Comments on: Thrashers Out-Powered In D.C.

By: Brendan

Brendan — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 18:06:51 +0000

I’d say Don Waddell drafted Lehtonen and has no intentions of ever trading him, or not unless he faces the prospect of losing him in unrestricted free agency for “nothing.”

By: Tony C.

Tony C. — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 07:27:14 +0000

If we trade Lehtonen, then I’m going to want a HEFTY return. If DW does trade him to philly, I’d really like to get Nittymaaki in return…although Van Riemsdyk isn’t exactly chopped liver, I’m still leery of Pavelec’s ability to be “the man” next year.

Of course there’s going to be some pretty good goalies on the market this year-Clemmenson’s stock has gone up (deservedly), Backstrom, Roloson, Khabibulin, Timmy Thomas (who I doubt Boston will let go), Fernandez, Anderson (panthers), Biron & Nittymaaki (philly) Joey MacDonald from NYI….just to name a few that come to mind

Plenty of good solid netminders…now out of that list I only see a few legit #1s…of course Backstrom heads the class with Biron, Khabibulin and Fernandez leading the “intriguing veteran” race… I’m not sold on Anderson as a full-time #1, but I do think MacDonald is going to make some club very pleased-just a hunch.

So what would you say to a deal that sent Lehtonen & a 3rd round selection to the Flyers for Van Riemsdyk & Nitty???

By: Rawhide

Rawhide — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 04:32:48 +0000

Jimbo – I really don’t have any “contacts” per sa that could/would leak such info…but I think your assesment is correct. I would not be at all surprised if Havelid, Reasoner and Perrin are all three moved & all netting high draft picks for their services.

Look specifically out west for deals to be made, IMHO. There are still so many teams alive that I think they’ll be lots of deals to be leveraged out there.

By: Brendan

Brendan — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 03:03:26 +0000

It’s not surprising in the least, Ranallo. I’ve often asked people to name ANY sport … when the players overcame bad management. It’s almost impossible to find one. And bad management can usually be traced right to the top, and that’s the entity that installed it and foots the bill. That’s the ownership.

Ask Charles Wang, NY Islanders owner, if his 15-year deal with DiPietro was foolish and inadvisable, he’ll likely reply, “I was a pioneer! I opened to the door for Ovechkin’s 13-year/$124 million deal, Mike Richardson’s 12-year deal in Philly, and Lecavalier’s deal in Tampa.” D’oh. Of course, that’s not really an answer, either. But hey, were you expecting something “pithy,” hypothetically, out of Wang?

Ask Bruce Levenson if the Thrashers are ‘moving in the right direction,’ he’d say, “Well, yes. Of course, we’ve had some setbacks. We’re not ‘quite’ where we thought we’d be, but there’s absolutely no reason to tear it down and start over new.” That’s hypothetical, mind you. But can’t you just hear him saying something like that? Last year, the Thrashers finished 28th. This year, they’ve got quite a hold on the 29th spot. If Levenson’s direction of choice is ’southbound,’ then yes … the Thrashers are moving in the right direction.

To quote Poster Bob, “Really. No, really?”

Ask Len Barrie or Oren Koules if it was ’smart’ to trade Dan Boyle, they’d likely reply, “At the time, it made a lot of sense to get Matt Carle.” Carle now plays for Philadelphia. I can’t remember who they got in the exchange. I want to say Brownie and Eminger. But that might be wrong. Boyle is having a career season in San Jose, and just ‘may’ be the difference-maker in their bid to win the Stanley Cup this year, which will almost certainly involve knocking off the Red Wings in the process.

The ownership in St. Louis isn’t exactly stupid. They’ve had some tough injuries to overcome. I thought I recently saw that the Blues were beginning to approach .500 again. I think the L.A. Kings are getting better in their hockey operations. Even tonight, they’re in ‘HockeyTown,’ in a 2-1 game, with 90 seconds left in the 3rd period. That’s substantive progress for a perennial cellar dweller, who has been very patient in its building process. Imagine if they’d been able to keep Cammalleri, with Brown, Kopitar, Frolov, Jack Johnson, Drew Doughty, Bernier and Quick. That’s a nucleus to keep intact.

By: Jimbo

Jimbo — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 02:54:47 +0000

Rawhide: Do you have any contacts with other clubs who might leak some of the names that DW has on the waiver wire? I have to believe that he has a fair number of the gang that we continue to speculate about. In the past, clubs have held claims until near the deadline to force the offering club to make last minute deals. We should see a number of guys go on the 4th for lower draft picks.

By: ranallo10 (in AT)

ranallo10 (in AT) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 00:56:40 +0000

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=268944&lid=sublink06&lpos=headlines_nhl

Hmmm…even Koules and Barrie (playing the parts of Brad Daniels and Jim Carrey) understand that it’s hard to sell a crappy product unless you sell it at a discounted price. Maybe the ASG can learn from them.

Speaking of crappy ownership groups, is anyone surprised that the three worst teams in the league at this point (TB, NYI, ATL) have arguably the worst ownership in the sport?

By: Thrashy Thrashy

Thrashy Thrashy — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 00:10:20 +0000

I think it’s a good thing that Kovy can speak to the Russian press and not go back on his willingness to stay in Atlanta. He must really like the area or something. I hope the Thrashers will reward him handsomely for this.

By: Tony C.

Tony C. — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 23:37:19 +0000

RUSSIAN:

Thanks! I didn’t know which blog you’d be reading so I hit both.

By: Glovesave29

Glovesave29 — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 22:25:16 +0000

Rawhide…ugh, that hurts. You know I had to give up the CLK convertible because the tax exemptions could no longer fit in the back seat.

Metro is little in stature, but big in heart. Went 100% all the time, something this current team is lacking

By: Russian

Russian — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 22:21:09 +0000

to Tony:
I try to translate everything. I hope it is works for you
Event of the day. HOCKEY. NHL
Ilya Kovalchuk was recognized as the third star of the match against «Washington». After the game captain «Atlanta» talked to the correspondent of «Soviet sport», telling him of the newborn son of Philip, and explaining why Alexander the Great better than Kid Sid.
The main hero of the match began, Alexander Semin, of which the so-flattering answer coach «Washington». Forward scored 3 (1 +2) points and was third star of the day in the entire league.
The first goal Semin get beautiful. Fedorov gave him a pass on the course, and Alexander overtake the defender «Atlanta», as if standing. When Semin showed on the scoreboard, the people built him ovation.
In another episode guest player hit Ovechkin stick and broke it. Sasha showed fragments of the judge: look what happens! The arbitrator did not give the removal.
After a minute another player «Atlanta» hit in the face. The judge once again silent. Alexander brought, and began to push with Reasoner. As a result of this arbitrator issued two minutes … only to Alexander the Great. You seen him rage!
The most interesting thing is that most realized Kovalchuk. In general, Ilia played great. But the opinion of your correspondent – Kovalchuk did not have enough classrooms partners – Peverley, then to White. Do not his level of players.
«Eight children – THIS IS Bust»
- Ilya, recently «Atlanta» plays great. and you added – scored 11 goals in last 9 games. What it involves? In order that you made the captain of the team or that your son?
- Just go play. I have, and before that a lot of goal moments. But not score. Now puck goes into the goal. But I need to play more aggressive, more likely to drop out.
- Why did you have with my wife Nicole son named Philip? The first association in Russia – Philipp Kirkorov.
- One thousand per cent, it is not associated with Kirkorov! Simply, we love this name. International version. Unknown where the son goes to school – in Russia or in America. In addition, there is a holy Philip. Consider this in honor of him.
- I heard that the two babies you do not want to stop. Here is the famous hockey policemen has eight children. When someone will be able to overtake him?
- I am not so much fought for NHL to make eight children. They are the flowers of life, without question. But children need to be addressed, to pay them much attention. So far, here are the two. It is necessary to give Nicole a little bit rest, to get pleasure out of life.
- I remember during the World Cup 1994 soccer player Bebeto, scored Dutch goal, made a move that swings cot. He got the third child was born. And you do not like to mention the birth of Philip to some extravagant way?
- We are not football players. There is, 1:0 is everything. And in hockey a lot of heads. If I start on the ice cot swing, they do not understand correctly.
I’m just glad that I came heir. Most importantly, that guy grew up happy and healthy.
- You were present at birth?
- Yes, for the first time in their lives. Look Karolina was born in New York for a week before the period. Then I played in Russia for «Khimik» and not enough time for delivery. This is a unique event. Happy minute in my life!
When Nicole gave birth, I am terribly nervous. Generally a great respect for the cause of women who give birth to two or more children. It is at least a year and a half is not quite a comfortable lifestyle.
«Only weak People talk too much»
- Recently «Washington» playing with «Pittsburgh». Alexander Ovechkin showed to Crosby that he should be less talk. There he learned from you? I remember when you scored a goal, then showed glove to Sid, and this move has become famous in Atlanta.
- This is the emotion. Ovechkin did everything correctly. We need to play hockey. On the ice show, what are you capable of. A lot of talk weaknesses. Ovechkin all proven – he scored a goal and «Washington» defeats. He had every right to his gesture.
- Crosby said that Ovechkin – dirty player …
- Then do not need anyone to play hockey! After all the rules after the lockout in the NHL has changed greatly. Suppose that Crosby looks like the league played before. Style Ovechkin – emotional hockey net. Therefore, it is the best NHL player.
- But the league in the promotion focuses on Crosby.
- He was a local. You need something a player who will cover NHL. Russian could not face the North American league! But Ovechkin on all indicators in order stronger Crosby. I do not open America, many are talking about that. Crosby – a magnificent player. But Ovechkina it is still very far away.
If I gained the players in our virtual team, be sure to take a Sasha. We are friends. We have a similar character, a lot of common interests. I like Ovechkin not only as a hockey player. He is close in spirit.
«Provocative Dream»
- Now ready for the world championship in Switzerland? You from the team called?
- Perhaps Viacheslav Bykov still hoped that the «Atlanta» will be released in the play-offs. Therefore, while no one called – smiled Kovalchuk. – But if we do not get to the Stanley Cup and I am healthy … It is always said, that arrive in the team will be pleased.
- Who will remain with his wife?
- And we have a nanny. And yet another visit – my mom wants to assist in the care of Philip. Carolina for three years, it is easier.
- You used to be in Switzerland?
- Yes, several times. To collect from Yurzinova before the World Cup-2004. Another summer came. Beautiful country. Delicious cheese, good wine.
- General Manager «Atlanta» Don Woddell gave a guarantee that you will not be shared. You believe him? Quietly sleep at night?
- I always sleep calmly. A exchanges – this is business. Will that be. But leave «Atlanta» I would not like. I want to stay here.
- And if you wake up tomorrow and know that you exchanged at «Washington», it will be good or bad dream?
- This is a provocative dream. I am satisfied with everything in «Atlanta». I play here on the first day of his career. I hope that we will be a solid strong team. City of excellent, good fans. We are obliged to play much better.
- Who will be this year «Hart Trophy» as league most valuable player?
- Most likely, Ovechkin. If «Washington» and will continue to argue for the first-second place in the conference. My voice, it is exactly.