fan and Thrashers follower (via the Chicago Wolves) I gotta say the Thrashers really didn’t do much to help themselves. Sopel is a 3rd pair guy who can’ t skate well, Buff is a 3rd line winger at best – Quenville basically put him on the top line to hide him as it’s hard to screw up with Kane & Toews, and if Eager stays with Atlanta I expect to see him playing a few games in Chicago this year. Sopel gives everything he has, but even on a bad team he’s no better than the #4 D-man. Buff is a gamble – I woouldn’t have gambled Morin on him.
Either Dudley is an idiot – he was kicked out of Chicago basically in favor of Kevin Cheveldayoff (the Wolves GM) – or he is desperate for ticket sales and thinks this will help. Buff is great with the media and fans; hope it works out for him, but I hope he plays better too.
Pittsburgh Pirate Fan
June 23rd, 2010
10:01 pm
BG33-Buff was sent back to defense in the 2nd half of the season. He finally got a chance to play forward with Toews and Kane and flourished. He’s 255# at least, threw the biggest check I have ever seen on Pronger. These guys will all have a chance here, a new challenge. Atlanta is a first class city with a known commdity (to Hawks’ players) running the show. Unless Sage wants to bring out his “lap dog” and “I hate Waddell” hourly chant again. This is a step forward folks, though it looks like we will have to drag some of you guys to success.
Dave
June 23rd, 2010
10:02 pm
buff is more of a bruiser than he is a scorer. The only reason the thrashers traded for him was that he could nail pronger’s butt 10 times this season.
Brian west palm beach
June 23rd, 2010
10:02 pm
Well it looks as if blueland has come out of its coma. Now you guys need a number one goalie. Pavs is not it. He may be a great backup though. One more thing needed a true goal scorer to work with Pevs. I can say i will be glad to be home in december. but glad i could not waste my money at the games in person.
waffleboy
June 23rd, 2010
10:09 pm
I don’t really understand the buzz on Morin. I’m not sold on him yet, and I think he projects to be a second-liner, at best. And that’s if everything goes right and busts his hump. We gave up one roster player and got three back. This is exactly what I wanted Dudley to do with the late first-round pick: get a player who could contribute immediately. And it’s not like we need Sopel to give us first-pairing minutes. He’ll be our fifth or sixth d-man, depending on Kubina. Eager’s gonna give you the same minutes and effort you got from Reasoner, but he’s nine years younger. Overall, I like the trade, though I wouldn’t call it a blockbuster.
GaVaHokie
June 23rd, 2010
10:14 pm
Well, seeing as we are over our 50 contract limit and need to jettison one more to make this trade official, plus we are running out of tradable assets… I’m not sure how many more moves are coming.
Is Buff our Top 6 acquisition?
waffleboy
June 23rd, 2010
10:14 pm
Russ – Dustin Byfulgien had 5 game winning goals in the playoffs. Toews and Kane had 4 combined. Quenville was hiding him? Give the guy his due, man.
waffleboy
June 23rd, 2010
10:17 pm
A Thrasher was named to the all-rookie team, but not the one you may think.
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2010/06/nhl-announces-2009-2010-all-rookie-team.php
Farel
June 23rd, 2010
10:32 pm
Love the trade! Anyone that sent Pronger to his *ss, I can get behind. It’s great to see the team making moves. Anyone going to the draft party?
k_rock
June 23rd, 2010
10:36 pm
“The Thrashers will acquire Dustin Byfuglien, Ben Eager and Brent Sopel and a prospect from Chicago for a first-round pick, second-round pick, prospect Jeremy Morin and forward Marty Reasoner. Chicago gets the No. 24 and No. 54 pick acquired in the trade with New Jersey for Ilya Kovalchuk. So for the Thrashers ended up getting Johnny Oduya, Niclas Bergfors, Patrice Cormier, Byfuglien, Sopel and Eager for Kovalchuk, Reasoner, a prospect and two draft picks.”
Um, helloooo. Anssi Salmela was included in the inital Kovalchuk trade as well.
I think the Thrashers overpaid a bit, but the tipping point seems to be the prospects. Time will tell.
Roner
June 23rd, 2010
10:40 pm
First off, I think trading good draft picks for these guys was a great idea. I know, I know… We sent two boys there as well.
I’m just saying that using those picks instead of trading them would have been catastrophic.
We can’t wait a couple of years to make this team a playoff contender. We’ve been waiting too long, and the ice is thin enough already.
Curly
June 23rd, 2010
10:41 pm
Agree with GVH earlier post:
1) Eager = Boulton will not be signed
Eager is a 4th line grinder, part time enforcer
2) Sopel = Kubina will not be signed
Sopel is a 3rd pairing D-Man.
3) I’m OK with giving up 24th pick for Buff
4) I do not like giving up Morin.
5) Exceeding 50 contract limit = White gets bought out or waived?
Overall I think the Blackhawks got a great deal for a salary dump.
Grammar Nazi
June 23rd, 2010
10:41 pm
Nice comma splice in the first sentence.
Smoothie
June 23rd, 2010
10:49 pm
Morin, albeit a pure goal-scorer, may never develop into the player many of you think he will be. His skating is mediocre at best and other scouting reports claim that he may never develop the quickness to get to open spots in the NHL as opposed to a player like Bergfors who is about the same size, but possess more “quicks” and the ability to surprise you with his release. Morin has a great shot, but scouts say the release may be a bit too plodding. It’s so hard to tell. 2nd rounders are a crap-shoot and only about 17-20% make it historically.
Bascially, we got 3 for 1 + a late first rounder. I’ll take the two years of Buf & Sopel guaranteed plus hopefully a LT contract for Eager, who is better than anything we have on the 4th line (not including Reasoner, but he was more of a specialist anyway). There is still time for this roster to take shape. And don’t sleep on Freddie “the Fly” Pettersson, who looks to be a Swedish, speedier version of Jeremy Morin…wicked one-timer too! Just check the youtubes on him. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.
J.K. SOCKEY
June 23rd, 2010
10:55 pm
Interesting number of experts on Morin in here. How many games did you see him play?
Midfield
June 23rd, 2010
10:58 pm
I like the comment about warm bodies. Nice touch. We need’em warm, alright.
KLS1
June 23rd, 2010
10:58 pm
I have to say I’m a little surprised there isn’t more enthusiasm. All we really lose is the potential of Morin…and lets be real, he isn’t a burgeoning Peter Forsberg.
There is a lot of young talent on this team and some coming up that we need to make room for…Kane, Little, Bergfors, Peverly, Cormier, Petterson, Klingberg, Kulda, Visonovsky, plus this years first rounder.
Adding some proven players with size will help immensely…this is a no brainer winner for the Thrash. And it is not often we can say that.
JC
June 23rd, 2010
11:00 pm
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=325516
Ramsay is the choice for coach!
Luke M
June 23rd, 2010
11:01 pm
So a significant portion of the Kovalchuk haul was just flipped for a young 4th line defender, an average veteran and a grinder who had 1 great month? Terrible trade if you ask me. Byfuglien had 34 points last season, before anyone who only watched the playoffs thinks he’s a big time goal scorer.
KLS1
June 23rd, 2010
11:04 pm
I’m ok with Ramsay…
GaVaHokie
June 23rd, 2010
11:10 pm
Twitter is blowing up with Craig Ramsey rumors to Atlanta… Love it if it’s true!
rinkdink
June 23rd, 2010
11:20 pm
Too bad Dudley can’t buy the team.
Midfield
June 23rd, 2010
11:24 pm
To me, it’s more about team’s identity than stats. Now we seem to finally have at least three lines capable of generating tangiblre traffic in front of the net.
Pi$$onaDawg
June 23rd, 2010
11:24 pm
Years to Late and Too Many Dollars now wasted. Let the Thrasher leave now and stop wasting money and time on an animal that needs to be shot.
Pi$$onaDawg
June 23rd, 2010
11:27 pm
Go watch the Atlanta Rollers Girls. They play for the love of the game, don’t get paid HUGE money, and they are Better than the Atlanta Mockingbirds for sure.
Jack
June 23rd, 2010
11:28 pm
Ramsey coming, wonder how he won over torch. However Ramsey is a good pick
Justin
June 23rd, 2010
11:40 pm
Looking forward to see what the other deal is, saw this from http://www.crashthecrease.com – Glad the Thrashers have guy like you covering all the news this late at night!
Thrashers27
June 23rd, 2010
11:50 pm
According to TSN Ramsay is head coach and Torchetti is coming in as an associate coach.
Jack
June 23rd, 2010
11:53 pm
that would be bloody awesome if that is the case. thanks Thrashers 27, any idea on the other trade?
Telfo
June 23rd, 2010
11:56 pm
other trades looks to be 2 contracts to SJ for the old “future considerations”
probably two ECHL guys or something
Thrashers27
June 23rd, 2010
11:56 pm
Where is anyone hearing ’bout another trade?
Stat Man
June 23rd, 2010
11:59 pm
If nothing else, these moves (trades, coach singings) have generated more blog replies than after any game in years.
That’s what it takes – generate some interest!!!!
Jack
June 23rd, 2010
11:59 pm
From Chris V
The holdup was getting the Thrashers to the 50-player under contract limit. I’m now told, that it will happen with another trade being announced. Don’t have those details yet. Stay tuned.
scottbravesfan
June 24th, 2010
12:05 am
Dre,
Chicago has some big bandwagon fans as well. The Bulls never drew until Jordan arrived. The Blackhawks averaged 12,000 fans a game 3 seasons ago. The Cubs used to have to rope off the upper deck because no one bought tickets for the section. The Texas Rangers, who have never won a play off game in their history has a better attendance record historically than the Chicago Cubs. The White Sox, do we need to say anything about them? The only team that has drawn year in and year out is the Bears.
Mike
June 24th, 2010
12:08 am
I need to go to bed, but I’m so anxious for this second trade….
Hawk Boy 1
June 24th, 2010
12:09 am
As a Hawks season ticket holder , here is what you got:
Buff – one yr left on contract, at 3 mil, Can play defense or offense- how many guys can do that ? Needs to check on a more consistent basis in reg season. Seems to turn it on in playoffs-wish he did it all the time. Will be harder for him to create with Kane and Toews
Sopel – slowest player I have ever seen. Cannot go after a puck in a corner- Guys skate by him like I am out there . Cannot bring the plug up the ice . However, never makes a bad pass. Knows what he can do. Top 10 in blocked shots in NHL. 1 yr on contract left. We got by with him bec of guys like Keith, Seabrook and Campbell who are super fast
Eager – Restricted free agent. Never really did anything for us- a bruiser who didnt fight enough
Jack
June 24th, 2010
12:12 am
We shal see………..
Jack
June 24th, 2010
12:13 am
Mike I agree with you. I am guessing maybe a goalie?
Jack
June 24th, 2010
12:19 am
looks like the other trade may be with the sharks
Thrashers27
June 24th, 2010
12:21 am
Jack,
Where are you seeing info on this other trade?
Mike
June 24th, 2010
12:22 am
send two or more players and prospect or two to Ottawa for Spezza? just a guess/want.
Jack
June 24th, 2010
12:24 am
Hold please. I am getting the link now T27
The Hub Of Hockey
June 24th, 2010
12:29 am
[...] Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that Bruins’ assistant coach Craig Ramsay is soon-to-be named the next head coach of the Atlanta Thrashers. “And maybe the biggest news, I’m also told that it looks like Craig Ramsay will be the next head coach. An announcement could come as soon as Thursday. I don’t have it confirmed but TSN is reporting that John Torchetti will be named associate coach. Ramsay interviewed with the Thrashers several weeks ago. The 59-year old has served stints as head coach for Buffalo and Philadelphia. He has also served as an assistant with Florida, Ottawa, Tampa Bay and, most recently, Boston. He was an assistant with the Bruins for the past three seasons.” [...]
Mike
June 24th, 2010
12:29 am
Hub of Hockey, that is old news…. we are all awaiting the second trade
Joe Friday
June 24th, 2010
12:31 am
I like Buf, but he was underwhelming in the regular season. Obviously had a huge playoffs, but I’m cautious on him. Sopel completely underwhelmed me all last year, cringed every time he was out there. If we don’t sign Kubina or someone as good b/c of Sopel, then Dudley screwed up here big time. Eager is a throw in, no big deal.
If Big Buf can turn his career on now after that big playoffs, it’s a win for us, but this is kind of disappointing. I was really wanting Sharp or mabye Versteeg. Chicago did well, I think, dumping some of their garbage and selling Buf high.
Brendan
June 24th, 2010
12:32 am
Chris Vivlamore, thank you for this excellent blog today. The good news keeps on coming. I’m delighted with the trade, ohhhhh … not that we’re some “lock” for the Stanley Cup, or even the playoffs, but we just did get better. And now this!! Ramsay was my personal choice, from the moment I heard he was possibly available. Why?? Back in the 1970’s era of “wide open hockey,” Craig Ramsay and Don Luce formed one of the greatest checkline lines of that decade, playing for the Buffalo Sabres. His knowledge of defensive strategy can only HELP the Thrashers, whose achilles heel, from Day One, was DEFENSE. We’re about to improve our GA this year by 30 goals, or more. Wouldn’t it be great to start having seasons with a GA more like 220 or 230, instead of 275 to 280, or worse??? I see that Torchetti will/may also be coming, as a promotion from Assistant Coach in Chicago to ASSOCIATE COACH in Atlanta.
Folks, today was a great day for the Thrashers. One of our better ones. Really, truly. And I’m someone who criticizes this team with regularity. I don’t like to ’sugarcoat’ things. Things have been bad, for a long time, in Atlanta. And talk of ‘moving in the right direction’ just pushes the bile to the tip of my throat. But this time around … we are doing better. We’re better than we were yesterday.
Look, Kovalchuk is gone. And without ’sugarcoating’ things, he’s gone PRECISELY because this team’s ownership was clueless about how to run an NHL franchise. Dudley is an improvement over Waddell. Dudley has more credibility than Waddell. Dudley isn’t mired is “minor league-dom.” We could very easily have been looking at Slater, Boulton, and Reasoner in Atlanta next year. But instead, we’ll have Ben Eager, who is an improvement over every player on our 4th line. (Assuming his signs his RFA contract, or salary arbitration award.) Next year, we’ll have Brent Sopel on our blueline, a guy who routinely logged over 21 minutes per game, including in the Stanley Cup Finals, the most series Sopel will ever play in. That is GOOD, not bad. And we all saw what Byfuglien can do, as did Chris Pronger. Now, I agree … that Byfuglien is a guy who was acquired for his potential in the playoffs over what he’ll do in the regular season. Bottom line: We couldn’t get this guy, all on our own. We wouldn’t have drafted him, cultivated him, or utilized him properly under Waddell. Chicago did all the work for us. And now, we’ve got some muscle. We can actually start to win puck battles in the trenches. Every team needs a Dustin Byfuglien in the playoffs. This is GOOD, not bad.
As for Jeremi Morin, I didn’t want to lose him. But what if the guy never makes it to the NHL? Or plays 12 games over the next two seasons, as a call-up? I like the guy. We saw what he could do at the World Juniors this year. But that’s juniors, not the NHL. And how many years will it take to get Morin “NHL-ready?” We’ve got three members of the Cup winning Blackhawks as Thrashers now. That’s good, not bad. We’re not ‘as much’ of a JOKE as we were before. But the job’s not done. Not even close. There’s still a quality goalie to be found, and really, I still say Waddell has to be fired, for the organization to have truly turned the corner. This ownership hasn’t even supplied a reason behind the GM change. If they want to be taken seriously as owners, they have to ‘cut the cord’ with Waddell. Once they do, and accountability takes root, some other players will come here. Once they do, guys with six years left on their contracts won’t fear a WAIVER CLAIM by Atlanta anymore. Once they do, players will start to talk amongst themselves that Atlanta might be a nice destination for them. And won’t that be nice?
I don’t think there needs to be so much negativity out there. I agree that the Spirit are subpar owners. I agree that Waddell should have been fired, with a statement of explanation. I agree that Atlanta still hasn’t secured its future in this league, but it’s not relocating. In Max Afinogenov’s shoes, I’d actually reconsider Atlanta as an option, especially if I don’t get interest from a contender.
Jack
June 24th, 2010
12:36 am
T27 sorry for the delay. The information I found was a blog off the TSN website. I apologize but I can not find the actual link
Jack
June 24th, 2010
12:45 am
: “Thrashers second deal is Brett Sterling (expiring contract), Mike Vernace and seventh-rounder to San Jose.”
Read more: http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/The_Grinder/entry/view/69702/ramsay_expected_to_land_thrashers_job#ixzz0rk6Oz8Tf
Die Hawk Black Hard Fan
June 24th, 2010
12:48 am
I truly am going to miss BUF’S BIG BLACK ass … So is Longo from Vancouver(. Seriously, this guy i think carved out his niche this year – an above average crease sitter that will absolutely wreak total HAVOC. Sopel – Eager … whatever. I’m excite to see what becomes of MORIN. Go Hawks!
Thrashers27
June 24th, 2010
12:54 am
That second deal sounds like a whole lot o’ nothing, but the footnote in that article is that Joey Crabb is part of the Chicago deal. Hmm…
Jack
June 24th, 2010
12:56 am
True that. But of course Nabokov playes for San Jose
Jack
June 24th, 2010
12:57 am
i wonder why Crabb was added
Brendan
June 24th, 2010
12:59 am
Who do we want off San Jose? And don’t say Heatley.
Jack
June 24th, 2010
1:04 am
we are getting just future consideration? WTH
Jack
June 24th, 2010
1:05 am
Heatley can stay. That would be a bad move to get that jack back here
Brendan
June 24th, 2010
1:15 am
Fair or not, people are starting to wonder about Jumbo Joe. In 2002 & 2004, Boston won its division with Thornton, and fizzled in the playoffs. Thornton was traded to SJ, where again, great regular season results were found, (#1 seed, two years in-a-row, President’s Trophy,) but insufficient returns in the playoffs is what they’ve experienced.
Jack
June 24th, 2010
1:19 am
Do you know something I don’t. Did we get Thornton?
It’s official: Byfuglien, Sopel, Eager to Thrashers | chicago.rssible.com
June 24th, 2010
1:34 am
[...] can’t beat going to a team that just won the Stanley Cup,” Reasoner told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I’m pretty [...]
Hockey Biltong
June 24th, 2010
3:08 am
Well done, Dudley!!!
Good coaching will make a big difference here.
Can’t wait for a goalie and 20+ goal scorer.
Wonder if Max pauses for a minute???
Acer
June 24th, 2010
3:38 am
Wait and see. That’s my first reaction to the trade. My gut tells me that this isn’t a good deal long term. Chicago was more desperate to make a trade and still managed to acquire plenty of quality assets.
Thanks to B-hawks fans like Russ for giving an impression on the new Thrashers. You guys reaffirm my doubts about the this trade.
Pittsburgh Pirate Fan
June 24th, 2010
4:56 am
Still love reading you guys tossing cold water on this deal. We get winners, wguys that know how to win. Sopel is a suitable replacement for Kubina. We gave up draft picks in a weak draft, last first round pick is more like a second rounder, last 2nd round pick is more like a 3rd rounder. We kept our #8 pick and there’s more to come.
The coaching selections are excellent. So much for ASG being so cheap!
East Point Bob
June 24th, 2010
8:07 am
Everyone watch… Next season will prove this trade to be a disaster. We gave up way too much and
the only thing we did was help Chicago dump salary. These guys were worth maybe a 2nd & 3rd pick, but not what we gave up for them, if this is a sign of things to come, then we are again headed for another poor season, just mark my comments, bad bad trade, it will play out.
Thrasherpenguin
June 24th, 2010
8:54 am
To all of you that complain and say that this team sucks and will be moved soon, here is what I have to say to you. GO HOME! There are several teams in the NHL that have never won a Stanley cup….some of them have been around for 40 years. I trust Dudley! Look at his track record….it is very hard to argue with.
Who do you think was responsible for Chi’s Stanley Cup champ team this year? I have been with this team since day one. People were spouting the same “Atlanta Sucks” crap then and we are still here! So if you don’t like it ether sit down and shut up or go away. No one is forcing you to be here! You want to make a difference….go support the team in the town you live in….a little support goes a long way!
Dudley gives Thrashers a needed jolt with trades | Jeff Schultz
June 24th, 2010
9:20 am
[...] Boston assistant coach Craig Ramsay reportedly is on the verge of being named head coach, with John Torchetti also possibly coming as his top assistant. This would be a mild surprise as [...]
Chris Vivlamore
June 24th, 2010
9:37 am
Going back to re-write the NHL draft advance I wrote yesterday morning – hours before everything broke crazy. I actually wrote this: “One possible trade partner could be the Blackhawks, one of Dudley’s former teams. The Stanley Cup champions face major salary cap issues and general manager Stan Bowman told reporters in a conference call this week that “I’ve talked to every GM multiple times over the last week.” Dudley was the assistant GM in Chicago for three seasons before joining the Thrashers.”
Guess we can tweak that now.
Expect the Ramsay hire to be made official later this afternoon.
Thanks to all those that stayed with me late last night as all this went down. For those who couldn’t stay up that late (or early), this should keep you busy for awhile.
Get The Puck Out
June 24th, 2010
9:51 am
Did anyone notice that Ramsey looks like Geddy Lee in the picture on the Thrasher’s page?
Lee
June 24th, 2010
9:51 am
Oh, man! Great trade! Duds is the man! I’m sure Waddell would’ve never thought of this! On the coaching side, I was kinda hoping for Torch, but Ramsay is fine. And the fact that Torch may become the associate coach is great.
Now let the draft begin!
Somaatl95
June 24th, 2010
9:52 am
Thrasherpenguin – I couldn’t agree with you more! Its to the point where I think the AJC should allow people to rate comments like other websites do. Tsn.ca/nhl is an example. Also any article on http://www.dailytech.com . A comment starts with a rating of zero. If it gets voted down, it is collapsed and has to be expanded to be read. That way maybe people will STFU when it comes to anything/everything that the Thrashers do! C-Viv and Rawhide have excellent blogs and most of you have worthwhile comments but for the love of god you Negative Nancies need to go back to whackin it to UGA or find another set of people to annoy with your hatred!
SouthSideHawkFan
June 24th, 2010
10:01 am
Chicago guy here, I wanted to see the thoughts of Thrashers on this move. Hawks fans can be broken down into two groups. The old school hockey guys like this trade. The new bandwagon guys hate it!
Hawks fans that have watched Big Buff over the last several years(not just the cup run) say the same thing. ((IF)) he plays hard he is a dominating player with an unbelievable skill set. Buff scored 17 reg season goals and DISAPPEARED for games. His conditioning is suspect, and he needs to be motivated. I am not really sure how playing in front of 7,000 fans on a reg basis is going motivate him. He was also a guy that has been a 3rd/4th line player almost all season.
Big Buff will be missed and was a fan favorite, as for Sopel and Eager and Aliu LOL you’ll see
Go Hawks
SouthSideHawkFan
June 24th, 2010
10:06 am
Who do you think was responsible for Chi’s Stanley Cup champ team this year?
Hey Thrasherpenguin that would be Dale Tallon and Stan and Scotty Bowman. You have heard of the Bowmans before right?
Lee
June 24th, 2010
10:10 am
South Side – I’m with you all the way. Big Hawks fan. Also a thrashers fan, but Hawks are my all time fav. It’s bitter sweet.
Jack
June 24th, 2010
10:19 am
any more newsw on what future considerations is?
DWTOO
June 24th, 2010
10:24 am
Problem is that discussion is what blogs are for. The other problem is that any idiot can post.
Think we need to differentiate between those who really disagree (this trade is bad because……….) and those who just offer the ususal Waddell sucks, moving to Winnipeg, etc. stuff.
As Rawhide says: “Don’t feed the Trolls.”
IMHO – This is a good trade for the Thrashers. We’re getting a big guy who can bang in front of the net and a consistent D-Man. I’ll miss Marty, and Joey Crabb is a tweener (and nothing wrong with that as most of us would kill to have the talent to play in the AHL), and Morin isn’t a proven commodity.
Slap Shot
June 24th, 2010
10:28 am
Don’t know a great deal about these players, but I can tell you this .. I was in Chicago when 2 million showed up for the Blackhawks parade down Michigan Avenue .. We should be so lucky! Surreal scene that we would all love to see duplicated in Atlanta for any of our teams ..
Chris Vivlamore
June 24th, 2010
10:41 am
Took out some of the comments that don’t belong on this belong. There is enough to talk about from Thrashers, don’t you think?
MB
June 24th, 2010
10:53 am
While I think we gave up a little too much in this trade, at the same time I think it’s safe to say that we just became tougher to play against. Dudley (and apparently the organization) realizes that dramatic changes need to be made to reverse the perception of this franchise among fans and across the league and is taking steps to turn things around…kudos to him for that.
Let’s hope that Buff got hooked on the glare of the spotlight and craves it enough to work for it during the regular season. At worst, he should give us the net presence that we’ve (sadly) never had.
Eager presumably takes over for Boulton and gives us a solid forechecker and should get the chance here to play more minutes and in more situations, if he earns it.
In Sopel we get a fairly dependable stay-at-home type who blocks a lot of shots. Not all that exciting, maybe, but just the type of blueliner that we don’t currently have. A bit pricey for that package, but clearly we have the cap room.
And apparently today we announce the coaching tandem that many on here have been pining for…not a bad couple of days for the Thrash, eh?
rusty
June 24th, 2010
11:07 am
This ain’t your Donnie Waddell Thrashers, that’s for sure. Dudley Do-Right as far as I’m concerned.
Joey M
June 24th, 2010
11:13 am
I really hope we get a stopper on goal. I understand our Defensemen prevent good and open shots on goal, but the goal keeper still has to keep the puck from kissing the net. San Jose Shark Nabokov would be great at goal. If he is too expensive we have Dallas’ Marty Turco, St. Louis’ Chris Mason, Philadelphia’s Michael Leighton and Washington’s Jose Theodore to chose from. If we just walk away without making our goal keepers position better, this whole trade will be for nothing.
World Be Free
June 24th, 2010
11:13 am
SouthsideHawksFan-Reaction is mixed here. Reactions are going to be tempered with caution in Atlanta because of our hockey history and sports history in general. We as fans have to make the trnasition from expecting to lose, draft poorly and lose our stars to a team that we can believe in; folks are skepitcal to say the least and they should be. Chicago had to make the same transition after Rocky Wirtz over. We have to discard our losing stigma and learn to trust the guys making the decisions. No matter how much experience they may have, we take the “show me in a big way” stance until we see results. This could be a great hockey town, with the kind of team Dudley is capable of building. Even if he builds a team after his own style of play, it will be entertaining and people will want to come back to the area again.
Chris Vivlamore
June 24th, 2010
11:14 am
If John Torchetti is indeed coming to Atlanta, and I have no reason not to trust my TSN friends, it won’t be announced today.
Jack
June 24th, 2010
11:19 am
Another trade will be coming in a few days I am sure. I am pretty confident that a new goalie will be coming in, especiallly considering the contract situation on Moose and Pav.
Jack
June 24th, 2010
11:20 am
Sure hope the Torch is coming, that would be an awesome addition
Iceman
June 24th, 2010
11:35 am
Ramsay…oh please. Gimme Torchetti!
Mike
June 24th, 2010
11:57 am
According to ESPN Chicago, Duds wants to lock up Buff and Eager for a few more years but taking a wait and see approach on Sopel because of his age. I would think…sign Kubina, he trades Sopel. Doesn’t sign Kubina, keeps Sopel as a veteran influence.
More trades will be coming so, unlike most, I will wait on a final decision on this team until the roster is set.
Just wondering…possible to play Bergfors, Buff and Antro on the same line? That would be interesting for sure.
Jack
June 24th, 2010
12:01 pm
Totally agree Mike. Do you think Bolton willbe traded?
Everett
June 24th, 2010
12:05 pm
I know a lot of the negativity around the trade is about the picks we gave up, but if you look at those picks in the past, they haven’t amounted to much outside of Oshie and Cormier (who we now have). To knock the trade on the fact we gave up to much of the future is incorrect. Check out http://post.ly/kbNb to see exactly what those 2 picks are worth.
Jack
June 24th, 2010
12:18 pm
good point
Tom Davis
June 24th, 2010
12:51 pm
Morin is built up to be the next #99 on this board. He must be one hulleva player. Someone asked above – who here has actually seen him play?
Old Time Hockey
June 24th, 2010
1:47 pm
Waaaahhh…they traded the players for picks!!!
Waaaahhh…they traded the picks for players!!!
Waaaahhh…they traded Morin (who could be the next Gretzky…Wayne or Brent)
Waaaahhh…Waddell is still in Atlanta
Waaaahhh…They traded Crabb (c’mon…really?…that bothers you?)
Waaaahhh…they traded for Byfuglien and he doesn’t score 50 every year…could it be he is developing as a player?…Naaaah…according to some of the posters he is soft, slow, and takes games off. That was the impression he gave me in the playoffs…not.
“If it’s been done before, it probably can happen again”. Life and hockey careers are change with experience. The best thing about playoff runs is the experience the players get…they learn what it takes to win. Not only have you infused the team with playoff experienced players, but these guys also have an opportunity to increase their roles which can be great motivation.
As far as goalies go, I’d make sure Pavelec has a top notch goalie coach and work him like a dog and give him a chance. The new regime, especially Dudley seem to be pretty good judges of talent. If they think he’ll be fine and can maintain the level he started last year with we’ll be good.
Joe Friday
June 24th, 2010
2:16 pm
“Chicago guy here, I wanted to see the thoughts of Thrashers on this move. Hawks fans can be broken down into two groups. The old school hockey guys like this trade. The new bandwagon guys hate it!”
Bingo, original NorthSideHawksFan here, banished to Atlanta,now. My newbie Hawks buddies hate the trade “they traded Buf!”. But the guys that know hockey love it. I’m the same way, as a Hawks’ fan I love the trade, as a Thrash fan, notsomuch.
Ramsay the next Thrashers Coach, Deals Done | Today In Hockey
June 24th, 2010
2:50 pm
[...] Continue Reading: [...]
JSF
June 24th, 2010
2:51 pm
Dudley is doing what he does best. These are Great moves for the Thrashers.
Alan
June 24th, 2010
3:17 pm
as a Hawks’ fan I love the trade, as a Thrash fan, notsomuch.
I’m not seeing why you don’t like this trade. It doesn’t make sense.
But we’ll see when the season starts. We have a few very long months ahead of us until 8 October rolls around.
Spud Webb
June 24th, 2010
3:30 pm
Old Time Hockey, GREAT POST!!!
Flagstaff
June 24th, 2010
3:39 pm
And it’s official!
http://thrashers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=532663&navid=DL|ATL|home
Jack
June 24th, 2010
3:50 pm
So sorry to labor this point but any idea what future considerations means in the 2nd trade.
Darkhorse
June 24th, 2010
3:50 pm
Old Time Hockey, best post in weeks! Like the aggressive moves and coaching choices so far.
Chris-Nice job keeping up with all the news the past few days. Do you think we might see another big move by tomorrow night, goalie or scorer?
Jack
June 24th, 2010
3:52 pm
Thanks Flagstaff!!!. Great job again Chris, hopefully you will get some sleep soon.
Hockey Steve
June 24th, 2010
4:53 pm
YES!!! In Duds we trust. Very stoked about this news.
Alan R.
June 24th, 2010
5:08 pm
Jack – “Future Considerations” could be anything. It could be a draft pick (late rounds, usually). It could be a minor prospect (rarely). It could even be a cheeseburger (most likely).
They’re not going to buy the entire team a cheeseburger, though. That’s for the GM only.
NHL Ready
June 24th, 2010
6:27 pm
You can get pretty fired up about these trades and new coaches. Looks good but we still need a solid Goalie when that happens I buy back my season tickets.
Flames
June 24th, 2010
6:54 pm
Good Stuff! We just got better! Bottom line. There is more trades to come. We almost got Sharp in the last deal. The Blackhawks wanted Cormier instead Morin and the # 8 not the # 24. Duds is real high on Cormier and wanted to keep the # 8. A third deal is in the works. As far as Boults goes he is a UFA. A little birdie told me that Detriot wants him. They need someone with a small salary to keep the flies away from their superstars. Boults told the Thrashers that he doesn’t want to leave Atlanta. Hockey Is BACK in Atlanta!!!!!!
Dudley makes his mark as Thrashers tab Ramsay for head coach | Sport News
June 24th, 2010
7:07 pm
[...] with Ramsay as a member of the Buffalo Sabres and the two are longtime friends. John Torchetti, the man hotly rumored to be one of Ramsay’s assistants, replaced Dudley as head coach of the Florida Panthers in [...]
Ramsay the next Thrashers Coach, Deals Done | The Vancouver Canucks
June 24th, 2010
8:51 pm
[...] Continue Reading: [...]
David J
June 26th, 2010
12:52 am
As a Hawks fan, I can say to Atlanta that whether or not you like the trade, Brent Sopel is undeniably a scary man to look at. I’d be terrified to meet him in a dark alley.