Waddell, Thrashers Giving Max Effort Building Roster
Think about this for just a second…if Thrashers general manager Don Waddell would have told you last April that he planned on bringing in players like Nik Antropov and Maxim Afinogenov to join Ilya Kovalchuk on the top line…that Pavel Kubina would play on defense in the place of Garnet Exelby…and that a veteran goalkeeper like Manny Legace would be brought in to make an already-perceived-deep goaltending situation here deeper still…you would have thought the man had just taken a vicious blow to the head.
What do you think of the Thrashers inviting Maxim Afinogenov to try out with them?
- Thumbs up! (67%, 139 Votes)
- Thumbs down. (6%, 13 Votes)
- I'll let ya know once I see him play with the team (27%, 55 Votes)
Total Voters: 207
Loading ...Maybe one of those acquisitions would have gone down…maybe…but not all four, right?
Well, given the news that Afinogenov has been invited to the Thrashers’ training camp for a pro tryout and the fact that Kari Lehtonen is highly unlikely to be healthy enough to begin the season, it is entirely possible that all four of those players could suit up for Atlanta on opening night. Certainly Antropov and Kubina will…the other two will if the organization likes what they see during preseason.
Many of you have already chimed in on the Afinogenov invite…I’ll just say that I believe it’s a good deal all around. Like Legace, it isn’t costing the Thrashers a dime to see if he fits into the lineup. Also, you have to think that Ilya Kovalchuk is hip to the idea of possibly seeing Antropov centering his line with Max to the right.
Another thing is that it once again shows that Waddell and the Spirit Boys have taken to heart the captain’s words last April when he made it clear what he wanted to see from the team. “We need to sign some free agents and spend some money”, Kovy remarked. “Because I don’t want to compete for a playoff spot, I want to compete for the Cup. I think this city deserves it.”
In short, Kovy told the Thrashers, “Show me the team…then you may show me the money”…and Waddell, Dudley and the ownership apparently made it their mission to build a squad around him that will in turn allow them the privilege of keeping him around these parts for quite some time. They certainly do seem to be giving it…ahem…max effort.
oh come on…you saw that one coming
For this effort, those in the front office are to be commended. Now, let’s see if Kovy is sold on the moves.
Now then , assuming Afinogenov makes the team…and I suspect he will…let’s start talking possible lineups, shall we. The first one that comes to mind looks something like this:
Kovy – Antropov – Afinogenov
Kozlov – White – Little
Peverley – Reasoner – Armstrong
Boulton – Slater – Thorburn
That means Kane would be WHL bound.
Another scenario to bounce around here is one that assumes there might be a trade in order. I don’t think Peverley would be one to go given the fact that it really doesn’t clear off any amount of cap room worth mentioning. However, if Todd White and his $2.3 mil salary were somehow packaged up and moved out, that could help allocate funds for Afinogenov’s contract.
Given that…a lineup could look like:
Kovy – Antropov – Afinogenov
Kozlov – Peverley – Little
Kane – Reasoner – Armstrong
Boulton – Slater – Thorburn
Regardless, the Thrashers would still have players like Crabb, Stewart, Esposito and Fritsche waiting in the wings. This as deep a Thrashers roster that I’ve seen since…since…since…well, since ever.
Thrashers Lose To Predators 5-0 In Preseason Opener
The Thrashers dropped there first preseaon game to the Nashville Predators by a score of 5-0 Thursday night. Here are the particulars. I warn you though that the boxscore is fouled up a bit…case in point, it shows Slava Kozlov playing, though he did not….and Mark Popovic not playing, though he did.
Drew MacIntyre was in the net for Atlanta and stopped 31 of the 36 shots he faced…the Thrashers took 22 shots of their own.
Atlanta did, however, win the shootout afterwards 1-0… And there was much rejoycing.
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186 comments Add your comment
Midfield
September 18th, 2009
1:19 pm
Brendan, Lehtonen is becoming to look more and more as a talented back-up at most, i.e., the guy who is not capable to hold up over the length of a season. Moreover, I heard some rumors that some people in the organization share this view.
World Be Free
September 18th, 2009
1:30 pm
I thought the Dion hit was clean. We can all agree that it was not necessary for the 1st preseason game. But it’s hockey, not the same as the “little girl” NFL. Hockey players like Dion play for keeps all the time.
Hope Max works out.
I said this 6 mos ago-Kari needs a personal trainer. Hockey requires a 12 month commitment and Kari has yet to make this commitment.
Daculafan
September 18th, 2009
1:32 pm
I agree with what you’re saying Sara about the staff really looking at talent this year..and looking to ways to improve this team. It seems to me like we finally have people in here that have a drive to really WIN and not just pay lip service to the fans and the media. I think this will pay off in unexpected ways for the Thrashers…I know already that excitement for this season is at a much higher level than this time last year..I believe that when the on ice product catches up with the expectations we’re going to see an explosion in the attendance (esp once College Football hangs them up).
I think we also need to take some of the individual performances with a grain of salt…would Salmella have done -3 with a true NHL starting lineup group of forwards playing??..I just don’t know…but that’s something to keep in mind.
Alan
September 18th, 2009
1:45 pm
Why was Phuthbert out there headhunting? Because he’s a D-bag.
Sir Sloppy Seconds. Heh.
Also, you might notice that someone else has been using my name on Chris’ blog recently. Notable posts, so far, took place yesterday at 2:47pm and 6:49pm. Those of you who’ve seen me post over the past few years should be able to tell when it’s really me posting.
To the one doing it, I’m flattered, but you’re still a douchebag. This Bud’s for you.
Sara
September 18th, 2009
2:48 pm
Alan what kind of behavior would one expect from someone who isn’t allowed to come sit at the grown-ups’ table? (with all due respect to Chris’s blog of course)
BN
September 18th, 2009
3:00 pm
Who said that Kovy likes Afinogenov? Afinogenov is not like Zherdev or the Anthropomorphic Dude –
Kovy does not to have authority with Mad Max.
Tony C.
September 18th, 2009
3:19 pm
Oh the hit was clean- WBF; I’m not saying it wasn’t-in fact that’s one positive thing I can say about Phuthbert-usually he is a clean (open-ice) hitter. Now as far as after-the-whistle action and elbows in the corner…. a little less clean
Brendan
September 18th, 2009
3:27 pm
Good point, Midfield. I’ve always said, “I don’t care which one is the starter and which one is the backup, but it ‘appears’ that Lehtonen-Pavelec will be the tandem of the future.” That would appear to be so, assuming one of them isn’t traded. I’m perfectly fine with Kari being the backup. At $3 million, that’s not exorbitant for a quality backup goalie in the NHL. There are several teams whose back makes $550K to $850K. Or even $1.0 or just over $1 million-a-year.
Don Waddell drafted both these goalies. He did. So he, alone, is responsible for them being here. He may ‘lean’ on his scouting staff for advice, but it’s Waddell’s call, ultimately. And drafting isn’t a financial decision. It’s the one thing that even a GM presiding over a ‘league-minimum’ budget can control. Is Waddell ‘willing to admit’ he made a mistake with Kari? I don’t know. But trading him would indicate, “YES.” No GM would trade a player he thought was utterly essential. Especially, if he’s the GM that drafted him. Atlanta invested very heavily in Kari Lehtonen. Wonder how Rick Dudley would feel if he knew he’d one day inherit that Lehtonen pick that he convinced Waddell was a good one to take, with his offer of pick #30 as inducement of the 2002 Draft (Jim Slater). Waddell also traded with the NY Rangers to get Ondrej Pavelec in the 2nd round, in 2005. So, how willing is Waddell to part with him? Waddell did not draft Johan Hedberg, obviously. Nor Manny Legace, who is un-signed. I don’t know what it would cost to sign Legace. If Kari winds up the “back up” goalie this season, then so be it. That doesn’t bother me. Let “competition make the best product.”
World Be Free
September 18th, 2009
3:39 pm
Tony C.-I thought the hit was a little much for the first game of the preseason.
The thing about Dion is that I havven’t really ever seen an opposing player lay a good one on him. Someday
NorthStarsDave
September 18th, 2009
4:15 pm
Thanks, Rawhide, for the answers….
So…might it be time for Kari to go? Easier to find a back-up…i.e. Hedberg…than a #1….
What would Kari bring…a top 4 defenseman on more than a one-year deal?
As for the hit on Okoposo…sorry he got hurt…but there is no love lost here…he pulled a Petrino when he left Univ of Minn at midseason…after he said he was staying…dad thought the Gpoher coaching staff was not developing him…
Rawhide
September 18th, 2009
4:21 pm
NorthStarDave – No prob… as for the question of “is it time for Kari to go”, here are my thoughts on that.
yeah, I know…shameless self-promotion
What could we get for him right now? Really, I don’t think too much in and of itself. The market for oft-injured net minders isn’t really that strong. Now, maybe packaged up with prospects, picks, and/or a top-two center might land ya something.
Tony C.
September 18th, 2009
4:34 pm
WBF-no you haven’t and I don’t think you will-Phuthbert likes laying it out but he avoids takin it back-hell he even ducks out when it’s time to answer the bell-When’s the last time you saw Phuthbert drop ‘em against somebody his weight class or bigger?
And when he does?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKTN6xLsQss
ROFLZ
Dwayne
September 18th, 2009
4:49 pm
I do not give a fat rats a$$ that it was a preseason game. It might not have been managements goal to win the game, but it sure should’ve been the players on the ice’s goal to win the game. I do not care about the Detroit Lions either, so don’t bother with that ANALogy. Even tho they had a better lineup, the effort looked bad.
Hockey Biltong
September 18th, 2009
4:49 pm
Woohoo.”Ockey Season……………is upon us!!!!!
LAC
September 18th, 2009
5:04 pm
Gotta love the waddell photo with one of his PRIZE UFA’s Eric Perrin looking over his shoulder… Where was holik, without those two we could have kept Savard… But NOOOOOOOOOO, waddell does his USUAL crap job of hurting the team not helping it.
The only two moves of any note Kubina & Antropov are no where near enough to get this team going… Busy summer…. NOT !
Brendan
September 18th, 2009
5:31 pm
Well, another thought occurs to me. Kari Lehtonen is still RESTRICTED next July. So, this seems to be Waddell’s way of saying, “Don’t expect a qualifying offer next year … and we might trade you at the trade deadline THIS YEAR, if you don’t improve.” If Kari were traded, that gaining team would still own his rights, since he’s a pending RFA. Just a thought.
Chris
September 18th, 2009
6:10 pm
Are you kidding me? We played Nashville’s starters with potential 4th line players, AHL guys, and guys who may go back to junior teams and lose in a pre-season game and some of you are throwing in the towel!?!?!
Some people are just dumb.
ben
September 18th, 2009
7:36 pm
streaming on WFLA, so excited!
LAC
September 18th, 2009
7:37 pm
Bill, appears the Tampa station is doing Baseball NOT Hockey tonight.
Could not locate anything about hockey on their site…
ben
September 18th, 2009
7:37 pm
T-Birds are putting Kane on the ice again.
ben
September 18th, 2009
7:38 pm
WFLA, LAC
Thrashers27
September 18th, 2009
8:10 pm
Anyone else having problems getting the radio to stream? I’ve tried with four different computers and it just won’t load for me.
Sara
September 18th, 2009
8:27 pm
I had trouble using Firefox but got it to load immediately once I switched to IE.
Now, how about that Kessel deal? 2 first rounders, 1 second rounder, then signed for 5 years, $27M. That’s a whole lot of $$ and assets – TO fans better cross their fingers (not Finger).
Thrashers27
September 18th, 2009
8:32 pm
Crap! I can’t get it to work…anybody have a score and/or details?
LAC
September 18th, 2009
8:34 pm
Bruins, Leafs agree on Kessel deal… Interesting…
At least the Leafs GM is proactive…. ours should be in a rest home somewhere far far away.
Yes ben, Rawhide’s link I guess was incorrect…
Sara
September 18th, 2009
8:43 pm
1-0 TB after the first on a late PP goal by Malone. When the TB announcers aren’t drooling over Hedman, they say Pavelec is playing really well.
Thrashers27
September 18th, 2009
8:45 pm
Thanks, Sara!
ben
September 18th, 2009
8:46 pm
i found the link off the web site
tb seems to think we’re deep in goal. But Kari’s almost never healthy. And there’s very little slack left.
Sara
September 18th, 2009
9:10 pm
1-1 in the second. Postma from Slater.
Smoothie
September 18th, 2009
9:22 pm
And the Postma delivers!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good for Paul, perhaps he’ll get a long, hard look next week as a result of his solid play tonight. With the way Salmela, Valabik and Oystrick are playing, perhaps Postma’s got a shot for some call-up time.
Smoothie
September 18th, 2009
9:26 pm
According to the audio-torture team known as Mishkin and Esposito, Pavelec has looked very, very solid in net tonight. Good news indeed!
Sara
September 18th, 2009
9:46 pm
Smoothie – at least it isn’t that douchey duo from Carolina
Sara
September 18th, 2009
10:21 pm
Thrashers lose 2-1 in OT…Vinny and the Oompa Loompa on a 2-0 breakaway. PKers went 1-8 in this game, including another 5-3 in OT. That’s impressive, especially combined with the 4 kills last night. Would be nice if they’d stay out the box more though.
That was a tight game – not sure how well that reflects on TB given they faced essentially an AHL roster. Pavs apparently stood on his head. Hope he keeps that up. The homer announcers gave him the second star.
Looking forward to seeing the team next week when we have more of our regulars worked into the line-up. Don’t think scoring goals will continue to be an issue at that point.
Rawhide
September 18th, 2009
10:31 pm
Sorry about the mix up with the radio stations…620 AM is what the Lightning web site listed as the radio station, but they apparently moved over to 970 WFLA due to conflicts…I was out a dinner getting reacquanted with the Divine Mrs. R who I have very little of this week, so I missed listening to the game.
Anywhooo…sounds like Pavs had a solid game dispite the OT loss…two goals allowed on 34 SOG…only one let in on 30 shots in regulation. I’ll take that anyday. Good for Opie.
Oystrick took a game high 5 shots for the Thrashers and Bogosian played 31:16 according to the stat page I’m looking at…WOW!
Monday night can’t get here fast enough.
Brendan
September 18th, 2009
11:16 pm
Sara, you know I like Brian Burke. But I move offer up that this move was very risky. Was it born of MEDIA PRESSURE?? Whether it was, or it wasn’t, it’s too late now to undo. But goodness, when you’re trying to rebuild, giving away two 1st rounders and a 2nd, to boot, for a player like Kessel had better pay big dividends. Is their plan to build the team around Kessel? As in, “Kessel is our CENTER PIECE,” the way Kovalchuk is here. If so, was Kessel the right choice of a center piece? I hope for Toronto’s sake, he was. This move, pretty much, HAS TO WORK. If it doesn’t, how do they get out of it?, other than to attempt to SPEND their way out of it, Montreal-style, to save Bob Gainey’s job. Conceptually, trying to SPEND (or TAX) your way into prosperity rarely works, if ever. It just leads to more inflation.
I’ve often said … that PART of the reason the Leafs haven’t won a Cup in 40 years resides with its intense media scrutiny. If the Leafs had continued on that ’slow build process,’ ignoring fan and media whining alike, and added another lottery draft pick next year, and perhaps another the year after that, where they might be in four years? The answer just might be, “A whole heckuva lot better than where they’ll be with Kessel.” Instead, they’ve forsaken those draft picks, if I read Sara’s post correctly, for IMMEDIATE RESULTS this year with Kessel.
Five years/$27 million isn’t a disasterous contract. Today, the cap is $56.8 million. Five years from now, in 2014, it very well might be $65 million. Or more. And Kessel’s $5.4 million cap might seem quite reasonable. I applaud that Brian Burke made a BOLD move. I’m just not sure Kessel was the pony to bet on, when we’re potentially talking about two LOTTERY DRAFT picks, and a 2nd rounder. How much difference will Kessel make? And ya know … the Toronto Media will eat ‘im up if he falters, then turn on Burke to assign the blame. Don’t think Ron Wilson’s job is safe as the Gold in Fort Knox, either. If this season goes badly for Toronto, it’ll hit the fan. That “safety net” of the lottery draft won’t be there.
GaVaHokie
September 18th, 2009
11:36 pm
Wow… so Atlanta’s scrubs held Tampa’s finest to a 2-1 OT loss… gotta like that.
Regarding the Kessel deal… boy did Toronto pay heavy for that… what was it, two 1st round picks and a 2nd, and then they gave him $5 million a year for 5 years? Ouch!
LAC
September 18th, 2009
11:53 pm
Boy our goaltending was OUTSTANDING tonight, Pav’s stood on his head for sure, I would really question sending back to Chicago at this point.
We had 26 SOG, so better than last night. Sounded like Zack & Boris played well… Still not seeing much from Kane, feel like another year in juniors would be best.PK was GOOD as well, at least a lot better signs than last night for sure…
World Be Free
September 19th, 2009
12:02 am
Who is going to feed Phil Kessel in Toronto.
Colton Orr?
There’s no five year plans in Toronto.
World Be Free
September 19th, 2009
12:06 am
Two first round picks and a second round pick for Phil Kessel straight up? Boston will be set for awhile.
Sara
September 19th, 2009
12:19 am
5 year plan nothing – the Leafs are on year 42 of the 50 year plan. /snark
I dunno Brendan, $5M/year for a guy who hasn’t even busted 40 goals per season? He’s young, which means he should have lots of upside, but that’s still a hefty price tag. But what they gave up to get him is extraordinary. You’re giving up two first rounders + for one first rounder essentially. That doesn’t strike me as good math.
TO has some good youth in the system like Kadri, Stalberg and Schenn – hopefully enough given the loss of those picks and Burke’s historical inability to get anything of value beyond the first round (and I mean nada – not even a 4th liner).
Most Leafs fans seem pretty torn about this trade so far – even knowing it was coming. And I’ve seen lots of snarky comments from them about Burke building a mini Team USA in Canadian hockey mecca – it’s actually kinda funny. Of course, for me, as always, I’ll be hoping the team continues to implode. My own personal schadenfreude.
World Be Free
September 19th, 2009
5:18 am
Yeah Sara, tough to be American and be in the Leaf organization. Ron Wilson has been up against it from the time he signed on as coach, even though did alot with nothing last season. Seems like the non-Canadian players take the most heat in Toronto. Kessel better get used to it; the Leafs would have been better to sign Kessel to an offer sheet and give up picks #1,2,3 picks vs. two #1 and a #2. Brian Burke couldn’t go back on what he said about Kevin Lowe’s offer sheet 3 years ago on Penner.
The Leafs will be fun this year, with Kessel and their cast of goons.
ben
September 19th, 2009
8:21 am
i’m giddy about the thrash. what say to clear cap room we trade white and kari. remember he has a ton of “potential” left those guys in Tampa sure liked him. Use that money for Max. Then have a 3 horse race for goalie. And salt Kane in Vancouver for a while. Then put him in Chicago for a while. In two or three years, he’ll be on the second line and Kovy will be here, Nik will be here, Max should be here, Hainsey, Enstrom, Bogo. Writing this just now it hit me! This team is going to be very very good in 4 years.
Smitty
September 19th, 2009
8:26 am
I do not know why Toronto is so intent on trading away high draft picks. Kessel can score but Savard or no one like him will be feeding Kessel the puck. I know the media pressure is intense but I thought Burke would not cave in to it. He pulled of a similar deal to get Pronger and the Sedins but Kessel is no Pronger.
Lee
September 19th, 2009
9:44 am
man, we lost again! but, at least it was close. did we win in shootout?
kessell eh? haha, that is gonna be funny in that jersey!
Lee
September 19th, 2009
9:50 am
rawhide-any idea of who will start the first season game??
Rawhide
September 19th, 2009
9:52 am
rawhide-any idea of who will start the first season game??
Lee – Really too early to answer that question…especially in regards to in goal. Pavs apparently looked good last night from the accounts I’ve read. Anyway, ask me that question again in about a week or so.
jared
September 19th, 2009
9:58 am
i am glad that pavs looked good last night. it gives me hope.
What about Postma? he scored the only goal, do we have any idea on his that goal reflected his play for the rest of the game?
Nate
September 19th, 2009
11:22 am
Rawhide – Speaking of Waddell…any word on when these face to face negotiations between he and Grossman/Kovalchuk are supposed to take place???
Rawhide
September 19th, 2009
11:32 am
Rawhide – Speaking of Waddell…any word on when these face to face negotiations between he and Grossman/Kovalchuk are supposed to take place???
Nate – Good question…I can’t say that I have the answer though. It might be something that C-Viv knows about, though…I’ll ask him.
Zoomo
September 19th, 2009
12:17 pm
I went over to practice this morning. Only stayed for the “A” squad’s practice. Max was skating with Kozzy and White. Max still has his skills. He can fly! Nice stick work too. He looks to have no leftover injury issues at all. I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t make the team and at least get a 15 game look on the second line. I think the only thing that keeps him off the squad if if he can’t grasp Anderson’s system and/or has an awful set of performances in the remaining pre-season games. Too mucj talent there to not at least take a flyer and see if he can mesh with the team.
Other random observations: Todd White looks like he’s in mid-season form. Sharp execution in all the drills. Looked like a guy working to make the team instead of a seasoned veteran.
Pavel Kubina is even a bit bigger than I thought. Manny certainly knows how to have fun out there. Very vocal. Postma does not look out of place. 3rd line was Reasoner, Pevs, and Colby.