Thrashers skewering of Sabres ends with great cliMax
The Thrasher won Saturday 4-2. They won Friday 4-2 in New Jersey. They lost 4-2 in Ottawa the game before that and won 4-2 in St. Louis the time before that.
Anyone sensing a trend here?
Another trend with the Thrashers…beating the Buffalo Sabres.
Picking up where they left off last season, when the Thrasher went up against the Sabres four times and came away with two points all four times, Atlanta traveled to western New York and came away with a win. However, unlike last year, this time they didn’t even do Buffalo the courtesy of allowing them the consolation point that comes with losing to us in overtime.
Like the Thrashers, Buffalo was playing on the tail end of back-to-back games…the Thrashers winning in New Jersey 4-2 Friday night while the Sabres won at home 6-3 against the Islanders. It was the first regulation loss of the year for the Sabres and Atlanta improved it’s record to 4-1-0…3-1-0 on the road trip with one more game left.
Kaptain Kovalchuk scored goals number six and seven on the year…both coming in the first period, one on the power play. Todd White also scored on the power play in the second…his initial goal of the season. Johan Hedberg made is first start this year, stopping 40 of the 42 Sabres shots…19 of 20 in the third period alone.
Oh, and Moose collected an assist as well…very nice.
Max thrilled the Buffalo crowd with his first goal as a Thrasher (AP/Don Heupel)
But the play of the night came with 3:17 left in the game when Maxim Afinogenov made his return to western New York a very memorable. Just 17 seconds after Drew Stafford’s power play goal pulled the Sabres to within a goal and made it appear as though a nail-biter type of finish was in the offing, Max took a pass from Kozlov on the left side then proceeded to undress defenseman Taylor Myers on his way towards Patrick Lalime.
The finish was as good as the move…much to the delight of the home crowd.
I don’t think Afinogenov could have picked a better setting in which to score his first ever goal in a Thrashers uniform, eh?
Nik Antropov had a pair of assists, as did Slava Kozlov. For the Slavanator it was his first points on the season. For Nik they were points numbers three and four.
Mark Popovic played on defense while Anssi Salmela sat. Pops finished with no points and a +1 rating during his 14:02 TOI. Atlanta is undefeated in all three games he’s played in…just sayin’.
The penalty kill unit was again a big part in Saturday’s win. They were successful four times out of five in Buffalo…this after shutting down all six of the Devils man-advantages the night before. The biggest kill of the night came in the second when Atlanta successfully held Buffalo scoreless on a full two-minute 5 on 3. For the season now, Atlanta’s PK is an outstanding 85.0% effective, which is 8th best in the NHL.
Yes…we are talking about the Thrashers penalty kill.
The biggest difference in the penalty kill unit this season and that of season’s past is how aggressive they play while down a man. They pursue the puck and keep those skates a-movin’. By getting to the puck more often, they are able to clear the puck from the zone more times and get fresher legs on the ice. A fairly simple explanation, I know…but it is making a big difference.
On the opposite end of the special teams play is the very effective power play of the Thrashers. After their 2 for 5 performance in Buffalo, it is has been successful an impressive 37.5% of the time this season…which is the best PP% in the NHL.
The puck seemed to be hunting Moose all night long (AP Photo/Don Heupel)
Not to be overlooked also… the effort put in by the Moose. It’s not like the Sabres didn’t come to play this night as they launched 42 shots on Atlanta’s backup keeper. As stated above, almost half of those shots came in the final twenty minutes and Hedberg only allowed the power play goal during that final period.
The win now gives the Thrashers 8 points after 5 games played which equals their best start in their history. They started the 2003-04 campaign with three wins and a pair of ties for eight points as well. The sixth game of that season six years ago ended in a 3-2 overtime loss in Tampa and was followed by a 4-2 win against Nashville… giving them 11 points after seven games.
Game six this season will come Tuesday in Montreal…game seven against the Capitals will be Thursday when the Thrashers are actually allowed to play another home game. A pair of wins there will set a new high for points after seven games played by Atlanta.
Great Time At TJ’s…As Per Usual
There was a tremendous turnout at TJ’s Saturday night as about 150-ish loud, raucous Thrashers fans packed into TJ’s to enjoy the game. The Thrashers Fan Club came out in force and the staff there provided their usual fantastic service. The DJ Tim had there did a great job of making the place sound and feel a lot like a home game at Philips Arena.
Thrash made a showing as well, but he just didn’t seem to appreciate it when I offered him one of my Buffalo chicken wings… I wonder why.
The entire staff of The Blueland Chronicle was a no-show…and for that they will each be admonished at the next Blogger Summit. However, Daculafan of FanThrashtic was there at my table…along with Spud Webb, Paminski, Mr. Paminski as well as a very cool fan…I believe his name was Jeff. A few lurkers also were kind enough to introduce themselves…always a pleasure to meet the good people out there.
Tim has invited us all out again on November 7 when the Thrashers are on Lonnnn-Gisland…a game that will again not be aired locally…as well as on Thanksgiving Eve when the team travels to Detroit. Also, TJ’s will be the gathering point this Saturday for those of us making our way down to Philips on the Party Bus to see the San Jose Sharks.
And Finally…
I want to wish Tony a very happy 29th birthday. Hey Tony, your lovely wife also wanted me to let you know that by having me give you this birthday shout out…it counts as her gift to you.
So…enjoy it!
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235 comments Add your comment
Hockey Biltong
October 18th, 2009
1:19 am
1st or Unobtainium!!!
Hockey Biltong
October 18th, 2009
1:23 am
What an excellent game!! Lindy Ruff was praising Le Thrash after the game. Good stuff. I fervently hope we trim the shots on goal and curtail the silly/dumb penalties. This will truly distance ourselves from the rest of the crowd.
Can’t wait for Les Habs……
GoalieBrian
October 18th, 2009
1:51 am
Lots of fun out at TJ’s tonight. Tim came by after everyone cleared out and we chatted for a while. Such a gracious host. He told the wife and that that he’d love to host more games. I hated to say that tonight was just our first time out there, but we’re planning on heading back many, many more times. Great game, great atmosphere, great place, great people.
stendec
October 18th, 2009
2:09 am
WOW! Moose stops 40 shots. Captain Ilya Kovalchuk scores two more goals. In a hostile rink no less! The Thrashers are 4-1 after five outings. PHENOMENAL! Any delusional apologists believe Sori Letemin would have surrendered only two goals on 42 shots? No chance in Hell. Cut him loose. Do not allow the untalented Finn back to ==== up this amazing team chemistry! Agreed? That said…CONGRATULATIONS THRASHERS! Well done. Nighty night everyone. Peace. ++STENDEC++
Mrs. DWTOO
October 18th, 2009
2:34 am
Second line scores!! Fianlly! A nice goal for White with assist from Slava…I take back my thoughts on swapping lines 2 and 3…keep everything as is!
Putting On The Foil
October 18th, 2009
6:28 am
Hmmmm! Did I mention that second line just yesterday afternoon? Great game for the Thrash. And you say MOOOOOOOOOSE?
LAC
October 18th, 2009
7:15 am
Here we go AGAIN !!!!! This from the Buffalo News…
Question, Why is it Atlanta that is ALWAYS rumored to be moving ?
One of the Sabres’ former rivals has garnered a lot of attention recently. The mayor of Quebec City, ex-home of the Nordiques, met with the league about getting a team and Friday announced preliminary plans to build a $400 million arena. The lack of an adequate building was the primary reason the team became the Colorado Avalanche in 1995.
Former Sabres goaltender Martin Biron grew up in Lac St. Charles, Quebec, rooting for the Nordiques. He has no doubt a team would work in the province. (One of the early candidates reportedly suggested to be moving is the Thrashers.)
These canada people have nothing else to do ?
Gee let’s see, the last game at home was a SELLOUT…
If there were major problems, you’d think you wouod hear it from here too… Granted these owners we have are not ver good or very honest,
but every time it is US moving to canada…. Give it a rest people,
I hear Warren Buffet, The world’s Richest man wants to buy the Leafs or Oilers and move them to the Sprint Center in Kansas City… I’d love that !
Gib Traf
October 18th, 2009
7:42 am
Great game!
Too bad no story on NHL.com about it. Good thing Ovie was first star with 2 goals last night. Nice feature, too, on NHL.com about Ovie shooting for 50 in 50. He does have 9 goals in 8 games.
No respect, yet, for Kovalchuk and the Thrashers. It will be late coming this season, but it will come……
Smitty
October 18th, 2009
7:43 am
LAC
Just read that same article. Why is it that everyone thinks the Thrash will be he first team to move? A lot of people seem to forget that the Sabres were in rough shape a few years ago after the Rigas’ mess.
It seems the Thrashers are getting to be a team that is beginning to be noticed. When Kovy re-signs hopefully all these relocation idiots will go away
R. Stroz
October 18th, 2009
7:50 am
Has anyone else noticed Armstrong has been invisible?
Big Shooter
October 18th, 2009
8:29 am
Well, Rawhide…. I wasn’t going to say anything in public because I know how you HATE to get numbers wrong, but seeing as how you threw the Chronicle under the bus… Kovy scored goals number SIX and SEVEN last night. Let’s not sell the Captain short, shall we?
Oh yeah, I had a GREAT time with Trixie last night…
The Real Thrash
October 18th, 2009
8:37 am
the Sabres held a 42-27 shots-on-goal advantage. The Thrashers have been at a deficit in the category every game this season.
World Be Free
October 18th, 2009
9:22 am
I have to say Max played a good game. He was motivated, at least for one night. The shots are an issue for me too, but we are winning now and that’s the most important statistic.
Thrasher’s moving rumors-newspapers, mayors and dignitaries can say all they want about our club moving, that’s fine. But the only people that hold the cards in this matter are the guys at ASG. Recently, Don came out and said there was nothing to the rumors. This isn’t the first time he has had to do this and I believe the rumor garbage will continue. You have to remember folks, winter is setting in. There’s not much to do up north once winter sets in. Take it from me, I have experience.
If Quebec wants a team, well they should have worked alot harder to retain their last team. The provincial effort to retain the Nordiques in the mid 90’s was lacking to say the least. The Quebec City’s mayor is expecting the province to kick in a lotta money to build a new arena. Not sure where that money is going to come from.
Paminski
October 18th, 2009
9:31 am
Great game and great atmosphere at TJ’s! I can’t account for what my breath must have been like after a few Newcastles and those chips with blue cheese on them, but no one stopped talking to me. Thanks!
I’m going to call my dad in Buffalo this afternoon and do some gloating. He’ll probably just say “well, if Vanek had been playing….”. Ha! Good to see some production from that 2nd line. Max’s goal was icing on the cake.
I can’t wait until next week’s party bus! Woot!
Nate
October 18th, 2009
9:49 am
*The Real Thrash* – Not only that dude, but the Thrashers blocked 15 shots! Can you imagine if some of those had gotten through?!? A win is a win, but that one was ugly. I didn’t like the strategy in the third period at all. It seemed as though Anderson told the team to stop attacking for fear of odd man rushes but the Sabres just used the open space to pepper Moose with shots. Definitely some things they still need to work on, players and coaching staff…
five_hole
October 18th, 2009
9:59 am
All in all, I thought it was a sloppy game (on both sides). However, playing the second of back-to-back games (on both sides) this early in the season, it should probably be expected.
Was there anyone in the house happier than Max last night (after he scored)? In fact, I’m happy to see some of the other players scoring. I don’t want to see Little & Andropov press because they haven’t tweaked the twine yet.
That was a flagrant cheap shot by Schubert last night on the cross-check. If I were the coach, he wouldn’t have seen the ice for the rest of the game.
Great game by the Moose. He really stood on his head, especially in the 3rd period.
Wish we could have been there last night. I’d like to go to TJ’s on the 7th. That night will also be when a certain Mr Phaneuf will be making “sloppy seconds” out of Mr Avery. So let it be written, so let it be done.
Sara
October 18th, 2009
10:07 am
re: the never-ending relocation rumors …
Darren Eliot interviewed Gary Bettman during the NJ game on Friday night. They talked a bit about the Phoenix issue and Gary said that the League believed hockey could succeed in these markets – that in many cases there are situations where owners or GMs perhaps have not been doing the right things and that’s what hurts the franchise, not a complete lack of a market. He mentioned the previous struggles of Buffalo, Ottawa, and Pittsburgh and even how Chicago had abysmal attendance just a couple years ago. All of that is good in terms of the NHL’s commitment to first and foremost working to keep franchises where they currently are.
HOWEVER, that would have been a perfect opportunity to have asked Bettman himself outright about all the rumors that have been swirling about the Thrashers franchise in particular and get the League on record that they have no interest in seeing this team relocated. And that did NOT get asked. Whether because it didn’t occur to Darren to ask or whether he didn’t feel it was kosher for him to ask or because he was told NOT to ask I do not know, but I’d find the first two scenarios rather unlikely. Honestly, that interview did not leave me feeling warm fuzzies. Keep in mind through all the prognosticating, we’ve only ever gotten official statements from local ownership – never a statement from the League.
But … right now the team is off to an incredible start and if their winning ways continue through the season, there will be butts in those seats in Phillips. This is perhaps not only the year where the Thrashers establish themselves on the ice as a legitimate NHL team, but also the year where the Atlanta market shows just how much it can and will support its NHL team.
Hockey Biltong
October 18th, 2009
10:28 am
MRS. DWTOO – Tell me about South Afrique!!! How was it for you??? Are you still there?
Hockey Biltong
October 18th, 2009
10:30 am
BTW the ice looked bad last night. The telecast didn’t do it any favors as they were exposing for the jerseys and let the ice blow out. But I saw a lot of squirrely pucks on sticks..
Mr. Heat Miser
October 18th, 2009
11:13 am
The PK looked quite solid – best I’ve seen in a while. Was hoping for a hatty for the Captain. Really like the way Mad Max stuck it to them at the end. Looking forward to getting back to a real hockey schedule of 2-3 games a week at the bulb.
Stat Support
October 18th, 2009
11:40 am
Stat of the night: we outshot, yes outshot our opponent thru 2 periods, 23 to 22. We certainly let our foot off the gas in the third and our goal was peppered with shots. Perhaps the fatigue of back to back nites dictated our extra conservative approach. Afterall, the NJD was one of those games that takes a toll; having to play catch-up and kill so many penalties can definitely wear you down. I think we played very well for the majority of the first 40 mins tho.
alex
October 18th, 2009
11:41 am
re: the never-ending relocation rumors
would kovy consider that before making commitment to thrash on long term extension, if he not sure in what city usa or canada, perhaps franch speaking canada he going to play. just asking
World Be Free
October 18th, 2009
12:39 pm
five_hole-Buffalo media outlets are riding the Sabres pretty hard after last night’s game. Their Friday effort wasn’t much better, but at least they beat the Islanders.
Same old Sabres, just a different year. Good to see the Thrashers can win even when they are not at their best.
Brendan
October 18th, 2009
12:53 pm
LAC, WBF, Sara … wanna hear how BORED and UPSET they are in Toronto? From the Toronto Sun, I offer this article from Bruce Garrioche. (You’re not supposed to laugh yet. You WAIT for the punchline.) The Thrashers are off to a 4-1-0 start, and yet, it doesn’t stop Bruce from speculating that Peter LaViolette might be the next Thrashers Head Coach. To be fair, he listed several teams that HE THINKS are interested in LaViolette, including the beloved Maple Leafs. Enjoy the article!:
http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2009/10/18/11438896-sun.html
Lining up for Laviolette?
By BRUCE GARRIOCH
Last Updated: 18th October 2009, 2:22am
Peter Laviolette has a Stanley Cup ring.
Now, he’s just waiting for his phone to ring.
While the man who stood behind the bench when the Carolina Hurricanes won the Cup in 2006 has been filling his days as a part-time analyst for TSN, league sources say Laviolette won’t be in the television booth much longer because he’ll be one of the first coaches hired once there is a firing.
The indications are Laviolette has already received interest from a couple of teams that might want to make a change. GMs can’t afford to waste time because, with the compressed schedule, a team could easily be out of the playoff race by mid-November.
That means struggling teams are going to be quick to pull the trigger.
The Maple Leafs (Ron Wilson), Islanders (Scott Gordon) and Wild (Todd Richards) are all off to slow starts. Richards was just hired and Wilson has been given a vote of confidence. There’s a lot of talk that Gordon might be on the hot seat.
Another team to keep an eye on is the Thrashers. They are playing well right now but, if they stumble, coach John Anderson will feel the heat from GM Don Waddell, who might need to get the team back into the playoffs to keep his job. (Brendan’s Comment: HAHAHAHA. Right. DW cannot and will not be allowed to fire another coach. If someone gets fired, it’s got to be him. End comment.)
For more hilarity, read on….
AROUND THE BOARDS
Watch for a full-fledged goaltending controversy in Montreal. Carey Price’s poor play has carried over from last season and there’s a strong belief that Jaroslav Halak should be the Habs’ No. 1 goalie. Some NHL insiders think Halak should already have the job. That’s why GM Bob Gainey has been fielding calls from several teams who are interested in Halak, because, if the Habs don’t think he’s a No. 1, there are lot teams that do. Chicago, Washington, Detroit and Tampa might be looking for goaltending help later on in the season … The Blackhawks are going to have a tough time keeping young players like Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith in the fold when they become restricted free agents next summer. The belief is the ‘Hawks will shop Brian Campbell and his $7.14-million US salary in the off-season to see if they can free up some cap space in hopes of re-signing the trio … Top two candidates to be the next GMs hired in the NHL: Steve Yzerman and TSN’s Pierre McGuire. Nobody will go after Yzerman until after the Olympics. McGuire was a finalist for the Wild job that went to Chuck Fletcher … The Panthers are trying to move Nathan Horton, who is off to a bad start … The Oilers may consider moving Andrew Cogliano. The word is GM Steve Tambellini would like to get bigger down the middle … If Tampa’s Vincent Lecavalier doesn’t get it going soon, he’ll play his way off Team Canada for the Olympics. Right now, teammate Steven Stamkos is getting all the headlines with the Lightning.
OFF THE GLASS
Don’t believe the bafflegab out of Vancouver that GM Mike Gillis isn’t shopping around for help. While the Canucks are willing to give winger Michael Grabner the chance to show he can play in the NHL, word is Gillis isn’t going to wait forever. The 22-year-old Grabner, who was a first-round pick in 2006, had four goals in five games with Manitoba of the AHL when Vancouver recalled him on Wednesday and had an assist in Vancouver’s 5-3 loss to the Flames on Friday night … Doug Risebrough wouldn’t pull the plug on former Minnesota coach Jacques Lemaire last season and that’s why he’s the ex-GM of the Wild. Sources say Risebrough held some serious talks with Pat Quinn (hired by the Oilers in the summer), but couldn’t bring himself to fire Lemaire. Now, he is sitting on the sidelines. He interviewed with the Panthers in the summer, but the club didn’t want to spend money and sinply dropped the interim tag from GM Randy Sexton instead.
BRUCE.GARRIOCH@SUNMEDIA.CA (Brendan Comment: If true, I’m glad Florida didn’t hire Risebrough. Another classic Panther decision. End comment.)
August
October 18th, 2009
1:25 pm
Any chance with the way Pavs and Moose are playing that we could send Kari off to Chicago when he gets healthy? Pavs is making it very tough to send him back to Chicago and if Moose can play that well in spot starts as the #2, I don’t see how Kari can have much of a future with this team.
August
October 18th, 2009
1:27 pm
I should clarify – I mean Blackhawks when I say send Kari to Chicago. Their goaltending situation there is horrible right now, especially after a couple of those goals that were let in last night.
R. Stroz
October 18th, 2009
1:48 pm
In case you haven’t seen this replay of the game last night, this is a great picture of Moose giving to the Sabres:
http://bluelandchronicle.blogspot.com/
Cup Guy
October 18th, 2009
1:57 pm
First off I want to say, next time I will make it out. I have never been out but heard so much about these gatherings. Unfortunately, I didn’t even get to watch the game. I have a horrible job and actually had to work. But i got the low down and watched all the highlights. It looked like an awesome game. Max. That is why he was and will be a top 6 foward. That is not just any foward scoring. That is a sick move. Next we should try the cradle spinorama move like the 9 year old.
Kari. I know i’m going to tick a lot of people off with this. I want him gone. He is to injury prone and even when he is healthy, there is no consistency what at all. Pavs keeps getting shot down about how he is not a number 1 goalie. I hope they all stop and look now. He has played spectacular. I have seen so much improvement since game 1 of the season. Much better rebound control. Trying to stick in the crease and not flop so much. Personally, I think Kari needs to be dealt before the loses anymore value. I trust in Pavs and Moose. Blueland should also.
Jameson
October 18th, 2009
2:10 pm
Actually, at some point, I’d still kind of like to see:
Kovy-Antro-Little
Kane-Pevs-Max
Kozy-White-Army
Darkhorse
October 18th, 2009
2:13 pm
Did any of you catch what the guys on HNIC had to say about a Kovy decision coming very soon. Fingers crossed for us….
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2009/10/17/sp-hockey-hotstove-1.html
Sunday Night Football – Falcons vs. Bears Preview | The Bird Cage
October 18th, 2009
2:25 pm
[...] Rawhide scribing about the Thrashers 4-1 start [...]
JAmes_kovyboy from MTL
October 18th, 2009
3:25 pm
i dont care if Army is invisible, as long as we win!
im from mtl and i hate the habs, even though its like the 203023 time i say it tto you guys
i just hope the thrashers wont end a winning streak against a 2-5 team!
btw we should keep kane because of the goal he scored against the devils
and ill be at the game tuesday, most probably one of the only guys with a thrashers jersey
ALLLEZ LES BLEUSS
(GO BLUEEE)
unfounded speculation
October 18th, 2009
4:16 pm
Can we please put a moratorium on discussing all of the baseless rumors spewing forth by the drive-by Canadian media machine?? There’s no point in giving these rumor mongers the least bit of pleasure or satisfaction by broaching the subject matter at all; there is absolutely no sense in giving it the least bit of thought as it is all pure, unadulterated horse excrement. So to hell with Toronto, Montreal and all of the hopless hosers who keep holding out hope that the ASG will give in and ship off the Thrashers to a Canadian interest.
Stop the Insanity and enjoy the ride during this season of renewed hope and enthusiasm!
World Be Free
October 18th, 2009
4:56 pm
Unfounded-I am with you. I think most of us that mentioned this stuff are amused by the stupidity of the people saying it. I am enjoying the ride so far. Hopefully, the good times so far will get Kovy’s signature on a contract soon.
You know Brendan, Atlanta may very soon become a PREFERRED destination for free agents. Why? Because this is a good hockey town AND players don’t have to deal with the constant scrutiny in the media here that they with in other cities. You can come here and play hockey without constantly being hounded by the media and the dozen or so call in shows that dominate the radio dial in some markets.
Sounds like Chicago will do anything to get themselves out of Brian Campbell’s contract. Especially when they have better defenseman on their club that are coming up for contracts. These guys are saying-”why can’t I get Brian Campbell money”? Stay tuned-Chicago and Boston’s situations could get very interesting.
Good for the Rangers, getting off to a quick start. Gaborik is playing well, but so are a group of youngers that the Rangers finally decided to hold on to. Marc Savard, Doug Weight, Tony Amonte the list of youngsters traded away by the Rangers is very, very long. Only Mike Milbury gave away more young talent than the Rangers.
Zoomo
October 18th, 2009
4:58 pm
Sorry I missed the TJs gathering. Next time. Had to stick close to the TV so I could watch the Yankees and Thrashers. Little did I know I’d be up to past 1am with Yanks game.
I’m surprised no one has mentioned Hainsey. He had a very solid game except for the penalty, along with Bogo, that led to the 5 on 3. Beauty job by Kubina, White, and Schubert to kill that one! Hainsey was solid and smart all night.
Moose saved the team from brink in the 3rd. I think the Thrash were just out of gas. Nice to se Kovy out there late again and chipping pucks into the neutral zone. Nice D by the Kap’t.
4-1…had to type that…feels great!
unfounded speculation
October 18th, 2009
5:30 pm
WBF – very true and I used to get a chuckle out of these idiots’ blather but our blogging faithful are making it worse by constantly bringing it up; it warrants nary a sniff of fodder mill chatter.
Zoomo – good observation on the man without a nickname. He usually goes about his business quietly and he has graciously accepted a different role with little PP time at all. He saved a goal with his stick in lane breaking up a 2 on 1 in the third after Bogey got picked in the neutral zone.
Thrashers27
October 18th, 2009
6:17 pm
You know what would be awesome? If Kovy said to DW: “Hey Don! Sign Peverley to an extension and I’ll sign at the same time. That’s a “WIN, WIN, WIN”.
Krust
October 18th, 2009
9:50 pm
I had my thrashers jersey on today at publix in buckhead and three women came up to me and said did you see games this weekend and I said yes it was amazing they all said I am watching Tuesday and going the next home game. Its only a few games in and people are stoked. Totally awesome. This woman in publix stopped me and said that game against Buffalo was totally amazing. The classic line from slap shot “I don’t believe my friggin eyes. Boys we got our selves a hockey team! Standec you can’t disagree keep Kari away from the team.
jared
October 18th, 2009
10:36 pm
LeBurn asked kovy about his FA status
“We’ll see … I like it here, and hopefully we’ll figure out something”
This quote made today a great day.
Krust- we certainly do have ourselves a hockey team
Brendan
October 19th, 2009
12:07 am
Hey, now both the Falcons AND Thrashers are 4-1-0.
Hockey Biltong
October 19th, 2009
12:15 am
Here Here!
LAC
October 19th, 2009
5:19 am
Sure wish the hawks would move, Nothing worse than the National BORING Association, or The NOTHING Basketball Assoc.
Send them to Winnipeg, a perfect place for pro basketball… nba SUCKS !
LAC
October 19th, 2009
5:26 am
Lastly you folks need to read this bit from the tsn fan comments,
again people are all over us saying WE should not have hockey here, but
this IDIOT really sums up those IDIOT or STUPID, or F’ed up canada fans.
“Their” sport ? “Their” sport???, BS,Ice Hockey is played world wide and if these STUPID AS HELL canada fans want teams in all canada cities, then pull the 6 NHL teams in canada and form new ones and start the canada hockey league and SHUT THE HELL UP !
What a comment !
Dee20
1 day ago
How about just get rid of Bettman. No dam Yankee should be running OUR canadian sport. Everyone Agree?
See how STUPID this guy is, he cannot even spell !!!!
World Be Free
October 19th, 2009
5:34 am
LAC-just shows you that ignorance is universal. We’ll see more of it tomorrow night in Montreal.
Let`s Start the Season
October 19th, 2009
6:44 am
It all adds up to this. For as long as we can remember the players have all wanted to play in U.S. cities, despite the fact such a large number of the are K NAY DIENS themselves. They know its a lot less pressure playing in some city 500-1000 miles away. Away from very judgemental and high expectation media from back home. Most of the guys just don`t want to have to deal with the media issues during a season when you`re to concentrate on being at your best throughout the course of the season. Also, they`ve always wanted to be paid in U.S. dollars, and we can`t blame anyone for that. Pictues of dead Presidents, Yes. Pictures of the Queen, Booo!
Zoomo
October 19th, 2009
7:41 am
If you have seen the video from the Thrashers off day in Elmira,ON, it’s worth a look. Nice tribute to 37
http://bit.ly/3XlsHo
Toby
October 19th, 2009
8:08 am
Great ESPN article on that as well…
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=lebrun_pierre&id=4575553
Buzilla in CT
October 19th, 2009
9:06 am
Why is Canada a country full of haters? Now that the Thrash have had this great start they are strating to float rumors that Kovy now wants to go and play in the KHL. WTF? He wants to win. In the NHL. He wants to do it here. In Atlanta. If Atlanta reverts to there past crapinings then he wants to win somewhere else. How sweet would it for him to win a cup with a team that is all him (basically). No disrescpect to the other good players on our team, but as Kovy goes so will this team. Its not Kovy/Heatley or Kovy/Hossa, its Kovy. All Kovy, all the time.
I give props to DW or Dudley or whomever got these pieces together because the league is starting to take notice and not pencil in a “W” when they see the Trash on the schedule.
I am extremely pumped by what I have seen so far and can’t wait to see the parade down Peachtree street with Baton Bob leading the way blowing his wistle and wearing an Ice Girl outfit…
Buzilla in CT
October 19th, 2009
9:08 am
excuse me…Blue Crew outfit
Toby
October 19th, 2009
9:11 am
Well Buzilla (I’m from CT as well)
Here’s a quote that may help a little…Pretty much the same quotes from before the season started, but at least he hasn’t changed his opinion…
When asked about how the Thrashers were cautiously optimistic that he would soon sign a contract extension, the superstar winger answered: “Hopefully. I like it here. And I think they did a lot of good things during the offseason to sign some guys and I feel it’s the best team we’ve ever had. They took some good steps. So we’ll see. My agent is talking to them. I just want to focus on hockey.”[
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4575551&name=lebrun_pierre
World Be Free
October 19th, 2009
9:16 am
Buzilla-there a lot of nice folks in Canada, they have more than there fair share of quality people.
But some of the posts we have seen in their blogs show us that they have a fair share of idiots too. I blame the media for stoking their ignorance.
I decided to ignore them and enjoy our good start. Let’s keep it going in Montreal tomorrow.
Toby
October 19th, 2009
9:25 am
Custance and Dub also chime in…
Atlanta general manager Don Waddell said he and Kovalchuk’s agent, Jay Grossman, have had a lot of positive contract talks in the last week.
“Every sign continues to point toward getting something done,” Waddell told Sporting News.
Buzilla in CT
October 19th, 2009
9:29 am
WBF – I should have said “Canadian Hockey Fans” instead of grouping the entire country. I am also referring to the more rabid canadian hockey fans that LAC referenced above who believe that all NHL teams should be in Canada. They would like a team from Moose Knuckle to Sasquatch (feel free to fill in any other ficticious Canadian city)
I am enjoying the start. I can’t wait until November 7th when I get to see the Trash put the smack down on the Islanders!!!! Center Ice still isn’t available in my area so this is my one chance to see them until they play on national tv or Comcast gets there sh*t together and get it available in my area.
Rawhide
October 19th, 2009
9:45 am
Buzilla – Remember…there will be a group of us gathering at TJ’s on the 7th to watch that game. We wanna see a sign up against the glass from you giving us all a shout out!
We’ll be looking for ya!
World Be Free
October 19th, 2009
10:27 am
Toby – sounds very good
Buzilla-here’s hoping we can put those idiot fans behind us.
Opie in goal tomorrow?
Any news on Kari?
Hopefully this fast start will not force him into playing before he is ready.
Toby
October 19th, 2009
10:54 am
Kevin Allen says we are close to resigning Pevs…
http://www.usatoday.com/community/profile.htm?UID=7f199720956b03f0&plckController=PersonaBlog&plckScript=personaScript&plckElementId=personaDest&plckPersonaPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3a7f199720956b03f0Post%3a9de4ed67-c0e9-4818-96ef-7dccbd6729e9
Midfield
October 19th, 2009
11:17 am
I seriously regret one thing about the game in Buffalo: they did not show that wide load Buffalo announcer’s face (plenty of which I had a pleasure of seeing during the two intermissions) just after Afinogenov’s goal. I can only imagine how it looked like.
five_hole
October 19th, 2009
11:23 am
From your lips to . . . Waddell’s ears?
I am a big Peverley fan. He can play in all situations. He can play center or wing. And he’s a point-per game player. And not many players who score like he’s been doing would accept a “demotion” to the 3rd line. If he did that voluntarily, he’s a team guy.
This would be 1 down & 2 to go.
Mrs. DWTOO
October 19th, 2009
11:47 am
Hockey Biltong: “MRS. DWTOO – Tell me about South Afrique!!! How was it for you??? Are you still there?”
Yes, I’m here until around December 20 doing work with HIV/AIDS prevention in south Africa under the Presidet’s Emergecy Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). I’m in Pretoria (a hop, skip & jump from Jo-Burg). It’s spring here and the jacarandi are blooming along with everything else. Weather has been mostly sunny, but the storms, when they come, are really intense – lots of lightning and LOUD thunder. Temperatures are low-mid 60s F at night and low 80s F during the day. Humidity is a lot lower than Atlanta and my sinuses are much better here than in Atlanta. I’m learning to convert Rands into US dollars to see how expensive it is to live here. Food, in general, is a little cheaper than Atlanta, especially the wine and beer (these cost way more in Atlanta). Also converting fahrenheit to celsius, ounces to grams, miles to meters, etc., etc. Crime is still vey high here so we are told to not venture out at night unless with a group. I’ve been getting to know my surroundings around the Brooklyn area of Pretoria, been to the US Embassy several times for PEPFAR meetings, and will be going to check out downtown Pretoria this weekend. They love their rugby and football (i.e. soccer) here and the South Africans love their cars as much as Americans. Unfortunately, I didn’t bring my drivers’ license so I can’t drive here, although I’m not sure if I really want to; the South Africans drive rather recklessly, accounting for one of the highest rates of accidents on the African continent. I’m not sure if this has changed since you’ve lived here. Still a wide gap between rich and poor. I’ve been told that downtown Jo-Burg has been taken over more or less by a number of other countries’ refugees, leaving a lot of highrises in pretty much shambles, although there are some areas that have not been affected. The crime rate is very much higher in Johannesburg than Pretoria, or so I’ve been told. Where did you go to high school? Was it for boys only? The schools here appear to be mostly private and are for only boys or only for girls. I have’t seen any co-ed schools yet, but will stand corrected if there are…this could be because of where I’m living in Pretoria.
Sorry for the long post and digression from the blog topic…just wanted to answer Hockey Biltong.
R. Stroz
October 19th, 2009
11:49 am
I’m a huge Peverley fan. He reminds me alot of Tom Lysiak back in the days of the Atlanta Flames. He hustles, plays both ways, and never gives up. Peverley does have better wheels than Lysiak did.
Buzilla in CT
October 19th, 2009
11:56 am
Peverley goes both ways?
NYC
October 19th, 2009
12:05 pm
Addressing the issue of “not posting senseless relocation rumors”, well, they seem to be constantly out there, and if somebody posts one, I myself hate hearing them, but appreciate the reassurances from the fellow bloggers – sorta of a “come off the ledge, they’re BS!”. I’m proud to say I was part of the turnout at TJ’s – good time by all!
If only the Jets could have pulled the daily double over the Bills –
#!@*!!!^#@**!!!
Daculafan
October 19th, 2009
12:19 pm
TJ’s was awesome and it was great to see so many fans!! The Thrashers made it a good party with the way they played also. My first viewing party ever was a couple of years ago when we went to Buffalo and got stomped 10-1, this was much better of course.
The PK and goaltending are what stands out to me so far to be the dramatic difference from last year. Our PK killed off everything thrown at them in Jersey then comes to Buffalo and kills off a big 5-3 Wow!
My son is stoked about Peverley (he gave him an autograph during camp and every since then he’s been my son’s favorite player). I hope we can get him locked down, it will be just another step in showing Kovy how much we want to make this a winner.
Let’s enjoy the ride guys…hopefully it won’t end until we hoist the cup!!
World Be Free
October 19th, 2009
12:30 pm
NYC-th Bills/Jets game was horrible. I’m a Bills’ fan, but I was hoping the Jets would win so Buffalo would fire Dick Jauron.
Toby-thanks for the link, that would be great news!
NASCAR Dave
October 19th, 2009
12:35 pm
So I guess KOVY is not gonna resign here. Per DUMB WADDELL, “We don’t negotiate contracts during the season”. If KOVY was coming back he would have been signed during the summer. Truth hurts, I know. I’m pissed too. Anyways, GO THRASHERS and keep up the good work.
NASCAR Dave
October 19th, 2009
12:38 pm
DACULAFAN – It’s not about “pleasing KOVY”. That is not how competent management builds a team.
But it is pretty funny to see how Brown DON FRAUDell’s nose is getting! KOVY is his last chnace…
He knows when KOVY goes, so does he!!! So there is a silver lining to everything, regardless…
World Be Free
October 19th, 2009
12:52 pm
The Bruins traded Chuck Kobasew to The Wild. Boston gets a prospect and a 2nd round pick. The Bruins dump salary and obtain more futures for a player they really didn’t need.
Do you think Toronto would have given their 2012 first round pick for Kobasew?
Sara
October 19th, 2009
1:21 pm
Same old agenda huh Dave. Haven’t been around in ages, the team’s off to an excellent 4-1 start, and all you can continue to come up with is “Don Fraudell”? Truly lame.
Buzilla in CT
October 19th, 2009
1:42 pm
Wait a minute Sara. I haven’t heard NASCAR Dave arguement for firing Mr. Fraudell. (That is classic by the way, because he is fraud right? Excellent work)
Since it has been a while, maybe he has some new light to shed on the situation.
ben
October 19th, 2009
1:53 pm
pevs and kovy for years to come
maybe oppie can stay too?
Toby
October 19th, 2009
2:20 pm
ESPN has an insider article saying Kovy might go to Boston. I can’t open it, but all you need to know is that it’s titled:
lya Kovalchuk may be off to the East Coast.
Uhhhhh………….Yeah.
ranallo10 (in AT)
October 19th, 2009
2:26 pm
Ohhhhh, FRAUDell…like Waddell, but with the word Fraud cleverly inserted to make it look like his last name! I get it!!
Smoothie
October 19th, 2009
2:31 pm
Great to see we are close to a deal to lock up Peverley for at least a couple of years. As my girlfriend likes to say, we have quickly developed “Pever-lasting” love for Ricky Pevs! I think my next customized jersey (white this time) will be the Dispenser. It will look great in our collection next to Little, Reasoner and Bogosian. If Kovy re-ups as well, I think I’ll get a red # 17 jersey that reads Kapt Kovy.
Rawhide
October 19th, 2009
2:32 pm
I have it from a good source that a wealthy peanut farmer in central Georgia is seeking to gather funds to purchase the Toronto Maple Leafs and relocate them to Macon. (r5).
The goal is to place the team there and re-name them the Macon Whoopie.
You just read it here on the internet…so it must be true!
NASCAR Dave
October 19th, 2009
2:44 pm
I’m back! You guys know you missed me! It’s nice to have someone here that speaks the truth, isn’t it?
SARA – I have no agenda. Just want people to be held accountable for their actions i.e. DUMB DON…
NASCAR Dave
October 19th, 2009
2:45 pm
TOBY – I heard the KOVY to BOSTON rumor too… As well as KOVY to Detroit…
Rawhide
October 19th, 2009
2:53 pm
TSN is out with it’s latest power ranking…look who’s number 5!
five_hole
October 19th, 2009
2:57 pm
Rawhide If it’s a peanut farmer in Macon, wouldn’t they be Macon Peanut Butter?
We’re number 5! We’re number 5!
Alan R.
October 19th, 2009
3:03 pm
Peverley goes both ways?
Easy there, now, Richard Simmons…
Stendecs Mother
October 19th, 2009
3:13 pm
Has anyone seen my boy?
Stendecs Mother
October 19th, 2009
3:14 pm
How bout Macon Canadien Bacon
Russian
October 19th, 2009
3:25 pm
Frolov will be in healthy scratch two game on the road. Do we need him? He is Left Wing, 27 years old. He will be UFA after this season. He has only 5 points on 8 games with Kings.
Sara
October 19th, 2009
3:36 pm
Well now, the Wolves have fired their coaching staff after a 1-5 start.
Sara
October 19th, 2009
3:38 pm
Oh, linkage: http://www.chicagowolves.com/releases/1447-wolves-announce-coaching-change
Buzilla in CT
October 19th, 2009
4:11 pm
Peverly signing should be released any day now
Richard Simmons?
Will L
October 19th, 2009
4:12 pm
Hey Rawhide, you just got quoted on ESPN rumor central. Although they totally screwed up and titled the rumor “Pavelec sticking with Preds?” Although the title is aptly punctuated because it makes you go WTF? Here is the article:
Ondrej Pavelec may be making a case to stay with the Predators, even after starter Kari Lehtonen returns to the lineup.
“If Pavs keeps this up, then how is [GM Don] Waddell going to be able to send him back to Chicago once Kari Lehtonen eventually returns to the lineup?” writes the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (this article).
Pavelec is 3-1-0 with a .918 save percentage and 2.76 GAA.
Sorry I am not fancy with a link.
Will L
October 19th, 2009
4:14 pm
ok so maybe it was your previous blog and not this one
Alan R.
October 19th, 2009
4:16 pm
ESPN has Atlanta ranked at #9.
Rawhide
October 19th, 2009
4:33 pm
Will L – Thanks for the tip-off on the ESPN rumor central quote…I’ll se if I can’t dig it up!
World Be Free
October 19th, 2009
4:51 pm
Boston would have to dump 4 players to get the $$$ to sign Kovy. ESPN and a few other sources. This stuff gets crazier every day.
Maybe he’ll sign with the Chicago Wolves?
Tom
October 19th, 2009
4:56 pm
World Be Free – Maybe he will coach the Chicago Wolves.
I think every sportswriter in an NHL city is writing an article for a slow day entitled “What would it take for us to get Kovy?”
It is an easy what if piece and one that will get the readership engaged. With the start that Kovy has had it is prime hot stove material.
One thing that may keep him here is these polls that show us in the Top 10 and how the other glamor teams have dropped down. Ilya has been instrumental in putting together the Thrashers this year and it is working. He does have a dog in the fight.
Smoothie
October 19th, 2009
5:23 pm
The Thrashers record without Peverley last year: 14-24-5
The Thrashers record since the Peever was plucked off waivers: 25-18-1
Richard “Ricky Pevs” Peverley has 42 points in 44 games as a Thrasher.
Peverley’s annual cap hit for the last couple years: $487,500
Jim Slater’s annual salary for the 2009-10 campaign: $840,000
I would say that is some convincing evidence for a contract extension.
Congratulations to a great player and a fantastic lockeroom guy!!
Smoothie
October 19th, 2009
5:24 pm
Oh yeah, almost forgot. Peverley is leading the entire league in Face-off Won Percentage with an eye-popping 72% efficiency rate. Hello!!
Smitty
October 19th, 2009
6:40 pm
How did Nashville let this guy get away? True, maybe he has a point to prove but he had to show somebody something while he was with the Preds.!!! Be nice to see Kovy and Pevs re-up on the same day before Thanksgiving.
World Be Free
October 19th, 2009
8:15 pm
If Kovy signs soon we won’t have to deal with al this idiotic speculation anymore. You have to admit some of the speculation is so stupid it’s funny. Grown men, paid alotta money say the stupidest things.
Do you believe these guys at Hockey Central on Versus!? They fall all over Ottawa, a non-playoff team last year like they are the second coming! When the Thrashers are mentioned, their immediate reaction is “it won’t last” “hey, it’s early”. Based on what?
Like I said, grown men, paid alotta money, say the stupidest things.
Waffleboy
October 19th, 2009
9:27 pm
I would rather the hockey writers of the world, who are the worst homers of any sports writer(if it doesn’t happen in Toronto or Montreal it doesn’t matter), and leave the Thrashers alone. Where did most of these guys have the Maple Leafs pegged at this year? Has anyone seen Toronto play this year? They’re horrible. Almost as bad as the Lightning. Makes me feel sorry for Exelby. Let them speculate about where Kovy’s going. It doesn’t seem to be affecting him the way it did Hossa a few years back.
ben
October 19th, 2009
9:59 pm
Peverley, All-Star!
Brendan
October 19th, 2009
11:00 pm
My only question is this: “Why not re-sign Peverley, Little, Pavelec, etc., during the off-season?”
Well?
Would these players have told their agents, “I don’t care how OFTEN Don Waddell calls, we’re NOT AMENABLE to contract negotiations. We don’t do PROACTIVE deals. We’re gonna play the season, hit all our numbers, and SQUEEZE every last penny out of the Atlanta Spirit, LLC?”
Raise your hand, good-n-high, if you think … that that’s what the players thought? Keep ‘em up. Let’s count.
Waddell has done one, and only one, proactive contract is his DECADE LONG Administration. It was Toby Enstrom. And I applauded him for it. Enstrom’s production slipped a little last year. I hope it didn’t sour Waddell from the ‘concept’ of the PROACTIVE contract.
Kovalchuk is a very different matter. He’s not a player that is trying to PROVE he belongs here, and can remain VIABLE as a NHL commodity for the coming years. That period has long since passed for him. For Kovy, as you all know, part of the issue is … “How well the team plays … for EACH OTHER … and in terms of RESULTS.” The other part of the equasion … is the ownership … and its longterm commitment towards icing a winning team. In this respect, I’m not jumping all over Kovalchuk. In his shoes, and BEEEEEEEE HONEST, you’d do the same thing. Once you affix your signature on that contract, it’s (1) LEGAL and it’s (2) BINDING. And if you walk away to go play for the KHL … your name is mud back here in North America.
I just remember Waddell’s quote, “Very good progress is being made. We’ve had a counter-offer. This is not a Marian Hossa situation. I don’t think we’ll still be talking about this at Christmas.” Those are Waddell words. Some people take him at his word. And some people don’t. I don’t know what to believe. But I’m inclined to believe that it’s more true than false. If Atlanta is in 1st place in the SE division at Christmas, and playing well … and say … not there because (1) Carolina imploded, (2) Washington lost Ovechkin for the year, (3) Tampa blows, and (4) Florida has no clue how to run its team, then yes … I honestly do think Kovy “might” re-sign at the Holidays. But in Kovy’s shoes, I still wouldn’t re-sign then.
Why not? I still don’t know what level of commitment the Atlanta Spirit, LLC will provide. When the trade deadline rolls around, will Atlanta’s budget increase? Will the Thrashers be BUYERS? Part II of the question, “Will they be INTELLIGENT buyers?” Or will they try some ‘Phil Kessel-like idiocy of a trade, whereby we MORTGAGE most of our future draft picks?” Think the Keith Tkachuk deal. There’s a right and wrong way to be a buyer at the deadline. I would like to think that Don Waddell and the AS, LLC learned its lesson about “going for broke” at the deadline. It’s okay to max out your cap at the deadline; in fact, that would capture Kovalchuk’s attention, but it’s quite another to do that while hamstringing the organization for years to come. Very un-good. I’m the sort who’d like to give Waddell the benefit of the doubt this time around. I think he’s ‘learned’ in his position. But the PROOF will be what kind of moves he ACTUALLY makes at the deadline. Adding some veteran depth might be okay, whether at forward or defense. So long as the only thing we give up are ‘throw away’ draft picks or ‘longshot’ prospects. Think Chad Painchaud. Or any of the Dwyers. If, God forbid, we’re in selling mode … we’ve got to get all we can for those who cannot be retained. You know who they are. You know where to look to see the letters “UFA” in the 2010 column.
Victory! – Falcons Edge Bears | The Bird Cage
October 19th, 2009
11:03 pm
[...] Iceman on Thrasher Sabres Victory and 4-1 Start [...]
JLH
October 19th, 2009
11:18 pm
100th ….. so what?
Hockey Biltong
October 20th, 2009
12:31 am
Mrs DWTWO – thanks. We should catch up when you return.
LAC
October 20th, 2009
2:28 am
WBF, you hit it right, even when “they” do say something positive about
Atlanta, they Always have to temper it with some kind of negative, to put us down… Really sick, Just look at the train WRECKS in Montreal & Toronto, when will the FIRE Brian Burke signs start to appear ?
How can Bob Gainey keep his job ? But those teams are just about to turn the corner soon as hnic IDIOT p.j.stock would say…
Ron Mexico
October 20th, 2009
2:46 am
In all the early success, I kinda feel somewhat sorry for Jim Slater in all of this. He’s a nice guy and a hard worker, but with Kane’s emergence and our newfound plethora of depth, he is the clear odd man out. Does anybody think he’ll be kept simply for depth, or could he potentially become waiver wire fodder?
World Be Free
October 20th, 2009
5:33 am
LAC-toss Darcy Regier into the mix of the “how does this guy keep his job” mix. Liked PJ as a player, but he’s fallen in with the rest of these HNIC clowns. Tonight, we have a chance to show Montreal how far we have come.
The best way to shut these idiots up is play great hockey-period.
DWTOO
October 20th, 2009
7:30 am
New Wolves coach is Gene Ubriaco, or should we say returning coach. Remember my first Knights game – Ubriaco got into a fight with the Utah coach. They were throwing punches over the glass. This followed a major scrum on the ice. While the coaches were fighting one of the Knights was tossing the Utah players gloves into the stands.
Sara
October 20th, 2009
7:51 am
Brendan – proactive is certainly always “good” when it comes to contracts. It’s just a no-brainer. But by the same token, think about how many teams in the NHL sign players to big contracts based on one season of high performance. Cheechoo pops to mind right off. Little has had one full year for the Thrashers, a solid one to be sure, but one year nonetheless. Is that really a good sample of what he can bring? Remember, there’s no question he will get tendered an offer as an RFA, the question is for how much and that’s based on performance. The more data both sides have to make that decision, the better the chances the contract amount will be “appropriate.” Pevs has played less than a full season here, spending a good bit of it with very talented linemates. Can he produce without Ilya on his wing? That’d be the question I’d be asking myself as a GM. 5 games in, it certainly looks like he can.
There’s a balancing act here that’s in some ways delicate. Waddell gets called stupid for not locking guys up sooner but keep in mind there is a large area of stupid in the other direction as well.
As for Ilya – I am in utter shock at the people on here who are fans of this team that dare to compare this to the Hossa situation. Given we all sat through that two years ago, there is ZERO question this is completely different. One, Hossa was never as forthcoming on this topic as Kovy has been for over a year. Two, Hossa had clearly partially checked out his last year here. Anyone think the Kaptain has checked out already? It’s plain that the whole contract extension issue is *not* bothering Kovy and if he shrugs it off and goes out and works his tail off every night, the rest of the team is going to follow his lead and they aren’t going to worry about it either.
So far everything is moving in the direction it needs to for Kovy to be comfortable re-signing in Atlanta. The team is 4-1, including a 3-1 road record. Pavs is playing pretty well, the special teams are clicking, the team is working hard. We have a number of young players that will obviously be here for a while, Antropov on a long-term deal, and Pevs getting re-upped soon. As in, Don and the organization are showing they are committed to keeping good players here. Nothing is guaranteed, but unless the team falls apart and everything changes from where it stands right now, the odds of a Kovalchuk re-signing are currently very much in our favor.
ranallo10 (in AT)
October 20th, 2009
8:44 am
Forgive me please, but I will temper my hopes until word comes that Kovalchuk (and Peverley, Little, or Armstrong for that matter) have signed another contract with the Thrashers. I’m taking the stance of “been there done that” with regards to the whole negotiations with potential impact players (Nikulin, Hossa, Zherdev, Campbell) and at this point I don’t see why I should get excited or depressed over the ongoing process.
Kovalchuk is doing his part by saying the right things in the media, Waddell seems to feel he’s done his part by acquiring talent to surround Kovalchuk, and Anderson has definitely done his part by taking the ingredients provided to him and making it work (in a few games the PK is better, there is offensive balance across three lines, but the defense still needs work). Now the rest of the team has to play their part by continuing to play well and win games. Hopefully that will be enough to get the signature we’re all hoping for.
Toby
October 20th, 2009
8:47 am
Game day!!! Let’s keep this up
Peverleys Agent
October 20th, 2009
8:51 am
Sara my dear, my client has played less than 15 games with Kovalchuk on his wing. He’s done the majority of his damage with Kozlov, Armstrong and now Kane playing on his flank. He has certainly proven that he can excel without the benefit of a superstar scoring goals off of his slick passes.
Tony C.
October 20th, 2009
9:00 am
per Ben Wright-We should be getting official Peverly extension announcement soon.:
http://twitter.com/BenThrashers
Rawhide
October 20th, 2009
9:16 am
The best way to shut these idiots up is play great hockey-period.
WBF – I’ll add to that one thing…and the fans need to show up and pack Philips Arena.
Not just on opening night…
Not just a Saturday night after a long road trip…
But all the time.
RS
October 20th, 2009
9:42 am
Dmitry Chesnokov is a Russian journalist out of Washington D.C and if you don’t follow him on twitter, you should. He is THE source for Russian NHLers. Instead of speculating on rumors, he picks up the phone and asks them himself. He has several quotes from Ilya this morning…
http://twitter.com/dchesnokov
Smoothie
October 20th, 2009
10:12 am
Can’t really blame Kovalchuk expressing doubt over the state of the NHLPA and its ability to effectively represent the interests of the players in the wake of the firing of Kelly. If it means that much to the players to have the privilege of representing their countries in the Olympics, I can’t hold that against them. I don’t think Kovy will base his decision with respect to his future in Atlanta solely on the 2014 Sochi Olympics. He will make it based on the performance of the Atlanta Thrashers this season. Afterall, do you really think Don Waddell is going to deny Kovy the chance to play for Russia in 2014 after inking him to a new 6 year deal? We can certainly afford to “loan” him out to Team Russia for a few weeks and take whatever financial penalty the NHL tries to levy…it will be chump change compared to what they will be paying Ilya if he stays.
Waffleboy
October 20th, 2009
10:57 am
Ilya will be on NHL Live @ about 1 pm according to Ben Wright. Glad I have the day off!
Spud Webb
October 20th, 2009
11:07 am
Great time and a great game, thanks for the seat at the big boys table Rawhide!!!! Midfield you have to remember, Buffalo doesn’t miss max, trust me on that. He ran his course there and all of us sabres fans are glad he’s gone. We don’t wish him any ill will, but we didn’t tender him a contract. In fact nobody did until 2 weeks into camp. Great game by Max, but lets not go bananas here. He’ll have a decent season, but he is WHO WE THOUGHT HE IS!!! ahahaha, stealing that from Dennis Green!!!
Netminder
October 20th, 2009
12:11 pm
The Atlanta Thrashers have locked up a big part of their offense by signing Rich Peverley to a two-year deal worth $2.6 million.
The 27-year old Peverley has been phenomenal for the Thrashers since being picked up off waivers from the Nashville Predators last season. In 44 total games with the Thrashers he has 17 goals and 25 assists. He is currently second in team scoring with four goals and three assists in five games.
In 117 career games, the Guelph, Ontario native has 24 goals and 38 assists.
The Thrashers undoubtedly hope that this will help in the re-signing of star sniper Ilya Kovalchuk who is set to become an unrestricted free agent at season’s end.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=295472
BlueSpark
October 20th, 2009
12:16 pm
The Peverly deal is done – 2yrs @ 2.6M, I think
World Be Free
October 20th, 2009
12:18 pm
Bill-management has stepped up, now it’s time for the fans to do the same.
Midfield
October 20th, 2009
12:25 pm
Spud, not that it’s the hill to die on, but, from the audio of the game – particularly in the aftermath of the 4th Atlanta goal – I would say that quite a few in attendance wished Max a lot of ill.
Smoothie
October 20th, 2009
12:31 pm
Congrats to Mr. Peverley, a well-deserved pay increase. Now go out there and get us a hat-trick tonite against the Frogs!
Sara
October 20th, 2009
12:33 pm
That Peverley contract is a steal. Nicely done.
Rawhide
October 20th, 2009
12:50 pm
Smoothie – Obvioulsy the major factor in this deal getting done…the main reason why The Peever decided to sign such a deal with the Thrashers…the real credit deserved for this wonderful signing…can be linked diresctly to Wednesday night Sept. 23 when during the preseason game versus Nashville myself, you, Christ-TEN, jwizzle,RStroz, Daculafan, Tony C and The Blueland Chronicle guys all started the “PEVERLEY…PEVERLEY…PEVERLEY…” from section 111 as Rich was preparing to take that faceoff in front of us.
Just sayin’…
Toby
October 20th, 2009
1:14 pm
If anyone heard Ilya, let us know what he said…my feed crapped out just as they were introducing him.
Waffleboy
October 20th, 2009
1:18 pm
Ilya said more of the same. He’s gonna play hockey, let his agent talk to Don. He heard about the Peverly deal from Fischler and gave a nice shout-out to Dany Heatley.
BlueSpark
October 20th, 2009
1:27 pm
@Toby: what Waffleboy said. Nothing too interesting. Soft questions, really, other than the standard contract question that got the standard response. He also called Pavs “a great goalie” when asked about the NJ game. But the question was something like “Wasn’t Pavelec great in that game?” instead of the more open “What did you think of Pavelec’s performance?” I wish more people knew how to conduct interviews.
Tony C.
October 20th, 2009
1:31 pm
Didn’t catch all of the #17 interview on NHL Live!, but he (Kovalchuk) seemed to imply that he was very pleased and that he was going to “leave the detail to those guys [DW&Grossman], we have to play great hockey and that’s what I concentrate on [sic]”
He also had positive reaction to the Peverly announcement & had a lot nice things to say about Peverly as well as some interesting remarks about coach Anderson (”He was an ubelieveable player, and he helps me with where to shoot and how not to open up to much [sic]“).
Cautiously optimistic about seeing him locked up sooner than later.
Smoothie
October 20th, 2009
1:32 pm
Ya damn right Rawhide! Pevs was feeling the “Pever-lasting” love from the Rowdiest bunch of hooligans this side of the Nasty Nest! How could he not want to stay in Atlanta…even gave us the home-team discount!
Yaaa boy! Things are lookin’ up in Blueland! Now let’s go slap those frogs off of their lilly pads!
NASCAR Dave
October 20th, 2009
1:33 pm
Glad PEVERLEY got re-upped, but we still overpaid for him… Same Old DONNIE Style!!!
Paminski
October 20th, 2009
1:37 pm
It’s an eerie feeling to call up NHL.com and see that three of the top stories have to do with the Thrashers/Kovalchuk. Then call up TSN.com and see Peverley front and center. I could get used to this!
Smoothie
October 20th, 2009
1:43 pm
Dave, do us all a favor and stick to Nascar. Overpaid? How do ya figure?
Hardly in the same ballpark as Hainsey and Armstrong.
ranallo10 (in AT)
October 20th, 2009
1:44 pm
Someone nudge the record player, I think it might be skipping again.
Waffleboy
October 20th, 2009
1:44 pm
NASCAR Dave- you can’t be serious! 2.6 mil over two years is nothing the cap can’t handle. Take a look around the leagure and find another guy putting up those numbers getting paid 1.3 mil that’s not an RFA. This deal is a steal, especially if it shows Kovy that ASG is serious about keeping talent here.
Rawhide
October 20th, 2009
1:47 pm
Ya damn right Rawhide! Pevs was feeling the “Pever-lasting” love from the Rowdiest bunch of hooligans this side of the Nasty Nest! How could he not want to stay in Atlanta…even gave us the home-team discount!
Smoothinator – “Rowdiest bunch of hooligans this side of the Nasty Nest”???
I like that…yes indeed, I like that very much!
World Be Free
October 20th, 2009
1:53 pm
I think the money is right on for Pevs, especially since he has earned more than he’s been paid since he’s been in ATL.
Nor sure what Waddell can do to make some people happy. Look forward folks, not back. “Looking back is a bad thing” and I am quoting John Wayne on that one (True Grit).
Smoothie
October 20th, 2009
1:58 pm
Folks, be sure to check out Thrashers TV on the team website. There are interviews posted with Pevs and DWad on the new deal as well as a great promo for the upcoming home “stand” vs the Craps and the Sherks…it features Kaner, Kovy and the Dispenser himself! Also a good interview by Kamal by Kaner. Who is running this operation? They are doing a good job…couldn’t possibly be the ASG and Don (Fraud)ell could it??
Bill, feel free to insert the rolling eyes smiley for me in the above sentence. Thanks your blog holiness.
Waffleboy
October 20th, 2009
1:58 pm
For the record NASCAR Dave, here’s a list of forwards making $1.3 million. Tell me who is that much better than Peverly: David Moss and Jarkko Ruutu…
I’m waiting Dave.
Ron Mexico
October 20th, 2009
2:02 pm
I was hoping for 3-4 years for the Pevs signing, but nonethless this is a great day for Thrasher fans!! We should all get together and send Nashville a nice fruit basket or something as a token of gratitude for this steal of a gift!
Waffleboy
October 20th, 2009
2:04 pm
When I think of Peverley, I think of several other guys that Waddell let walk away even though they seemed perfect fits in ATL, notable Donald Audette, Andrew Brunette and Marc Savard. Waddell got these guys for nothing so it didn’t bother him to let them go for nothing, even though he might have been able to keep them in the fold by overpaying. Obviously the Savard deal would have been difficult to get done with the ownership situation, but you can’t argue that he’s worth the money he’s getting paid. Brunette is stil contributing at a high level and Waddell is kicking himself for not keeping this guy and having a great veteran leader who helped build the franchise.
NASCAR Dave
October 20th, 2009
2:05 pm
We gave him a raise. He deserved a raise. We just overpaid on said raise.
This KOVY talk is hilarious. Reminds me of the HOSSA chatter. What will all of you be saying when Christmas rolls around and he’s still not signed???
Remember, “We DO NOT negotiate contracts DURING the season” – Don Waddell
pond scum
October 20th, 2009
2:09 pm
That’s great news for Peverley,the Preds right now are kicking themselves for letting him walk away for nothing.
I think alot of the Canadian bias/hate is being amplified because other than the Sens,the rest of their teams are off to slow starts. And jealousy is the most sincere form of flattery,and we are very flattered LOL!
I feel now that we’ve got a few games in and are gaining our legs and built some confidence on each line,we are about to take off on a good streak and really stack up some hay for later in the season. We are still under the radar and that’s fine by me. The PK units and goal tending is gonna keep being the difference for us all season. The SOG stats bother some folks,but the “quality scoring chances” are what we need to keep in our favor.
As for the game tonite, I feel our guys win and win big and surprise alot of folks with our entire arsenal firing on all cylinders tonight. Alot more naysayers will go down and jump on the bandwagon.
Waffleboy
October 20th, 2009
2:09 pm
So, Dave, he went from $500,000 to $1.3 mil after putting up 42 points in 44 games and he is overpaid? I truly enjoy how you justify your comments with no facts. Just piling on Waddell. You need to get yourself into group counseling or something, this obsession is unhealthy.
pond scum
October 20th, 2009
2:17 pm
Nascar Dave- are you with us or against us? Quit worrying about the past, EVERYONE is entitled to change.
C’mon man, overpaid? Nearly a point per game average…. you realize how much the Rags or Leafs would’ve overpaid him?
It’s time US fans take the optimism approach,cause EVERYTHING is looking good and on the up swing. Relax and enjoy it.
Trixie (Rawhide's Secretary)
October 20th, 2009
2:19 pm
Mr. Smoothie – To do the “eyes rolling”… simply type the word “roll” in between two colons.
i.e. … :put the word “roll” in here: (without quote marks).
Same is true for “razz”
and “smile” 
and “twisted” 
and “oops” 
and “mad” 
and “shock” 
and “lol” 
and “eek” 
and “grin” 
and “evil”
and “lol”
and “cool”
and “wink”
and “mrgreen”
and “sad”
and “cry”
Smoothie
October 20th, 2009
2:24 pm
We have 30 games, including tonite, before our arduous 7 game roadie over the Holidays. The opponent 30 games from now will be these same Habitants, but only this time at home. Here is my prediction (call me a Waddell apologist if you want or a simply a dreamer) for those 30 games:
On 12/21/09 after we dispense with the Habs at home on that Monday night will be 22-11-2 and a point total of 46 points, halfway to 92.
We have 17 of those 30 games at home before that ridiculous 2 week road trip to the West Coast and back. To get to 22-11-2 we need to go 18-10-2 over the next 30….very doable with the number of home games on the docket. Tighten up the D and the shots against and we’ll be the shizz.
Why? Cuz we got Rick Pevs b!tch!
Bob
October 20th, 2009
2:25 pm
Great job signing Peverly. Does anyone else notice a shift in direction of the club since Dudley arrived? Good decisions being made, the club seems to have it’s act together. I’m actually excited to watch Thrasher hockey again, this is a good thing!
Sara
October 20th, 2009
2:28 pm
I love Pevs and I know, especially with hockey players, money isn’t everything .. but watching him in that interview with Darren – if my annual salary just went from six figures to seven figures – I’d look a whole heckuva lot happier than Pevs does. Maybe he just rolled out of bed.
pond scum – Dave and Sage are against Don Waddell and anything associated with him – makes you wonder if he TP’ed their house in middle school or something. They would love nothing more than to see this team finish in last place and watch Ilya Kovalchuk skate away just so they could say “told ya so.” LAC, Stroz, Bob – 3 very vocal regular posters who have never been fans of Don Waddell and freely admit so. And all 3 have shown support, encourage, pleasure thus far with the direction of the team. Not saying any of those guys are about to anoint Waddell the greatest GM ever or anything – but they’ll give credit where credit is due and you can tell with all 3 they would rather be proved wrong about Waddell (or at least grudgingly admit he’s quit being a total dunderhead) and have the team be very successful than vice versa.
Sara
October 20th, 2009
2:29 pm
Or in the case of Bob above give zero credit to Waddell and all of it to Dudley.
Smoothie
October 20th, 2009
2:29 pm
Thank you kindly Trixie!!
Buzilla in CT
October 20th, 2009
2:34 pm
;twisted;
Rawhide
October 20th, 2009
2:34 pm
Of course, if you want to just “moon” somebody… a simple ( | ) will do.
Buzilla in CT
October 20th, 2009
2:34 pm
(twisted)
Buzilla in CT
October 20th, 2009
2:35 pm
(roll)
Spud Webb
October 20th, 2009
2:35 pm
hahahahaah, i’ll give it to Dudley also. I don’t really care, either way I’m happy.
And Dave, no negotiations during the season? Well how did we just sign up Pevs for 2 years if thats the case??
Buzilla in CT
October 20th, 2009
2:35 pm
WTF! Am I retarted? (please hold comments)
Buzilla in CT
October 20th, 2009
2:37 pm
Sara
October 20th, 2009
2:38 pm
I didn’t know you were “tart” in the first placed.
Buzilla in CT
October 20th, 2009
2:38 pm
YEAH! I can learn
Bob
October 20th, 2009
2:46 pm
Sara, I find it highly unlikely that after 10 years of floundering that our old dog (Waddell) has learned him some new tricks.
A more logical and perfectly reasonable explanation is that Dudley has arrived now and is giving him some good advice (or flat out making the decisions himself). And that’s fine, we all talked about seeing Waddell gone (upstairs with a promotion and bring in a GM that knows what he’s doing). It’s a win/win, I like Waddell as a man, he’s seems to be a quality person, just not a good GM. Ever since Dudley has arrived, smart moves have been made.
Which 100% validates what most of us have said for years and one of us has said ad infinitum (unless the guy making the decisions at the top changes, nothing substantive would change).
But whatever, drop the freakin puck and let’s get it on. They sign Armstrong and Kovy to extensions and they can talk to me about season tix again, giddyup
JAmes_kovyboy from MTL
October 20th, 2009
2:51 pm
Game tonight! I hope we win this ! ill have blue and silver hair and makeup
damn i never been so excited to see the thrashers win!
I dont know how peverley has gotten this good, but im just happy he is
wow what a steal
And i know theres been all this BS about Kovy leaving, which will not be true
but
does anyone knowif well be keeping Kane or not?
love,
Montreal Thrasher
ranallo10 (in AT)
October 20th, 2009
2:51 pm
Sara — I completely agree. There are many vocal people in these parts who are for or against the decisions made by Waddell, but the three you highlighted have usually been willing to give due credit to the good decisions made with a sometimes healthy dose of the negative comments for the bad decisions. I might not always agree with everyone in these parts, but I always appreciate it when they’re able to be more than just a stubborn closed-minded Anti-Waddell Thrashers “fan”, and more like a an open-minded Anti-Waddell Thrashers fan.
Buzilla — Lay off the sauce man. It’s only 2pm.
five_hole
October 20th, 2009
2:55 pm
I got two words; YA and HOO. I’m guessing it’s only two years (at Pev’s request) because the $$$ are a little low for a point-per-game player.
3stripes
October 20th, 2009
2:57 pm
Glad we’ve signed Pevs. And I think the price is more than reasonable for the production he’s given.
Now, can we please kick the Habs to the curb this evening? Nothing would rile the Canadian media more than a blowout loss to les Thrash, and nothing would please me more. Then maybe we could start a rumor that the Canadiens are moving to Winnipeg… Just sayin’.
Sara
October 20th, 2009
2:58 pm
ranallo the true sign is whether a person dumps all over Waddell/the owners or whether someone feels the need to talk crap about every single person/player/thing associated with the Atlanta Thrashers (like *someone* did this summer when he pooped all over every single person this team drafted with the possible exception of Kane). If you can’t find even one thing to say nice about the franchise, you really don’t belong here (’cause why would you want to be if you hate everything?).
Buzilla in CT
October 20th, 2009
2:59 pm
Sara. We are near halloween and I love Sweetarts…which is what I wash down my screwdrivers with at lunch…making me type retarTed
Buzilla in CT
October 20th, 2009
2:59 pm
:drunk:
Buzilla in CT
October 20th, 2009
3:00 pm
Damn. Doesn’t work for that one….burp
Smoothie
October 20th, 2009
3:08 pm
Guess no one finds my prediction that outlandish (18-10-2 over the next 30)…am I on the right blog? Good, perhaps the tide really is turning?
Tonite will be a good test of their drive and motivation. Hopefully they won’t let up just because they’ve already won 3 games on the road. Grab the game by the throat early and then step on the Habs collective neck before the crowd knows what hit ‘em. That’s the mark of a true playoff caliber team…beat your inferior opponents.
Alan R.
October 20th, 2009
3:12 pm
Someone nudge the record player, I think it might be skipping again.
*throws the record player out of the window*
Tony C.
October 20th, 2009
3:21 pm
For all there goaltending & defensive woes I’m still leery of this Montreal Smurfdiens team-lotta (potential) firepower on that bench.
Still though, I’m looking for a Thrashers win, provided we keep the positive traction going on our special teams
Tony C.
October 20th, 2009
3:24 pm
Also, is it me, or does it seem that Dustin Penner is starting to live up to that big contract?
Tony C.
October 20th, 2009
3:30 pm
Cool interview with Hockey Fan Rob Zombie:
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/28683-THNcom-Blog-Zombie-wants-return-to-a-gritty-game.html
Sara
October 20th, 2009
3:34 pm
Quit cheating Bob – unfair head start. I was planning on having the Dudley v. Waddell war next August when everything else in the hockey world came to a screeching halt and we are all bored out of our gourds.
World Be Free
October 20th, 2009
3:37 pm
I prefer this “light” talk to some of the stuff we had this summer.
Anyone wanna talk about Slater?
ranallo10 (in AT)
October 20th, 2009
3:54 pm
Last time I brought up Slater I was admonished by one of the people I was trying to be supportive of…I should quit mentioning his name.
Rawhide
October 20th, 2009
3:59 pm
Sara – If you wait until next August to have a Dudley vs. Waddell war you’ll have waited too long.
By that time, I predict, Dudley will already be the GM.
This is due to either…
A). Ilya Kovalchuk is re-signed, the team continues to do well and Waddell Rich McKays himself to the position of Exectutive VP solely.
or…
B). He is unable to re-sign Kovy, the team does not continue to win and he is fired.
I predict it will be “A”…but either way, you’d better wage that war now.
GaVaHokie
October 20th, 2009
4:01 pm
Funny… I was just watching the “Thrashers/Habs Ice Chips” video on TSN… they should have just called it “Habs Ice Chips”.
I like that they’re playing Halak against us… I love being underestimated. They’re also playing M.A. Bergeron for the first time tonight.
A win tonight, and we’re tied for 1st in the Southeast with Washington with two games in hand with two of the next three games against Washington for sole possession of first!
Sara
October 20th, 2009
4:14 pm
Hmmm, Rawhide – we’ll see. For now though, Don Waddell, and not Rick Dudley, is the GM of this team – if this season goes poorly, guarantee it will all fall on him, not Dudley. So likewise, the good should come to him as well. Besides – Waddell hired Dudley in the first place, so it all goes back to him anyway. My short version of the argument is that ownership has settled the lawsuit (at least temporarily), gotten some money (courtesy of Belkin), allowed Waddell to spend that money (on new roster players and that new guy in the front office), changed his annual marching orders from “be as frugal as possible” to “do whatever it takes to re-sign Ilya Kovalchuk,” and essentially realized that pretty much everything they have done for the past 5/6 years has completely screwed up this franchise so they should sit down, and STFU.
As for Dudley, right now he’s here to re-tool the drafting/scouting/prospect development arms – which no question were the weakest links outside of crap owners. Waddell still signs FAs, makes the trades, negotiates contract extensions with the players, etc etc. This year’s roster is Waddell’s team – sink or swim.
R. Stroz
October 20th, 2009
4:15 pm
The times, they are a changin.
The insanity, defined as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result, has ceased.
So, what is the genesis of the shift?
Anderson? We did get rid of deadweight quickly once Anderson arrived. Jason “Creme Puff” Williams and Eric “I can’t put the puck in the net because of the ownership turmoil” Christensen were kicked to the curb. I’ll always believe Anderson was instrumental in procuring Peverley.
The Fans? Had anyone ever heard fans chant fire the GM by name before last season? For years, fans have chanted fire the coach by name, but not the GM.
The Ticket Holder Revolt? Many fans, tired of absurd ticket discounting in combination with few benefits” sat on their collective wallets.
Kovalchuk? Kovy, using re-signing as collateral, flat out stated that he wanted changes and started recruiting players, bigger players.
Dudley? When Dudley arrived, the team started getting bigger. No more free agent signings of forwards listed at 5′10″ 180 pounds who were really 5′7″ 160 pounds. No more 36 year old pylon d-men that the organization stated that they sought six years ago.
Waddell? Did he finally wake up after a ten year stupor? I’ll leave that one alone.
There have been huge positive changes from player procurement to ticket sales practices.
Actually, I think the new GM by committee is working a lot better. The current GM’s are: Waddell (in name only), Dudley, Anderson, and Kovy.
Last off season, the first proactive contract was signed: Enstrom.
This year, the second proactive contract was signed: Peverley.
Now, its time for the fans to support the team. Get off your wallets and @$$e$, go to the arena, and raise some Thrasher noise. Thrasher management has finally done their job, as fans, it’s time we do ours.
SIVA
October 20th, 2009
4:15 pm
http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/10208540/Chelios-signs-with-AHL’s-Chicago-Wolves
SIVA
October 20th, 2009
4:23 pm
WOW three stories on foxsports.com about thrashers.
GaVaHokie
October 20th, 2009
4:32 pm
I personally think Kovalchuk will leave if he continues to have to play to a half-empty house night after night… regardless of team success.
I think it’s time to support the team with your wallets and show Kovalchuk that the fans are on board.
I think management has done all they can to prove to Kovy they’re dedicated to building a winner… it’s up to the fans now to prove to Kovy that Philips is an exciting place to play hockey.
GaVaHokie
October 20th, 2009
4:33 pm
Now, its time for the fans to support the team. Get off your wallets and @$$e$, go to the arena, and raise some Thrasher noise. Thrasher management has finally done their job, as fans, it’s time we do ours.
I concur.
Midfield
October 20th, 2009
4:36 pm
Stroz, it could take a while for Kovy to negotiate a contract with himself between the games, practices, trips and watching over his growing family.
R. Stroz
October 20th, 2009
4:40 pm
Midfield – Kovy’s job as GM is Russian player procurement. Kind of like, “Come play in Atlanta, the fans don’t annoy you, the press doesn’t annoy you, and you can golf nine months out of the year.”
Glovesave29
October 20th, 2009
4:42 pm
C’mon Dave – be a critic, fine…but you have to give Don / Rick credit when things are done right. You really think a guy getting $1.3M when he is on pace for just under 80 points over his first 80 games as a Thrasher is overpaying? What do you think he could have demanded as a free agent? $2M? $2.5M? A two way guy with great hockey sense? A hard worker who never gives up on a play? Being critical is fine, but it diminishes your take on things when you cannot give kudos to a job well done.
Let crush Les Habs tonight and move to 5-1.
Alan R.
October 20th, 2009
4:59 pm
I personally think Kovalchuk will leave if he continues to have to play to a half-empty house night after night… regardless of team success.
He’s stated he wants team success. A packed house will only come with success. We all know this.
I know you’re just trying to Eklund up things around here by creating a little controversy, but we need less crap and more hockey.
So, how ’bout them Leafs, eh? It’s gotta be hard to go 0-6-1. At least in 2007, the Thrashers were 1-6-0 after their first seven.
Bob
October 20th, 2009
5:05 pm
Bingo, Stroz. And Andersen is the one who pointed out Peverly to Waddell, I think Don even admitted that himself. The owners have upped the spending and even given max cap to Waddell before, the change now is as Stroz pointed out, you have Anderson helping with personnel decisions, Dudley coming in and obviously haveing a positive effect, Kovy pulling in Antropov, and the fans got the collective attention of management.
I don’t much care as long as we keep transitioning out of the Waddell makes all the calls era into what Rawhide sees (please!) as his final days as GM (which I think is already in name only). He’s been a good soldier for the Spirit, I hope they do kick him upstairs and let Dudley have the reins full time. Mabye Don goes up there after he gets Kovy inked (and yes, I’m a fool me once guy, but I feel good about that happening).
Les Habitants are les dead meat, let’s hope Pavelec is on his game still.
Smoothie
October 20th, 2009
5:06 pm
Keep winning and they will come…such is Atlanta. Good thing the Bulldogs pretty much suck. Perhaps some UGA fans will give up a Saturday or two to come watch a winner!
NASCAR Dave
October 20th, 2009
5:41 pm
Everyone needs to chill. I said I was happy with the PEVERLEY signing! 2 Years is what I would have offered as well. I think you guys read too deep into my comments sometimes, it looks like BOB here is the one who caught on to what I was hinting at…This could all be the work od DUDLEY anyways!!!
Ans I agree with RAWHIDE’s scenarios above, it will be one or the other, that’s for damn sure!!!
RAWHIDE – What can WE AS FANS do to get you promoted to be the BEAT Reporter for the AJC??? This CHRIS guy just isn’t cutting it… Man I miss ole CUSTANCE!!!
NUFF SAID.
rightshot
October 20th, 2009
5:52 pm
Just saw the replay of the Kovy interview on NHL Live. Nothing to add except they said they will be interviewing Jon Anderson tomorrow. Sorry didn’t catch the time. (cool)
Is it 7:30 yet!
rightshot
October 20th, 2009
5:54 pm
Rats didn’t work. (mad)
rightshot
October 20th, 2009
5:56 pm
ranallo10 (in AT)
October 20th, 2009
6:39 pm
“Glad PEVERLEY got re-upped, but we still overpaid for him… Same Old DONNIE Style!!!”
“We gave him a raise. He deserved a raise. We just overpaid on said raise.”
“I think you guys read too deep into my comments sometimes, it looks like BOB here is the one who caught on to what I was hinting at…This could all be the work od DUDLEY anyways!!!”
It clearly must be that everyone was confused. See, they thought you said Peverley was overpaid…but clearly you didn’t. They also thought you said it was a typical Waddell move to overpay…but clearly you didn’t. Obviously Bob was the only person that realized by you saying “same old Donnie sytle” and “we just overpaid on said raise” what you really meant was “This could all be the work of Dudley anyways!!!”.
I’m glad I had a chance to clarify things, it makes perfect sense now.
Welcome back.
Brendan
October 20th, 2009
6:39 pm
Stendecs Mother
October 20th, 2009
6:47 pm
smile
Brendan
October 20th, 2009
6:48 pm
I’m someone who will READILY take Waddell to task, but I’ll also give him full marks for getting something right. Loved the Christensen for O’Dell deal. Loved the Peverley waiver claim. Couple of trade deadlines back, he got Steve McCarthy for nothing, and McCarthy actually had a decent rest of that season. Now, obviously, the rest of it didn’t go so well. Minuses stuck McCarthy like glue. But when I see a Waddell move that I think is good, I’ll say so. When I see a Ken Klee signing, I’ll post, “That’s a head-scratcher.” And I’ll attempt to explain what I thought Waddell was possibly thinking.
I’m not complaining about this Peverley deal. If everything falls to pot after this, I’m not going to assign the blame to the signing of this contract. I’ll say … “at the time, it made a whole heckuva lot of sense. The man was averaging nearly a point a game. Guys like that get PAID a lot more than what Peverley got.”
I applaud this deal. Whether it was Waddell or Dudley or a “Wadudley” decision. Bottom line: It’s a move in the right direction. So, I like it.
Stendecs Mother
October 20th, 2009
6:48 pm
:i am mad:
Stendecs Mother
October 20th, 2009
6:49 pm
:i am “mad”:
Brendan
October 20th, 2009
6:50 pm
Guess what? This contract signing is a clear sign that Waddell is signing contracts DURING THE SEASON. Hallelujah!
Do you SEE the Light, Don? Move into the Light, my son! Move into the light!!!
Stendecs Mother
October 20th, 2009
6:51 pm
:maybe he just rolled out of bed.:
Stendecs Mother
October 20th, 2009
6:52 pm
I’m madder than my son gets when he hears the name Kari!!!
HookyBob
October 20th, 2009
6:52 pm
Love that we have Peverly for two more years. I hope his contract is loaded with incentives. He is worth every penny of $1.3 M and was grossly undervalued at his current salary. I bet if Stroz, or some other financial pro, came up with some sort of Dupont metric, perhaps: salary $s/(points + plus/minus #), for hockey player cost effectiveness (most bang for the buck),… Peverly would be the best,…even $1.3 M.
I third the comments above about personnel decisions getting better after Coach Anderson and R Dudley were on board (maybe Cunnyworth too).
Tonight we go into the holy grail of hockey. Lets win this one for ol #37. (Maybe Peverly scores the GWG.) Keep your eyes open for some slick passes from Antro. Also looking for a wicked wrister from Kane.
Go Blue.
Brendan
October 20th, 2009
6:55 pm
Dwayne
October 20th, 2009
6:57 pm
Kovy gets the hat trick in the first period. 9 – 3 thrashing of the Canadians.
Brendan
October 20th, 2009
6:58 pm
Hey, this is still not a PROACTIVE contract. This is a “during the season contract” of a pending unrestricted free agent. For it to truly be PROACTIVE, it would have had to occur during the offseason, or before Opening Night.
Any way we slice and dice it, it’s a GOOD move.
Midfield
October 20th, 2009
6:59 pm
I was just kidding, Stroz.
Dwayne
October 20th, 2009
7:00 pm
“roll”
Dwayne
October 20th, 2009
7:01 pm
dammit Gumby
Smoothie
October 20th, 2009
7:22 pm
Do all games get blacked out even on Centre Ice due to the VS deal?
GaVaHokie
October 20th, 2009
7:24 pm
He’s stated he wants team success. A packed house will only come with success. We all know this.
I know you’re just trying to Eklund up things around here by creating a little controversy, but we need less crap and more hockey.
So, how ’bout them Leafs, eh? It’s gotta be hard to go 0-6-1. At least in 2007, the Thrashers were 1-6-0 after their first seven.
I’m not the crap stirrer around here by any means… I’m just tired of the criticism from fans… it’s time to come back to Blueland.
And what’s with the Leafs reference? Was that aimed at me for some reason, or were you just changing subjects randomly?
I hope you weren’t thinking I was a Leafs fan because I can summarize my list of favorite teams as such…
#1 Atlanta… everyone else… #30 Toronto.
Rawhide
October 20th, 2009
7:32 pm
Do all games get blacked out even on Centre Ice due to the VS deal?
Smoothie – Nope…looking at it on Comcast 773 right now
Smoothie
October 20th, 2009
7:35 pm
Damn, something is wrong with my comcast. Isn’t this week still free as part of the trial?
GaVaHokie
October 20th, 2009
7:50 pm
We really need to fill up Phillips on Thursday, listening to this crowd in Montreal… wouldn’t be good for the boys to come home to a half empty arena.
five_hole
October 20th, 2009
7:57 pm
3 posts in a row from Brendan that were 1 short paragraph (or less). Brendan, are you feeling well? I usually expect . . . . more from you.
Disappointed that I’m not able to get the game in my hotel. Sigh.
GaVaHokie
October 20th, 2009
8:16 pm
Thrashers are looking like a little league soccer team… everyone scrambling for the puck. Schultz screening Pavalec on the lone goal, with no defense from the forwards… sigh.
Let’s hope for better in the 2nd.
LAC
October 20th, 2009
8:24 pm
Worst period of the season so far, We are standing around watching,
no jump no nothing so far to a BAD team… Let’s hope they rebound.
GHNN
October 20th, 2009
8:49 pm
This is the worst hockey I have seen in 3 seasons by the thrashers UGLY.
Get The Puck Out
October 20th, 2009
9:03 pm
WOW did anybody see Army hit Burgeron.
Smitty
October 20th, 2009
9:05 pm
Clean hit. I hope they are saving their legs for the 3rd period.
Get The Puck Out
October 20th, 2009
9:14 pm
looks like Pavs is doin his part.
Zoomo
October 20th, 2009
9:17 pm
Odd energy tonight. Lots of Thrashers hits, Pavs playing great, Kane doing his part, but the rest of the team seems out of synch. Habs taking it to us, but Pavs keeping them out of the net. Let’s hope we muster up a great 3rd!
Thrashers27
October 20th, 2009
9:20 pm
For those of you with NHL Network they’re taking the game live from time to time and showing highlights…on the fly.
Get The Puck Out
October 20th, 2009
10:08 pm
I think Lets has offically lost his job. No wait, his team.
Get The Puck Out
October 20th, 2009
10:17 pm
SOG, SOG, SOG, SOG………….
R. Stroz
October 20th, 2009
10:26 pm
That was a fugly showing.
Pavelec deserved better. He earned that point by his lonesome.
Tom
October 20th, 2009
10:32 pm
I can live with getting a point after the 5 game road trip, 3-1-1 is more than we ever expected. Add into the Sunday side trip for the Dan Snyder rink and the boys must be ready to get home.
I have to admit the line change in the 3rd period had me freaked out a bit having Andro-Kovy-Max out there at the same time. There was lots of offense and no defense. That is not something I want to see going forward.
Sara
October 20th, 2009
10:35 pm
Eh – it was the final game of a 5 game roadtrip. Was it fugly? You betcha – but they aren’t all going to be perfect and for Pavs to steal us a point tonight was awesome. 3-1-1 on the road and 4-1-1 for the season – not too mention an OUTSTANDING PK performance tonight. I’m still going to bed with a smile on my face.
R. Stroz
October 20th, 2009
10:49 pm
A few weeks ago, Rawhide asked for our point predictions for the road trip.
So, here is my prediction, the Thrashers go 3-1-1 and earn 7 points. Nostradamus has nothing on me.
d
October 20th, 2009
10:53 pm
Totally agree. 7 pts out of a possible 10 on the road trip — this would have been ridiculed as a wildly optimistic forecast last September.
Hockey Biltong
October 20th, 2009
11:28 pm
Home game Thursday Night!!!! Bring it ONNnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn………
Rawhide
October 20th, 2009
11:30 pm
What’s that old Meatloaf song…seven out of Ten Ain’t Bad??? Oh no…that’s two outa three.
Whatever.
Anywhooo….let’s discuss the 2-1 shootout loss in Montreal here, shall we?
Brendan
October 20th, 2009
11:31 pm
Okay, so it wasn’t pretty.
But a point on the road, in a foreign country, where they don’t parlez the lingo, in a “must-win” game for the Habs … is something I can live with. (God, the grammar of that sentence is just atrocious. Moving right along.)
Five_hole, I’ll thank you to know that I have “tickle-cough.”
Question: “Why did Pierre McGuire refer to the Atlanta goalie as “Pavelex.” Or “Pavelecs.” Was he trying to be cute? Or is his Czech a lot better than ours?
I loved the Pierre McGuire kept suggesting that Kari was in trouble, had lost his job, and that Don Waddell could still a lot in a trade for him. I just laughed. Even if Pavelec has become the #1 goalie in Atlanta, Lehtonen still has value as a “back-up.” And if that is so, you don’t trade players who can capably perform for you, when called upon to do so. McGuire said “Lehtonen played very capably down the stretch for Atlanta.” So, Pierre … that’s why we should ditch him? Because he had a strong finish to the season? He’s so valuable, that we’d better trade him.
Honestly, how … HOW … ON EARTH … did the Minnesota Wild consider Pierre McGuire to be a finalist for the GM job vacated by the firing of Doug Risebrough? When you figure that they ultimately selected Chuck Fletcher … it was as if they channeled the season finale for “Joe Millionaire’s money,” where the finalists are a sincere sweetheart and a flamming goldigger. That’s how diverse the McGuire/Fletcher candidacies were.
But I digress. That was an ugly shootout. I gotta say it. Kovy’s move … I don’t even think HE knew was trying to do. And Peverley … was maybe still bewildered by his new found “millionaire” status … on his attempt. I thought Pavelec looked “okay” on the first two shots. But I think he was “mentally defeated” by the time the third shooter approached. That was a lame poke check attempt. Still, Pavelec stole the show. Much better rebound control. There wouldn’t be a pity point in the standings without his fine overall play. I think the shots against was 35 this time around.
Ladies and Gentlemen, your Atlanta Thrashers have taken nine of a possible twelve (9/12) points on the season. And they’ve re-inked an important component of its future. It’s been a good day.
Brendan
October 20th, 2009
11:32 pm
I just got Ranalloed.
ranallo10 (in AT)
October 21st, 2009
9:14 am
You’re getting worse at this Brendan.
NASCAR Dave
October 21st, 2009
12:17 pm
I bet RANALLO is a fan of PEVERLEY simply based on the fact that he wears #47, JP VIGIERS old # !!!