Thrasherville Traffic Report, Travel Plans & WRAs
OK class…settle down. Now, before I start passing out the weekend reading assignments, I do want to make some announcements so that everyone will be aware of a few items…
First off, there will be a traffic situation that will occur on Sunday November 8. The Thrashers are scheduled to play the St. Louis Blues at 5:00 that afternoon…and the Falcons will host the Washington Redskins that same day with kickoff set for 1:00 pm.
So…plan accordingly.
Also, I understand that those affiliated with the Atlanta Thrashers Fan Club are already thinking about, and preparing for, some road trips during the season. The Nashville game is a definate possibility given is proximity and that it’s played there on a Saturday night. Carolina and Tampa are cities that are also being discussed on the team’s message boards and the Nasty Nest. Check ‘em out and maybe you can participate in the mass infestation of an out-of-town barn by Thrasher Nation!
I’ve already been in contact with Tim Ecclestone regarding Thrashers Viewing Parties over at TJ’s again this season, so take a gander at the schedule to see if a few of the dates pop out at you. Keep in mind that Sean Grace and I have chatted already about a pair of games that the Fan Club and I will coordinate together there… October 17 when the Thrashers play in Buffalo and the February 13 game in Chicago.
A few that I’m think of are Saturday October 10 when Atlanta travels to Ottawa… the November 25 game at Detroit, (Thanksgiving Eve)…Saturday January 2 when they are on Lonnnnnn-Gisland…and Saturday afternoon April 3 when they are up in Pittsburgh. If there are others that you think will work, lemme know.
Oh, and keep the Sunday November 15 game vs. Edmonton circled on your calander…I’m working on something for that game that could be real fun.
OoooOOOooohhhhh…a tease.
And lastly, I had the pleasure of chatting with radio voice of the Thrashers Dan Kamal recently…so be on the lookout for part one of that writeup come Sunday morning.
OoooOOOooohhhhh…another tease.
Weekend Reading Assignments
Allan Muir explains why hockey fans should be concerned with NBA salary cap issues.
It has been determined that doctors were not to blame in the death of Alexei Cherepanov.
The off-season fun is hardly over, says The Hockey News’ Adam Proteau.
Canada’s Supreme Court has settled the ownership dispute of the Vancouver Canucks.
Puck Daddy has listed his Top-10 Can’t Miss Games of the 2009-10 NHL season.
Ken Campbell has an idea of how the Senators should have handled the Heatley situation.
And finally…have you ever misplaced a certain, special video tape…couldn’t find it no matter how hard you tried? Then you find out that you accedently taped something over it!
Well, you sorta know how NASA feels then.
“Roger Houston…that’s one small step for a man, one giant DOH! for whomever was in charge of the tape library”!
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104 comments Add your comment
RS
July 17th, 2009
7:15 am
The taping over a video thing stabs me in the heart. I had the Miami-Boston College game on VHS, you know, the one where Kosar and Flutie each passed for about 350 yards each and ended with the hail mary, and accidentally taped a movie over it.
Alan
July 17th, 2009
7:19 am
I’m still very displeased at the glaring lack of Friday evening games. Hopefully, I can make it to TJs for a couple of viewing parties, though.
William
July 17th, 2009
8:49 am
I’m bummed about the absence of Friday Games also. Does anyone know if the Thrashers had a reason to avoid them (low attendance?)?
five_hole
July 17th, 2009
9:39 am
As I understand it, NASA had a credit crunch. They wrote over about 200,000 tapes (including the Apollo 11 landing).
Friday’s are typically tough for me to make, so I’m not as unhappy as some others. However, it is strange to not have Friday night games a staple. Did they request this, or did someone offend the scheduling gods?
R. Stroz
July 17th, 2009
9:41 am
The absence of Friday Thrasher games means the Hawks will be playing on Friday nights.
five_hole
July 17th, 2009
9:48 am
For those of you who like to name lines – If Peverley centered Boulton & Kovalchuk, you could call it the Phi Betta Kappa line.
Mr. Heat Miser
July 17th, 2009
9:57 am
I’m looking forward to 10/8 for the Falcons/Thrashers double header – did it last year and had a blast. Just have to remember to pace yourself at the beer stand at the Dome. It’s a long day.
LAC
July 17th, 2009
10:04 am
Right on Rawhide, Great points all across the board this AM.
One nice bit,
the Thrashers only head to Vancouver/Calargy/Colorado for Western time zone games this season, and those home & home’s are all closer theam than it could have been. Looks like other SE teams make a trip west this coming season.
Good to see alan up this morning, andI DO agree with him on Friday night games or the lack of… Remember to clock in this morning alan.
Stendec
July 17th, 2009
10:04 am
Mr. Heat, is 10/8 correct? Falcs play the 11th in San Fran.
kracker
July 17th, 2009
10:18 am
I thought it was odd to only have 2 Friday games. Philips must be already be booked on a lot of Fridays this season. The Olympics may knock out a couple of Fridays, too.
Billsen
July 17th, 2009
10:47 am
I hear ya on the Friday games, but I’ll gladly take those weekend games in exchange. Aside from the Falcons/Thrashers shared date, those are a lot of games with little traffic worries. (Still think the 7PM M-Th starts need to be moved to 7:30, but that cry always falls on deaf ears at Thrashers Central.)
GaVaHokie
July 17th, 2009
11:09 am
Mr. Heat, is 10/8 correct? Falcs play the 11th in San Fran.
I think he meant 11/8.
GaVaHokie
July 17th, 2009
11:12 am
I’m looking forward to 10/8 for the Falcons/Thrashers double header – did it last year and had a blast. Just have to remember to pace yourself at the beer stand at the Dome. It’s a long day.
11/8… and yes, i’ve done it as well… if you tailgate before the Falcons, it makes for quite a drunken debauchery.
Tony C.
July 17th, 2009
11:17 am
I’d posit that even a 1915 start-time would be better… I mean, with the advent of the skills competition/shootout-regular season games are done in like 2-2.5 hours…2130 isn’t such a late end- ime (especially for weekday nights).
Smoothie
July 17th, 2009
11:31 am
http://www.capgeek.com/
Looks like Thrashers brass are indeed high on Grant Lewis’ potential and have given him a 2 year deal. This was leaked in the Pittsburgh media as well by a source close to Lewis, who is a Pitt, PA native.
Welcome back Grant and good luck with the knee rehab!! I would love to see this guy push for mins with the big club, but he will get more valuable seasoning as part of the top pair this season with Kulda I reckon. I like our top 2 pairs in Chicago this season with Lewis \ Kulda and hopefully Denny with the slick-skating and crafty-passing Paul Postma.
Smoothie
July 17th, 2009
11:32 am
Top pair in Chicago that is, but I think you know what I meant!
GaVaHokie
July 17th, 2009
11:50 am
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Postma as a call-up by December… he seems like the “Nathan Oystrick” of this coming season.
Sara
July 17th, 2009
12:00 pm
Hokie – why would they call Postma up to be Oystrick when we already have Oystrick?
Far as I can tell, the only roster spot up for grabs out of camp is 3rd line LW (replacing Perrin).
World Be Free
July 17th, 2009
12:04 pm
Glad to see Perrin gone-he’s a stiff
Smoothie
July 17th, 2009
12:08 pm
Of course, there might be an opening if we end up trading the rights to Boris Valabik, which I doubt we will do. But why is his RFA deal taking so long? I would think as a young 23 y/o, he has no choice really but to take the 5% raise and sign a 1 yr deal worth ~ $975 K.
Alan
July 17th, 2009
12:38 pm
Valabik might be in discussions about a longer term deal… possibly two or three years at ~$970k/per.
GaVaHokie
July 17th, 2009
1:04 pm
Hokie – why would they call Postma up to be Oystrick when we already have Oystrick?
I expect Oystrick to be the 7th D-man, press box guy… Postma the first call-up on injury or if he’s on a hot-streak in Chicago and they want to give him a look.
Thrashers27
July 17th, 2009
1:04 pm
Where’d Perrin go?
Brendan
July 17th, 2009
1:21 pm
PuckDaddy took a swipe at both Hossa and Gaborik. Is the guy anti-Czech or Slovak? Ken Campbell took a swipe at Nik Antropov, calling his signing with Atlanta an “exile.” I’m glad Meehan talked some sense into the guy.
Ice Dog
July 17th, 2009
1:25 pm
Gavahokie, I think Postma is going to spend another year in juniors. Given he burns a year off his RFA status if he plays more than 9 games he may only get a look for about 5 games at the most. Oystrick (who keep in mind is over 25 years old) last year played in and out for about 40 or 50 games and it was in a bottom pairing scenario for a lot of those games. That’s too many for Postma to keep his eligibility in the juniors but not enough to justify burning a year off of his RFA status, especially given he can get more experience and playing time at the junior level than limited action here.
Unless he gets top line minutes like Bogosian did you won’t see Postma up here. And why sit him in the press box when he can get real experience and continue growing (see Pavelec in Chicago last year).
ranallo10 (in AT)
July 17th, 2009
1:26 pm
Nowhere yet, to my knowledge.
Smoothie
July 17th, 2009
1:27 pm
Ice-D – Postma is 20 and is now eligible to play AHL hockey. He’s been in juniors for 5 years, no way he goes back.
Ice Dog
July 17th, 2009
1:29 pm
Correction, I see that Postma is 20 now so he will spend the time in Chicago, not the juniors.
Ice Dog
July 17th, 2009
1:31 pm
Nice Smoothie, I was just looking that up and postma’d, I mean posted it but you beat me to it.
Hip Czech
July 17th, 2009
1:31 pm
Interesting schedule analysis here – http://www.ontheforecheck.com/2009/7/16/950950/how-much-does-your-favorite-team
For what it’s worth the Thrashers are traveling 4400 miles less this year and pick up one more B2B game (only 1 above the league average). Last year was a marked improvement on the second game of B2Bs, I don’t remember what the record was, but it was a lot better than any year I can remember.
I like Grant Lewis also…I hope he gets a chance at some point to play some consistent minutes.
GaVaHokie
July 17th, 2009
1:37 pm
I think if Postma gets off to a hot start in Chicago, they’ll pull him up for a brief look, much like Clay Wilson at the end of this past season.
That’s all I’m trying to say… I just have a feeling that Postma will impress in the AHL this year.
Alan
July 17th, 2009
1:38 pm
Where’d Perrin go?
I would guess he’s Russia-bound. A player with an overinflated sense of self-worth + an agent who fills his clients’ heads full of crazy crap like that = an untouchable free agent.
Ice Dog
July 17th, 2009
1:46 pm
Oh I agree with you there Gavahokie, he will impress. I would just rather he stay in Chicago where he can play top minutes and get groomed into a top-4 NHL defenseman instead of being a bottom pairing guy in Atlanta with limited action and get his growth stunted a la Coburn.
Besides, if someone gets called up for a look from the big club, I would rather give that opportunity to Kulda first. He’s a year older and already spent time in Chicago.
Smoothie
July 17th, 2009
1:46 pm
The Rangers are a bit thin when it comes to forwards, perhaps Perrin can be re-united with his BFF John Tortorella!!? LOL
Smoothie
July 17th, 2009
1:48 pm
I agree with Ice Dog that the pecking order from CHI should be:
Kulda (doubt Lewis will be ready for NHL mins early on due to injury)
Lewis (if healthy)
Denny
Postma
Lehman (please let him be a last resort; was not impressed at all)
Tony C.
July 17th, 2009
1:50 pm
Not that it’ll happen but….. 2-time Cup winner Petr Sykora’s available…. and he’s pissed @ Bylsma
http://letsgopens.com/tomas_translations.php?id=66
I wonder how much it’d take to get him down here? And yes, I would be quite happy to have 7-9 guys fighting for top-6 minutes.
Ice Dog
July 17th, 2009
2:02 pm
Tony C, we all have our opinions as armchair GMs and that’s great. But my question would be, if you have 7-9 guys fighting for top-6 minutes, what do you do with the 1-3 guys who don’t earn them? We already have Reasoner and Armstrong who will be on the 3rd line, so what do you do now with Sykora, Tanguay, and any other player who comes here expecting top-6 & power play minutes but there is only 1 opening on the 3rd line? Doesn’t that make Waddudley look bad to other FAs when they got signed and demoted in camp? Can that create another rift on the team that we got rid of once Holik left? If Tanguay comes here expecting top-6 minutes, what are other players going to think when he or Little is on the 4th line?
Thrashers27
July 17th, 2009
2:03 pm
Agreed, Hokie…I’m loooking forward to seeing if Postma’s performance remains at the same level with the big boys.
Ice Dog
July 17th, 2009
2:07 pm
Tony C, if need be I would also rather see Evander Kane compete for top 6 minutes than bring in an aging veteran for too much $$.
Tony C.
July 17th, 2009
2:40 pm
IceDog generally, when you have a guy that can’t break your top6 and won’t play 3rd/4th-line minutes; you cut that guy, place him on the waiver wires and wish him well in the future..
Also, with your armchair GM move you feel confident that a (albeit still growing) 18 year old kid is going to really be effective going into the corner versus the likes of Pronger, Chara, White, Komisarek etc. and that he’ll have the opportunity to work on those aspects of his game that need to be improved while he’s trying to adjust from playing against kids his own age to playing against the best grown men in the world after a 4-month break?
Really?
I say, sign a vet for a 1-year incentive-loaded deal, it works for both sides. You get a proven O-ffensive threat, while your prize prospect continues to hone his craft without having his confidence gutshot.
Kane’s the “real deal” all right, but it doesn’t make sense to rush him to the big league’s just to pinch pennies. take a look at Sykora’s contract from last year $2.5M for a 25-goal scorer? Doesn’t really sound like too much $ for an unproductive vet. It’s also a sum that shouldn’t be too hard to move if things don’t work out. I don’t believe it’d be too hard to trade a Two-time Cup winner who hasn’t scored less than 20 goals in a season for the past 10 years.
I see where you’re coming from, but I just don’t think we have too many NHL-ready wingers “down on the farm”.
Smoothie
July 17th, 2009
2:44 pm
Ben just tweeted that an announcement is coming to trumpet the signing of:
3 restricted free-agents!! Gotcha.
I reckon they will be Big Bo, Lehman and Stapleton (TOR trade)
R. Stroz
July 17th, 2009
2:49 pm
On a totally different subject, I have a unique strategy for how the Sens could deal with Heatley.
Since the Sens are over the cap and Heatley is refusing trades, the Sens management should purposely leak that they are requesting Heatley have a mental evaluation. Contingent on the evaluation, the Sens could put Heatley on LTIR based on being mentally incompetent. That would do wonders for Heatley’s career and teach him a well needed lesson.
Thrashers27
July 17th, 2009
2:52 pm
Smoothie, according to AtlantaThrashers.com it’s Stapleton, Lewis and Lehman. No Boris, unfortunately.
goose
July 17th, 2009
2:56 pm
lewis and Lehman are officially signed, so far.http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl_signing_tracker/
Alan
July 17th, 2009
3:01 pm
I hope the Boris signing comes soon. I’d love to see him return.
Smoothie
July 17th, 2009
3:03 pm
Oh duh, was thinking of the Lewis signing as a separate done deal.
Guess the Valabik negotiations continue on. They must be going back and forth on 2 versus 3 years. At his age, 3 years seems to make more sense as he would be a more attractive trade option if the Thrashers decided to go in a different direction. Perhaps Valabik’s agent is trying his darndest to squeeze out a few extra thousand dollars / year.
Ice Dog
July 17th, 2009
3:15 pm
Tony C, I’ll give you that Evander Kane should hone his skills for another year before going into the corner against guys like Pronger on a nightly basis. I actually want him back in the juniors for 1 more year and then be the eventual replacement when Kozlov sails into the sunset. I just think he can make the jump like Bogosian or Patrick Kane versus the 99% other draft picks so it isn’t unreasonable for him to compete for top-6 minutes in training camp. But I’ll give you that one.
However, as you say, you cut a guy that can’t break your top-6 and won’t play bottom-6 minutes. I think AK-47 and the Kahlua Line solidify our top-6 forwards and I can honestly say I am happy with those 6 forwards as our top 2 lines. Really. Armstrong can sub for a few games here or there as a top-6 RW (to which our 2 top-6 RWs Little & Antropov can both play center so that gives Anderson great flexibility) so we even have a bit of depth. So will Sykora come to Atlanta for bottom-6 minutes? Also, should we pay $2.5 million for him to play with Reasoner and Armstrong or should we put Crabb/Machacek/Holzapel or someone else in that 3rd line LW spot? Knowing the cash-strapped Atlanta Spirit is over the shoulders of Waddudley I am not going to shed tears if it is Crabb/Machecek/Holzapel for that 3rd line LW. I would love for it to always be someone better and I can see what you are saying but I’ll be happy otherwise.
Ice Dog
July 17th, 2009
3:22 pm
Alan & Smoothie, you both seem like you know your stuff but if our bottom pair is Salmella and Oystrick with Kulda as a callup for injury, then we can do without Valabik. If he is signed, great, but I think Waddudley has all the leverage in that negotiation.
William
July 17th, 2009
3:41 pm
I think we should give Boris one more year to show his stuff. He showed improvement through out last season and toward the end I saw him makes some moves on the ice that I was expecting out of him. Who knows, he may be a decent defender for us. But, he could also be as good as he’s going to get.
five_hole
July 17th, 2009
3:43 pm
I suppose Valabik has value because he’s big & willing to fight. Unfortunately, that’s all I see outa him. For a high 1st round draft pick, I’m really disappointed in his ability to skate and pass. Doesn’t seem to have a decent shot (although I haven’t seen him shoot much). On defense he takes a ton of penalties.
The only reason I can see him being even a 3rd pairing d-man this year is if we need some toughness on the blueline.
William
July 17th, 2009
3:50 pm
It would be nice to have his size in addition to Atropov and Kubina.
Tony C.
July 17th, 2009
4:09 pm
5hole- I actually would say that Valabik has a ” + ” shot from the point-we only got to see it a few times last season, but he seems to have gotten the idea that a big blast that spanks the window is useless compared to a shot that might have “a little taken off” that reaches the goalmouth.
In fact, I recall he & Little running what must’ve been a semi-set play for them back with the Wolves—Boris was high left point, caught Little’s eye and as Little scooted around the back of the net from the right side, let loose with a Lidstrom-ish low point slapper that bounced off the goalies pads and Little just popped in there and slung it over the goalie’s leg.
I’d love to see more of that- from all our blueliners…#17 isn’t the only guy who can get a good shot off from the point.
Tony C.
July 17th, 2009
4:10 pm
Trixie- please de-bold that if you would.
add the charge to my tab.
Smoothie
July 17th, 2009
4:15 pm
Perhaps the idea of Boris’ contract being a 2-way deal is a sticking point, but you’re right Ice Dog, Waddudley should have most of the leverage. I just don’t see Valabik having any suitors who will extend him an offer sheet not do I see the Thrashers walking away from him just yet. Competition can only help and I for one would like to see Oystrick, Valabik, Lewis (if healthy), Welch, Kulda, and perhaps even Postma battle it out for the # 6 and # 7 slots. Good problem to have 5 players battling for 2 spots if you ask me!
Trixie (Rawhide's Secretary)
July 17th, 2009
4:22 pm
Mr. Tony C. – 4:09 pm post has been de-bolded.
Alan
July 17th, 2009
5:15 pm
I would think, at this time, Valabik is asking his contract be one-way. All that means, from what I understand, is that whether he’s in Chicago or Atlanta, he’s still making his $950k+ or whatever he signs for.
D-Wad & Co. will have the leverage in these negotiations, but clearly there’s a couple things the two sides aren’t seeing eye to eye on. I really hope that gets worked out, because I see Valabik working out well in the future. Sure, we’ve got others waiting in the wings, but we also had Valabik play in Chicago for a good while. It would be fair if we gave him the opportunity to succeed.
Without losing yet another player selected in the first round.
Randy
July 17th, 2009
6:28 pm
I agree with alan as I would rather have Boris here than Salmella, Oystrick, Lewis, and Lehman.
Postma is just not ready yet either.
R. Stroz
July 17th, 2009
6:36 pm
GaVaHokie – I returned from the Mexican restaurant about an hour ago and your dollar is already warming up.
Smoothie
July 17th, 2009
7:03 pm
Alan, good points and I would hate to see them give up on a former # 1 pick.
Having said that though, I would still rather see Salmela before either Oystrick or Valabik. Salmela seems to be ready to break out now that he has found a nice fit in JA’s more offensively oriented system. To me, Oystrick is the perfect 7th D-man who can give you solid 3rd pair minutes 30-50 games per season. Ideally, Valabik will continue in his improvement and eventually lock down the # 6 spot next to Anssi. We need his size and we need Valabik to be an asset as a physical presence. Just a little more improvement with his footwork and his positioning will improve along with his decision-making. Go Boris!! Make it happen.
Smoothie
July 17th, 2009
7:03 pm
Stroz, lemme hold the dollar!!
Sara
July 17th, 2009
7:46 pm
It’s amazing to me after the Coburn debacle that some folks would be getting rather blase about tossing away a 1st round prospect after one full season of NHL experience. Bogosian got Schneider as a mentor, Boris got XLB. I think he could certainly prove to be a serviceable d-man and perhaps it might help if Coach gave him more minutes with a more experienced partner (ahem Kubina). I’d prefer to err on the side of patience at this point and give the kid an opportunity to come into his own.
ranallo10 (in AT)
July 17th, 2009
8:33 pm
“I’d prefer to err on the side of patience at this point and give the kid an opportunity to come into his own.”
I agree with this sentiment. I would hope he’s signed for as many years as possible to allow him the time to develop. If his development doesn’t go as planned I’d much rather see him rot in the minors than get traded away and blossom elsewhere as further “evidence” that _________ is a poor judge of talent. Waddell has already made such a mistake once, I surely hope he’s learned from said mistake and gives Valabik more than just one more year to develop at the NHL level.
Conor
July 17th, 2009
8:50 pm
Rawhide, do you have a link to the page for proposed road trips? If not, that’s fine. If so, thanks in advance.
Rawhide
July 17th, 2009
9:28 pm
Conor – From what I understand the Fan Club is still in the planning stage for the trips. However, if you click on the three links in the blog above they’ll take you to the Fan Club’s web site as well as the Thrashers message boards & Nasty Nest sites where they are disussing the issue.
Also, once they do finalize plans I’ve let them know that I will help them get the word out and provide links to where people can indeed sign up.
Wouldn’t it be a blast if Nashville was infested by Thrasher Nation on the 30th of January?
World Be Free
July 17th, 2009
11:39 pm
People are going to continue to call Atlanta an “outpost” until we can do 2 things- win on a consistent basis (playoffs) AND put fannies in the seats. Winning and support will place Atlanta as a hockey go-to place for free agents and media respect.
Also, way to go Mad Dog Maddox, best pitcher I have every seen.
goose
July 18th, 2009
1:03 am
Maddux!
Brendan
July 18th, 2009
1:44 am
I’d do Valabik for Cam Barker, right now, including sweetening it up for them, if the Blackhawks thought it could solve some of its cap problems in this fashion. (Barker got paid at UFA prices, due to the Tallon bungle. I’d paid that inflated price, as there was no other way Atlanta would be getting Barker anyway, whether as a UFA or via an RFA offer sheet. The RFA offer sheet would involve coughing up at least a 3rd round pick.) I do wonder if any potential trade packages out there, are including Brett Sterling in them? At LW, we have Kovy and Kozlov. But they are only under contract for another season. I like Brett Sterling. At pick #145, or wherever it was in his draft year, I think it was worth taking a shot on him. But I’d wish him well, if his loss brought a 3rd overall pick, like Barker. Or some other player who has longterm value to the Thrashers franchise. Sterling wouldn’t even have to leave Chicago!
If we keep Valabik, I’m willing to be patient with the guy. As a general rule, goalies and defensemen take longer to develop. And D-men need ICE TIME to develop. Which is something Bob Hartley didn’t bestow on Braydon Coburn or Mark Popovic. I also support returning Kane to his team, rather than rushing him into the NHL prematurely. It’s one thing if he’s really ready to go. But if he’s not, I will NOT harpoon the SEVENTEEN year old.
ranallo10 (in AT)
July 18th, 2009
7:59 am
Brendan — So Barker qualifies as a player you would condone trading for despite the fact he didn’t “choose” to play in Atlanta? Please explain.
Dwayne
July 18th, 2009
9:13 am
Boris???? A fighter? Cindy Crotchby is laughing so hard, tears are filling up his “cup”!!
World Be Free
July 18th, 2009
9:41 am
Yeah Valabik, I just don’t know if he’s ever going to come around. The problem is simple-a guy that big has to use his body and be physically dominant. Boris must become feared if he is going to be an impact player in this league. If his offense picks up, then that’s a bonus but he needs to be a hitter and a fighter. He seems to wonder into confrontations today, not being there to initiate them. Goddard tried to get hit to fight last season and Boris chickened out. I know Goddard is a thug, but he has to establish his reputation.
Remember when Chara started he was just a big novelty act. Mike Milbury, the Genius of Long Island traded him and he started to evolve into a premier defenseman. I remember Chara “fell” on Denis Hamel’s leg and tore his knee up; his career was never the same. It was an innocent play, but one that showed what a big man could do when in a one on one physical situation.
Boris has to become a beast; I wouldn’t trade his yet and I don’t think Chicago would give up Barker for him. The Black Hawks are a “Cap Titanic” at the end of this season. That Brian Campbell contract is an elephant on their backs.
World Be Free
July 18th, 2009
9:51 am
You all may have seen this one today-
Aaron Portzline reports two independent sources claim the Atlanta Thrashers offered former Blue Jackets forward Manny Malholtra a four year deal worth $2 million per season but Malholtra is apparently holding out for an offer from another team, even if it’s worth less money. Portzline doesn’t know if the Thrashers offer remains on the table.
Porkloin always has to toss in a dig on Atlanta.
ranallo10 (in AT)
July 18th, 2009
10:01 am
WBF — What are your feelings on Malholtra? Does he fit the mold of “veteran PK specialist” that you’ve been lobbying for? Would you be content if he signed on in Atlanta?
Personally I’m fine with Malholtra, but would still prefer Goc. I also think that such a signing indicates the only spot available for a prospect (third line LW) is now penciled in for a veteran. In my opinion that’s not helpful, however I will acknowledge that youthful checking line depth was depleted with Stuart’s trade (Crabb is less effective in my opinion, and Holzapfel/Machacek/Esposito/Kane shouldn’t be wasted on the third line).
But, what are your thoughts?
Brendan
July 18th, 2009
10:03 am
Well, I don’t know that Valabik WANTS to re-sign in Atlanta. So, if the total amount of years is equal, why not take the better player?
World Be Free
July 18th, 2009
10:15 am
Brendan-I commented on Valabik but it is caught up in “blog purgatory”. Hope it comes over soon.
Ranallo-yeah, I’d be pretty happy with Malhotra. I liked him when he came up with the Rangers. Naturally, they gave up on him too soon. He has done well in Columbus.
I have backed off my veteran push, mostly because the message was getting old. But I still feel we need it and Malhotra would be good. I totally agree with your thoughts on Goc, I think he’s a disappointment that has not panned out. Manny would suite me just fine. We need reinforcements for the long season. Marty’s success last year should support that theory.
I am really wondering what is going to happen withthe goaltending situation. There are a number of proven backups still out there available as UFAs. That might make it tough to trade any of our goaltenders for their market value. We may go to camp with 3 goalies. That would be interesting and something Kari needs to push him.
Kari needs a big push to get to the next level.
Brendan
July 18th, 2009
10:20 am
Isn’t that frustrating, World Be Free? I don’t know why posts fall into “blog SPAM.” Trixie will find it and rescue it.
Kari should feel the push. He doesn’t have a contract for next season. I’m sure he’d like to be paid like an elite goaltender one of these years. He’s got to earn it. He’ll be unrestricted next year. It’ll be interesting to see what he does after this season. If he is traded, his agent might start working on a contract extension in January, or maybe even during the Olympic break.
Thrashers27
July 18th, 2009
10:23 am
Ranallo, do you really think that Holzapfel and Machachek are top six players? I’d say those two are perfect for third line duties. Good players that I’m excited about seeing here in Atlanta at some point, but not topline talent.
Now, Espo and Kane…Kane, I believe will definitely be a top line player. Espo, I’m not sold on him yet, but I am definitely hopeful. I have a sneaking feeling he’ll be more like Slater in the end.
World Be Free
July 18th, 2009
10:26 am
The frustrating part is that it’s one of my better posts and I want it out there. It’s about Boris.
Don’t know about Kari-Is he s UFA already? Wow, that would hurt to lose him and a reason to hold on to Pavs. I think he likes it here.
Players want to see what progress the team makes towards winning. Nobody want to lose, not in this era of instant gratification. I think Kari will stick around if the team really builds a winning base and rekindles the fan base.
World Be Free
July 18th, 2009
10:28 am
I was out of town (at Baseball HOF) and did not stay in touch with what was happening at rookie camp. All I heard was that it was real positive. Maybe we can have some youngster push for a spot this year?
Brendan
July 18th, 2009
10:35 am
Kari signed his qualifying offer for this year. When you saw me speak of Kari in terms of NEXT YEAR, I mean the 2010-2011 season. He’s signed for 2009-2010.
ben
July 18th, 2009
10:47 am
any kovy update?
Thrashers27
July 18th, 2009
11:22 am
WBF, I was up at the Baseball HOF last year. Was pretty cool. Gave me shivers to see some of that stuff and I’m not a huge baseball fan. I’m afraid if I ever make it to the hockey HOF I’ll cry like a little girl.
I also agree with you that this is the year that Kari needs that big push. I really think it would be good for him to feel the presence of OP coming up behind him. We all love Moose and love to see him play at the top of his game, but the time may have come to bring in Ondrej for that “big push”.
GaVaHokie
July 18th, 2009
1:28 pm
I prefer the size and scoring of Malhotra over Goc, IMO.
Trixie (Rawhide's Secretary)
July 18th, 2009
1:51 pm
Mr. WBF, You’re 9:41 am post regarding Boris Valbik has been freed from Blog Purgatory.
Brendan
July 18th, 2009
2:21 pm
World Be Free, do you think Chicago will trade Campbell? If so, I wonder who the suitors are/would be? There are certainly teams with cap room enough to accommodate Campbell, even if they didn’t give back any salary in the return. But, those markets with the cap room also have to manage their own budgets, and future budgets, for Campbell’s hefty sum.
Does Campbell have a no trade clause? What’s the link to go find that?
If Chicago winds up trading Campbell, I do wonder if Sabres GM Darcy Regier and Sabres Head Coach Lindy Ruff, aren’t privately expressing, “We tried to tell him … that he’s not worth this kind of money. And that, down the road, once exposed, teams would try to dump him, because of the salary.” We’ll never know that, of course. Those conversations aren’t meant for public consumption. Had Campbell agreed to stay with the Sabres for 5 years/$25 million, I don’t think they’d be trying to dump him. Or, if they did, it wouldn’t be as hard to move him. This is the danger of chasing a highly sought-after free agent. I still think Campbell makes Chicago’s team better, but the cap issue remains. With more trouble next year. There’s something ELSE to consider, regarding Campbell. Maybe he just didn’t WANT to play in Buffalo anymore? If that was the case, he wasn’t going to stay at any price. This is one of those times where … I wonder if the next CBA won’t be amended to include a salary-sharing provision, such that the gaining team must pay 75% of the contract, and the trading team absorbs the other 25-percent.
I can hear it now. “So, under THAT PLAN, GM’s will become even MORE irresponsible with their bidding on UFAs, knowing they can extricate themselves from that bad deal by eating only 25% of the contract.” Yeah, well … who wants to pay anybody NOT TO PLAY for them? Are we happy to still be paying Zhitnik? Or the Islanders, Yashin? And so forth? At three-quarters (3/4) salary, doesn’t Campbell sound a whole lot better? Maybe it’s something they’ll look at for next CBA. When is the vote to renew that, again?
World Be Free
July 18th, 2009
2:33 pm
Trixie-then were is it? Will resend.
World Be Free
July 18th, 2009
2:51 pm
Thanks Trixie, I see it now.
Brendan, the deal with Campbell and Buffalo is that the Sabres did not believe he was worth more than the $5M/per, $25M total they offered. Campbell did not want to leave, he was almost in tears when he was traded. He was Sabres property for almost 10 years. “Soup” was a fan fave too. Remember, the Sabres as very cheap, we can list the players that have “skated” Buffalo the last few years. Posts on the Buffalo News blog are a lot nastier that the AJC blog!
I think Chicago would trade Campbell if they could, not because he’s a bad player or teammate. Quite the contrary, he’s a good locker room influence. But money is money and they will need to pony up for some RFAs coming up if they are going to keep their team together. You wonder if the huge contract to Campbell played any part in Tallon getting axed or as the Hawks say “reassigned”. Dudley looks pretty smart now getting out of CHI – Town. Love that Hawks jersey, the best is sports.
Thrasher27-you bet, it’s time for Kari to really step up. He played some great games here last year AFTER the trade deadline. I remember he shut out Montreal on a 25 save performance that was great, the type of performance he is capable of. Anderson needs to keep the peddle down on Kari to make him earn that big contract.
Finally, every sports fan needs to make it to the Baseball Hall of Fame. I am very much old school, back when players didn’t need to cheat to succeed or lie to Congress. The Hall pays homage to the game. It’s a shame some cheaters will eventually get in. That will be one ceremony I will miss. I picked up a special autographed ball signed by Ralph Branca and Bobby Thomson. Thomson signs most of his baseballs “The shot heard round the world”. Pretty neat stuff.
Hockey Biltong
July 18th, 2009
4:40 pm
No harpooning!!! Valabik will come into his own this year.
Smoothie
July 18th, 2009
4:57 pm
Campbell was traded? I thought he chose CHI over ATL in FA cuz they offered more years. Anyway, I can’t see any team not named NYR or MTL (Markov is a lil long in the tooth ain’t he?) trading for “Soupy”.
Perhaps OTT would consider him as they seem to be lacking puck movers? Hossa and Campbell for Dany Heatley?? Ha ha that would be spectacularly funny if Hossa was sent back to OTT. I know, I know he has a NMC.
The CBA needs to address the NMC and the max number of years they are in effect or max # of years any FA deal can be. 12 and 15 year deals seem absurd.
Should it be easier for teams to unload an albatross of a contract? Guess its the exorbitant price GM’s pay to buy the most talented FA’s.
Brendan
July 18th, 2009
6:12 pm
World Be Free, if Campbell was in tears about leaving Buffalo, why didn’t he just come down a little on the price? If Buffalo offered $5 million-per-season, couldn’t Campbell have told his agent, “Let’s just take $6 million as a compromise? I don’t want to leave.” In the end, the choice of where to play is the player’s. Generally speaking, they don’t sign where they don’t want to be. I think it’s a shame that Buffalo lost that player, after so much time with the organization. Losing Drury, Briere, Campbell, Grier, and J.P. Dumont … it had to be frustrating for the Sabres. In a way, maybe Kevin Lowe’s RFA offersheet is what KEPT Thomas Vanek in town? At the time, that offer reflected a serious overpayment of that player. Would Buffalo have ponied up to the tune of $7.1, or whatever his cap hit is, proactively? Or, would some other team, lure him away, via free agency? Sabres fans tell me that the problem is Larry Quinn, not GM Darcy Regier. And I believe that. Regier and Ruff took paycuts to stay. And if you believe ‘hearsay rumors,’ they asked Campbell to take a paycut to stay. But he would hear nothing of it. That’s his right, of course. A person has a very finite number of years that their body can handle playing sports at the professional level. A player’s contract, therefore, is very important to their latter years in life. Although … don’t think I don’t hear the snickering. I do. And I’m right there with you. When some guy inks a $35 million deal, he should be more than set for life. Lest he have some lifestyle issue. Even after taxes, and coughing some up to his agent, he should be allright. The player may even get another deal after that.
Smoothie: I feel what you’re sayin’. The GMs should be accountable for bad contracts. But knowing the NHL, they’ll find a way to make it more advantangeous than it ALREADY IS for the larger markets. And they can do that, in the next CBA, by allowing the Detroits, Chicagos, Bostons, New Yorks, and Philly, Washington, and Montreals of the league … to ditch a bad contract with a 25% cap hit. This way … they can spend, spend, spend … chasing, or BLOCKING some division rival from acquiring, some major free agent. And then, a few years down the road … ditch the contract to a lesser market who needs the player, but can’t afford him at full-price.
Alan
July 18th, 2009
6:29 pm
Campbell was traded? I thought he chose CHI over ATL in FA cuz they offered more years.
Campbell was traded to the San Jose Chok…err… Sharks during the 2007-2008 season. It was after their playoff hopes
came to an expected endingwere dashed, did Campbell elect to sign in Chicago over Atlanta.World Be Free
July 18th, 2009
6:43 pm
Brendan-you have to understand how cheap the Sabres are. Look at today-they are trying to low ball Drew Stafford, who is out there ripe for an offer sheet just like Vanek. So to answer your question, no they would not have paid Vanek what he got and maybe what he truly deserves unless Kevin Lowe forced their hands. Sabres’ fans should thank Lowe. Add Jay McKee to the list of players you mentioned.
I think Campbell’s people looked at what happened with the players you mentioned and knew they were not going to get the money they thought Brian deserved. As is turns out, Campbell got more that twice as much as Buffalo offered with a few more years. The difference between what Buffalo offered and what Chicago gave him would have one heck of a hometown discount.
Quinn, the minority owner and Golisano the primary owner are the problems in Buffalo. This is Quinn’s second tour of duty with the Sabres. Not sure if he’s going to try and buy the majority of the team, but it is clear they need to dedicate to putting a winner on the ice. Regier and Ruff are not the problem, but it is not clear how much longer either will continue to put up with the garbage from the top.
And you guys through ASG was bad.
Brendan
July 18th, 2009
8:37 pm
But who’s the bigger problem? Quinn … or Golisano? I feel your pain, World Be Free. I think Regier is a good GM. He just needs financing to make it work. Okayyyy. What he needs is for the salary cap to be REDUCED so that it’s fair to the Buffalo market–ANNNND get the financing to the lowered MAX CAP. Tell me more about Golisano? Why have I heard that name before?
Brendan
July 18th, 2009
9:00 pm
Okay, we all Wikipedia isn’t exactly FACTUAL all the time. But, what the hey. I just searched it for Tom Golisano. What an interesting guy! With nothing more than an “Associates Degree” from Alfred State, where most people major in Drinking, with a minor in Overcoming Hangovers, he became a billionaire in payroll services. Paychex, I think, they said was the name of the company. But he’s run for Governor of NY. Then he left the state, claiming that moving to Florida would save him over $13,800 a day in decreased taxes and property costs. (I like this guy!) Apparently, in other Google searches, he’s dating Monica Seles? Sheesh. For a guy with an Associates Degree, he’s done really well. Oh, not that Monica Seles is a “babe.” But she is a celebrity, and quite wealthy from years of successful tennis playing. But I digress. I see, that for an owner who is “cheap,” he’s quite a philanthropist. He gave money to a couple of Rochester, NY schools. He’s giving $10 million to a school named Niagara University for some Science Center or other? Hopefully, the Niagara Hockey team will see some of that money. But the Sabres OUGHT to be able to spend to the maximum cap, given Golisano’s DEEP POCKETS.
Bob
July 18th, 2009
11:13 pm
“Drinking, with a minor in Overcoming Hangovers”
Can we send Kari there?
Bob
July 18th, 2009
11:14 pm
ya know, for a little remidial educamation
Sara
July 19th, 2009
1:49 am
Bob I’m pretty sure Kari already aced that course.
World Be Free
July 19th, 2009
9:50 am
Tom Golisano is the founder of PayChex, a pay service similar to ADP. He ran for NY State governor a few times as well. He actually saved the Sabes when they were bankrupt, but now seems to be part of the problem, the reasonm why the Sabres are a 19th place team instead of the winner the used to be.
Small world? I too have an associate’s degree from Alfred State College. Except Alfred was know as Alfred Ag and Tech with Tom G. and I went there. Agricultural/business school in the middle of nowhere with a party reputation. We’ll leave those stories for another time.
World Be Free
July 19th, 2009
10:52 am
Alright brendan, where did you get that “majoring” information on Alfred? such a small school with a “great” rep!
Don’t know about the Seles stuff, but I would not be surprised. Tom’s reach is well beyond hockey, as you have noted with his gifts to various institutions.
FYI-the Niagara U. hockey rink was a gift from a husband and wife. Place is really nice, up near the Falls.
Ice Dog
July 19th, 2009
2:09 pm
Brendan & World Be Free, I have to respectfully disagree with some of the accusations about the Sabres being “cheap” and here’s why: look at all the free agents that they didn’t get give the big $$ to and how that turned out for the other teams that did.
Brian Campbell – during the first year of his big new contract he was rumored on the trade market and now is just universally accepted as being overpaid.
Chris Drury – Another overpaid NYR (need I say more) who is not producing.
Daniel Briere – demoted to the 3rd line behind Jeff Carter and Mike Richards and can’t be dumped with that large salary.
Jay McKee – got a $4 million offer to leave Sabres for the Blues. 3 years later the contract expired and even though he is still in his 20’s the best he could get was a 1 year $800 thousand offer.
Call me crazy but it doesn’t look like the Sabres were cheap by not paying those guys, they were incredibly smart.
I also have to disagree with whoever said the only reason they paid Vanek was because they had to match? Wait, if they are cheap and cash-strapped, wouldn’t they take the glut of draft picks that they would have received from Edmonton rather than pay Vanek? And let’s look at the free agents that they did fork over the $$ to.
Thomas Vanek – top goal scorer in NHL.
Derek Roy – point per game player.
Jason Pomiville – point per game player although he tailed off a little.
Ryan Miller – One of the top goaltenders in the league and leader of the team.
I’d say that they aren’t cheap, they just pick and choose better who not to give the big $$ free agent contracts to. From what I hear they did even overpay to a guy recently, I will have to e-mail my friend up there to get who, I can’t remember.
Brendan, I don’t think they should spend more because the owner has deep pockets. I think they should spend more because that place sells out even in the years they don’t make the playoffs.
R. Stroz
July 19th, 2009
2:22 pm
100th
Ice Dog
July 19th, 2009
3:36 pm
R. Stroz, what do you mean 100th?
Ice Dog
July 19th, 2009
4:00 pm
R. Stroz, what do you mean 100th? Sorry if this double posts, sometimes it shows up and sometimes it doesn’t.
William
July 20th, 2009
12:44 pm
I just caught up with everything that was said over the weekend.
Boris may not ever be a fighter. With that said, he can still be a hard hitting tough guy. As his skating improves, his checking should also. He should get some checking lessons and have a few sessions on fighting from Bolton.
From what I saw of Pavlic when he was called up, I am not a big fan…though I have don’t know much about his playing with Chicago. Is he starting material?
I have always been a fan of Kari and think he can continue to improve and hone his skills. A push would probably be good for him.
What’s the goalie coach situation for us? Do we have a full time goalie coach? We could try out Moose as the goalie coach next year?
Fly on the Wall
July 21st, 2009
12:09 pm
He’s already back boozing it up – Kari L., that is.