Thrasherville Welcomes Its Newest Citizen, Kane
As so many of you already know, Don Waddell and the Atlanta Thrashers did indeed select Evander Kane…the 6′-1″ 176 pound native of Vancouver who plays for the Giants of the WHL with the 4th overall pick in the 2009 NHL entry draft. As I am sure was the case all over Thrasherville…when Don Waddell made it official, the assembled masses at TJ’s erupted with loud approval.
Naturally, this is the big news outa the weekend, but there were other players that became the property of the Thrashers organization as well.
Here’s the run-down on how rounds two through seven went…
Second Round
4th pick/34th overall – Carl Klingberg: 6′-3″, 205 lb. left winger from Sweden.
15th pick/45th overall – Jeremy Morin: 6′-1″, 198 lb. left winger U.S. U-18 team
Fourth Round
26th pick/117th overall – Edward Pasquele: 6′-2″, 218 lb. goalie of Saginaw, (OHL).
29th pick/120th overall – Ben Chirot: 6′-2:, 211 lb. defender of Guelph, (OHL).
Fifth Round
4th pick/125th overall – Cody Sol: 6′-4″, 215 lb. defender of Saginaw, (OHL).
Sixth Round
4th pick/155th overall – Jimmy Bubnick: 6′-2″, 194 lb. center for Kaloops, (WHL).
Seventh Round
4th pick/185th overall – Levko Koper: 6′-0″ 180 lb. left winger for Spokane, (OHL).
22nd pick/203rd overall – Jordan Samuels-Thomas: 6′-3″, 198 lb. left winger of Waterloo, (USHL).
So…four left wingers, a pair of centers and defenders as well as one goalkeeper. And not one of them under six-feet in height. The Thrashers system just got bigger, wouldn’t you say?
Now, About Friday Night…
What an amazing turnout Friday night for what was dubbed ”Rawhide’s Draftapalooza 2009 Party at TJ’s”…it was truley a wonderful time. I move we make it the site of the Draftapalooza Party next summer too…wadda-ya think? However, if we keep growing in numbers the way we have since starting these events at TJ’s last winter, Tim might just have to build out an extra wing for us all.
It was an absolute pleasure seeing so many of the regulars again and the many new faces that showed up as well. Hopefully you’ll all return again for the fun during the season. AJC Thrashers beat writer Chris Vivalmore’s attendance there also helped add to the fun…thanks for dropping in Viv! Oh, and I know everyone enjoyed meeting Atlanta Flames goalie Dan Bouchard and former Toronto Maple leaf Kurt Walker as much as I did.
I would also like to thank Katie, Ashley, Caroline and Rachel…the wonderful young ladies who took care of us all while we enjoyed the draft broadcast. Tim and Mark, those are four great gals who really represented your establishment well.
Also, a big shout out has to go to my friend Karin Beckman of the Atlanta Spirit. She provided the Zach Bogosian and Garnet Exelby sticks as well as the Thrashers tickets for next season that were raffled off. Karin…you’re the best-est-est!
The prize of 4 premium tickets along with a Zamboni ride which was provided by TJ’s was won by 9-year old Carmen…who’s blog has been added to my “Blog Role”. I think she’s going to take her mom and dad to that game…maybe.
Tim, Mark, Karin and I are coming up with some big plans for some viewing parties and outings this winter. Some of these events will also be coordinated in conjunction with the Thrashers Fan Club as well…so be looking for more information once the schedule comes out in just a few weeks.
But for the time being, now that Draftapalooza 2009 is over and done with, it’s time to look forward to “Unrestricted-Free-Agent-Signing-Season-Apalooza”…(I’m seriously gonna have to find a way to trim down that title). Anyway, that fun is set to begin Wednesday morning and we’ll gear it up for this big event as well.
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164 comments Add your comment
Tony C.
June 29th, 2009
10:41 am
Hokie- because Anderson uses Armstrong A LOT. With as often as the boys are on the PK, Armstrong’d be on the ice for like 40+ min a game…while he might be able to do that every once in awhile, that’s a hell of a heavy load to carry.
Armi’s been The Walrus’ go-to-guy for shutting down the opposition’s best forward (just for example, pull the stats for a game against Washington and see how Armstrong & O vechkin’s TOI are very close once adjusted for PP etc). Again, you want him fresh for that-we have other guys that are good to VERY good on the PK (Reasoner, Stuart, Peverly) – why keep them off the ice and run Armstrong into the ground?
At least that’s my take on it
ranallo10 (in AT)
June 29th, 2009
11:11 am
At least it wasn’t Waddell who drafted Lee Falardeau in that 2002 draft. Falardeau was another Michigan State University center who was drafted by the Rangers three picks after Slater. Total NHL games played by Falardeau = 0.
So I guess the Thrashers could’ve done worse in that draft…though, at least the Rangers made up for their 2nd round pick by selecting Prucha in the 8th round.
Lehtonen, Slater and Oystrick are the only 2002 Atlanta draftees to play in the NHL at this point. Ouch.
Viking
June 29th, 2009
11:41 am
Talking about Penalty Killers…
NYR did not offer Fredrik Sjöström the $924 000 (or $875 000 / 3yrs he would accepted according to a Swedish newspaper). So I guess he is an UFA come July 1.
While not a big point producer, he was a member of the best PK unit in the league (regular season). Also, he was a member of the “shoot-out team” for NYR, which also was the winningest club during the regular season. 3 goals in 9 attempts.
How about forgetting Dupuis and Perrin business and go for Sjöström?
R. Stroz
June 29th, 2009
11:42 am
So, nobody wants Heatley
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Sports/Nobody+wants+Heatley+exec/1743268/story.html
In the words of Gomer Pyle…surprise, surprise, surprise
ThrasherFan
June 29th, 2009
11:53 am
Back to the comment about it sounding weird hearing JP Dellacamera call something other than a Thrashers game:
It’s weird for me to hear JP call a Thrashers game since I heard him for so many years calling soccer games!
Alan
June 29th, 2009
12:01 pm
I like the sound of that, Viking! If not him, then someone like him. We need to get more defensive this offseason. I’m all for bringing in anyone who can improve our team in that respect. I’m not too worried about offense, but we’re in dire need of defense.
Alan
June 29th, 2009
12:02 pm
… even if that defense comes from a forward (ala Reasoner)
Sara
June 29th, 2009
12:07 pm
ranallo how exactly do you come up with “Ouch” for the 2002 draft? Only 3 other teams produced more players out of that draft – Columbus (4 players, 2 of which are no longer in the league or bounce between NHL/AHL); Chicago (4 players), and Detroit (5 players, one of which has spent his entire NHL career in Washington and 2 of which are just now breaking onto their roster – Meech and Ericsson (who FYI was the last guy drafted that year at #291)). TB got 3 guys from that draft year, as did TO, PIT, and BUF.
Boston, Ottawa, Vancouver, and STL combined for ZERO NHL contributors from that entire draft year. 12 teams only got one guy out of it each. I’d say technically we got two because Oyster hasn’t proven to be an NHL regular. But claiming two players out of one draft year is perfectly acceptable return…you’d like to see some years where they might get more on occasion, but 2 NHL regulars is nothing to sneeze at IMO. 16 other teams are probably wishing they could be as fortunate.
BTW going back to the whole “where Waddell ranked the draft picks thing” – if you go look at the interview Falconer did with DW post-draft, Falconer mentions that Red Line Report *also* had both of those guys listed as 2nd rounders. Just sayin’…
ranallo10 (in AT)
June 29th, 2009
12:24 pm
Sara — 2 players are NHL regulars, one is a 4th liner (I have no problem with that), the other was a lottery pick (typically an easy pick to make). Oystrick is a 7th defender at best right now, and to be honest he might not have even been given a chance had he been on another roster.
I consider the final product to be “ouch”, and that’s not in comparison to other teams. I have relatively no problem with Lehtonen, Slater, or Oystrick individually, but to me the 2002 draft was rather pathetic on a whole and Atlanta’s products from the draft are nothing to be jealous of. But you’re right, many teams did worse than Atlanta in drafting that year (based on number of players), but many did better based on quality of depth drafted.
As for the “where Waddell ranked the draft picks thing”, maybe the Red Line Report should also question themselves for having two players in the 2nd round that 29 teams passed on drafting 4 or 5 times before Atlanta claimed them. I’m not knocking the Red Line Report or Waddell specifically, but to say “they were 2nd rounders on my board” and see that nobody else agreed with you should be a warning flag if your track record for drafting is anything but stellar. Maybe they should work on putting together a more accurate draft board?
World Be Free
June 29th, 2009
12:36 pm
We can see that again, the NHL draft is a crap shoot, even for the supposed good teams.
GaVaHokie
June 29th, 2009
1:11 pm
ranallo and Sara… and now that NY traded Prucha to Phoenix, they have “zero” players on their roster from the 2002 draft.
They traded Prucha, Kalinin and Nigel Dawes to Phoenix for Derek Morris who’s UFA this summer.
GaVaHokie
June 29th, 2009
1:27 pm
Updated chart (as of today) at Fourth Period… Thrashers added to Cammalleri.
http://thefourthperiod.com/freeagents/top30ufas.html
Sara
June 29th, 2009
1:47 pm
God I’ve been drooling over Cammalleri since his sophomore season (in the hockey sense, not the puckbunny sense). Don’t know if we could persuade him or not but I’d darn sure like to try.
I posted a link to an ESPN post-draft write-up on Chris’ blog that mentions we are likely sniffing around TO for Kaberle. Makes some sense – we’ve got depth at the D position in terms of prospects which ought to interest Burke. Be interesting to see if anything comes of it.
FormerIslesFan
June 29th, 2009
2:06 pm
RH,
First, thanks for a great draft party on Friday night! Great to see you (and everyone else) again!
Our old friend CC has posted an interview with Kane:
http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/ccustance.tsn/194272/
I’m curious as to your (and everyone else’s) take on the following clipped from the article:
Along with landing a talented center who is going to develop into a serious power forward, the Thrashers have a unique opportunity to market a player who could be appealing to the diverse Atlanta population. And that’s certainly something that has crossed Kane’s mind.
“I know the Atlanta situation is something people have been telling me about and that population – it’s definitely going to be something to look forward to,” Kane said. “I’m going to embrace that and let it help me as a hockey player.”
Jared
June 29th, 2009
2:18 pm
2 days till free angent frenzy… come on Donny Boy, Dooo iiiiit.
Darkhorse
June 29th, 2009
2:23 pm
So one thing I’m curious to hear opinions about is where some of these forwards would/will play?
I know Cammalleri has played some center in the past, but spent his time in Calgary playing wing, and played it very well too. So do you throw millions to him to play right wing or CAN he be our answer for a creative #1 center for Kovy? There would have been no reason to bring Jokinin to the Flames at the deadline if Cammalleri had the ability to play #1 center.
What position are they planning on penciling Kane at? Experts seem to agree he will adjust to being a winger in the NHL, but he’s only played center and left wing thus far in his career. Kovy and Kozlov are penciled in at left wing, at least for next season. But DW says he will be a first line power forward and can’t wait to see him on a line with Kovy. So can he make the adjustment to rightwing while being a left-handed shot? Sterling certainly hasn’t been able to take advantage of that. Hopefully Sterling will be part of a trade package.
What becomes of Little? He had a great season overall and played very well with Kovy as the first line rightwinger when there. Has he done anything to suggest he won’t come in even better and stronger next season and deserving of a shot of that #1 rightwing spot?
I would get Little and Pevs locked up longterm now for a more affordable number, rather than waiting until they both have great years next year and cost a whole lot more. Pevs is a RFA after next year.
Whatever forward they bring in, it just seems it needs to be a #1 type of center that will mesh well with Kovy, and not a guy they try to force into that spot because of logjams in other areas.
GaVaHokie
June 29th, 2009
2:23 pm
Valabik was qualified today… here’s the latest from Ben Wright… pretty interesting situation with Chris Thorburn.
http://www.bluelandblog.com/
Rawhide
June 29th, 2009
2:30 pm
Hokie – Thanks….
FIF – Fascinating comment made by Kane regarding the marketing of himself given his ethnicity. I think, if done correctly, it could prove to be a very positive thing for the Thrashers and for this young man. I’m glad to see he is willing to embrace it. Let’s see how the organization plays it.
Darkhorse – If I’m a betting man, I’d say Cal-GARY finds a way to re-sign Cammalleri and make roster decisions elsewhere to afford him. Thai being said…I’ll still take a stab at what I would do with a lineup if he was signed here.
Kovy – Cammalleri – Little
Kozlov – Peverley – Armstrong
Crabb*/Stuart – Reasoner – Kane (* pending RFA offer)
Boulton – Slater – Thornburn
White – Packaged with Pavelec and/or prospects/picks to help bring in top-four blueliner.
R. Stroz
June 29th, 2009
2:33 pm
Thrashers Restricted Free Agents Playing in Atlanta
Colby Armstrong
Kari Lehtonen
Jim Slater
Chris Thorburn
Boris Valabik
Thrashers Restricted Free Agents Playing with the Wolves
Scott Lehman
Grant Lewis
Dan Turple
Jordan Lavallee
Thrashers Unrestricted Free Agent Category VI
Joseph Crabb
Nathan Oystrick
Brett Skinner
Clay Wilson
Thrasher Unrestricted Free Agents (Thrashers & Wolves Combined)
Eric Perrin
Mike Hoffman
Grant Stevenson
Joe Motzko
Viking
June 29th, 2009
2:39 pm
I seriously doubt the acquisition of Kane is a marketing plus because of Atlanta demographics. Will he generate any substantial seat fillings aside from a few kids that have forced their previously unexposed dads to take them? He may become a poster boy out of “regular reasons”, but it is hard to make people interested in a “new” sport.
My background is 100% clean from NASCAR heritage, and I will remain 100% uninterested for the rest of my life. In the unlikely event that a Swede will become a NASCAR star in the future, it would still not motivate me to attend a race.
Sara
June 29th, 2009
2:42 pm
Darkhorse – Cammalleri is pretty much a winger now though a transition could always be discussed. As for what bringing in Kane might mean for Little – I daresay nothing. Little was just as effective when matched up with Kozlov and White as with White and Kovy. Waddell has also indicated Kane will come up as a winger…if he can’t adapt to RW then he can always go back to LW – it’s not like Slava’s going to be here forever (though Kovy had better be
).
FIF I think that quote is self-explanatory. Kane is an individual of color, just like a whole lot of other people in the Atlanta area. His presence on the team (signified by splashing his mug all over town) could very well draw in the curious (ie a comment I saw on a friend’s facebook page: “Thrashers gotta brotha now? May have to come check that out.). It could also be a huge boost to the youth programs in the area…getting more young african-american children interested in hockey creates lifetime fans…and little cuties begging their parents to take them to a game.
Plus from his perspective he has to know what a powerful role model he could be in a community like this.
ranallo10 (in AT)
June 29th, 2009
3:12 pm
Good to hear about Valabik, let’s hope he can continue to develop on that third pairing…though, that means Atlanta has six defenders under contract who will likely be putting most of their time in at the NHL level. If an improvement is to come in who will likely be sat…Valabik of course. In conclusion, if a defender is brought in I’d prefer to see a defender sent back in return, and it wouldn’t bother me if it was Salmella or Exelby. I imagine Exelby has more trade value, but I doubt it’s too much.
I doubt Cammalleri is in Atlanta’s price range.
Darkhorse — Another interesting comment I’ve heard regarding Kane (from either McGuire or McKenzie after Kane was selected in the draft) was that he and Little would have “instant chemistry”. I can understand that philosophy, as Little and Kane are up tempo players who will grind out a shift while always being a threat to score, but I wonder if that means they’d be better alongside a crafty veteran like Kozlov, than next to Kovalchuk. Just a thought.
Sterling is an interesting one, as I believe this past season was his last chance to make the roster, but he was still not given a fair chance. If Anderson isn’t confident enough to let the kid get his bumps at the NHL level, the team should see if they can get any assets for him. I don’t mind holding onto him as a replacement for Kozlov next year, but that’s rather presumptuous to think a 26 year old rookie could play second line minutes immediately. I think Sterling is done with Atlanta, unfortunately.
Darren Elliot
June 29th, 2009
3:32 pm
Can’t wait to see Lil John with a “Kane” Jersey.
WWWWHHHHHHAAAAAATTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OOOOOKKKKKKAAAAYYYYYYYYY!!!!!
Darren Elliot
June 29th, 2009
3:41 pm
Thrash could have had Chicken Parm Jr.! (Ray Ferraro’s son for those not familiar with the former captain’s nickname)
Alan
June 29th, 2009
3:44 pm
Can’t wait to see Lil John with a “Kane” Jersey.
I thought he was close to Lehtonen.
Christy
June 29th, 2009
3:49 pm
Okay, is it just me then that can just picture the Evander night at Philips where you can come and get an autograph with Evander Kane and Evander Holyfield?
I mean, Holyfield, based on my limited understanding, is still not exactly liquid when it comes to his assets and cash flow. You don’t think there’s a potential there to entice him into some marketing opportunities at the right price?
Wouldn’t that draw in a few hundred, for say, the sake of curiousity if nothing else? And if out of each 100, 5 find that they like the game enough to come back, that’s 5 more fans that you didn’t have before.
I was already picturing the billboards, “Welcome to Atlanta, home of the 2 Evanders” with picture of each of them…
Hip Czech
June 29th, 2009
4:07 pm
By a couple different accounts the Thrashers did alright by themselves at the draft…
USA Today ranks ATL as the 6th best draft day and says “With Evander Kane, Carl Klingberg and Jeremy Morin, the Thrashers drafted three players who were listed in the first round on some lists. Kane will play in the NHL next season.”
ESPN lists ATL with the 3rd best draft (wow, who would ever put those two words together – 3rd best??) and says “They will never be a salary-cap team, but that doesn’t mean economics won’t play a significant role in how they proceed, especially with star winger Ilya Kovalchuk set to become an unrestricted free agent next year. But the Thrashers continued on that slow road back to respectability, and perhaps even relevance, with what one rival GM described as “a terrific draft.”
GM Don Waddell told ESPN.com on Saturday that their top three picks — Evander Kane, Carl Klingberg and Jeremy Morin — were all potential first-round picks in the Thrashers’ draft mockup, and they got Klingberg at No. 34 and Morin at 45.
Kane, the fourth overall pick, is considered a keeper, and if he continues to add bulk (his father is a boxing/fitness trainer), Waddell said the talented center from the Vancouver Giants could be on the team’s roster in the fall.”
C’mon DW, let’s see an actual top tier FA signing on Wednesday.
I’d love to see Cammalleri (thought they should have tried to trade for him when he was in LA)…but that is probably out of the question. What about Saku Koivu? He’s old, yes, but he DOMINATES in faceoffs and maybe can hold the fort down for 2 or 3 years until Esposito or O’Dell can get here.
The Thrashers also likely will be interested in adding a top-four defenseman and no doubt will look at the availability of Toronto blueliner Tomas Kaberle.”
wilhelm
June 29th, 2009
4:26 pm
A May 26 item in the AJC on Thrashers draft options listed Kane at 5-11, 160.
Now he’s 6-1, 176.
At this rate he’ll be bigger than Kovy by preseason!
GaVaHokie
June 29th, 2009
4:52 pm
Uh oh… someone distract Waddell, take his phone and blackberry away from him…
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=283226
Hopefully he can fight the temptation.
ranallo10 (in AT)
June 29th, 2009
5:02 pm
Marcel Goc wasn’t qualified an offer…I wouldn’t mind him on the third or fourth line wing. I think he made $775k last season.
R. Stroz
June 29th, 2009
5:48 pm
Doesn’t look like the Rangers will re-sign Antropov. Sather thinks the 5 million/year asking price is too high.
http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/ccustance.tsn/194371
Sara
June 29th, 2009
6:18 pm
Stroz, I would have to concur with his assessment.
h
June 29th, 2009
6:27 pm
for some reason, any line predictions that end in Boulton-Slater-Thorburn make me a little ill. Thorburn sure seems like a nice guy, but if we have Boults, and we end up keeping Slater, seems like we could do a little better than Thorburn…..guess we need to fill that “top 6 forward and top 4 d-man” like many other NHL teams first and then deal with 4th line guys…..
Ice Meister
June 29th, 2009
7:18 pm
Jay McKee, shot blocking machine, available? Just don’t pair him with Boris. We would have a defensive pair that moves with the speed of growing wood.
Darkhorse
June 29th, 2009
7:20 pm
No way Antropov deserves that much Stroz. Glad to see Valabik offered a contract. Still may see an RFA go in a trade though.
What would a package of Ex, White, Pavs, Sterling and a pick net us in a return I wonder? All the salaries are affordable and expire next year, and only White has an extra year left on his deal.
Looking for sarcastic and serious responses
ranallo10 (in AT)
June 29th, 2009
7:28 pm
“What would a package of Ex, White, Pavs, Sterling and a pick net us in a return I wonder?”
I’d say nothing spectacular. If you were on the other side of that offer would you be intrigued enough to offer anything special?? You’ve named a third pairing defender, a second or third line center (who over performed last season), an unproven goalie prospect, and an AHL player who can’t bust into the NHL. Where’s the gain for any team acquiring said package? What would intrigue them to offer you anything of value?
Christy
June 29th, 2009
7:44 pm
Wilhelm, a couple of Vancouver papers that Ben Wright set up links to at the Thrasher’s blog are reporting that those height and weight stats( 6′ 1″ and 176) for Evander were from earlier in the spring/late winter and that he’s added about 10 pounds since then – closer to 185 and inching up to 6′ 2″ already
IF TRUE, then adding another 10 or so by training camp not out of the realm of possibility.
Brendan
June 29th, 2009
9:01 pm
I second Ranallo’s motion of Marcel Goc. It won’t break the bank to at least throw our hat in the ring during the “Frenzy.” I’ve always like Goc’s game. He’s not a Tier I guy, by any stretch. But he does have the potential to be a very effective player. Also from San Jose’s stead, I like Mike Grier. Let’s get him. He wins puck battles. He’s fiesty and tough. I like ‘em. Liked him with the Sabres. Liked him with the Sharks. I’d love him as a Thrasher.
R.Stroz, I was listening to the draft on the car radio when I heard Darren Elliot say, of Dany Heatley, “The Atlanta situation was different. But Heatley requested out of Swiss Leagues, now Ottawa, so … yes … some very deserved criticism has come Dany Heatley’s way.” Let’s not forget he switched agents a few times even during the problems in Atlanta. I still say Heatley is a fine player. But … I wouldn’t think his next team will keep him clear through the end of his ccontract without Heatley, once again, asking for a trade out. And, in other news, Jay McKee got bought out. I wouldn’t expect to see him here. Nor do I especially want to see him here.
Toby
June 29th, 2009
9:16 pm
So…I loved the draft. We all know about Kane. Here is what the Red Line Report had to say about our next 2 picks…
Rated #44 (out of 300) Carl Klingberg: “All of our scouts who see him fall in love with this gritty battler despite his average hands. He plays a rugged, physical North American style and is absolutly relentless on the forecheck and in persuit of the puck”.
Rated #15 Jeremy Morin: “If not for Tavares, he’d be the most coveted pure sniper in this draft”
R. Stroz
June 29th, 2009
9:33 pm
The Ducks dump Christysen.
http://ducks.freedomblogging.com/2009/06/29/ducks-qualify-wisniewski-four-others/15545/
World Be Free
June 29th, 2009
9:47 pm
Brendan-Grier would be a great addition in place of Thorburn
ranallo10 (in AT)
June 29th, 2009
9:55 pm
Did you read that closely Stroz?
“The Ducks did not tender qualifying offers to restricted free agents Erik Christensen and two minor-leaguers, Michal Birner and Chad Painchaud, but remain interested in re-signing Christensen. He is recovering from shoulder surgery and is not likely to be ready for the opening of training camp in September.”
Another funny note from that article is that Painchaud has not been qualified an offer, making the Schneider salary swap complete (Larsen was in injured most of the season and is a UFA, Klee was traded to Phoenix). So, Larsen + Klee + Painchaud + 3rd Round Pick = Morin. Just getting Klee off the roster makes this a win for Atlanta in my books.
R. Stroz
June 29th, 2009
10:31 pm
ranallo10 – Read between the lines. They are only interested if he can be re-signed for less than his current contract; otherwise, they would have made a qualifying offer. In other words, Erica is only worth the league minimum on a two way contract if his shoulder is ok.
And just think, a year ago, he was going to be that elusive number one center for Kovy. OOPS!
Don Waddell
June 29th, 2009
10:46 pm
If I sign Zhitnik to a new contract do I have to pay him two salaries?
Darkhorse
June 29th, 2009
11:06 pm
ranallo10- My thoughts with that underwhelming package would be a team looking to move a solid, but highly paid forward or dman gets a couple of solid depth players with reasonable contracts and terms. Also getting a respected goalie prospect and some type of pick. It looks like we are dumping our trash, but none of those players are in the Klee, Larsen or Christensen category IMO.
That moves about 5-6 mil off our books now and allows us to take on a bigger contract, ala Gomez(hypothetically). I’m not really interested in him, but a decent example. The other team gets servicible guys now, a few million of cap relief probably, more cap relief next year, a prospect in Pavs, and a sweetener pick.
JLH
June 29th, 2009
11:30 pm
Christy – Kane’s weight and height, 176 and 6′1″, come from the combine, so they are very accurate and recent. He has not gained 1″ and 10 lbs in two weeks. We’ll see what happens with his size, but I’m not counting on him getting a whole lot bigger.
Rawhide
June 29th, 2009
11:39 pm
The 5′-11″, 160 lb. listing of Kane’s size and weight originated, I believe, from this TSN draft scouting report. It seems that they undersized him.
ranallo10 (in AT)
June 30th, 2009
3:59 am
Stroz — I understand what you’re saying, but that’s not “dumping” him now is it? Clearly he’s not a BIG part of their future, but it was specifically noted they were still talking to him…just like Thorburn this year or Slater previously. Be nice to the guy, I’m sure he’s excited not to have to hear your bullhorn anymore and now you should be excited you don’t have to see him in Thrashers Blue/Red (still looks gross to me).
Ice Meister
June 30th, 2009
6:34 am
Just once, I’d like to see us fleece somebody else instead of getting fleeced on a trade!
Brendan
June 30th, 2009
8:34 am
We’re just hours away from the FRENZY. But I still feel like a Tier II guy is the best we can do. I’ve said, all offseason, let’s focus on player retention. The biggest signing we could possibly make on July 1 would be Kovalchuk. And everyone knows it. But, in fairness to Kovalchuk and the organization, Kovy needs time to at least “think” about what moves Atlanta makes before he completely commits to either leaving or staying.
Word Be Free, I like Grier as a July 1 signing!!