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
Smoothie
September 21st, 2009
11:29 am
Rawhide, hey buddy!
I agree whole-heartedly. ‘Twill be an interesting dilemma if all three players (Kane, Maxim and Fritsche) all play well enough to deserve consideration for the final roster. Since two of them are not under contract, perhaps JA and Don will try to persuade one of them (cough, Maxim, cough) to hang out in Duluth until late Oct or early Nov until it is time to send Evander back to VAN.
MA might could be convinced to patiently await his chance and “chill” at the Ice Forum to work on his skating, fitness and physique while sleeping at Kozzie’s surely large dwelling in Duluth. I reckon his sweetie, Elena Dementieva, will be a bit busy wrapping up the hardcourt circuit in the meantime!
Darkhorse
September 21st, 2009
11:40 am
I’m disappointed the usual 4th line is playing tonight. They’ve played in parts or all of the past two games already. You know what you’re gonna get out of them. Why not play a new 4th with Crabb, Mahachuk, and Gratton for example? Those guys are more bubble anyway and I would think the coaching staff would stand a better chance of learning something new about the “bubble guys”, good or bad, quicker by playing them more. Maybe, just maybe, the Greek Gods are auditioning for there spots though.
Spud-Part of me agrees with you about the Greek Gods line. That line has reached it’s peak and I doubt we can expect much more untapped potiential to come from them. They do everything asked of them fairly well, but I would like to see some new blood in that forth line role. Players that fit on that line though, not smallish scoring forwards put there because of no room on the top lines.
So like Rawhide suggested, maybe Frische could fit there, but not a Kane or Pevs or White. It would be a waste of there talents, nor could they play the roles of tough guys and enforcers.
ranallo10 (in AT)
September 21st, 2009
11:57 am
To be honest I think the fourth line would be rather well off with Fritsche – Reasoner – Boulton. Losing Slater’s faceoff ability is rough though, even though he’s a fourth line talent. Kane – Peverley – Armstrong would make for a third scoring line, but I don’t think they’d get the proper minutes to excel on such a line.
But I assume we’ll be seeing the Boulton – Slater – Thorburn line to begin the season.
mid-ga-hockey fan
September 21st, 2009
12:03 pm
I agree please spare me one more season of “iron hands” Slater.I am sick of hearing about his speed and “whoops Slater loses the puck”Lets try Fritche on that line for a change and maybe our “shut-down” line could possibly use some experience in maybe converting some of Thorbs and Bolts hard work into the occasional goal!!
World Be Free
September 21st, 2009
12:13 pm
Darkhorse-great call on Old Towne Sports Pub. The place was my second home when I worked in Kennesaw. I used to talk my boss into having “meetings” there. Excellent food and atmosphere; right around the corner from the high school.
Fourth line-you folks know what I think of Slater. The line has room for improvement.
Alan
September 21st, 2009
12:23 pm
Who get’s bumped for Kane for the first couple weeks of the season…outside of the 4th line, but do we wanna see Kane playing checking-line minutes?
a. Thorburn
b. … still, Thorburn. No “outside of the fourth line” about it
c. Yes, we want to see Kane play anywhere he could fit in. I’d prefer to see him play on the second or third lines, but he has to get in where he can fit in. If that’s the fourth line, so be it.
Also, I believe he does make the team this year. Thorburn will be put on waivers or will be our 13th forward. He very well could get sent back to Vancouver, but I’m not going to talk like that much is a definitive.
mid-ga-hockey fan
September 21st, 2009
12:30 pm
Would someone please explain to me why the rush to get Kane into the lineup,with the depth that we now seem to have at the forward position,why take the risk of taking someone who has known nothing but success at every level that he has been in and rush him to the nhl and have him struggle with guys that are bigger,stronger and more expierenced than he is and run the risk of setting him back 2-3 years.Bogo was an exception last year as our d-line was terrible and we had to pull the trigger and fortunately he came through it with only a short stint on the DL.The chances of Kane becoming an impact player right away are slim at best,let’s develope him into a solid player first,so that when his time comes,he can jump in at top 2 line capability.We have a depth not seen in Atl since this franchise was formed,don’t waste the resources just for the sake of being able to say “we have 2 teenagers on our roster” Winning franchises develope talent,they don’t just mortgage tommorrow because the masses want it.(remove soap box here)
Smoothie
September 21st, 2009
12:38 pm
We will certainly have a lot of options if Afinogenov makes the team. According to Ben Wright, Mad Max has been playing with Peverley quite a bit in practice of late and JA says “he’s looked very fast and that when he’s out there with Rich Peverley the two of them fly. I expect them to play together when Max plays.”
How about a third line of Army (LW since he’s a righty) – Pevs – Maxim (natural RW)? You’ve got speed galore and a grit dimension thanks to Army. Plus, Army and Pevs already have good chemistry. Problem is who would play RW on the 2nd line in this scenario? Kane? Slater?
2) Kozzy — White — Kane / Slater
4) Boults — Reasy — Crabb / Thor
R. Stroz
September 21st, 2009
1:05 pm
PTI, I knew I shouldn’t have washed my car last Tuesday.
It was the first time I had washed it in about one year due to water restrictions.
mid-ga-hockey fan
September 21st, 2009
1:06 pm
I will also blaspheme here and say that I would love to start the season w/Legace and Pavs in goal,I love “The Moose” but,like X, its time to move on.As far as Kari goes,he would have to work his way back,(pun intended)into the lineup or when healthy,trade for a solid d-man.(given Lehts reputation it would have to be a package with a forward and prospects)We seem to have a lot of potential depth in goal,but in Legace we have a proven winner.anyone…anyone?
Darkhorse
September 21st, 2009
1:29 pm
I knew I shouldn’t have made that joke about needing a boat to get to the game tonight. I just tried to leave my neighborhood off Old 41 near Kennesaw Mtn. for lunch and the road leading to my entrance is compleatly underwater. My 4X4 didn’t even look up to the task. Stop raining! I need my hockey fix bad tonight!
Alan
September 21st, 2009
1:34 pm
♪ How can we dance while our world is turning? How can we sleep while our beds are burning? ♫
jared
September 21st, 2009
3:02 pm
Brendan– what are the requirements for this pool i hear you all talk about.
SMOOTHIE– you raised my eyebrows with your proposed third line. I think would like to see the Max Army and Pevs line in a preseason game.
I am ready for a change on the Greek Gods line. I dont know who i dislike more on that line though. Slater at least has the face offs down, i would say boults has got to go except for his personality, and then there is chris. well i guess chris loses out. Crabb looks like a fun addition, didnt he get a pair of shorthanded goals in one game last year or am i thinking of sir colin stuart?
lee
September 21st, 2009
3:04 pm
hey is the thrashers game on 680 the fan tonight????
Brendan
September 21st, 2009
4:00 pm
Jared, it’s just a contest for the 2009-10 Thrashers Point Total contest. It sometimes does come right down to the wire, for who wins it. FIF, you’re now entered at 95-pooints, 2nd in SE Division, and 7th in the Conference.
And that’s how you make an entry. You post it here, on the AJC blog, for any and all to see. That makes it “legit.” You can change your vote as often as you’d like, but it must be locked in before “puck drop” of Opening Night, on October 3, 2009. We had to set a cut-off date somewhere. That seemed as fair as any. Contest started back on August 28, 2009. So, plenty of time was alotted to submit votes. If you’d like to vote, post a guess as to point total, then place in the SE Division where you think the Thrashers will finish, along with the rank in the Conference.
Smoothie
September 21st, 2009
4:15 pm
Jared — intriguing concept ain’t it?? And as much as I love our blessed little Crabb-cakes, ’twas indeed Colin Stuart who had the crazy short-handed goal proficiency. Crabber was pretty decent on the PK tho.
Smitty
September 21st, 2009
4:28 pm
I have 2 extra tickets tonite in the 300 level Anybody interested
Sara
September 21st, 2009
4:29 pm
lee – the only broadcast of tonight’s game is Carolina’s feed found here: http://www.wralsportsfan.com/999thefan/
Russian
September 21st, 2009
4:52 pm
**to Smitty**
I need only one. Is it free?
Smitty
September 21st, 2009
5:05 pm
**Russian** they are free
Thrashers27
September 21st, 2009
7:40 pm
Are my computers crap, or is everyone having a hard time getting the radio stream?
Curly
September 21st, 2009
7:52 pm
I can’t get the Carolina feed either; neither with Explorer or Firefox. I’m stuck with play-by-play on NHL.com. I was going to go to the game tonight but I’m stuck in Florida. It’s been nice and SUNNY the last three days. Great beach weather.
Brendan
September 21st, 2009
7:52 pm
In the contest, I still have no guesses from last year’s winner, Don, or the runner-up, Glovesave29 (also picked correct # of points,) or Adam, Red Light, Michael B. Shapiro, Bob, Sara, Nikita, Darkhorse, and the master himself, Rawhide. But Rawhide is waiting to post his in a blog specifically for that purpose.
Anyone can get in on this. I do not yet have a guess from Sage of Bluesland, ThrasherNY, NascarDave, Russ, 12345, FrostyTheSnowMan, Brickhouse, Sharon, PUCKJUNQUE (PJ), Polskidawg, Buzilla, Jarndyce, Sweetlew, BaldheadedThrasherFan, Toby, BG33Brown, viking, Christy, Thrashdawg, Kracker, Smitty, Volgrad1985, or Spud Webb. Ranallo (in AT) is abstaining, lest he decide to cast a vote. I’m also missing a vote from GaVaHokie. That can’t be right, can it? I thought I saw a vote from Hokie earlier. I’ll have to go back and double-check.
Curly
September 21st, 2009
8:05 pm
Thrashers27: …. One hour Later …. The Carolina Feed finally popped up. They got it going now. Maybe the Wires were wet.
B. Thenet
September 21st, 2009
8:45 pm
The boys are doing a good job keeping pace with the Hurricanes AHL squad.
Very impressive….
Zoomo
September 21st, 2009
9:06 pm
Antro assists on all three goals so far.
Curly
September 21st, 2009
9:15 pm
Armstrong – 2 shifts; Hainsey – 6 shifts according to NHL.com with 3 minutes left in the third. I wonder if they were injured?
Dwayne
September 21st, 2009
9:27 pm
wow, Thrash give up 22 shots, win 4-2, could not get either radio feed. who scored the 2nd goal, says some guy named unknown wrist shot, who is he??
Sara
September 21st, 2009
9:27 pm
Curly – Ben Wright acknowledged on Twitter the low playing time for both but said there is no info yet on the whys.
Sara
September 21st, 2009
9:30 pm
Dwayne not sure to which second goal you are referring. Thrashers second goal was scored by Popovic, Carolina’s by Brandon Sutter.
Curly
September 21st, 2009
9:30 pm
Dwayne: Popovic. I heard his name a lot from the Carolina announcer Chuck Kay. It sounds like he is making a strong run to make the team
Curly
September 21st, 2009
9:40 pm
The three Stars: Antro (3 Assists), Popo (1 goal – tying goal, +2), Little (1 goal – winning goal, +2).
Sara
September 21st, 2009
9:52 pm
Curly – Ben Wright updated on Twitter – both Army and Hainsey out with undisclosed lower body injuries termed as minor. Will not likely play on Wednesday.
Baldheaded Thrasher
September 21st, 2009
9:53 pm
Enter your comments here
Brendan…I’m waiting to see what the final roster is going to be before I submit.
Is Hainsey hurt? The stats showed he only played a few shifts in the 1st period?
Baldheaded Thrasher
September 21st, 2009
10:14 pm
Enter your comments here
Never mind I read Sara’s comments.
Brendan
September 22nd, 2009
6:03 pm
Duly noted, Baldheaded Thrasher.