Familiarity Breeds…Success?

Nice work JLH!!

And kudos to Billy for getting tabbed by the Puck Daddy for his column!

• Link
• Report this comment

One thing people are overlooking is a killer road-trip in games 2-7 (St. Louis, Ottawa, Newark, Buffalo, and Montreal), and early-season road-trips have been a killer for us.

Furthermore, a killer SEVEN-game road-trip around the holiday season (Boston, Tampa, Newark, Boston (again), Buffalo, Long Island, and Pittsburgh) will tell us if we’re going to be contenders or pretenders by the time most people have finished with college football…

• Link
• Report this comment

The April 1st win against Buffablow was a blast. Great Picture.

The look of disgust on the Buffalo’s fans faces as Kovy broke into the open with the puck was PRICELESS!

• Link
• Report this comment

Now, now Stroz let’s not start tossing grenades.

Thrashers deserved to win the April 1 games between BUF-ATL. The win was combination of the Thrashers showing up and Buffalo staying home.

The team seems to enjoy challenging each other to do better, compared to the Sabres who rolled over and played possom.

• Link
• Report this comment

The preview of the Thrashers at CBS here:

http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/story/12137609

Starts out negative but kind of warms up towards the end.

The biggest question in my mind is between the pipes. Someone needs to step up (especially during that early road trip)…can Pavelec handle it? Can Hedberg handle being a #1…when does Lehtonen return, and when he does can he stay healthy and keep his head in the game?

If we get #1 type goalie play, this team could be in the playoff picture…if the goalie situation turns into ‘05-’06 with Lehtonen injured and Moose not holding up to being a #1 and Pavelec not turning it up a notch we could be buried early.

• Link
• Report this comment

The early road trip is actually fortuitous, IMHO. We get Ottawa (disfunctional), Buffalo (4-0 last year) Montreal (half the team is new.), and NJ (split there last year). If, and I mean if, they gel early, they could be 3-2 or 4-1. Open with a win against TB and defend home ice against this year’s biggest division rival Wash, and the Thrashers are in double digits before October ends.

In addition, look at the division: Washington, while they have Ovie, may have goalie issues: high-priced Theodore sits behind Varlamov? Carolina; we split with them last year and they just got older. Florida added no one and lost their best defender. TB? Still has no goalie.

I believe.

• Link
• Report this comment

I look at the long road trip as an opportunity to bond early as a team. It’s an Olympic year, so the compressed schedule makes these longer trips inevitable. The Canucks play a home game on Jan 27th, and won’t se their home ice until March 13th. Sure the Olympics are in there, but it sandwiched inside a 14 game road trip. They are screwed!

• Link
• Report this comment

another interesting tidbit from the interview: Apparently the Bentley Ilya keeps in Moscow is black and has the tag # 17

• Link
• Report this comment

Kudos to Kracker for mentioning the lack of new players coming in on the last blog.

Why are we breaking out the bubbly and singing “for he’s a jolly good fellow” simply because we beat a team in Buffalo that didn’t even make the playoffs last year?

This team DEFINITELY needs to come out of the gate strong, but signing Kovalchuk before the season can be a big help.

• Link
• Report this comment

Our Sabres brethren seem to be quite sensitive. You weren’t that good last year, get over it.

• Link
• Report this comment

Our Sabres brethren seem to be quite sensitive. You weren’t that good last year, get over it.”

Smoothie, read the posts again –

“..simply because we beat a team in Buffalo that didn’t even make the playoffs last year?”

“Thrashers deserved to win the April 1 games between BUF-ATL. The win was combination of the Thrashers showing up and Buffalo staying home.”

“…compared to the Sabres who rolled over and played possom.”

Atlanta shouldn’t get excited by beating a bad Sabres team, Buffalo didn’t make the playoffs, the Thrashers showed up while Buffalo stayed home, Buffalo rolled over and played possum. Those are comments by posters from Buffalo. Why is it you think Buffalo brethren are sensitive and need to “get over it” that they weren’t that good when they are the ones saying that the Sabres sucked last year?

• Link
• Report this comment

I mentioned it because one of the reasons Buffalo failed to qualify for the playoffs was because of the Thrashers and their 4 OT wins against them…and, to me, points to the play of the Thrashers last spring when playing against contending teams.

BT, the reason I don’t think this is worth mentioning is because they were bad last year they didn’t do well against lots of bad teams. For example, while Buffalo earned 4 points in 4 games against the Thrashers, the Sabres only earned 3 points in 6 games against a bad Ottawa team (that only finished with 7 more points than us). Thus, we weren’t the only team beating up on the Sabres so no need to jump for joy.

• Link
• Report this comment

I rest my case.

“The win was combination of the Thrashers showing up and Buffalo staying home.”

“…compared to the Sabres who rolled over and played possom.”

Sounds like lame-o, sorry a$$ excuse making to me.

Thrashers fan: “we sucked to high heaven for the majority of the year, but we finished strong and have reason for optimism because of the influx of youth and new talent.”

Sabres fan: “if we had only showed up in those four games against the Thrashers, we could have been in the playoffs. I just know we could have taken Boston out…Miller is sooo much better than Thomas!”

• Link
• Report this comment

EOB – you don’t get to decide when and why we “jump for joy”…it’s our right as fans to revel in Buffalo’s misery and our modicum of success at the end of the season.

• Link
• Report this comment

Smoothie, you are right, the Sabres fans were really saying “we played horrible against the Thrashers, Islanders, Lightning and Senators, 4 out of the bottom 5 teams in the Eastern Conference. But CLEARLY it was the Thrashers that knocked us out of the playoffs, forget that we played just as bad or worse against all those other non-playoff teams.”

• Link
• Report this comment

Smoothie & R. Stroz, the NY Islanders won 4 Stanley cups in a row about 25-30 years ago and we finished with a better record than they did last season!

hip-hip HOORAY!!!

hip-hip HOORAY!!!

hip-hip HOORAY!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

Good lookin lines, Rawhide. A couple of weeks ago, all I kept seeing was folks putting Pevs on the second or even third lines – he belongs with Kovy and Antro on the top line.

• Link
• Report this comment

Pam on Weck you haven’t taken crap about other team loyalties until you’ve had Stroz wipe his nose on your championship t-shirt. :p

Believe me, it isn’t just a Sabres thing.

• Link
• Report this comment

Sara – That was a championship t-shirt? I would have blown my nose too.

• Link
• Report this comment

Update on Manny from Columbus–

– Believe it or not, Manny Malhotra represented the Blue Jackets in Chicago at the NHLPA meeting on Saturday. This is strange, because Malhotra is no longer under contract with the Blue Jackets and has virtually no chance of returning to Columbus, which signed free agent Sammy Pahlsson over the summer. Still, the Blue Jackets have not congregated to elect a new representative, and, hey, Malhotra has lots of time on his hands these days. He remains unsigned, although Atlanta and Florida are believed to have been interested. Malhotra has been skating, both in Columbus and Vancouver, where his wife’s family resides.

• Link
• Report this comment

A PDF file of today’s Kovalchuk interview. Contains some photos, including one of Ilya jumping in the air with what (I think) is a 144 lb weight bar over his shoulders….and the middle aged guy in the bottom photo is this trainer that they all use.

http://www.sovsport.ru/s/issue_page/pdf/75559.pdf?t=1251748946.

• Link
• Report this comment

Clearly, the Buffalo Butthurt is strong in this blog, starting with the blogs very own (and recently addition, I must say) attention whore. Of course, that last part is always a given. At least since June, anyway.

New blog post, same ol’ garbage. One has to wonder if he has a job, or if he’s just paid to blog all day, get the posters here riled up, then go to sleep and dream about what he’s going to post on the blog the next day.

Bring on October.

Brendan – 91pts, 3rd SE, 8th East. For your contest. Book it!

Rawhide – Love the write-up. Especially love the picture of det kaptein celebrating in front of the Buffalo bench. Watching him streak down-ice that night will be an image that is forever etched into my memory. Right there with the spectacular OT win vs. Toronto in January as well. That team really came together last year, and if they want to quell the naysayers, they need to get a real good jump at the beginning..

• Link
• Report this comment

Midfield, could he be referring to a friend of Levenson’s who has agreed to buy in as the new investor? Perhaps Kovy is just realizing that one of the owners lives in D.C.?? LOL

• Link
• Report this comment

“EOB – You seem somewhat contorted about being a Thrashers fan. Are you happy that the team played well during the final stretch or not?””

ZING! R. Stroz, you are absolutely correct. Because anyone who has read my posts knows that I have no love for the Thrashers. Clearly someone like me who will go to lengths to show that Jim Slater is a good 4th line center by showing that his career has been better than 90% of the people drafted after him and is equally as good as people drafted at the end of the 1st or beginning of the 2nd round in other years MUST NOT BE a Thrashers fan.

“Having said that, I’m still elated anytime we beat the Sabres at the Bulb and shut up the thousands of fans from Buffalo…it’s nice not having to hear a chorus of “let’s go Buffalo” chants echoing in the arena concourse bowels as I leave.”

So basically Smoothie it has nothing to do with the fact we beat a bad team, you just have a complex because their fans are so supportive?

“Understand that I am viewing this through the eyes of a Thrashers fan.”

Bill Tiller, I too am looking at this through the eyes of a Thrashers fan. When 4 out of 5 non-playoff teams in the East play just as well or better against Buffalo as we did (the exception being Toronto which Buffalo gets worked up for those rivalry games far easier), I DO NOT take pride in the fact that we beat them as you so happily do. I want to do better than beating a bad team that so many non-playoff teams also beat.

Let’s set our standards higher or stop complaining about Todd White by calling him Charmin. Make your choice.

• Link
• Report this comment

I could not translate whole Kovy interview. It is not easy. I could give you short resume of interview.
1. Kovy wife is pregnant again. They are very happy and wait baby around Olympic Games in Vancouver (February)
2. He is working out with Zherdev and he did not know if Nik will put signature with Atlanta.
3. Kovy is absolutely sure, that Dany Heatly did not come here.
4. Kovy will come back to Atlanta at September 8.
5. He bought Condo in Miami, FL.
6. He did not meet Don Waddle and did not talk with him about Contract.
7. Kovy wants to win Cup with Atlanta. He said that.
8. Also he said that he hopes to sing contract after one year to any teams. Atlanta is number one.
This is pure much what he said. Also he was talking about other athletes, but it is not important for Atlanta Thrashers.

• Link
• Report this comment

“Clearly, the Buffalo Butthurt is strong in this blog, starting with the blogs very own (and recently addition, I must say) attention whore. Of course, that last part is always a given. At least since June, anyway.

New blog post, same ol’ garbage. One has to wonder if he has a job, or if he’s just paid to blog all day, get the posters here riled up, then go to sleep and dream about what he’s going to post on the blog the next day.”

Good ole Alan, can’t take the heat, stays in the kitchen and calls names. Thank you for sharing you hockey knowledge with us Alan.

• Link
• Report this comment

R. Stroz, my gratitude though, at least you didn’t have to whine and cry like the little b!tch around here who can only muster up a claim that I don’t have a job.

• Link
• Report this comment

World Be Free, I have never resorted to the name calling before, but this seems to be the environment around here. Tiller’s last blog was about a poor performing Todd White and how people called him charmin. He doesn’t seem to have a problem with people having no respect for their fellow bloggers.

I have provided some very factual posts that are very supportive about the Atlanta Thrashers. How do I get treated in return? I’m told I’m not a Thrasher fan and that I don’t have a job and that I am a post whore.

So since that is the environment that Tiller wants, let’s give it to him. Let’s call out him and all the other @ss-hols and just turn this into a blogging hell. And if sh!-heads couldn’t appreciate the good conversations we’ve been having the last few weeks well we can only follow the leader here and let it all go to waste.

• Link
• Report this comment

EOB – I caught the sarcasm. We know you like both teams. Not really that unusual, I still am a die-hard Flames fan. I am torn when Calgary rolls into Phillips when the NHL graces us about once every 5 years to let our former team come and play our current one. You are, however, being a bit of both a hypocrite and a blog hog. You (under former names) have really been pretty brutal to people when you disagree with them. Call this a bit of bad karma catching up with you. And why do you feel the need to respond to every single post someone makes? You don’t have to defend your position over and over. It’s obvious you love the game and have a pretty good knowledge of it. But we have the right to disagree…such is the beauty of what is going on here. Come to the games we watch at TJ’s and meet us in person. You’ll find we are just a bunch of hockey fans, just like you are.

On a completely different topic, its being reported the Ice Holdings Group, one of the bidders for the Coyotes has booked 5 days at the arena is Saskatoon for some regular season games. It’s also being reported that the lease buy out to leave their arena is $700M. Too bad leases are waaaaaaay down the list of creditors when in banruptcy court. Should be a busy day there tomorrow as the judge makes his ruling on who can be in the bidding.

NHLPA also made a major mistake firing their leader Paul Kelly. The CBA could get really ugly after the 11-12 season. If they cancel another season, hockey might not ever completely recover.

• Link
• Report this comment

Glovesave29, I don’t care if you disagree with me, but tell me why I’m wrong, not that I don’t have a job or some other crying.

R. Stroz, you just called Todd White Charmin the other day which is what I was referring to. It was the last blog on Aug 29th, 2009 at 7:10pm.

I did not fixate on Buffalo as you claim. First, Bill Tiller fixated on Buffalo by including a photo of them and mentioning that we beat them 4 times, but mentioned no other team. Then, you fixated on Buffalo without mentioning any other team at 12:53am on this blog. So when both you and Bill Tiller fixated on Buffalo that seems to be what made the debate break out.

• Link
• Report this comment

By the way, I never attacked people either as the Earl of Bud or Ice Dog as you claim. And for the love of God why do you keep referring to moving the goal posts?

• Link
• Report this comment

EOB – You know, we had fun that night. Get over it.

Besides, at 10:48 this morning I stated:

The Thrashers stretch run helped knock the Sabres, Panthers, and Oilers out of the playoffs.

and my reference to Todd White was positive, not negative.

Charmin was really on a roll last season.

It’s called a joke. Try it sometime.

Also, try telling the whole truth not just the part that fits your needs.

And while you’re at it, clean up your language, it’s atrocious.

And last, but not least, don’t take any cabs today expecting change.

• Link
• Report this comment

So, getting back to the blog at hand…

In my opinion (and its just that – an opinion), the team and its success boils down to this – goalie play and/or health. The moves made this summer seem to be positive ones, and I believe that they have the chance of icing the best D in Thrash history, but as the roster looks now I would say that its a 84-90 point team WITH consistently above-average goaltending.

With traditional Thrasher goaltending, and with traditional goalie health – 74-80 points.

The offense should be top 10, and team D middle-of-the-pack, so it (as always in the NHL) comes down to:

Either Kari has to be motivated and healthy, or Pavelec takes the bull by the horns and never lets go. Or not.

The only things I know about Buffalo are that its really cold and the city name always reminds me of the great 70’s song by the Motor City Madman – The Great White Buffalo.

• Link
• Report this comment

P.S. Russian, thank you.

And I repeat: jokes about players being female or gay = not frickin’ funny.

• Link
• Report this comment

“But we have a new owner from Washington (?)”…that is interesting, Midfield.

Perhaps it’s some garbled translation reference to Belkin’s ownership status reverting to it’s original status in a case that was decided by a judge in a Maryland court, which isn’t in DC but it’s close. ….Yeah, that looks like a stretch to me, too.

If it’s actually a real, new partner, I hope he’s gotten rich receiving bailout money. I want to get something out of all the newly printed money being flushed down the toilets in Congress and the White House.

• Link
• Report this comment

Buzz… Another cartoon helmet for our goalies…

http://twitpic.com/g3bdy

• Link
• Report this comment

great lineups rawhide, think they will work, show some good chemistry too. familar faces, yeah they work.
midfield- really???? hey, ill do anything to get some decent! where did u here that from?

sry guys i may be a little lost because i haven’t blogged lately, cuz my bro was in the hospital.

• Link
• Report this comment

Alan, I hope to heck your prediction comes to fruition. I wasn’t sure about the number of OTL and was thinking more like 5 or 6 since we seem to be so good in the extra stanza / shootout. How about this? I’ll go with 41 – 34 – 7 for only 89 points. But I still think that will give them an outside shot at the 8 spot in the Eastern Conf and obviously third in the division behind WSH & CAR. If three teams from the SE make it, then there will be much mediocrity from # 7 thru # 12 (very likely) and a log-jam of teams between 82 and 90 points. 89 gets us in! Why not?

• Link
• Report this comment

Uh… Earl Of Bud I don’t know if you know. But there is a bit of a heated rivalry between The Thrash and The Slugs …er… I mean Sabre’s. So beating them 4 time’s last year,whether they were good or bad was sweet. To get pissed at THRASHER FANS on a THRASHERS BLOG taking shot’s at your second favorite team is silly. Other than that I have no problem with your post’s. So in conclusion GO THRASHERS!!!!!!! SCREW BUFFABLOW!!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

EOB-you’ll cool, just let the kids be kids. It happens sometimes.

I am happy to say I am a Thrasher and Sabre fan, tough to choose when they play. I am always just looking for a good hockey game. But at the end of the day, I still have to go to work and pay my bills.

Keep the faith brother.

• Link
• Report this comment

WBF, you gotta love that we beat the Sabres and stopped them from making the playoffs. If they did make it they would’ve gotten killed by the Bruins. Instead, they wound up picking 12th in the draft and got power forward Zach Kassian, the same guy that almost separated John Tavares shoulder with one of the hits of the year. Islander fans are pissed because they also had the pick right of ahead of Buffalo and passed on the guy. They could’ve had Kassian-Tavares for the next decade. But that’s why they are the Isles.

• Link
• Report this comment

rawhide-thx, im sure he will.

hokie-haha, wat a joke!! the pheonix coyotes???!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

100th

• Link
• Report this comment

…Washington takes the SE again with 97 points.

• Link
• Report this comment

Thrashers27, for clarification, you’re taking a 4th in the Conference, 2nd in SE Division, at 95-points. Correct?

• Link
• Report this comment

Brendan – Please excuse my laziness, but when is the point total deadline date?

I’d like to hold out a little longer to see if the Thrashers pick up Zherdev, Malhotra, or Pyatt.

• Link
• Report this comment

WBF, this isn’t the first time that the name calling has started here. Since it doesn’t seem to ever stop from the top, I think we are just going to have to get used to it and deal with the angelsoft b!tches.

Don’t use my name if you are cursing. I just live up the road in Chattanooga.

• Link
• Report this comment

LOL. The anonymous sign ons are back! Go watch the phucking Preds Earl P Howze Jr.! Tiller doesn’t have a problem with the name calling and cursing here.

• Link
• Report this comment

Prospect update: apparently Pasquale hasn’t reported to training camp in Saginaw yet – rumor is he has mono. Which means he’s likely out for the prospect tourney, so I wonder who will replace him.

• Link
• Report this comment

Sara, the Zherdev thing isn’t a surprise because I think he’ll talk to anybody who’s willing to listen at this point. But the Legace thing is quite a shocker.

• Link
• Report this comment

EOB – quite possibly true. Though I’m sure some would have the opinion that running for the KHL > playing for the Thrashers.

So, anyone else think Kovy should be getting a commission from the Spirit for all his sales work this summer?

• Link
• Report this comment

Wow, that’s interesting stuff Sara. On one hand, I don’t personally believe Zherdev would work out here. But as long as the team is continually trying to become better, and not satisfied with just making the playoffs, I will support taking some risks.

Also, I have Directv and watched the hell out of some hockey on that channel the past few years, including some great playoff games. I think it’s a load of crap they decided to take VS. off the air. I know the Thrashers were somehow overlooked in the VS. lineup for this upcoming season, but it still irks me a lot as an overall huge hockey fan. I plan on calling Directv personally, but did want to pass along Eklunds petition link for any of you that may have missed it and would like to sign it.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Eklund/American-Hockey-Fans-with-Direct-TV-will-be-Shut-Out-of-Playoffs-HELP/1/22749

• Link
• Report this comment

If the Thrashers are able to sign Zherdev, I hope they can get Kozlov to stay on as a coach after this season. Kozlov had previously stated that Anderson’s system was very similar to the Russian 5 Red Wing system of years past.

I realize there are two camps concerning Zherdev: pro and con. That said, I’m glad the team is actually trying to notch things up.

• Link
• Report this comment

R.Stroz, the deadline for the “Point Totals contest” is the puck drop of “Opening Night.” The deadline for the “Guess the Thrashers Budget Contest” is September 11. My guess for that is $48.5 million, using nhlnumbers.com’s published cap hit number. If nhlnumbers.com is no longer a functioning site, then I will announce another website for the winning guess. The rules of both contests were posted in Rawhide’s previous blog. It’s important to read the rules. It spells out how the winners are determined, including tie-breaking procedures.

• Link
• Report this comment

The rules are the “Which White Will We Witness This Season” blog, between 11AM and 11:49AM, on August 28, 2009.

• Link
• Report this comment

Alex – I think the initial chatter was born of them working out together but the tweet last night indicated Zherdev had actually said himself that he was talking with the Thrashers. The exact wording was “Zherdev confirms talks with Thrashers and his desire to play for Atlanta.” This from a guy that routinely interviews Russian players, so a better source than Eklund for example.

I’m not as concerned as to why Zherdev is interested – as in if we are the only NHL option he has. Guys with chips on their shoulders and something to prove can be dangerous (think Recchi two seasons ago). But where he’d fit in the line-up is certainly an interesting argument. He’s a RW, not a LW so Kozzie is in no danger necessarily. One would presume Zherdev would be coming to play with Kovy on the top line so that would bump either Pevs or Antropov…most likely Pevs. So either he (Pevs) bumps White off the second line or he moves down to that third line. Given Pevs played well with Army when they both were with Kovy, it might work out. Either way – it isn’t really an issue unless/until Zherdev actually signs a contract and even then, it’s coach’s issue to figure out. I’m sure he’ll come up with something and I certainly am not going to cry about more depth (or Spirit spending more money).

I still think the more interesting topic is this invite to camp for Manny Legace. I’m thinking that Waddell wants as much insurance in goal as possible. This season is critical and we all know that (and why). Kari’s already got an injury issue. Pavs is an unknown entity at this point – he didn’t exactly wow anyone last season. Moose is what he is. So Waddell may be thinking to sign Manny to a two-way deal to keep him with the Wolves with Pavs for most of the season but have him available to start the season if Kari is still hurt or if an injury occurs down the line. And I certainly wouldn’t complain about having Manny in our system or extra goalie depth. We’ve gotten bit by that snake a few times too many. And I’m sure Waddell is thinking about 05-06 when we had a roster poised to make the play-offs and goaltending injuries screwed it all up.

• Link
• Report this comment

Dub would have to make a trade for room. Without a trade…

Kovy – Peaverly – Antropov
Zherdev (if he can play left)- White – Little
Kozzy – Reasoner – Army
Boulton – Slater – Thorburn

maybe?

• Link
• Report this comment

I typically believe Strickland because he’s proven to have a pulse on the St. Louis hockey rumors…since Legace last played for St. Louis, I tend to think this is real. However, it surprises me. I don’t think Legace is much of an improvement over Hedberg, especially considering he’s coming off a season he missed 9 games for various injuries (hip flexor – 5 games, concussion – 4 games), and split the season between the NHL and AHL after being waived.

Regarding Zherdev — I’ll believe it when the contract is actually offered. Until then I don’t believe Atlanta would be willing to afford his salary unless on a one year basis. Perhaps he’ll go the Williams route and sign a one-year contract. I’m all for signing him, but would rather get him on a multi-year contract.

“And where do you fit him in our lineup other than bumping Kozlov down to 3rd line, thus putting Kane out of possibility of making the team.”

Alex — Zherdev is a proven commodity. Kane is a prospect. I’d risk one year of an 18 year old’s development on the checking line in exchange for a 24 year old dangler who could be insurance for Kovalchuk leaving (depending on the contract of course). Zherdev can also play right wing, and was even tested at center when last with Columbus. Besides, Kane can always outplay any one of the penciled in starters and earn a roster spot…I think it’s unwise to keep a spot open for an 18 year old with no professional hockey experience.

I don’t agree about the idea of a Kovalchuk – Antropov – Zherdev line simply because nobody on that line can win a faceoff consistently. I’d prefer:
Kovalchuk – Little – Antropov
Kozlov – White – Zherdev
Peverley – Reasoner – Armstrong

As I’ve said before Little can shift to the right boards after taking the faceoff, so he could work on that top line as a center.

• Link
• Report this comment

hokie-haha, wat a joke!! the pheonix coyotes???!!!

Lee… the power rankings are in reverse order, so they are saying Phoenix will be the worst team in the league this year.

• Link
• Report this comment

The only problem is Peaverly on the wing. He was awful in Nashville on the wing and flourished in the center position here. Not sure if I’d mess with that

• Link
• Report this comment

Okay… here’s the cleanest translation I’ve seen.

- North-American press assumes that you could nicely complement Kovlachuk and Antropov in Atlanta
- Yes. The most serious conversation is going on with the Thrashers. Although, there are other options. Personally, I would like to come to Atlanta, where several good Russian players are. It would be more pleasant and comfortable to play with them.

- Have you discussed it with Kovalchuk?
- We are preparing for a new season together, and of course, I’ve asked him about Atlanta (city) and situation in the team. Of course, Ilya wants me to join the team (laughing). We could be a nice company (laughing). I played with Antropov in the Rangers last season, even shared the hotel room with him. There is also Slava Kozlov. Probably I will sign with the Thrashers for one year – first I need to look around and check things out.

• Link
• Report this comment

Anybody know why the Thrashers seem to not be interested in Kessel at all?

• Link
• Report this comment

Stroz — I definitely agree with you there…I can’t think of another time where Thrashers fans were concerned with picking up another top two offensive talent. I’d love to see the depth, if it was affordable and helped convince a certain somebody re-sign.

LAC — I’ll bite — who else is on your list of losers that will be holding the team back? Would you please give some examples of people you think could have realistically been signed/acquired to replace those players?

To be fair, I don’t mind going first — I think a player like Goc would’ve been a compliment to the fourth or even third line and the PK. What do you think?

• Link
• Report this comment

LAC – yeah, I was there too. I miss that old dump the Omni. At least between period the used to give you 20 minutes, plus you could walk all the way around the arena…no so with the high security area where the suites are at Phillips. I cant beleive the Flames are celebrating their 30th season in Calgary this year. Rumor has it they’ll be wearing some throwbacks…sure would be cool to see the Thrash don the old Atlanta Flames whites on their visit on 12/9.

Glovesleeve? Am I missing something?

• Link
• Report this comment

Ugh… Eklund is rumoring that Afinogenov could be a Thrasher too… please no.

However, Ovechkin is posturing hard to bring Max to Washington… please do.

• Link
• Report this comment

A link to a human translated version of the Zherdev story….

http://www.beyondtheblueshirts.com/2009/09/zherdev-confirms-atlanta-rumors/

• Link
• Report this comment

A Russian like Zherdev wants to only be in Atlanta for 1 year and no more. I hope it’s not because his yet to be signed workout partner is telling him something.

I was just coming back on to make the same statement from a Devil’s Advocate perspective… I’d hate to read too much into it.

I would be so pissed to see those two play a year and bolt for Washington.

Kovalchuk, Ovechkin, Zherdev, Afinogenov and Semin… one big Russian happy family.

• Link
• Report this comment

I would be so pissed to see those two play a year and bolt for Washington.

Only in Fantasyland. They already have cap problems. They’re not going to be able to fit those in under the cap and still be able to afford other players like Green.

Besides: Kovalchuk, Antropov, Zherdev, Kozlov. There’s four talented, high-powered Russians right there.No need to bolt across the Pacific.

• Link
• Report this comment

Only in Fantasyland. They already have cap problems. They’re not going to be able to fit those in under the cap and still be able to afford other players like Green.

Alan… not in the ‘10-’11 season they don’t… they’ll have a lot of RFA’s, but I’m sure they’d do what they have to.

http://nhlnumbers.com/overview.php?team=WAS&season=0910

• Link
• Report this comment

they’ll have a lot of RFA’s, but I’m sure they’d do what they have to.

A lot of talented RFAs. RFAs that will be kept. You’re living in a Capitals-coated dreamworld if you think Washington will have any chance at bringing in Kovalchuk and his salary, let alone attracting the attention of Zherdev or Kozlov.

$33.7m tied up in 10 players. Players like Semin and Backstrom are going to command nice raises. Washington has no chance. I believe you know this in the back of your mind, but are attempting to create conversation nonetheless.

Mission accomplished?

It’s still a horrible assessment of Washington’s situation, and at the very least, a very bad joke.

• Link
• Report this comment

The only player coming off their books next season that could help them lockup one of the mentioned Russians would be Theodore, whose $4.5M contract will expire at the conclusion of this season.

Otherwise they will be re-signing Backstrom and Semin, and wont be left with much room to fill out their defense (3 UFAs, 1 RFA) and find a goalie in the even Varlamov doesn’t reproduce his 2009 postseason success.

• Link
• Report this comment

Alan… I hear ya… And I didn’t say anything about Kozlov.

Just thinking you could see a Detroit situation where guys take longer term contracts with less money to play in a competitive market. Would Kovy take a 10 year contract at $6 million per to play with Ovechkin… probably not… I don’t see him taking a back seat to Ovechkin, especially for less money.

• Link
• Report this comment

Furman / Kessel
I think they are avoiding Kessel because of the compensation to Boston.

We could move Peverly to 3rd line, Marty to 4th line and Slater to the KHL. Just a sugegstion.

• Link
• Report this comment

WBF – generally speaking I’m a Slater fan but I have to admit your last post made me seriously LOL. Had I inhaled a beverage at that moment, I would have been spending my lunch hour at Office Depot hunting a new keyboard.

• Link
• Report this comment

If Nikki Zherdev is SERIOUSLY contemplating a move to the Atlanta Thrashers next season, with Kovy’s approval, on a 1-year deal, I say that’s something of a “no-brainer.” It won’t affect next year’s cap, if it turns out to be a disaster. And if it works, Waddell could even enter into contract negotiations with Zherdev on January 1st.

As for the line configurations, and I’m always hesitant to make these kinds of posts as I really see line combinations as something in flux anyway, I trust John Anderson’s ability to decide what it is best. That said, with a gun to my head, I’d put Zherdev on the top line with Kovy on the Left and Bryan Little in the middle. I know. I know. You folks want Little with Kozlov. And that’s fine, too. But in my view, Bryan Little is our best center and would be an excellent pivot for Kovy and Zherdev. My second line would then be Kozlov on the LW, Antropov on the RW, with Todd White in the middle. That’s not a bad second line. On the 3rd line, I like Reasoner on the left, Armstrong on the right, and the Pevs dispenser in the middle. The 4th line is Boulton, centered by Slater, and Thorburn on the right.

But what about Kane???, I hear you cry. The guy is 18. EIGHTEEN. By about a month now. In a league full of grown men. It won’t kill him to return to Juniors, if he’s not ready. It should be a PARTY of a season for him there. In 2010-11, there could be plenty o’roster spots available. Kozlov could be gone. As could Kovy and the very hypothetical Zherdev, too. Heck, even Bryan Little isn’t completely safe from an RFA offersheet, come July 1, 2010. Especially if he pots 35 goals. Which is why I encourage a PROACTIVE deal now. While the price is still reasonable.

Stop. What if the Thrashers made Little the top line center? Think he won’t score 30 goals? He might score 40. Especially if Zherdev is on RW. Even Antropov isn’t going to be that bad for Little’s production, if the top line is Kovy, Little and Antropov.

• Link
• Report this comment

Sara and folks –

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for having quality depth, but I’m just a little skittish about relegating a talented guy like Peverley to a checking line role when he has shown flashes of brilliance and seems to possess the 2-way game we need on our top line. However, if the third line dynamic were to change and they are not always matched up vs the other team’s top line as a shutdown line, I’m all for it. Army and Pevs already have good chemistry and you can see that Marty has a sneaky good set of hands and would probably love playing with 2 guys who can actually finish at the net as opposed to a munchkin and a stone-handed burner like Stuart.

• Link
• Report this comment

Sounds like we are headed for another Lotto pick this year.

• Link
• Report this comment

well it sounds like we are headed for another Lotto pick this year.

• Link
• Report this comment

lotto pick again

• Link
• Report this comment

awesome, sounds like we are headed for another Lotto pick this year

• Link
• Report this comment

Kenny… Fail.

• Link
• Report this comment

Didn’t Cartman tell us Kenny was dead?

• Link
• Report this comment

On the Legace issue, I infer the following:

1) Lehtonen’s back isn’t healing at a very fast pace.

2) Pavelec’s knee isn’t healing very quickly from surgery either.

Looks like we have two Mr. Glass goaltenders.

• Link
• Report this comment

Hey thanks Kenny–you are making us all feel alot smarter.

• Link
• Report this comment

r. stroz- that’s dissapointing. but at least moosie is healthy! lehtonen went to my brother’s hospital about a month ago!

• Link
• Report this comment

Stroz, I bet Pavy’s a$$hat of an agent has been acting up again since DWad signed Drew MacIntyre for some insurance / added competition in camp and presumably down in Chi-town.

• Link
• Report this comment

smoothie-heck yeah, i wouldn’t be suprised if he was.

• Link
• Report this comment

And why is that Larry? Because Kovy is so fond of Los Angeles and warm weather? If the Thrashers want to call Kovy’s bluff, than they should sign Zherdev to a multiple-year deal. If we are really that interested in him as a Kovy-retention device, then lock him up LT. At least that way you have some insurance if Kovy does bolt.

• Link
• Report this comment

larry m-is zherdev really getting serious with the thrashers.

guys- is this peter mannino gonna make a start?

• Link
• Report this comment

Just read the yahoo article and didn’t realize that the reason they were getting rid of Belkin was so they could restructure and sell the Thrashers.

• Link
• Report this comment

From the article:

So it’s possible that new investors would enable the group to restructure ownership and streamline each property, and it’s possible the Thrashers could eventually be put up for sale (rumors say they are now, but they’ve been refuted). It’s also possible, if not probable, that the status quo will go on for an indefinite amount of time.

Conjecture at its finest. This isn’t journalism. Gotta sell ad space somehow, though, eh?

Keep frothing, citizens of Hamilton. Sillyballs isn’t bringing the Thrashers to your backyard.

• Link
• Report this comment

Smoothie, who knows whats going on with Zherdev as far as a contracts go. But one thing is for sure he want’s to play here, unlike Malhotra and that mean’s somthing to me. I really hope he sign’s here and I think he will.

• Link
• Report this comment

And Zherdev can’t be posturing to get more money from the KHL because I’m pretty sure he already has a deal with Russia… correct me if I’m wrong.

• Link
• Report this comment

Now, this part I don’t understand… read Spec’s Notes: under the Zherdev section… why only $1.5 million?

http://spectorshockey.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=500:nhl-rumor-news-september-2-2009&catid=5:trade-rumors&Itemid=4

• Link
• Report this comment

Hokie… remember what happened with Kiwi? If Zherdev had a deal in Russia, he would be there. That ship has sailed, however.

Unless you’re speaking of something else…?

• Link
• Report this comment

Allagash Curieoux for interested beer swillers. Goes well after reading all this palaver….

• Link
• Report this comment

Brenden, please put me down as the Thrashers finishing with 86 points, 4th in the SE, and 13th in the conference. I want to go higher but sort of got my ears pinned back with an 88 point guess last year. I will be pleased to have “misunderestimated” the Boys in Blue for this coming season.

How many points in the standings, if any, do you folks Zerdhev would add?

While you are at it Brenden,….I’m thinking the opening day cap hit will be $47.3 M.

Over 200 blog posts on Sept 1st,…….who says the Thrashers don’t have good fans, or Atlanta doesn’t follow hockey?

• Link
• Report this comment

LAC & HookyBob your votes are registered. Last year, LAC won the “Guess the Thrashers Opening Night Budget.” There’s now allll kiiiiinds of craziness that might happen to that 2009-10 budget, with talks of Legace, Zherdev, and maybe even some other as yet unnamed player.

Simply put, the choice is THEIRS. The Atlanta Spirit own the team. They can opt for $44.5 million … and maybe add payroll at the deadline, if things go well. Or they can pick up Zherdev, if Kovy wants him, plus another goalie, and another forward, and still have plenty of cap space for trade deadline moves.

What? Well, is that true, or isn’t it? We’re being told by a Maryland judge that everything “is as it was” back in August 2005. Well, if that’s true, that year the Spirit “greenlighted” a maxed cap for opening night. If Belkin ponies up his share, and forgoes an appeal, then theoretically, this team is SUPPOSED to be able to compete within the economic framework of the salary cap, once the revenue-sharing dollars kick in. And let’s face it, wins puts fannies in seats. It would be in their best interest to field a winning team, for many reasons.

And iffff there’s this GREAT TRUST in GM Waddell, by ownership, then they should give him the money, then GET OUT OF HIS WAY so he can manage the team. And if Waddell doesn’t get the desired results, they can fire him. Or just not renew him. Forbes Magazine said Waddell is only under contract through 2010. I don’t personally believe that to be true. I think Waddell’s contract has a clause in it that says, “If Mr. Waddell still has a neck and a heartbeat, and can perform most bodily functions, an AUTOMATIC renewal of one-year kicks in.” What kind of owners write and agree to ridiculous clauses like that? Uhh, cheerfully withdrawn, gazing at my 2009 calendar, wondering how long it could possibly take to fight a clause like, “Or Mr. Belkin can buy the other owners out AT COST.” Or successfully buy out an estranged investor. Apparently, it takes a mininum of 4 years and one month. D’oh!!!! I think the Atlanta Spirit should be legally barred from writing in any special or UNUSUAL clauses, into ANY contract, EVER AGAIN. I hope Commissioner Bettman is keeping a watchful eye on the situation. For what it’s worth, I actually believe that Gary Bettman WANTS hockey in Atlanta, and would FIGHT to keep it here, if any unbelievably ridiculous attempt to relocate this franchise arose. Which it won’t.

• Link
• Report this comment

Looks like T Pyatt is now off the market according to Kuklas Korner tweet citing the Az Rep I think. Rumor is the deal is valued right around 1 mill. He is now a Cayote. I’m afraid Malhotra will be next and prolly go to a team like Fla or Minn.

• Link
• Report this comment

Brendan-I saw White’s goal on NHL Network as well. I remember him with Ottawa against the Sabres.

Nothing lost by losing out on signing Taylor Pyatt. He would have been a waste of a roster spot. Big guy who plays like a little girl (no offense to our female bloggers).

• Link
• Report this comment

WBF-ya, we don’t need him, frankly im not sure y waddy even tried to sign him. he’s with the coyotes now. (if u look closely, he kinda looks like a girl too)
…im just sayin

• Link
• Report this comment