Proceed To Procure Passes For Prospects Game Versus Predators
Tickets will be available later in the day via the Ice Forum’s website…however, I was informed by the lovely Amy and the very helpful Jason that you are welcome to purchase the passes in person at the Duluth Ice Forum that is located on Satellite Blvd. There are only about 500 tickets available for each game and seating will be on a first come first serve basis.
So get your now!
This will be the first time Atlanta fans will be able to see first-round selection Evander Kane in a game situation…unless, of course, you are planning to head off to Traverse City, Michigan the week prior for that tournament. Not only am I looking forward to watching how he performs at that time… but also this entire crop of prospects has me jazzed.
Hopefully I’ll see you all there!
Have We Heard This Before?
Here is something that I found interesting the other day…it comes via ”Let Loose The Moose” from the Thrashers message Boards.
Thrashers’ GM Don Waddell had this to say two years ago regarding the contract talks with Marian Hossa:
“It’s progressing, and as long as we continue to have the kind of talks that we had, they’re very upbeat and on target with where we’re headed, then at some point here we’ll be able to announce a deal,”
Contrast that with his recent comments to Chris Vivlamore:
“We’ve had several face-to-face meetings…We’ve had some very, very long discussions….I feel very confident that at some point – I don’t know when that point will be – but at some point, we will get a contract done”.
The similarities in those two comments are spookily similar, don’t ya think?
Boylen On Bogosian
Here is a very good write up on the Thrashers Zach Bogosian by Rory Boylen of The Hockey News.
“Bogosian’s nine goals and 19 points in 47 games were enough for accolades”, writes Boylen, “But the cherry on top was his plus-11 rating, earned on the team that allowed the second-most goals against. Oh, also consider that before his injury Bogosian struggled offensively and didn’t post a single point, so he actually reached that total in 39 games”.
Wow…that makes what he accomplished even more impressive.
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141 comments Add your comment
R. Stroz
August 26th, 2009
12:28 pm
FIRST, or GOLD
Smoothie
August 26th, 2009
12:47 pm
Also Bill, even more impressive is the fact that Z-Bo netted 19 points with very little PP time. He had a few PPG for sure, but his time could have been even greater (and perhaps more productive) if it wasn’t for some guy named Ilya Kovalchuk.
No offense to Tobias, but I think I would love to see a 1st unit PP of:
Left point – Bogosian Explosian
Right point – Pavel Kuby-duby-doo
Right circle – Professor Kozlov
Crease camper – Nik “the Android” Antropov
Roamer / left side maestro – Kaptain Kovy
2nd Unit of Enstrom, Hainsey, Pevs, White and Army ain’t half bad either
ben
August 26th, 2009
12:58 pm
it is a tad spooky. But, I hope you’re wrong.
Alan
August 26th, 2009
1:17 pm
Weren’t the comments Waddell made re: Hossa before Hossa canned his agent? I seem to recall he fired his agent and hired on a real prick, and that’s when it all went tumbling down-hill.
Bob
August 26th, 2009
1:17 pm
What, you’re shocked that Waddell talks out of one side of his mouth to season tix holders while holding the truth in the other jowel? If there’s one thing to have learned about Waddell after all this year’s is that he will say whatever is necessary to blow enough smoke and obfuscation around especially during the time when they’re recruiting potential season ticket holders.
As PT Barnum said, there’s a sucker born every minute.
Waddell is the sole impediment left between we, and countless others, returning as season ticket holders.
Bob
August 26th, 2009
1:19 pm
Alan, you really think Hossa ever had any intention, at any time, of re-signing here? Really?!?
The Earl of Bud
August 26th, 2009
1:20 pm
BT, while those quotes are all too familiar, did Hossa ever actually present a contract offer? I don’t think he ever did. According to Vivlamore Kovalchuk already did so I think that speaks much more to his intent to re-sign here versus Hossa’s.
Read the article on Bogo already and was happy to see that.
Barry
August 26th, 2009
1:41 pm
Hey Smoothie you totally left out LITTLE in your whole PP lines equation. You’re fired.
Alan
August 26th, 2009
1:42 pm
I haven’t the slightest clue what you’re on about, Bob. Show me where I said exactly that Hossa was going to re-sign here.
You can’t, can you?
I didn’t think so.
I know, I know. It’s been a while since we’ve exchanged words. Welcome back to the blog. Trying to make an inference without any basis in fact whatsoever, however, isn’t exactly a good way to make a splash.
Rawhide
August 26th, 2009
1:56 pm
RStroz – I don’t have any gold medals, but I can give you a “I Was First On Rawhide’s Blog” sign…so….
Herrrrrrrrrrrrres your sign.
ben – I hope so too.
EOB – the article quoting DW was dated Nov. 27, 2007. I do not recall when Hossa fired his agent. As for the Bogey article…yeah, I thoroughly enjoyed that too.
Smooooooothie – Nicely done!
The Earl of Bud
August 26th, 2009
2:06 pm
BT, I actually didn’t question the agent firing, that was Alan. What I was trying to say was that since Hossa never proposed a contract he didn’t have intentions of getting an extension with us. And while this is nothing I can prove, I don’t think Hossa wanted to stay here. Kovalchuk on the other hand has made numerous references to his wanting to stay here and ultimately already made a contract offer to Waddell according to Vivlamore. That to me (one drew up a contract while the other didn’t) means he wants to stay here while Hossa probably didn’t. Does that make more sense?
So while the quotes of Waddell are identical, the intentions of the players (Hossa and Kovalchuk) to stay in Atlanta are worlds apart.
Brendan
August 26th, 2009
2:06 pm
The power to get the team Kovalchuk WANTS resides in his contract extension. The smartest thing for Kovalchuk to do … is to wait until June 30, 2010, or beyond, to re-sign with Atlanta. He CANNNN re-sign sometime in July, or August or whenever in the offseason of 2010. Imagine the articles enamating from Canada, if Kovy hasn’t signed anywhere by July 10, 2010? On second thought, let’s not.
What I am unclear about is this: What has Kovalchuk asked for? Aside from Antropov? What are his thoughts on Zherdev? Or Afinagenov? Or Satan? Or Sykora? If Kovy actually wants any of these guys, I hope he’s made his voice loud and clear. And if he actually GETS what he wants, then I hope he’ll re-sign very soon. Kovalchuk can’t very well make a list of players names, while the organization procures them for him, but then he takes a hikeski. I’d be hoppin’ mad if that happens. But I don’t think it will. In my view, Kovy is looking for reasons to stay. Names are still out there. And trades are still potentially able to be made, especially with teams who have cap issues. We’re still more than a month away from Opening Night. I get the impression that the two sides are talking about numbers and talking about roster players. If that’s a correct impression, and not sayyy, “wishful thinking,” then I feel confident about a deal coming to fruition.
Rawhide
August 26th, 2009
2:16 pm
EOB – Gotcha…and apologies to you and Alan.
Libby
August 26th, 2009
2:19 pm
I put my order in for the prospect game tickets. I am looking forward to seeing Kane play. I believe that Kovalchuk will sign here. I do not believe that Hossa ever wanted to be here. I thought that Waddell said that they never even got to a money proposal for Hossa.
The Earl of Bud
August 26th, 2009
2:27 pm
BT, no apologies necessary, I had an idea in my head but didn’t get it out all the way.
I agree wholeheartedly on Waddell playing his cards close to his vest and giving out false info (just look at Zhitnik). But, I think the “hostile talks” that he referred to in his talk with Vivlamore was a reference to Hossa or Savard. That was another thing that I wanted to say that I think may be different between Hossa and Kovalchuk.
Again, if you are making offers and counter-offers like he is with Kovalchuk, that makes me feel nice and cozy for now. It makes me think things really are progressing and that Kovalchuk really does want to stay here.
Toby
August 26th, 2009
2:58 pm
I do agree they are similar, but the main difference I see is that Dub stated that Kovy has come back with his own offer. IF that’s true, then that would show Kovy has interest in staying.
Toby
August 26th, 2009
2:59 pm
Oops…that has already been stated. I should really take the time to read all posts before chiming in. Boooooo me.
Carry on.
lee
August 26th, 2009
3:01 pm
kovy is definetly keeping things smooth. i hav to give waddy a pat on the back for all his hard work. any guesses when kovy might make his decision??
hmmmm, hossa is just so different from kovy. personally i think hossa is imatuer.kovy has the better attidute, ice play and off play. koy is a veery succesful person. not to say that hossa isn’t succesful, but he hasn’t gotten nearly as far. hossa and kovy kinda remind me of snyder and heatley. one is imatuer the other is successful.
Smoothie
August 26th, 2009
3:04 pm
I do think Alan is correct about the tenor of the negotiations changing when Hossa hired Ritch Winter (I think that’s the guy, don’t feel like looking it up) who has a reputation as a real you know what. I think communication between Grossman and Waddell has always been better, but the fact Kovy held out last time he was a RFA makes me a bit wary.
However, in that situation, Kovy didn’t have many options and it is like him to simply play wherever he can to stay game ready while his agent hammers out details. The fact that Grossman has already laid out some terms to get the ball rolling heartens me.
I’ve always suspected it would be a mid-year decision anyway so the best we can hope for at this point, in my opinion, is a solid to hot start to the season and good momentum going into the Olympic break. If things gel like I think they can and our goalies stay healthy then I think Kovy will at the very least sign a 2 or 3 year deal.
Barry – damn it all to heck! I always forget about Little! I love the guy and already take him for granted. Although I still would prefer Antro or Army doing the dirty work in front of the net so he doesn’t get so banged up. Just goes to show how much potential depth we now have and how potentially scary we could be offensively.
Smoothie
August 26th, 2009
3:33 pm
http://twitter.com/dchesnokov
Looks like Kovy is going for a different sort of hat-trick!
He shoots he scooooooooorrrres!!
Smoothie
August 26th, 2009
3:42 pm
Uh oh, have we entered blog purgatory? The blog monster must be hungry!
Sara
August 26th, 2009
3:46 pm
Smoothie – somehow I just knew what I was going to find at the other end of that link. Yay for Kovy!! Btw, in scrolling through Ben’s feed, he made a neat comment about Oystrick – who is apparently adopted – finding his birth mother this summer. Awwww….. lots of warm fuzzies to go around.
Trixie (Rawhide's Secretary)
August 26th, 2009
3:53 pm
Mr. Smoothie – Your 3:04 post has been freed from Blog Purgatory.
Sara
August 26th, 2009
3:56 pm
Attention!! Speaking of Twitter – got a tweet that an interview with Kovy is due up on Puck Daddy (Yahoo hockey blog for those needing clarification) later this afternoon. Hopefully the questions venture into “when are you signing your new contract with the Thrashers” territory.
Smoothie
August 26th, 2009
4:01 pm
Perhaps Kovy really IS happy in Atlanta and is perfectly content to raise his family here in Georgia. He certainly isn’t hesitating on the shooting efficiency side of things! Sorry, that was bad, but Kovy’s % has always been good!
Sara — the story on Oystrick was really nice…good human interest story. Hope he gets that honeymoon AFTER he raises the Stanley Cup in Regina at the end of June!
Smoothie
August 26th, 2009
4:02 pm
Thanks Mr. T!! Don’t you owe me an e-mail?
The Earl of Bud
August 26th, 2009
4:05 pm
Smoothie, as soon as you said the name Rich Winter I know exactly what you and Alan are talking about. That guy is a jerk. He caused some problems when he was Hasek’s agent in Buffalo. Now I can understand Hasek, an all-star, Hart Trophy MVP, etc. But Winter caused mayhem with Vaclav Varada. VACLAV FREAKIN’ VARADA!!! A 3rd to 4th liner on a defense first team filled with tons of guys just like him but better.
Now it is all coming back and yeah, Winter was a monkeywrench but I still don’t think Hossa’s heart was really in Atlanta.
Toby
August 26th, 2009
4:07 pm
This is cool…. here are pics of Kovy training in Moscow with Zherdev, Nikita Filatov and Ilya Zubov.
http://www.khl.ru/media/photo?PAGE_NAME=section&SECTION_ID=1251
Trixie (Rawhide's Secretary)
August 26th, 2009
4:11 pm
Thanks Mr. T!!
AHEM!!??!!
Smoothie
August 26th, 2009
4:15 pm
Nice find Toby…do you read Russian? Any quotes of interest?
Sara
August 26th, 2009
4:16 pm
Ooooooooo Smoothie’s in trouble…
Toby
August 26th, 2009
4:19 pm
Smoothie – Looks like scratch to me. Does Yahoo or Google have a translator or something?
The Earl of Bud
August 26th, 2009
4:24 pm
Toby, I can recognize Kovalchuk but how do you know it’s Filatov, Zherdev & Zubov?
lee
August 26th, 2009
4:27 pm
uh oh, smoothie is in the doghouse!
RS
August 26th, 2009
4:28 pm
The pictures have captions with their names. Also Filatov has an interview on Puck Daddy talking about training with Ilya. He calls Ilya a legend and talks about how much he respects him.
RS
August 26th, 2009
4:30 pm
Babelfish translator. Just paste in the text, or website you want to translate and pick the to and from languages from the dropdown box.
http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_txt
Sara
August 26th, 2009
4:31 pm
I recognized Filatov and Zherdev by face. And in actuality, cyrllic really isn’t hard to learn.
The Earl of Bud
August 26th, 2009
4:34 pm
RS, your Russian is clearly far better than mine. You and your cyrillic alphabet, haha.
I do know how to pick out Kari Lehtonen in a recent photo op with some Finnish players though.
buzilla in CT
August 26th, 2009
4:34 pm
Better apologize Smoothie King
The Earl of Bud
August 26th, 2009
4:36 pm
Ok, you posted the translator while I was typing my last post at 4:34pm. Thanks for that.
Smoothie
August 26th, 2009
4:36 pm
So sorry Miss Trixie!! Thought you were on vacation and Bill actually had to do some real work for a change! You do an excellent job and don’t let Big Willy take too much of the credit!
buzilla in CT
August 26th, 2009
4:38 pm
Congratulations everyone! We Suck!!!!!
This is from yahoo!’s ranking of NHL fans:
“No. 30 Atlanta Thrashers: “The Thrashers online presence is very small and that does little to help a team that many in Atlanta seem to struggle to remember they are even there. That sound you just heard was Ilya Kovalchuk(notes) screaming over the fact he has at least one more season with the team.”
They even talk about the 10-15 of us
R. Stroz
August 26th, 2009
4:58 pm
If Zherdev and Kovy are training together, I think we could infer that Kovy wouldn’t mind seeing Zherdev in Thrasher blue.
Dwayne
August 26th, 2009
5:04 pm
I’ve tried to hint to yall in subtle ways that yall tend to ignore some bloggers every now and then. I see new people chim in every now and again and they are ignored.(sometimes) In all honesty, I feel that way sometimes too, sometimes. I’m not crying or anything like that, i’ve taking my meds, so I’m ok. Just to let yall know, I enjoy reading this blog, I’m a Thrasher fan, I want the same things yall do, 1) to be accepted and 2)Thrasher WINS!!!!
Smoothie
August 26th, 2009
5:05 pm
Stroz – While I think he surely wouldn’t mind, I think Kovy knows that bringing him in might disrupt the current chemistry and potentially undermine the morale of the team. We already have to blend in Antropov and hope to give Armstrong enough minutes to keep him from souring on ATL. Then again, perhaps a 3rd line of Kane – Peverley – Armstrong would be the perfect double threat.
Kovy — Little (or Antro) — Antro (or Zherdev)
Kozlov — White — Zherdev (or White)
John Coffey
August 26th, 2009
5:09 pm
Mostly I’m tired of people being ugly to each other. I’m tired of all the pain I feel and hear in the world everyday. There’s too much of it. It’s like pieces of glass in my head all the time. Can you understand?
Dwayne
August 26th, 2009
5:10 pm
Would you really want to drop Pevs to a 3rd line with what he show us last year?
Smoothie
August 26th, 2009
5:12 pm
Dwayne – it’s good to have you aboard. I type a lot because I’m mostly really bored with my job. But that will surely change soon. I wish more people would chime in for sure. Since I’ve met a few of these nice folks personally, it’s easy to end up directing too many things at the same 2 or 3 people. A good point and something we should all keep in mind. I’m just thrilled there is at least one place in this town where passionate Thrashers fans can “congregate” other than the occasional Viewing Party or tailgate.
Smoothie
August 26th, 2009
5:16 pm
Dwayne, I only offer that up as a way to spark debate. If you read this blog fairly regularly, you might already know I have no desire to bring in Zherdev. I like what we have for now. However, I’m generally open to looking at different scenarios and even like to forget we have a guy by the name of Bryan Little (what a stupid I am!), but the only reason I would consider Zherdev and moving Pevs to the 3rd line is because he has such good chemistry with Armstrong. But see, I just forgot about another guy…Marty the Party Reasoner! And he’s my favorite. I would love to roll out three “scoring” lines and terrorize the league, but I think our defense would suffer for it.
R. Stroz
August 26th, 2009
5:22 pm
The Green Mile ia a great movie.
Dwayne
August 26th, 2009
5:35 pm
Here is something to think about, Kovy tells Wadudley, Zherdev realizes he’s been screwing up, he is ready to put all the nasty rumors about him to bed. Package Pevs and KL for a goalie. But let me say this, I think, for some reason, the day we let Kari walk, he gets a Goalie coach whereever he signs, becomes a solid, all-star, cup winning goalie and we are pi$$ed at Waddell again, with some blame to Dudley too. I also like Pevs, but you got to give up something to get something. And if those two aint enough, throw in a pick.
R. Stroz
August 26th, 2009
5:56 pm
Dwayne – With Kari’s current back issue, I doubt he has any viable trade value.
Smoothie – On the Zherdev issue, would you be willing to offer Zherdev a one year trial contract, kind of like Reasoner or Creme Puff Williams last season?
joe casey
August 26th, 2009
5:57 pm
I will return to the Thrashers game when they fie Don Waddell. He has proved many times that he is a LOSER.
The Earl of Bud
August 26th, 2009
7:04 pm
“If Zherdev and Kovy are training together, I think we could infer that Kovy wouldn’t mind seeing Zherdev in Thrasher blue.”
R. Stroz, I think I would have to read all of the captions first before we can even say they are training together or did they just happen to show up to the same place? Reason I say it like that is because I hardly doubt Nik Antropov, Todd White and Nathan Oystrick are saying to Waddell “let’s go sign Andy Sutton” even though they were all working out yesterday at the Ice Forum.
Dwayne, I kinda see a blog as a bunch of guys in a bar talking sports. Anyone can jump in at any time. Even though we all root for the same team we have different players who are our favorites and varying other opinions. Keep it civil though. I too am like Smoothie where I just keep one window open with this on my computer at work and refresh it every 1/2 hour say which only takes 2 seconds and then ramble on. It’s also nice because there are not a lot of Thrasher fans at work and it’s also dead during the offseason. But forgive me if I didn’t address the newcomers as I don’t even know who’s new and who’s old.
On that note, I agree with you that I don’t want Peverley to go to the 3rd line and I have said that our top 6 is set. Let’s get a 3rd line LW.
Also Dwayne, while R. Stroz says that Lehtonen’s back doesn’t make him a good trade option, keep in mind that there are a ton of goalies that are former starters still out on the open market. NYI just signed Marty Biron as he was sitting out there with no takers. So if a team is looking for something, they would sign someone out there rather than trade a prized prospect for the broken down Lehtonen. If Philly didn’t even re-sign Nittymaki OR Biron, they aren’t trading away that Bobby Ryan type prospect (van Riemsdyk?) for Lehtonen.
Rawhide
August 26th, 2009
7:30 pm
Dwayne – Just keep chimin’ in with your thoughts and comments…I know a lot of these people and they are all top-notch. Sure, it may get a bit “noisy” or “crowded”…but you’ve been around long enough to “officially” be part of the gang!
One thing I might suggest is to join us all at TJ’s for one of the events there and get to know some of us face-to-face.
Of course, a lot of us have faces that maybe some might not want to meet…but you get my drift.
RS
August 26th, 2009
8:05 pm
All of those guys have the same personal trainer. They’re not just hanging out together cause they’re buddies.
polskidawg
August 26th, 2009
8:05 pm
1) Kane will have a fight in the first exhibition game with Nashville
2) I’ll believe that Kovy’s signed when I see him at his press conference, or see it on a trusted source
3) Bogosian is going to be a great NHL player – best D in his draft class by 2010-2011
.
Dwayne
August 26th, 2009
8:25 pm
Rawhide, Would love to come hang out with yall, after I win Mega Millions this Friday, I’m gonna buy out that lame duck owner, Belkin? I beleive, fire Wadell and hire Brendan. Or Smoothie, maybe EOB. Hell, I can’t make up my mind either. I should fit in nice with that bunch.
The Earl of Bud
August 26th, 2009
8:37 pm
RS, it could be a case like the Hurricanes alumni training together in the offseason, as you were say they’re not exactly tightly knit buddies either. A group is here in Atlanta of guys like Hines Ward, Lewis from the Ravens, etc.
polskidawg, would love to see #1 happen.
Dwayne, I had some people in the office today talking about winning it but they don’t hate Belkin as much.
“Of course, a lot of us have faces that maybe some might not want to meet…but you get my drift.”
BT, I may have gotten hit in the head with a few pucks but I still got all my teeth.
R. Stroz
August 26th, 2009
9:32 pm
RS – You’re a genius and your initials are great too.
EOB – So does that mean we will be meeting you at TJ’s. I’m really looking forward to that.
Scotty
August 26th, 2009
9:35 pm
“but you’ve been around long enough to “officially” be part of the gang”
But has he paid his membership dues yet?
Toby
August 27th, 2009
8:07 am
Here is that interview with Kovy that was mentioned earlier. Learned nothing new…
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy
Rawhide
August 27th, 2009
9:08 am
Rawhide, Would love to come hang out with yall, after I win Mega Millions this Friday
Dwayne – You win the lottery tomorrow night and you are MORE than welcome to hang with us at TJ’s…and buy for ALL of us
Bob
August 27th, 2009
9:51 am
Alan, when you said:
“I seem to recall he fired his agent and hired on a real prick, and that’s when it all went tumbling down-hill”
I read that as you thinking that it was the agent change that caused the Hossa negotiations to go down hill, which makes me think you believed there was a chance Hoss would re-sign here (news flash, there was never a chance, he didn’t respect Waddell or mgt’s ability to build a winner here, or Pittsburgh’s, or Detroit’s, lol).
“Trying to make an inference without any basis in fact whatsoever, however, isn’t exactly a good way to make a splash.”
lol. “making a splash” on a blog, in Atlanta, in the middle of August, discussing the Thrashers? lol
The Earl of Bud
August 27th, 2009
10:13 am
“EOB – So does that mean we will be meeting you at TJ’s. I’m really looking forward to that.”
WOW, The Earl of Bud DOES have a fan club!!! R. Stroz, I was just making a joke to Bill Tiller about his line of us having ugly faces (although I really did get hit a few times playing hockey it wasn’t that bad). I’ll see how travel goes before I can commit to public appearances, autograph sessions and/or photo shoots.
R. Stroz
August 27th, 2009
10:59 am
WOW, The Earl of Bud DOES have a fan club!!! R. Stroz, I was just making a joke to Bill Tiller about his line of us having ugly faces (although I really did get hit a few times playing hockey it wasn’t that bad). I’ll see how travel goes before I can commit to public appearances, autograph sessions and/or photo shoots.
EOB – More like curiousity, based on a strong hunch.
The Earl of Bud
August 27th, 2009
11:08 am
“EOB – More like curiousity, based on a strong hunch.”
R. Stroz, I have a hunch here myself. So let me say, while I am flattered by the mancrush, I must tell you that I am not looking for a bromance or a new BFF. I’m sorry R. Stroz, but it just can’t be.
Smoothie
August 27th, 2009
11:10 am
Nothing really of note in that Kovalchuk Q&A translation on Puck Daddy. Although Kovy didn’t deny that this year is a big “test” year for not only the team, but also for him. A very diplomatic way of saying “we better see progress or I may have no choice but to leave.” Can’t blame him for trying to take the onus off him and put it back on the team. At least we have heard him tell us how much the captainship means to him so he has every incentive in the world to not only play well, but to lead and inspire his teammates to excel and succeed. I think they can.
R. Stroz
August 27th, 2009
11:17 am
R. Stroz, I have a hunch here myself. So let me say, while I am flattered by the mancrush, I must tell you that I am not looking for a bromance or a new BFF. I’m sorry R. Stroz, but it just can’t be.
No BFF intent, just an opportunity to meet an old blog pest.
ben
August 27th, 2009
11:38 am
Kovy has to take his time with this choice. Anyway you slice it, he’ll be spending aa lot of time over the years in that city. Ergo, he’ll most likely sign next summer or not. The fact that ASG seems to be willing to shell out that sort of cash does seem to herald a new direction for the team.
R. Stroz
August 27th, 2009
11:47 am
Bob – I fully understand your reluctance to purchase a ticket package with DW still in charge. However, I decided that this may be the last season that we see Kovy in Thrasher blue, so I reupped with a half season package.
I truely hope Kovy re-signs with the team; however, if he doesn’t, I’m going to enjoy watching while the opportunity exists. Unlike Hossa, I’m confident Kovy will not “dog it.” The man takes pride in his performance. If Kovy does re-sign, well, that’s even better.
From the sales representative standpoint, I have a no nonsense, forthright gentleman who is very solution oriented. The ticket packages benefits have improved greatly from prior seasons, so the marketing guys finally listened.
Even if the tickets end up being discounted, as they usually do, the additional perks are worth more than the difference in price. For the first time in years, I feel like the ticket package purchasers are being treated as valued customers instead of a bunch of suckers. Sitting on our wallets and voicing our collective displeasure with prior years sales/discounting practices finally paid off.
Anyway, do as you wish, but as a diehard advocate for treating the ticket package holders better, I thought that the sales department at the ASG deserved a pat on the back for finally making things right.
World Be Free
August 27th, 2009
12:04 pm
As suggested before, Kovy should just sign a 2 year deal and see if things work out. He’ll still be in his prime in 2 years and we will know where the Thrashers are compared to today. Makes sense, which is probably why it will not happen.
Smoothie
August 27th, 2009
12:15 pm
ben – I think you’re right. The ASG (at least reading what Gearon has to say) seems to be re-charged in the wake of the recent court ruling / no-decision. I think they realize how important Kovy is to hockey in this city and as a result, I don’t think it will come down to money. Kovy will get his $9.5 – 10.5 M no matter where it is.
World Be Free
August 27th, 2009
12:40 pm
Smoothie-not sure any team that is in the hunt to win the Cup is going to have the kinda cap room to pay Kovy $10M/year. If Kovy wants to do the “Hossa Hunt” he’ll have to take considerably less money.
I just don’t see a contending team having that much cash to spend to bring in a player. Spending a ton on a UFA is a big part of Chicago’s problem, having overpaid Campbell with better defenseman on their roster to sign in he next year of 2.
Alan
August 27th, 2009
12:49 pm
I read that as you thinking that it was the agent change that caused the Hossa negotiations to go down hill
You know what happens when you assume, right?
Sara
August 27th, 2009
1:07 pm
WBF – Actually there could be some really good arguments made for up and coming clubs like STL or LA. They have plenty of cap space (in fact, from what I’ve heard/read, LA pretty much is keeping their cap space flexible specifically for one Ilya Kovalchuk). The real question is whether Kovy would have more confidence in the Thrashers as an up and coming young hockey club or someone like LA/STL.
TableHockey
August 27th, 2009
1:10 pm
WBF – your scenario of a 2 year contract is what I would like to see. I would hope that scenario would generate several more off-seasons of good acquisitions to help convince Kovy to stay which certainly would leave the team in better shape even if Kovy elected to leave at the end of that contract.
Rawhide – I just confirmed this morning that I am not able to get out of my conflict on the 24th so I will not be able to join in on the bus party. Will definitely make some of the TJ’s viewing parties though!
Smoothie
August 27th, 2009
1:18 pm
WBF – no argument there…there are several playoff teams who have strangled their flexibility by overpaying certain players or spending to the Cap. That should defintely work to the Thrashers’ advantage. My point was more about the fact that there will be a handful of teams who can pay him what he’s worth. Luckily, one is Atlanta. While he says his primary goal is to win a Cup, he will get his market value (at least $9 – 9.5 M) with the potential for more depending on the team. He knows he’s going to get paid in the NHL by someone and thusly I don’t think the KHL has much of a prayer at this point.
The Earl of Bud
August 27th, 2009
1:40 pm
World Be Free, the danger for Kovalchuk only doing a 2 year deal is if the cap comes back down like many think it will. Then he will not only have the same few teams, but even clubs like Atl, St Lou & LA will have less to spend and only have 7 mil instead of 10 mil to give Kovalchuk, not to mention a lot can change in 2 years and take the guaranteed money now.
“The real question is whether Kovy would have more confidence in the Thrashers as an up and coming young hockey club or someone like LA/STL.”
Sara I’ll go along with this, because while LA looks like an up-n-comer right now, do Kopitar, Brown, Frolov & Doughty really outweigh Little, Kane, Peverley & Bogosian to the point that it is worth leaving the only club you’ve played for? I say no.
LAC
August 27th, 2009
1:46 pm
At what point does the TEAM come first ?
Paying one player 1/5 the cap kills the chances the team will ever win.
Winning The Stanley Cup, takes talent both on the ice and in the GM seat, and we ALL know what a loser GM we have.
Taking to heart anything waddell says is a crap shoot at best,
I will believe it when I see it… Just wish we were seeing the END of don waddell as GM !
kracker
August 27th, 2009
1:56 pm
WRT Kovy and the Kings, I’ve read that his wife likes a milder wintertime climate rather than ice skating on frozen rivers. For that reason, I’ve looked at LA as the place where Kovalchuk and family goes to if he leaves Atlanta. beyond the weather, these’s lots of glitter there to attract a young, rich couple.
I worked for a short time in LA one winter and was surprised to be awakened on a Saturday morning by a lawn mower. The date was Feb 1, approximately.
If there’s anything to that scenario, I suspect thatit is quite well known to ppl in hockey circles. In one of the articles linked above, Kovy said that making the playoffs was now the minimum goal for this improved Thrashers team. IMO, they have to also win some games in the playoffs to keep Kovy, should still be unsigned at that time.
Bob
August 27th, 2009
2:18 pm
stroz, my old ticket rep is gone, what perks do you get now? I heard something about free seats on the glass for a game, but shoot, that was never hard anyway, just walk on down 1/2 way through the 1st period
The Earl of Bud
August 27th, 2009
2:30 pm
“Paying one player 1/5 the cap kills the chances the team will ever win.”
Yeah, we wouldn’t want to get the results that Pittsburgh got last year when they paid 1/6 of their cap to Crosby.
Fact is, if you look at our payroll, there is more than enough room to give Kovalchuk a $3 mil raise. Then if you figure in the guys coming off the books in the next year or two (Kozlov, White, Kubina) there is still more room for guys like Little, Bogosian & company to get their raises. Once these guys start winning like they should, ownership will show more signs of loosening the purse strings and get our internal cap to where the rest of the league is.
bada drinkle
August 27th, 2009
3:02 pm
Kovalchuck is gone!
Hockey Biltong
August 27th, 2009
3:16 pm
let the games begin…….hurry…….
Smoothie
August 27th, 2009
3:54 pm
Wow….reeeeeeeaaaaaalllllly slow day, season get here already!
kracker – where ya been man? Good to see you blogging today. Hate to see your not quite as optimistic as some of the folks here about Kovy, but in light of this franchise’s history, it is rather tough to be positive. However, the end of last season was a revelation and I am excited by all the youth and new direction. But there is still part of me that won’t be surprised if we lose Kovy. LA may be a candidate. Will the Kovalchuks supplant the Beckhams in the city of angels??
kracker
August 27th, 2009
4:15 pm
I’ve been reading a lot, but usually a day or so behind.
Oh, I’m pretty optimistic about Kovy either extending this season or re-signing next summer. I was just saying that LA has even nicer winter weather than Atlanta. However, I also remember Kovy going back and forth to NYC to see the wife before they got settled in Atlanta, so for all I know, the Missus Kovalchuk might like New York (and the Rangers) just fine….if they don’t stay here.
Smoothie
August 27th, 2009
4:37 pm
Well kracker, in that case, welcome aboard the Thrashers bandwagon of positive thinking! It’s taken me a long while to get to the point where I’m seeing the glass as half-full, but I think the glass may very well be overflowing (with champagne??) with success and we’ll need a much larger Cup to hold it all perhaps as soon as 2012!
Good point about Missus K living in NY all that time for her modeling. Perhaps year-round great weather as opposed to good weather in ATL won’t matter as much when you can spend a whole month on the French Riviera. And the Redneck Riviera is only 4 hours away if Kovy likes white sand!
See you on the 14th in Duluth for the rookie scrimmage?
World Be Free
August 27th, 2009
4:44 pm
Kopitar, Brown, Frolov & Doughty and others will all be up for raises soon. I believe Kopitar is a UFA next summer So much for all that cap space. LAC has a great point-is this the Atlanta Thrashers or the Atlanta Kovys?
EOB-the cap should actually be stable in 2 years, we hope.
Brendan
August 27th, 2009
5:06 pm
Many markets would clamor for Kovy. And then, we have to look at what poster Russian said about people from his native land. Then start to assess which market would make him “the face of the franchise,” paying him like Crosby, Malkin, Ovechkin, that has a well-established Russian community/support group, and is also close to winning a Stanley Cup. I’m not saying L.A. cannot be that place. But the Kings have been building for a while now. With Jack Johnson, Kopitar, Brown, Frolov, Bernier and Doughty, those guys’ contracts will eventually come due. And will Kovalchuk win out over the players the Kings drafted or traded there? Maybe. Maybe not.
All I suspect is this: If the Thrashers were to actually spend to the cap limit, annually, and take responsibility for the GM position, tying employment to results, and lock up Kovalchuk and other key Thrasher prospects, the team would probably win and make the playoffs with regularity. Maybe they’d even contend for the Stanley Cup? And with a winning climate, comes offers from Tier I UFA’s to play here. In other words, instead of having to SELL THEM on the idea of coming to Atlanta, they’d be the ones calling about roster position availability. Not that I’m crying about it, but wouldn’t it be nice if a Teemu Selanne, a Brendan Shanahan, a Peter Forsberg, or a Mats Sundin, or a Dave Andreychuk or Bill Guerin type player, were to call?, just hoping for one last chance at a Cup.
Okay, literalists, take it down a THOUSAND. I don’t mean those actual players, or that Forsberg or Andreychuck should come out of the woodwork to play for the Thrashers. Sheesh. You’ve got to learn to suppress that impulse to be that literal. The point is, it’d be nice … to have a team full of young, fast, highly-skilled talent, with a missing piece or two like one of those TYPE veterans, to put them over the top. That’s all.
Here’s what it is missing for Kovy. (1) Committed ownership and (2) a GM with the ability to oversee a team capable of winning the Cup. I like John Anderson as a Coach. But he hasn’t exactly ESTABLISHED himself as a high pedigree at his position in the NHL. One of the most important things a GM does … is hire a Coach. We don’t rightly know that JA can lead a team to a Cup, or not. Not yet. He’s got to be given time, resources, and some actual NHL playoff experience first.
World Be Free
August 27th, 2009
6:48 pm
LA better than Atlanta?
Let’s remember that this assembly of young guys in LA is just like the young guys in Atlanta; they haven’t won a thing yet. They have been in the same boat we have been in the last 3 years. I agree with what some have stated here, that LA’s crop of talent looks better than our current crop. Their goaltending is not as good as ours. They also lack a clear leader on the ice.
R. Stroz
August 27th, 2009
6:54 pm
Kane essentially gets off with double secret probation.
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=288990
Viking
August 27th, 2009
8:21 pm
Brendan, talking about Forsberg – he made a comeback with MODO (Enströms old club) today in a preseason game. Very rusty, no points, but no more foot problems.
R. Stroz
August 27th, 2009
8:46 pm
Bob – The best extra perk I received was a private suite to a Capitals game. The suite seats 16 people. If you’re looking for a new rep in the sales retention group, let me know and I’ll point you in the right direction.
Brendan
August 27th, 2009
8:53 pm
Good for Forsberg, Viking. I hope he can still play hockey, if that’s what he wants to do. With his millions, he could sit around, playing XBox all day. See how far he can get on a little ‘Call of Duty.’ Why not?
So, James Kane and Patrick Kane have to pay the cabbie $1 million. Unbelieveable. What? They don’t? Well then, they’ve got to do 400 hours of community service! Unbelieveable. What? They don’t? Well then, they’re on probation for 3 years! Unbelieveable. What? They don’t? Well, WHAT EXACTLY, do the Kanes have to do?
Answer: They must put pen to paper, or type it out, or write a memo from their PC, or something along these lines that says, “Dear Mr. Cabbie, sir. We done bad. We’re sorry. We’ll never be PUNKS again at 4AM, on Chippewa St.”
Here’s what I’d have done, if wearing the black Judges’ robe. I’d say, “Patrick and James Kane, I hearby order you to return to Chippewa St., and hail a cab driven by the plaintiff. I order you to be pleasant about it. I order you to conduct yourselves like adults. And when the cab ride is over, you shall pay cab driver $100, and refuse to accept the change. That is all.”
Viking
August 27th, 2009
8:56 pm
Want to see some neat penalty shot moves? Check out this Swedish 14 year old – the goalies are of course not of the highest calibre, but still fun to watch;
http://www.aftonbladet.se/webbtv/sport/article5642828.ab
On the question how good he is going to be, the answer was without hesitation “The Best”!
Brendan
August 27th, 2009
9:07 pm
R.Stroz, that might be nice. A suite, for Ovechkin and the Capitals! Gather up everyone from work and mozie on down to Philips Arena. You’ll be the most popular guy that week!
The Earl of Bud
August 27th, 2009
10:22 pm
Brendan, word is that the reason the Kanes only got a slap on the wrist was due to the cabbie. Apparantley he locked the doors and wouldn’t open the doors. That’s something like false imprisonment or kidnapping. Now it doesn’t justify them going off the way they did. But when looking at the broad scope of all the issues at stake it puts the whole event in a different light from a legal perspective.
Seeing that he just killed his reputation in the two towns that loved him he may still feel a much bigger pain in the wallet when he goes looking for a contract extension.
The Earl of Bud
August 27th, 2009
10:22 pm
Brendan, word is that the reason the Kanes only got a slap on the wrist was due to the cabbie. Apparantley he locked the doors and wouldn’t open the doors. That’s something like false imprisonment or kidnapping. Now it doesn’t justify them going off the way they did. But when looking at the broad scope of all the issues at stake it puts the whole event in a different light from a legal perspective.
Tony C.
August 27th, 2009
10:45 pm
As a newly-minted cabbie, my opinion on he Kane fiasco has changed…those two kids are lucky they didn’t get shot.
Of course NY has much stricter c&c requirements than GA, but I’m sure a cabbie can/does qualify.
But seriously, $0.20? I don’t keep a whole change-bank in my cab. Only shrapnel I have in there is quarters… Kane should’ve just let it go and let the guy have the change.
five_hole
August 28th, 2009
7:29 am
Puck Daddy had an interview with Kovalchuk:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Chatting-with-Ilya-Kovalchuk-about-KHL-millions-;_ylt=AqIqFeC5QQFZT0MSJJFexRN7vLYF?urn=nhl,185322
Sage of Bluesland
August 28th, 2009
8:10 am
Have we heard this before from that blustering, lisping idiot Waddell?
Why, of course we have!
Bumbling Donny must not believe that people have ‘memories’ when it comes to his sunshine-bluster he attempts to shine up the sheeps’ rearsides…It began on day-one with his proclaimed “Five-Year Plan”, which included “building through the draft!”…and continues to this day.
But, hey, who am I to argue with his, umm, “results”? If the sheep subsidize it, then so be it…
GaVaHokie
August 28th, 2009
8:17 am
Yep, can’t wait to subsidize some hockey in October.
The Earl of Bud
August 28th, 2009
10:44 am
Kov-Pev-Ant
Koz-Wht-Ltl
Kne-Res-Arm
Bog-Ens
Han-Kub
Pav/Leht
I’ll happily subsidize that lineup. #$%@*&, I can’t wait to subsidize that lineup, drop the puck already.
Brendan
August 28th, 2009
11:05 am
five_hole, thank you for that linked item. For me, the most important part was the mention that this season is a “test” for both Kovalchuk and the team, to determine his future in Atlanta. Kovalchuk indicated, with optimism, that big offseason changes had taken place, (probably a GOOD thing,) and that making the playoffs was the “minimum goal” for this season.
Those comments have turned the tide for me. It makes this season’s Thrashers BUDGET extremely relevant. As BUDGET speaks to intent, in a “test year,” (for both Kovy and the Thrashers,) where making the playoffs is the minimum goal.
I herely announce the following contests. That’s right. It’s ON!! Contest #1: “Guess the Opening Night Budget.” The RULES. Pay ATTENTION, my dear fellow bloggers, so as to avoid confusion and false claims of victory later. (1) http://www.nhlnumbers.com, and not say, Capgeek.com or Hockeybuzz.com, shall determine the “winning guess.” NHLNUMBERS.COM is the website we shall use. If you are using a different website to make your guess, then you are NOT following the rules of this contest, even if you can PROVE that capgeek or hockeybuzz.com makes your guess the CORRECT one. Reading. And comprehension. These are but a few of the Hallmarks of modern civilization. (2) The winner is the guess that is the CLOSEST, whether over or under, to the nhlnumbers.com cap hit for the Atlanta Thrashers, at the puck drop of “Opening Night.” (3) The Opening Night Budget is WHAT it is, WHEN it is. There will be no “nine game audition” adjustments. If Evander Kane comes, plays, and gets reassigned to his Juniors team, his salary COUNTS for the Opening Night budget. Why? See Rule #3. The “Opening Night” budget is what it is at the puck drop of the 1st game of the season. It is NOT what it is AFTER the auditions are over. Capische? Vous comprenez? ?Esta claro? ?Me entienen? Alles klar, Herr Kommisar? (4) All guesses are to be made on blogs at http://www.ajc.com.
Who may participate? Anyone not affiliated with the Atlanta Thrashers, as that would provide you, potentially, with insider information about the team’s budget. Sorry, Spirit Boys. But you don’t get to “fish inside an aquarium.” Any blogger who wishes to enter a guess must do so here, on the Thrashers message board, at http://www.ajc.com. Telling Rawhide your guess at the game, doesn’t count. If you and I meet at the checkout counter at Kroger or Publix, it doesn’t count, either. It must be done HERE. In plain view. For any and all to see. Emails to Rawhide or me don’t count.
Smoothie
August 28th, 2009
11:19 am
Brendan, you might want to use capgeek.com instead as your most reliable source. They seem to have the most “inside” track on the confirmation of the actual contract numbers when they are confirmed by the league office (perhaps they have a mole at the NHL). nhlnumbers.com has not updated their website in over a month. Last time I checked, they still hadn’t updated the Thrashers to even reflect Colby’s new 1 yr deal at $2.4 M. Just sayin’.
Brendan
August 28th, 2009
11:34 am
Uhh, kinda forgot something HUGE. (5) All guesses on the “Opening Night Budget” must be submitted by September 11th. That date should be easily enough remembered. I’ll set 11PM on September 11th, as the final deadline.
Brendan
August 28th, 2009
11:49 am
Contest #2: “Guess the Thrashers Point Total for 2009-10.” The RULES: (1) You must post your guess on http://www.ajc.com, for the Thrashers message boards. (2) Your guess should include a point total, a place within the Southeast Division, and Conference rank. Here’s an example of a guess. “88-points, 3rd in SE Division, 12th in Conference.” This kind of guess will help distinguish you among the other bloggers guessing 88-points. We call them “tie-breakers.” (3) The winning guess will be the one closest to the actual Thrashers point total. For example, if the Thrashers finish with 120-points, but the highest guess was 92-points, that’s the guess that wins. If two bloggers guess 92-points, it’d next go to the person who had the Thrashers ranked higher within the division. If still tied, it’d go to whoever had the Thrashers ranked higher in the Conference. If the Thrashers finish with 62-points, and the lowest guess is 73-points, that’s the winning guess. If there are two guesses of 73-points, it’s whoever had the Thrashers lower within the SE division. If still tied, it goes to whomever had the Thrashers ranked lower in the Conference. If both posters had 73-points, 5th in SE Division, and 15th in the Conference, they both win the contest. Their guesses are identical, in that instance. If the two posters refuse to share the GLORY, they can always meet, face-to-face, to have a “rock, paper, scissors” competition, best three out of five. Hopefully, it’d never come to that. (4) Guesses may be made and ALTERED, all the way until the puck drop of “Opening Night.” Guesses made after that … will NOT COUNT.
You should probably wait to make any point total guesses, until the roster is set. Say between the end of the preseason and before puck drop on opening night, to make your best possible guess.
Brendan
August 28th, 2009
11:51 am
Smoothie, I think NHLNUMBERS.COM is just taking some well deserved vacation. If, however, the site has been abandoned, that’s another matter.
World Be Free
August 28th, 2009
12:20 pm
I said it before, if the Kovy situation lingers into the season, it will be a major distraction. The longer we wait to trade Kovy, the less we will get.
Every question asked on the players, coaches and management will be about Kovy. Is this in the best interest of the team?
Sign him in the next month or trade him.
Smoothie
August 28th, 2009
1:09 pm
Brendan, if you use nhlnumbers.com, then you will need to make sure there is a clear understanding how bonus comp is calculated leading up to the season. Per the CBA, bonus $ counts against the Cap IF the bonus criteria has been met.
Right now, for certain rookies like Tavares and Duchene, nhlnumbers.com is showing the cap hit inclusive of total bonus compensation. Truly, the cap hit for the purposes of revenue sharing won’t be known til the end of the year. If I recall, Bogey was “credited” with a .875 cap hit at the beg of the year before his bonus comp was known. So it remains to be seen if the person who manages the website will adjust the cap hits accordingly.
Should our bonus projection for Opening Night be inclusive of or less the bonus potential for guys like Kane, Bogey and Pavs?
Brendan
August 28th, 2009
1:17 pm
WBF, I do wonder if the trade value is all that greatly diminished by waiting until the trade deadline to move Kovalchuk. To trade for Kovy now, you’ve got to foot the entire bill for his FULL 2009-10 salary. Plus, you’d probably have to give up a roster player or two. By waiting, desperate teams will offer maybe two (2) 1st round picks, and a 3rd rounder, or a prospect, or prospects. The trade deadline price on Kovy will be a steal and a half!
Think about it. The salary is prorated. If you’re a team headed to the playoffs … who looks like they couldn’t take Pittsburgh, Detroit or Chicago THIS YEAR … WITHOUT Kovalchuk, they either concede and stand pat … or they make the deal with Atlanta to go for it this year.
Of course, Waddell says Kovalchuk will not be traded. Period, the end. Do you believe him? Do you take Waddell at his word? Bear in mind, Waddell surely doesn’t want to be remembered as the GM who moved Kovalchuk out of town. That’s not the legacy he wants. Of course, he doesn’t really enjoy a very good legacy as it is.
If Waddell winds up trading Kovalchuk, I’ll understand it. It won’t make people feel any better. And there’d be some small chance it turns into a “rental situation” if Kovy re-signs after July 1. But if Kovy is traded, it almost certainly means the Thrashers are out of the playoff picture and are in “salvage mode.” Nothing can replace a Kovalchuk. There are no such things as “Kovalchuk trees.” So, we can’t hope to plant another one and watch it grow. Iffff we wind up moving Kovy at the deadline, it’ll be for picks, probably. Maybe a prospect or two. None of which will make up for Kovy’s loss. But, all is not totally lost. There’d be $6.5 million reclaimed in cap space. There’d still be Kane, Bogosian, Little, Enstrom, Lehtonen, Pavelec … more guys in Chicago (AHL), etc. I bet Slava would STILL re-sign, even without Kovalchuk. He’d actually use Kovy’s loss as “leverage” to get another contract from Atlanta. We’d be able to spend a lot in free agency. We’d be able to pursue the “roll four lines, equal ice-time, with no Tier I guys, except for the goalie” concept, where the BEST PLAYER on the team … is the THE TEAM. The goal, there, is 11-12 forwards who each score about 20 goals, who each make somewhere between $2.0 to $3.5 million. You’d need #1-4 defenders to be pretty decent. And, above all, your Superstar needs to be a goalie, with a Stanley Cup on the resume.
But let’s not talk about that. The goal is to get Kovalchuk re-signed. There’s still plenty of cap room to go, for trades, or UFA’s. Waddell sometimes looks at European leagues to find players. Remember when we got Glen Metropolit from Switzerland, or something? We all groaned. But, for the money, he did rather well, value-wise.
Brendan
August 28th, 2009
1:38 pm
Smoothie, it is inclusive. A simpler way to say that is … it is … what the “Cap hit number says” at the time of the puck drop, for “Opening Night.” Right now, for example, it says $44.322 is “total cap hit.” With cap space in the amount of $14.328 million. Now, that might not be completely correct. But it’s the figure at the site. The goal is to correctly guess what that “total cap hit” number at that site will be when the puck drops on the Thrashers season.
If the site is being neglected or shutdown, obviously it can’t be used. But they should get back “up-to-speed” by the time preseason ends. I did notice that nhlnumbers.com didn’t list C. Armstrong’s contract. That’s not good. But I think they’ll fix it, soon.
GaVaHokie
August 28th, 2009
1:43 pm
Latest from Eklund…
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Eklund/Quick-HitsStafford-Kessel-Heatley-Marleau-Zherdev-and-Buzzcast/1/22700
Russian
August 28th, 2009
1:59 pm
**to Hokie**
Did you see what he said: “Atlanta makes the most sense. It would be fun to see [b]Kovalev/Antropov/Zherdev[/b] leading the charge in front of that great young defense that they are building in Atlanta.”
He could not remember Kovy name. This is a reason I am not trusting him. But I would like to see line: Kovy-Antro-Zherd.
The Earl of Bud
August 28th, 2009
2:24 pm
Eklund says Atlanta makes the most sense for Zherdev? Well then now I know he isn’t coming here. I guess that kills all those debates we were having.
If people are clamoring for an all-Russian line then just put Kozlov on the first line for a few shifts. When the gimmick becomes a fad then we can go back to having what’s best for the team.
Brendan
August 28th, 2009
3:15 pm
So, the Leafs are allegedly giving Jason Allison a tryout. I remember during the Finals, I got so upset by the officiating reverting to PRE-Lockout era rules, that I joked that Jason Allison would probably be considering a return to the NHL next year. Well lo and behold! I don’t know if it’s true or what. Maybe they ARE giving him a tryout. But if Allison makes the Leafs roster and has a great year, it means the lockout was utterly pointless. With a cap at $56.8 million, from $39 million in 2005, and rules about hooking and holding through the neutral zone being neutered, I do sort of wonder, aloud, what has changed from 2005. And to top it off, the Spirit Group is even “just as it was” in August 2005. I feel like I’m in a time warp. Except I’m not dancing to the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” song. I suppose, I can take some comfort in knowing that the Rangers and Capitals and Flyers and Leafs can’t have budgets of $88 million anymore.
Russian
August 28th, 2009
3:17 pm
Just in case if you interesting. CANUCKS SIGN SCHNEIDER; TRADE FOR EHRHOFF AND LUKOWICH. TSN reported.
The Earl of Bud
August 28th, 2009
3:40 pm
Russian, I read that on a Canucks site but they also had Luongo set a deadline for getting an extension. Looks like we might not be the only team with a UFA star problem this season. Please Ilya, sign before camp.
http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/hockey/vancouver-canucks/Luongo+Canucks+both+want+contract+extension+settled+start+training+camp/1935304/story.html
The Earl of Bud
August 28th, 2009
4:06 pm
Given that I think it was Pittsburgh who had their players deliver season tickets, you got to hand it to their marketing department. This story is even better – http://www.halifaxnewsnet.ca/index.cfm?sid=281524&sc=608
World Be Free
August 28th, 2009
4:15 pm
Brendan-I just look at this season being one big circus if the Kovy thing drags on. How is 30-40 games (for example) really supposed to be a indication of where this club is going over the next 4-7 seasons. It’s not. Kovy needs to be confident the team is going in the right direction, by the moves made this off season and by his relationship with management. I like the 2 year deal option. That would give EVERYBODY a chance to evaluate where we are going.
Trade value-there are some teams out there that really want to shake things up. True, a taker would accept Kovy’s entire salary for the upcoming season now. That team also has the entire season to convince Kovy that they can hekp fulfill Kovy’s long term goals.
Trading Kovy at the deadline-you are not going to get full value for a playoff rental. 13-14 regular season games and playoffs will get you what we got for Hossa. Very little of the Hossa deal (Army) has panned out for Atlanta.
It is the best interest of the Thrashers to do what needs to be done to get the deal done before the start of the regular season. Not sure what Kovy thinks, but this option is the best (only) option for Atlanta to really make strides forward, with their captain and leader locked up. Two, four, ten years, whatever. How are you going to convince the other upcoming free agents to stay if they don’t know what Kovy is going to do? You going to try ever upcoming UFA before July 1?
Get him signed so we can move forward. It is in everyone’s best interest.
Brendan
August 28th, 2009
4:33 pm
I can appreciate what you’re saying, WBF. But if the Wadster pulled the trigger on the trade, what is going to the be the result? I really don’t have any idea. What if it’s just a prospect who won’t play for 1-2 years, and two first round picks, with a conditional 2nd rounder? Is that all that better than two 1st rounders, a 3rd rounder, and a prospect or two in March? And if there actually is a roster player of note, how many years will be left on his deal? If there’s 4 or more years left, that softens the blow somewhat. If it’s a player who will be UNRESTRICTED within two seasons, that’s bad news, if the player doesn’t WANT to play here. If the player is happy to come here, that’s different. He might even re-sign here. Some players just want a change of scenery. Legitimately. And they’ll go just about anywhere. Even Atlanta.
With San Jose moving players, I wonder if enough salary cap money was cleared to accommodate Heatley? See, Heatley is not a guy who just wants a change of scenery. He wants to be placed on a ready-made Cup winner. I kinda hope Ottawa refuses to trade him. Is that ‘wrong?’
badabinkle
August 28th, 2009
4:34 pm
Kovalchuck is gone, just like Hossa. Gonna be hard to see Kovy go
Glovesave29
August 28th, 2009
4:39 pm
Rumors are swirling that the Sharks are clearing cap space to being in Heatley…Patrick White? Daniel Rahimi? A definite salary dump IMHO. SJS dumps $4.95M in salary, have about $900K under the cap – and Heater makes $8M. Do Cheechoo and Marleau go to Ottawa for $9.3M? Gives the Sharks room to make a move on Kessel, too.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
P.T. Barnum
August 28th, 2009
4:43 pm
Come one, Come all, Children of all ages…
See the Earl Hurl when Zherdev dons his baby blue Thrasher jersey
joe casey
August 28th, 2009
4:45 pm
Atlanta and The Thrashers deserve solid ownership and a solid G.M. They have neither. If they would put the TIME,EFFORT,and MONEY into the team that they have with The Hawks we would have a winner and a SOLD OUT venue. I still don’t understand the attraction for Don Waddell, he has proven many many times that he is a liar and a total loser. Look at the trades he has made and look at the results of all the past drafts. NOTHING
Sage of Bluesland
August 28th, 2009
5:18 pm
Aren’t you being a bit harsh there, joe? Some around here will attempt to prove to you, empirically, that bumbling Donny actually drafts ‘better’ than his colleagues…that his roster is filled with more draft picks than those of his colleagues…
(It’s just that pesky decade of buffoonery and incompetence which is so hard to explain…oh, that and the lone playoff appearance…as well as the fact of zero playoff victories…but, hey-ho, aren’t you just glad to have a schedule-fodder here as YOUR team?!)
rightshot
August 28th, 2009
6:26 pm
I can see it now. Kovy waits to sign and it hangs over the team like the sword of Damocles. Every game the media will be speculating if it’s enough to get him to sign.
“Kovy, you’re the first person ever to score 20 goals in a game. When are you going to resign with the Thrashers.”
The Earl of Bud
August 28th, 2009
6:32 pm
Glovesave29 (& Brendan), funny you say that, because I read that the Sharks aren’t targeting Heatley at all, but Kessel as you later said.
“How is 30-40 games (for example) really supposed to be a indication of where this club is going over the next 4-7 seasons. It’s not.”
World Be Free, I never thought of it that way but that’s very true. Perhaps it’s just leverage Kovalchuk is looking for and all he’s gonna get. However if Esposito ever achieves something we will get plenty more out of that Hossa deal. Didn’t we also get a draft pick or no? GaVaHokie should know that one.
P.T. Barnum, come on, use your real name if you are going to call me out. But you are right, I will hurl if Zherdev dons a baby blue jersey. Do I win anything if Zherdev never dons a baby blue jersey?
The Earl of Bud
August 28th, 2009
6:33 pm
Daultan Leveille, can’t believe I forgot that one.
The Earl of Bud
August 28th, 2009
6:35 pm
Not to mention we got Erik Christensen who was traded for Eric O’Dell, so does he still count as part of the Hossa deal or is that too far removed?
Bob
August 28th, 2009
6:37 pm
“The best extra perk I received was a private suite to a Capitals game. The suite seats 16 people”
Holy stagnant tix sales, Batman! Even if it’s a party suite on the 1st level, that’s $3k or so. Wow, I may have to call up, they may give me my old seats back at 2 for 1
The Earl of Bud
August 28th, 2009
6:49 pm
Bob, I would recommend at least getting a 10 game package and just go at the beginning of the season. Negotiate them down on that and it may only be 5 games or something lower. Then if they start out hot who cares if you get more games, but you are at least at a better negotiating point for the next 30 versus all the people who will just then be getting in for a hot streak. And if you don’t want more you aren’t on the hook.
R. Stroz
August 28th, 2009
8:33 pm
The ticket packages come in 7, 13, 22, and full season plans.
The benefits are based on a combination of amount spent and number of games selected.
If you would like to get the full rundown, get in touch with Rawhide and he can send you my way for the details.
The Earl of Bud
August 28th, 2009
10:29 pm
Thanks R. Stroz, but I get “grandfathered in” under my old plan which I prefer. Once I saw you write the “7, 13, 22, full” I remembered they switched things a few years ago.
Bob, on that note, I read only a couple of your posts but it sounds like you had season tickets before. If your rep is still with the company (yeah I know they have turnover) they will give you more flexibility whereas a new rep is going to see you as a low conversion rate and won’t bend as easily. I would try to contact your own rep that you may already have a relationship with and try to take advantage of that first.
R. Stroz
August 28th, 2009
10:43 pm
Sage – What would it take for you to attend Thrasher’s games again?
It doesn’t look like Waddell is doing anything other than moving up the ASG corporate ladder. Carl Icahn would describe Waddell as the typical inept corporate executive.
So, for kicks and giggles, lets say Kovy is re-signed, Dudley is named GM, and the team starts off the season doing well. Would this combination of events put you back in Philips Arena?
There have been positive changes. Dufus Donny has stopped trading down in the first round of the draft and giving away draft picks for players with one leg in the grave and the other on the golf course. There were no Ken Klee type signings during the offseason. The team’s average age is decreasing.
Look, like you, I agree that DW has been a major league dufus that will do and say anything without any regard for the truth. However, if the team performs at the same or better pace than it did during the second half of last season, isn’t it time to support the team?
World Be Free
August 28th, 2009
10:44 pm
GTo the regulars-thanks for keeping this blog sane. Glad some see things the possible distractions of how “no deal” would kill this club this year and maybe forever. Get the deal done and give the man what he wants AND deserves. Kovy is a superstar.
Rightshot-what you have stated is exactly what I fear. If this occurs, then we can not longer look at Kovy as a true leader.
What ever happened to Malholtra? I don’t hear or see his name anywhere anymore. Even Eklund doesn’t talk about him.
Sage of Bluesland
August 29th, 2009
12:22 am
Fair questions, Stroz…I think my return is contingent on one thing only: the disassociation, at any level, between the Thrashers organization and bumbling, blustering Don Waddell. I don’t want him moved up or down the chain…I don’t even want him cleaning the toilets that his true medium calls for.
I’ve had my intelligence insulted beyond the point of reasonable elasticity by this former port-a-potty salesman–and I simply refuse to give this joke of a GM another dollar of my hard-earned money.
I’m sorry, but a decade of what has been, effectively, “on-the-job training” doesn’t soothe anything for me–in fact, it enrages me even more. Even *I* could have been the GM of this team–and drafted no-brainers such as Kovalchuk, Heatley, NASH!!!, Bogosian, etc. and guess what: I couldn’t have done much worse–at least as far as playoff record goes.
Then I could have retired off into the sunset, laughing at all the suckers who subsidized the utter incompetence.
The decision-making of this organization has been laughably pitiful from the very beginning. It’s time for the folks to put their money elsewhere until the Thrashers decide to become something more than mere schedule-fodder for ‘real’ teams out there in the league…and I’m thrilled to see that they HAVE!!!
Keep up the good fight, folks–it IS the right thing to do; it IS the correct message to send ownership and management.
lee
August 29th, 2009
8:55 am
haha, well im sure kane has a fair amount of money on him i don’t know y he couldve just given the 20c to him.
hey guys, check out the other thrashers blog by mark bradley we r having a really good conversation. it’s called Do The Thrashers Really Have The Worst Fans? it’s near the bottom of the page. check it out! i haven’t talked to this gang yet!
World Be Free
August 29th, 2009
9:01 am
Sage – nobody can argue with what you stated here, the record supports your feelings about management and the first 10 years of the club. Other clubs have faltered, but have learned from their mistakes and moved forward. The Thrashers are still teetering on the brink as we go into our 10th season. They have backed themselves into a corner, being held hostage by one player who will decide whether he wants to stay or go based on management’s performance. He’s as cynical about the future as you are. Not a nice place to be for the team or its fans.
Keep stirring the pot Sage.
Brendan
August 29th, 2009
10:01 am
Is Belkin going to appeal? If not, and if things are TRULY “as it was in August 2005,” then that YEAR, the Atlanta Spirit, LLC iced a LEAGUE MAXIMUM Cap team. Sage of Bluesland referred to that era as “On-The-Job” training for our GM. Well, indeed, if he’s PASSED the training, he should have a better idea of what it takes to ice a roster that can win in the “new NHL.” I don’t think something like the budget will go UNNOTICED by the Kovalchuk Camp, as they contemplate the future years of this franchise. The ball is truly in the Spirit’s court. UFAs are still out there. Trades can still be made.