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
GaVaHokie
June 30th, 2009
8:35 am
Ice Meister… Bourret for Dupuis?
Alan
June 30th, 2009
9:16 am
I think we can land a top tier guy. I don’t care if we have to overpay to do it, either, so long as the guy we do land is actually worth it.
Nikita
June 30th, 2009
9:52 am
What’s up with the White hatred? Homes has done yeoman’s work for us for two seasons now, and there’s no reason to think he won’t come back and put up a good year. Further, unless we have a clear substitute, I want to see him back. He’s good people — works hard, produces, costs a modest amount given age/experience/production, and is a team player.
Rawhide
June 30th, 2009
10:00 am
Nikita – For me, it’s not “hatred” of White. I thought he was tremendous last year! However, looking at it from a practical standpoint, if you bring in another center who would play on the 1st or 2nd line…then someone probably has to go.
Right now, given his career season last year and his relatively modest salary, he is one of those players that could be packaged up with Pavs and/or picks & prospects to bering in help on defense.
But again…that’s only IF the Thrashers were to bring in a Cammalleri type player. I not, and White is still a Thrasher this season…then I hope he has as good of a year as last.
Russian
June 30th, 2009
10:03 am
I just look at FREE AGENT List. DAMN! We can build Dream Team tomorrow.
I can not wait to see what happend tomorrow. Let’ s do your job Don!
Don and Dudley need a GREEN Light from Our Owners and Team will be perfect. This is a our LAST chance to build a team and keep Thrashers in Atlanta. If Don get Money, he can add Sendins and Hossa to the team.
Russian
June 30th, 2009
10:06 am
**to Rawhide**
“IF the Thrashers were to bring in a Cammalleri type player.”
What’s about a Twins? They will be perfect to First line. I will not cry about White to be trade somewhere.
Rawhide
June 30th, 2009
10:12 am
Russian – I dunno about the Sedin twins. Daniel plays LW…and I think we’re doing OK with Kovy being the top-line left winger. the two not only want to play on the same team…but on the same line. So, if they were to come here, this is what you might be looking at:
Kovy – Peverley – Little
D. Sedin – H. Sedin – Armstrong
Crabb/Stuart – Reasoner – Kane
Boulton – Slater – Thorburn
GaVaHokie
June 30th, 2009
10:22 am
I’d like to see…
Kovy Peverley Tanguay
Kozy White Little
Kane Reasoner Armstrong
Boulton Slater Thorburn
GaVaHokie
June 30th, 2009
10:26 am
Rob Blake resigns with San Jose… 1 year $3.5 million.
Toby
June 30th, 2009
10:36 am
If the Flyers are desperate to dump a contract and they still need a goalie…I like Kari for Scott Hartnell. He’s young, signed for $4.2/year for three more years, and he’s a bruiser which means we can have Kane play another year in the juniors which IMO is VERY necessary.
Glovesave29
June 30th, 2009
10:46 am
Philly signed Ray Emery
Christy
June 30th, 2009
10:59 am
JLH – I did say “IF true”… and I didn’t say he was already at 6′ 2″.
either way, we’ll have to see what he comes into traning camp at.
And, unfortunately, it’s not that hard to gain 5 – 10 lbs in a couple of weeks if you really put your mind to it… even “relatively” healthily.
Toby
June 30th, 2009
11:23 am
Is he really their starter though? Biron and Niittymaki are UFA’s
Glovesave29
June 30th, 2009
11:32 am
If his head is on straight, Emery is a pretty good goalie. He seemed to b focused in the KHL and was playing really well, until he found the team was screwing him out of 33% of his salary by falsifying the conversion rate from Russian Rubles to US Dollars.
GaVaHokie
June 30th, 2009
11:33 am
Toby… I would say Philly uses Emery as the starter. It’s the cheapest option they could find to get someone with starting experience… they’ll sign the most dependable back-up they can find who makes sub-$1 million… ala Ty Conklin… I think that’s why they were trying to get Esche also, but he’s staying overseas.
I don’t think they’ll trust Pavs to the starting role… at least not enough to give up Hartnell for it. And, Hartnell for Lehts doesn’t save them a lot of money.
… just my opinion.
Toby
June 30th, 2009
11:37 am
No it doesn’t…I also think they won’t let him go. We would probably have to at least add a 2010 1st
Nikita
June 30th, 2009
11:49 am
Kane has reprtedly grown 2 inches this year, which may explain some of the discrepancies.
Darren Elliot
June 30th, 2009
12:01 pm
Get Kane some Wetzel Pretzels. I think 10 over two days should get him to 200 easy….man I miss those things….
MashaPlayer7
June 30th, 2009
12:27 pm
Holy kri-key! Panthers season tix holders hire Drew Rosenhaus! http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=21857
Alan
June 30th, 2009
12:34 pm
All indications are pointing to Nik Antropov going to free agency.
Tony C.
June 30th, 2009
12:36 pm
TEAM USA INVITATION LIST:
http://www.usahockey.com/Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=TU_01_01_05&id=264078
World Be Free
June 30th, 2009
12:49 pm
Hokie-Bourret for Dupuis//well, that’s one. I guess Don got off the canvus to make that deal.
I see everyone is starting to talk about the Sedin sisters. We have no chance of getting these guys, nor would ownership pony up to pay one of them, much less both. I still think we need to look at Tier 2 UFAs, at least this year.
Toby-I agree with you on Philly (and other teams) needing to shed salary. I don’t think we should need to trade our #1 goalie to get value back from cap stressed teams. They need to bump salary to get under the cap and go for free agents. I think the pressure is off Philly somewhat because of the Pronger deal.
I agree with you on teams like Philly, but I think we operate from a position of strength. We are willing to accept salary, which in turn allows the cap-stressed teams to go out and improve. I may be wrong-let’s hope Don and Duds have this figured out.
GaVaHokie
June 30th, 2009
12:55 pm
WBF… I’d also add…
Buffalo Sabres traded Vyacheslav Kozlov and a 2nd round selection (later traded to Nashville – Nashville selected Konstantin Glazachev) in 2003 to the Atlanta Thrashers for a 2nd (later traded to Florida – Florida selected Kamil Kreps) and 3rd (later traded to Phoenix – Phoenix selected Tyler Redenbach) round selections in 2003.
And…
Calgary Flames traded Marc Savard to the Atlanta Thrashers Ruslan Zainullin.
GaVaHokie
June 30th, 2009
12:55 pm
Oduya is off the market… re-uped with the Devils.
GaVaHokie
June 30th, 2009
12:59 pm
Tony C… that U.S. roster is shaping up pretty well… I’m excited! Pretty classy that Burke called all the vets beforehand to let them know they wouldn’t be invited (Tkachuk, Schneider, etc.)
Glovesave29
June 30th, 2009
1:36 pm
Oduya just re-signed with New Jersey, and Ed Belfour has made it known that he’d like to play again.
Sara
June 30th, 2009
1:39 pm
Masha that’s actually a PR stunt by the Panthers themselves. Their summer ad campaign if you will. Might have been a lot more effective though if they hadn’t come out and admitted to it right off the bat.
GaVaHokie
June 30th, 2009
2:14 pm
Great… Season Ticket Holders forming a Union?
five_hole
June 30th, 2009
2:22 pm
I want to sign Nittymaki, if, for no other reason than he kills us.
Seriously, I’m not counting on Kane being ready yet. He’s only just 18 and still growing into his body. I don’t want to stick him out there with 25-28 year olds who would murder him. Let him gain some confidence playing in some minor league.
If Waddell signs the Sedin twins, I would absolutely pee my pants. Of course, at my age, I’m almost ready for the adult diaper, anyway.
I predict that we will be rebuffed by the first tier talent. Sometime next week, Waddell will overpay to sign some over-the-hill guy no one else wanted. Anyone else feel like we’re in the NHL version of “Groundhog’s Day”?
stendec
June 30th, 2009
2:44 pm
Warmest regards Rawhide. I sure as Hell would not want Maryann Hosebag back! Have enough slackers on THIS team as it is. Well, I see from poll that ignorant Thrasher fans wanted Kari Letemin back! Congratulations. All of you have the untalented Finn space cadet! Wishes granted. Thanks stupid a## Don Waddell. Far and away most clueless of all sports general managers! Get set for another season on the outside looking in as far as playoffs go. I guess some jerks just NEVER learn! Most sports fans are very intelligent. NOT THRASHER FANS! Pity. BTW Bill – Appreciate clarification on deleted comment. Glad you are not NSA operative. Was beginning to wonder! Is it time to drop the puck yet? Cheerio friend!
Alan
June 30th, 2009
2:48 pm
Isn’t that the same thing that was said of Bogosian? I say if the kid bulks up enough and earns a roster spot, then he’s more than welcome to prove he can play in the NHL. We can keep him here for ten games before sending him back to Vancouver, so why not? If he proves his worth in those ten games, then I don’t see why we shouldn’t let him stay the season.
Just have to make sure he watches out for the Donald Brashear Welcoming Committee™ and the Chris Pronger Flying Elbow of Injustice™.
Aliens For A Better Earth
June 30th, 2009
3:21 pm
We are coming to take stendec away.
Viking
June 30th, 2009
3:25 pm
For those who cares; Belfour must be trying to sqeeze out the last drips of his career with his announcement of a wish to make a comeback in the NHL. It is sad. He actually played 20 games or so last season in Sweden with Oliver Ekman-Larson’s (1st rounder in the draft) club Leksand. Leksand used to be a good team in the Swedish Elite League, but nowadays plays in the “2nd Division” (Allsvenskan). They won big in the regular season, but failed to advance after the play-off, which then included the worst Elite League teams.
Vancouver must really want to re-sign the Sedins, since GM Mike Gillis flew over to Sweden to meet them, discussing an offer and then back with the next flight. Quite a trip during the busy days a GM must be experiencing right now!
And finally, again I would hope Waddell & Co is considering newly added UFA Sjöström (NYR), whose positives are speed, youth, affordability, shoot-out option and being a great Penalty Killer (which we need badly).
GaVaHokie
June 30th, 2009
4:23 pm
Great post Viking!… I’d be fine with Sjostrom.
Yeah, I saw that Belfour news earlier… I’d be shocked if anyone signed him.
Vancouver with the Sedin Twins and Gaborik would be great to watch.
Glovesave29
June 30th, 2009
5:08 pm
TSN is reporting Gaborik bought a house in the Vancouver area.
Glovesave29
June 30th, 2009
5:25 pm
The Montreal Canadiens have acquired centre Scott Gomez, winger Tom Pyatt and defenceman Mike Busto from the New York Rangers in exchange for winger Chris Higgins and defensemen Ryan McDonagh and Pavel Valentenko
Alan
June 30th, 2009
5:43 pm
Gomez has just been traded to Montreal.
Alan
June 30th, 2009
5:47 pm
Pft. That’s what happens when the blog eats posts. Glovesave’s 5:25 wasn’t there until after I hit the submit button. I really hope the developers are looking at fixing that bug, because its novelty is wearing off.
Darkhorse
June 30th, 2009
6:01 pm
So does that Gomez trade set the trade market for cap killing players? I admit to knowing next to nothing about McDonagh, Valentenko, or Busto. Who is the winner of this deal? The Ranger’s cap space maybe, or did they give Gomez away?
Sara
June 30th, 2009
6:33 pm
Wow – well, Gainey said he had a line on another center once Vinny was off the table. And it’s looking like the Gomez dump is clearing the way for Heatley on Broadway.
Tony C.
June 30th, 2009
6:35 pm
uM…Unless McDonagh has suddenly developed the “oopsies” Gainey got hosed… of course there is the maxim “If you get the guy you wanted, you didn’t overpay”
I still think Slats may have made his best move on Broadway with this trade
Sara
June 30th, 2009
6:35 pm
Darkhorse – Rangers won this deal hands down. Moving Gomez alone was worthy, but while I can’t tell you personally the deal on McDonagh, I can tell you the Habs fans are screaming about him getting traded.
Tony C.
June 30th, 2009
6:38 pm
I was hoping we could get Dubinsky.
But at least NYR are now front-runners for Stanley Cup Jinx #1 mary-anne hossa or Dany “waaah I don’t like it here” Heatley
R. Stroz
June 30th, 2009
6:43 pm
I thought all of the players enjoyed the BULLHORN.
Holik used to look into the crowd after I provided him with a few suggestions to improve his play.
At the end of Tampa Bay game last December, I instructed Havelid to get the guy out of the front of the net, even going so far as to suggest giving the guy a can opener. Havelid complied.
R. Stroz
June 30th, 2009
6:45 pm
The last comment should have been prefaced in response to ranallo10, OOPS.
Tony C.
June 30th, 2009
6:54 pm
meaning they may still need to shed some contracts… I wonder if Torts still wants Naslund on the squad? Again, I’d like to get Dubinsky
ranallo10 (in AT)
June 30th, 2009
7:30 pm
I doubt Dubinsky is available, he’s a young talent who is playing well at the NHL level. With Gomez gone they don’t need to deal Dubinsky, he’s got room on the top two lines now.
I’d say New York got a good bit in the trade by acquiring a solid third liner (Higgins) who has scored 20 goals in 3 of the last 4 seasons, two top prospects, and a lot of much needed cap space. Let’s see how long they sign Higgins, because he’s still a RFA.
For Montreal they’ve grabbed a top line center who is locked up for many years…I can understand why they’d give up prospects for such a player, especially considering Gomez has two Stanley Cup rings to his resume.
ranallo10 (in AT)
June 30th, 2009
7:32 pm
Stroz — Who was I kidding? Everybody loves your bullhorn.
Tony C.
June 30th, 2009
7:43 pm
Also, Alan Bogosian was/is more fully developed than Kane. Remember that Bogosian was literally off the charts with his V/O2 test, # of reps at the weight bench, etc. etc. rumor/legend has it that Bogosian was talking trash to the guys administering the fitness test “That’s all you b!tches got?” etc. meanwhile just about everyone else had to stop the V/o2 test so they could puke (Z-Bo did go puke but after the test was over, and apparently it was very matter-of-fact; like “errrrp OOK next test please”).
Now Kane is no slouch-if you saw the pic with his shirt off, it’s obvious the kid goes to the gym. a lot, but he’s still only 17! I really don’t want to see us rush another guy to the League just to placate the fans and end up ruining the kid’s head (see: Stefan).
now, if he really and truly proves that he belongs out there with the men, then let’s do it-I would let him hang out until he has 2-3 games left on his eligibility (so he could be called up in the spring if needed/wanted) then send him back to the Giants and let him continue to grow in size, skill and (most importantly) confidence.
But hey, he might make the team out of camp. Who knows? I’d really like to see us go after Ohlund very heavily tomorrow.
World Be Free
June 30th, 2009
7:47 pm
Alright Hokie, I am going to remind you forever that on this blog, you actually defended Don’s trading abilities. Not hard to make better trades than the Sabres, though I never thought Kovlov would come back to have a season like he did last year.
Don’s buddy