Comments on: Slater Signs & Ring Around The Blogosphere

By: ranallo10 (in AT)

ranallo10 (in AT) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:48:13 +0000

2010 UFAs, per NHLNumbers.com. Obviously many of these players will be re-signed before hitting the Free Agent market, but next offseason could be another very solid UFA class.

By: kracker

kracker — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:01:50 +0000

Yeah, WBF, you have to figure they at least consider any FA (or possible trade) they think might agree to play for the Thrashers. Feel out the agent to see if lower line/PK slot interests the guy. Make offers to the interested players (which may be no more than a bargaining tool for the agent to take to another team.) And being honest, probably the offers weren’t all that attractive to the FAs. What it takes (took) to re-sign Slater and Thorburn was a known amount so I don’t expect mgmt. would go wildly over that figure when servicable guys are already wanting to do the job.

Perhaps in coming years the building will be consistently fuller with fans buying tix that are not discounted to the current degree. More paying fans = more $$$ to hopefully acquire and keep better players in all positions.

By: World Be Free

World Be Free — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:02:17 +0000

Let’s hope so Kracker

By: Rawhide

Rawhide — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:03:05 +0000

OK…I just flew in from Miami…and boy are my arms tired…

Anywhooo…Hockeybuzz’s Cap Central site is showing that Slater’s contract is a 1-year $840,000 deal. That puts the Thrashers’ total cap hit at about $42.3 million.

However, this does not yet include Kari’s new contract numbers as well as Valabik’s, Armstrong’s or Thorburn’s. Once those numbers are added, the total cap hit could be somewhere around $49 mil…if I’m figuring correctly.

By: kracker

kracker — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:15:10 +0000

I strongly suspect that all the quality 3rd/4th line guys being discussed were contacted about playing here. It’s not like all DW has to do is make a call, fax a contract and the deal is done. The quality 3rd/4th line guys have to want to play for the Thrashers for the amount & duration being offered to them, assuming they expressed enough interest to even get an offer.

They didn’t come so we have Thors and Slates being re-signed.

By: Brendan

Brendan — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:27:35 +0000

I’ve never heard a Biron interview. I’ll keep an eye out for it on Center Ice next year.

By: Brendan

Brendan — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:25:38 +0000

Russ, what the heck, let’s make an offer on Cam Barket anyway? We’ll just argue, “We don’t recognize Barker’s contract as valid,” and as such, think him to be a UFA. Then petition the NHLPA to back us. Unfortunately, I have the sneaking suspicion that the NHL approved those contracts. Remember, a contract isn’t a contract until the NHL says so. How does one get the NHL to “unbless” a contract? I’m kidding. That’s a joke.

By: World Be Free

World Be Free — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:21:33 +0000

Ranallo-Sabres fans like Drury, Briere, McKee, Grier, Campbell, Biron, the list goes on. It actually all started with Rick Dudley.

Tough to go from a Conference Final team to being out of the playoffs, all because you have cheap ownership. Atlanta is not alone.

Kinda like losing 4 Super Bowls.

Brendan-I swear the best thing about Biron is his interviews. He’s a blast.

By: Brendan

Brendan — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:16:11 +0000

Tony C., thanks for the scoop from your Philly source. And you, too, World Be Free, on Biron. I thought, wrongly, that Niittymaki was biding his time ’til the #1 started job was his. But, I’ll say this. If the guy’s not happy in Philly, then he’s NOT happy. And personal happiness is important. I’m seeing simultaneous reporting of a contract in Europe and a rumor with Tampa happening, vis-a-vis Niittmaki.

Ranallo, thanks for the link to the Tallon interview. I can’t wait to hear the NHLPA rebuttal.

By: ranallo10 (in AT)

ranallo10 (in AT) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:35:32 +0000

WBF — Is Chris Drury the only departed Sabre that Buffalo fans actually liked?