Now, I know I’m gonna hear it. “But Brendan, isn’t it Max’s agent’s job to announce what his client is seeking?” Yeah, I guess it is. Maybe they weren’t seeking $800K for most of the offseason. It just BECAME the price they were willing to accept. I don’t know. I didn’t participate in the contract negotiations, nor do I know who Max’s agent is, nor do I have FBI wiretap capabilities to know what was and wasn’t discussed.

I’m not upset that Max is here. We know the deal. Lots of speed, crazy legs, and loses the puck a lot. Can’t finish, a lot of the time. Shrugs. It’s $800,000. I don’t know that Slater is any better. What does Slater make, anyway? It’s got to be something close to that. For me, the bottom line is … Kovy “ostensibly” wanted him. And right now, I’m in FULL APPEASEMENT mode. It doesn’t matter what I want. It’s about what Kovalchuk wants. If Kovy wanted Max, again, for next season, I’d toss him another $800,000 deal. That’s nothing. It’s $300K over the league minimum.

I hope Kovy is okay and can return soon. And as for Kari, I am now concerned that he might not return until the Holidays, or longer. My stance on Pavelec and Kane was that I thought the Atlanta Spirit, LLC was RUSHING them. Generally-speaking, I don’t like to rush a prospect. Kane has one game left before the organization must decide to send him back to the WHL, and SAVE $3.1 million in cap space, or KEEP HIM and have it on their books for the entirety of the season, or however long Kane stays beyond nine (9) games. I just tend to assume Kane would stay the whole season, if he’s here for Game #10.

My concern, with Kane, is injury. It’s happened every time to our lottery draft picks, when we rush them. Every time. I don’t like those odds. But I do like Evander Kane’s play. It’s a risk/reward situation. Personally, I’d want to have Kane at age 21, still under a “capped rookie contract,” rather than having him now, at age 18, under the same pay. But that’s just meeeee. It’s probably best to run a team based on “hockey decisions” rather than “financial ones.” But I also think that … it is a “hockey decision” to not subject Kane, at the tender age of 18, to the rigors of an 82 game season against men much older and stronger than he is. Again, I like what I see of the kid. I also do see teams going out of their way to “test” the rookie, and to hit him even when he doesn’t have the puck anymore.

C-Viv reports that Kovy has indeed broken a bone in his right foot and will miss 4 weeks. New blog posted here to discuss.

Now I realize he doesn’t always shoot when that’s the better percentage play but I think he’s been playing on the wrong line thus far. Not sure about him with Kovy cuz they both dominate the puck, but Kane seems like a good complement and either Pevs or Antro can anchor the line.
If White is to be on a top two line, I think he’d be better off with Little and Kovy due to familiarity and synergy from last season.

Kovy – White – Lits

Kane – Pevs – Finny

Kozz – Reasy – Antro

The 2.85 GAA is less than historically strong defensive teams Detroit, Anaheim, Minnesota, Columbus, Boston and Montreal (among others)…the .913 save % is tied for 6th in the league.

If the D can maintain those kind of numbers and Little and Kozlov can get going those close L’s will start turning into W’s.

“Be back” or “get a new back?”

I’m not confident either one will happen.

Spud-glad to see that there’s someone else out there that’s not mesmerized by Max’s speed. All this Max love is making me sick!

Max was available for months before the Thrashers signed him for 1 year / $800K. Can anyone tell why he sat out on the open market for so long?