As Thrashervillians hustle to and fro getting their holiday shopping wrapped up…while at the same time enjoying their team’s 17-11-3 record thus far…there still is this one subject looming over our heads. It is the topic of discussion that has been with us for quite a while, mind you…stirring about in the background of our conversations as spring turned to summer and the summer gave way to fall…through Halloween, into Thanksgiving weekend…and now as we prepare for our annual winter holidays.
That subject is, of course, the ongoing contract talks between the Thrashers’ organization and their captain Ilya Kovalchuk. Now, as fall cedes to winter, Hanukah has begun and Christmas rapidly approaches…it remains with us still. And while much has already been said in the topic…the time is rapidly approaching where chatter must give way to action.

Could John Anderson soon have to deal with a Thrashers squad minus Kovalchuk? (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck)
Up ‘til this time, Kovy’s contract status was much like that tiny mouse in Clement Clark Moore’s poem of 1822 who ceases it’s stirring on Christmas Eve. It was there, certainly…but not a big problem just yet.
However, the more time passes it begins to appear less like that small rodent and more like a 5,000-pound reindeer in the middle of Santa’s pack.
When a creature that size stirs about, one cannot help but take notice…and it isn’t taking Christmas off, either.
Furthermore, the longer this 5,000-pound reindeer hangs around…the more likely it becomes that it’ll bring down this promising season much in the same fashion the oversized Rudolph would drag down ol’ St. Nick’s sleigh if left attached with the rest of the team of flying reindeer.
But why is this discussion more prominent now than a few weeks back…or a few weeks from now, you ask? Well, I’m glad you asked.
See, if we go back to last September, we find this article posted by Jeff Schultz just before the season began. When asked about Kovy’s contract situation, general manager Don Waddell offered up the following response…“I don’t think we’ll be talking about this at Christmas time”.
Hmmmm… well, given that the weather has turned a bit colder… I still have trips to make to Costco, Macy’s, Walmart and Borders Book Store in the coming nine days…and that the program interrupted a few weeks back by President Obama was “A Charlie Brown Christmas”…it seems as though Christmas is indeed upon us.
And we are still “talking about this”.
Then there is this little write up fresh off the Russian presses…which basically states that Waddell and Kovalchuk’s agent, Jay Grossman, are at a bit of an impasse. According to the story…as I understand it with great assistance from our good friend and frequent contributor “Russian”… Grossman is asking for 10-years at the maximum allowable pay of $11.5 million per year. Waddell and the Thrashers, reportedly, are worried that this is more money than they want to shell out to retain Kovy’s services beyond this year.

Ilya Kovalchuk was the top draft pick in 2001 and has scored 314 goals for the Thrashers (AP photo/John Bazemore)
Now, I have long held the belief that the Thrashers have been looking to sign their Russian phenom at around the rate of about $10 million per season…a figure I come up with by adding Kovalchuk’s current salary with that of fellow countryman Slava Kozlov. I contend that the organization will opt not to re-sign Kozlov…who will be 38-years of age in May…and simply transfer that $3.667 mil or so from his ledger to Kovy’s.
If so…then the two parties are about a million per and a half per year apart.
The article also goes on to read that Don Waddell is now considering what he would seek in return for Kovalchuk, should a trade become necessary in the event this gap cannot be bridged.
However, that flies in the face of what Don Waddell indicated just last spring when discussing the matter with Chris Vivlamore who wrote…“General manager Don Waddell told the Journal-Constitution last week that, unequivocally, Kovalchuk will remain with the team as it attempts to re-sign one of the NHL’s elite players. There will be no trade deadline move — such as with Marian Hossa — if negotiations reach an impasse”.
Continuing on that thought, Waddell stated, “I think [the Thrashers and Kovalchuk] will both know where we are way before the season starts if it is going to happen…That doesn’t mean it can’t happen once the season starts. My mission is to keep Ilya Kovalchuk here, whether that happens in July or August or we have to go out and prove that we are a team that’s going to take that next step we are fine with that.”
So Thrasherville, the long and short of the situation, regardless if this rumor is based in fact or not, is… the clock still ticks. And just as Christmas will arrive whether we are ready or not, so too will the time arrive to finally get something done.
If Kovalchuk and Grossman are going to dig in and refuse to budge from their reported demand of 10-years $115 million to re-sign him, there are but three possible choice for Waddell and the Thrashers to consider.
In regards to Kovy's contract, the Thrashers should...
Total Voters: 160
1.Pay Kovy the money! Whatever it is he’s asking for…cough it up and keep him here.
2. Trade him. Put together a package you think is worth parting ways with the 2001 first overall pick…the franchise player that the team has been and was supposed to be built around.
3. Do nothing. Much like the Florida Panthers did with Jay Bouwmeester last year, you keep him for the playoff run knowing he’s services now are crucial to succeeding… and then take your chances re-signing him sometime before July 1…something Florida, by the way, was unable to do with J-Bo.
Either way…this is not really the subject matter I wanted to be discussing at this point in time, to be honest. But we are doing so none-the-less…regardless of what Don Waddell told us last May.
And the 5,000-pound reindeer isn’t getting any smaller.
134 comments Add your comment
Rawhide
December 17th, 2009
12:43 pm
If KOVY doesn’t get Re-signed, WADDELL gets FIRED…
NASCAR Dave – That would be the logical thought…but remember, we are talking about the Atlanta Spirit, LLC here.
Two years ago…when Bob Hartley was fired…I heard people make much the same prediction. The thought process was that if the Thrashers failed to win that season, it would prove it wasn’t BH’s fault and it would be seen as DW’s failure since he went behind the bench to coach the team he put together. Thus, DW would lose his job too.
After a fairly decent few weeks afterwards, the Thrashers went flat. Marian Hossa forced DW to trade him and the team fell apart after that.
Last I checked…Don Waddell is still the GM of the Thrashers.
Personally, if we are not able to re-sign Kovy and he is traded in two months or walks this summer, I think the press conference should be a two-parter.
Part 1: We are saddened to announce Ilya Kovalchuk is no longer a member of the Atlanta Thrashers. We thank him for his many years of fine play in Atlanta and wish him nothing but the best.
Part 2: Don Waddell has been relieved of his duties as GM and Executive VP of the Thrashers and Rick Dudley will take over the duties of full time general manager.
But like I said…there is no guarantee anything like that will happen as long as the Atlanta Spirit LLC runs the show.
Toby
December 17th, 2009
1:00 pm
Dub could save his hind-side by trading Kovy for a nice return and winning a playoff series…
Ray
December 17th, 2009
1:01 pm
I’m going. My seats are in 111. I don’t post much, but like to read the blog.
Rawhide
December 17th, 2009
1:06 pm
Ray – Well, it’s nice to know you’re out there.
World Be Free
December 17th, 2009
1:22 pm
Remember folks, we have won without Kovy, last year and this year. I prefer he stays, but if this cannot be worked out, then he has to go and we need to get soemthing for him.
Spud Webb
December 17th, 2009
1:40 pm
WBF, Philly is a mess & I love it. Number one issue was letting nittamyki (spelling) go and or thinking ray “boom boom” emory was going to be the answer, dummies. Some questionable personal moves in the last few years, Briere (never been a leader), trading Lupal and Umberger, not a good idea!!
Pronger is not what he used to be, but didn’t we all know that before philly gave up a ton for him??????????
I will say I enjoy that idiot Carcillo going out there and acting like a fool, entertaining to say the least.
Older brother up in Philly, I call him everyday to tell him they s&ck!!! He was sick the day they signed emory!!! Ahhahahahahahahhahahaha & he’s been sick pretty much everyday of this hockey season!!!!
Bob
December 17th, 2009
1:46 pm
“After a fairly decent few weeks afterwards, the Thrashers went flat. Marian Hossa forced DW to trade him and the team fell apart after that.
Last I checked…Don Waddell is still the GM of the Thrashers.”
Yes, but, if I recall correctly (and Brendan is the resident keeper of this knowledge), didn’t the Spirit Squad give Waddell an extension after he had a great month after taking over the reins? And isn’t the supposed story that this extension was through the end of this year? So mabye that’s why they’ve kept him (too cheap to fire another guy they had to continue paying, like they had to pay Hartley for a couple years after firing him). So now mabye the jig is finally up for old Don? We’ll see.
“we have won without Kovy, last year and this year. I prefer he stays, but if this cannot be worked out, then he has to go and we need to get soemthing for him.”
Look at what Crosby and Malkin did in last year’s playoffs and they brought home rings. Both guys are much more complete players than Kovy, and are a $8.7m per year cap hit. Kovy needs to sign for $9.5m cap hit, max, or sayonara.
TableHockey
December 17th, 2009
1:47 pm
Agree with WBF – got to get something for Kovy. I almost wonder if the “We won’t be talking about this by Christmas” from DW has a double meaning – either he’s signed or traded by Christmas??
I was suppose to go tonight but my ticket connection fell through. Here at the holidays I honestly don’t have the extra $$ to pay for a ticket. Hopefully it will be a good game for the Thrashers. We need something to break through the malaise that has been prevalent lately.
R. Stroz
December 17th, 2009
1:57 pm
WBF – I’ll be in Section 222 otherwise known as Cowbell Corner. Where are sitting this evening?
R. Stroz
December 17th, 2009
1:58 pm
TableHockey – I have an extra ticket if you still want to go tonight.
J.B.
December 17th, 2009
2:03 pm
Bob’s post reminded me of this. I saw a tweet earlier from @dchesnokov that mentioned Malkin said on Russian TV his perfect linemates would be Kovalchuk & Kovalev. Thought that was pretty cool of him to say…
TableHockey
December 17th, 2009
2:28 pm
R. Stroz – NUTZ!! Thanks for the offer – once I got word that my ticket fell through I committed to wrap presents with my better half. Needless to say I’d much rather be at the game
.
Thanks again for the offer though!
World Be Free
December 17th, 2009
2:41 pm
Stroz-section 222 is a classic. It’s the “Stroz Family Section”, your own little piece of Thrasher heaven. Hope to see you tonight.
Spud-I never liked the Flyers, but they have never been boring. The briere signing was a mess. He fit perfectly in Buffalo, but has a $52M elelphant on his little back. His body is starting to show the milage, just like my favorite Sabre, Pat LaFontaine.
The Flyers are the American version of the Maple Leafs-always alotta pressure to win now!
Let’s hoep it doesn’t come to that, but they cannot let Kovy walk for nothing.
LAC
December 17th, 2009
2:48 pm
I, for one, am getting tired of #17’s little smirks when asked about the contract. Either tell us what your intentions are one way or the other.
Like Nascardave said, if he does leave, and I kinda hope so now, what with this coasting and LAZY play lately, it would likely get worthless, oh, I really mean LIAR don waddell FIRED finally. If there is anyone with the Thrashers who needs to get FIRED it is him, The Man Responsible for Killing NHL hockey in Atlanta.
Hey “don” you lying idiot, we are ALL talking about the contract now and it’s almost Christmas, PROOF yet Again YOU LIE don waddell.
World Be Free
December 17th, 2009
3:30 pm
LAC-I knew it would come to this.
Nikita
December 17th, 2009
3:32 pm
*Until he decides (because he’s certainly physically capable) to be a well-rounded, fully responsible, 2-way player, I’m not sure he’s even worth $9 M / year. At some point, DWad has to draw the line because such a contract will cripple the franchise.*
clap clap clap clap.
My two cents on Kovy, which have been pretty much the same for three years here:
I’m ambivalent. Yes, he’s the face of the franchise and a very high draft pick. But we can’t afford to sign anyone for league max for a decade. Further, for that amount even for a shorter term he’d have to be a better player. And by “better” I mean more responsible and more committed to the overall well-being of the team. We need him, but we can’t afford to make a deal with him to the detriment of the rest of the team.
Last night’s game was a bummer. Very flat with a few exceptions — Thorburn looked pretty lively and Afinogenov was on. Also, though still not scoring, Todd White saved some bacon on several occasions. Hopefully he catches on fire soon. Peverly = good as usual. Moose looked a little off, also. Not terrible, but not totally on. Also, IMO, it was stupid of Anderson to pull the goalie — we would’ve gotten a point if they’d just played at ES for one frickin’ minute into overtime.
Smoothie
December 17th, 2009
3:33 pm
WBF – you should see the polling results for best American-born player in history on the Thrashers website. We must be getting overrun by Dallas homers as Modano is off the charts! Hardly, LaFontaine was the best ever fo’ sho’ and Chelios a close second. I might put Modano in my top 5 with Tkachuk and Housley, but no way was Modano better than P-$.
Smoothie
December 17th, 2009
3:36 pm
Nikita, I agree with every thing you just wrote, but we had to pull the goalie for we were down a goal with 1:20 left. We didn’t pull Moose til just under a minute was left.
Alan R.
December 17th, 2009
3:38 pm
Cheli is clearly the best American born player. Don’t look at the stat sheet when making your selections, because Cheli isn’t a forward
TableHockey
December 17th, 2009
3:44 pm
I realize the Moose was riding a streak but it seems that he struggles any time he’s played in back to back games without at least one day of rest. Wish JA had played Pavs last night and Moose tonight.
Spud Webb
December 17th, 2009
3:57 pm
Cant argue with Cheli or Patty, loved them both.
World Be Free
December 17th, 2009
4:18 pm
Smoothie-loved Patty because he was talented and fearless.
Every player should have Pat LaFontaine’s heart.
Throw a young Jeremy Roenick in there too, Kevin Stevens, Tom Barrasso.
One of my favorites, Tim Kerr.
TableHockey
December 17th, 2009
4:27 pm
Ouch – Forbes ranked Atlanta Thrasher fans 29th in the league: http://www.forbes.com/2009/12/17/nhl-best-and-worst-fans-business-sports-nhl-fans_slide_13.html – only Florida ranked below us.
ThrasherTim
December 17th, 2009
4:36 pm
I will be there tonight trying to stop the Thursday night jinx. Definitely concerned about this team right now. We have let a solid start really kind of crumble. Sure, we are solidly ‘over’ the playoff line with games in hand, but that’s only because the rest of the East is struggling also right now. If 1-2 of those teams get hot and we struggle through this next road trip, we will have to put it together fast — and quite possibly during the Kovy ‘will he/won’t he” fiasco at full boil. We alll know how that can turn out. I think folks forget that after we canned Hartley, the team actually rallied to get tied for the division lead by Feb….only to free-fall after that during the Hossa saga.
Back to the game tonight. I am hopeful that Kovvy will rev the team up like he did last night starting at the end of the 2nd period. Where has that effort been the last few weeks? It was great to see and seemed to ignite the team. You can bet when Kovvy sloughs off, it rubs off on other players.
Little and Kane have been working hard and hopefully, it translates into points soon. Speaking of points, Peverly has really slowed down in that department lately. What’s up there?
I know this sounds terrible but when Todd White got hit with the puck last night, did anyone kind of hope it might keep him out of the line-up for a few…and maybe see if Slater and his energy can translate to more goals?
A W is desparately needed tonight!
Nikita
December 17th, 2009
4:43 pm
blushes
Er, um, guess I shouldn’t have dozed off with five minutes to go, should I? It’s just not the same watching Thrashers hockey from the frozen north.
LAC
December 17th, 2009
5:46 pm
WBF, You are 110% correct. For awhile I thought… No it will not, but when #17 is questioned, he always brushes it aside with a little smirk.
He knows he will get his money, but we all remember those QUOTED words of the GM of this team.
This is now a MAJOR distraction, the entire league is talking about,
not just Atlanta fans… WBF, looks like it will get worse before it is all said and done.
MB
December 17th, 2009
6:09 pm
Hey, I have two extra tix for tonight’s game for the magic price of free…anyone?
Hockey Biltong
December 17th, 2009
6:32 pm
I am leaving now, to see Le Trash win!!! Sec 119. See you all there….
Brendan
December 17th, 2009
6:54 pm
Bob, you are indeed correct. The Spirit renewed Waddell on a 2-year minimum deal after the team went 11-4-1 under his stewardship behind the bench. I think the AS, LLC’s thinking was, “The problem was clearly the COACH(ES).” The Thrashers would go on to finish the year at 76-points, 28th in the NHL. It’s what allowed them to pick 3rd overall and select Zach Bogosian in the 2008 Entry Draft. It was “inadequate sampling,” of course. But, I gotta be HONEST here, like I always am.
For my $0.02, here’s what I think it would take to have Don Waddell fired. He’d have to commit a felony that so embarrasses the team, to the very point where, only his resignation or termination would suffice. And, well … Don Waddell is a law abiding citizen, as far as I know. Michael Gearon, Jr., and Sr., for that matter, appear to like him quite a bit. As does Bruce Levenson. And Ed Pescowitz, as far as I can tell. Granted, I’m no “insider” with special knowledge. The only member of the AS, LLC to ever speak of Waddell in LESS THAN GLOWING terms … was … you GUESSED IT, Steve Belkin. Belkin called him “incompetent” at the initial hearings, the famous one where Billy Knight refused to shake his hand, and the moment was captured on the front page of the sports section.
Forbest Magazine reports that Don Waddell’s contract expires in 2010. I presume that to mean in April of 2010. But, perhaps, they meant June 30, 2010. But here’s what I suspect, but CANNOT PROVE. It is only a theory, and an unsubstantiated one at that. Ready? If Don Waddell is still the named GM of the Thrashers at the DRAFT, then an AUTOMATIC 1-year renewal would kick-in, making it a 3-year deal that was signed, back in 2008. I think it was TSN.ca that reported Waddell received a 3-year deal in 2008. But don’t quote me on that one. A two-year deal, with an automatic survival clause, would make it … a three-year deal. But Forbes cannot report a 3-year deal … precisely because they don’t know if Don Waddell will survive all the way until April, at regular season’s end. If the Thrashers are a playoff team this year, and manage to win even one (1) game, I highly, HIGHLY doubt the AS, LLC would fire Waddell. First off, they seemingly like him. They praise him constantly. They call him “one of the most respected GM’s in the league.” They defend his track record by citing that the failure years of the franchise occurred under previous ownership incarnations. So, in their eyes, it doesn’t count. But, what of the three (3) non-playoff years (2006, 2007 & 2008) under their Administration? Well, the AS, LLC simply chalks that up to Steve Belkin not being a paying participant in the ownership investment group. Plus, I believe, and CANNOT PROVE, that they flat-out told Waddell, “Let’s embark on a brand new 4-year building project while this lawsuit blows over. Don’t worry about the results. The goal is high-end draft picks to rebuild this team. Just like we’re doing with the Hawks.” Don then strutted around saying, “I think my job is safe,” whenever a reporter asked if he thought he might get fired. We all sat there, as FANS used to accountability in sports, and thought, “Denial’s not just a river in Egypt.” Well, how WRONG we were. Waddell’s job was as safe as the GOLD in FORT KNOX. And perhaps, still is. The only entity that can fire him is ownership. And seemingly, they’re delighted with his performance, goals, and objectives in overseeing this franchise.
And there it is, folks. Those of us who might think that one (1) playoff berth in a decade of seasons, come this Spring, is substandard performance results … may be disappointed when Waddell’s contract is once again renewed. Fan opinion is not weighed by this ownership. This ownership will do WHATEVER THEY JOLLY WELL WANT as it relates to the GM position. The only thing fans can do … is abstain from the product, if they disagree with the direction of the franchise. And plenty of them do. But the franchise survives with new fans, ticket give-a-ways, and fans of the opposition team, etc.
My thoughts on how Kovalchuk might impact Waddell’s future here are this: The ownership does whatever it wants. When Josh Childress tried to hornswaggle them out of $10 million-a-year, they just said, “no.” The explanation?? Chilly wasn’t worth that kind of money. Perhaps they were right. He went and played in Greece. The AS, LLC then spent the money another way. If the AS, LLC and/or Waddell feel … that Kovalchuk’s contractual demands are egregious, they’ll opt for “Plan B.” It’s just that simple for them, I believe. They’ll cite Briere’s deal, Gomez’ deal, the Campbell deal, and the Drury deal as evidence that many players who reach the UFA market get overpaid compared to their actual results. Pause. What? You know they will. And you know they’ll say that Kane, Bogosian, Little, Pavelec and Enstrom are the future. And that the team has a great nucleus of young talent moving forward, etc. They say whatever they want. They’ll say that next year’s team is a playoff team. Why not? What stops them from projecting that? They do it all the time. Then cite injuries or other misfortunes as having derailed the season. If you asked them, “Didn’t you think it important to lock up #17 for the coming years?” They’ll say, “Sure, we did. We TRIED. We presented a very nice offer. One that would have kept him around for a long time, and one that allowed us to get the pieces we lacked to put the Stanley Cup at Center Ice. But in the end, the matter couldn’t get resolved. And ultimately, he chose to play elsewhere. There was nothing we could do, and still be responsible, moving forward, with this franchise.”
Stop. That could actually happen. But, maybe it won’t. Maybe he’ll re-sign after the Olympics. And those who like Kovalchuk will rejoice in song. And those who don’t care for his defensive lapses and high cap hit, will rejoice that he’s gone, along with his $6.5 million cap hit.” Kovy’s departure does allow some new and interesting strategies to be attempted. And no, I don’t think it will spell the end of Waddell if Kovy does, indeed, make a tree and LEAVE. Ownership likes Waddell. They admire him. And they say so whenever they’re asked about him. If the AS, LLC ever fired Waddell, I’d be utterly stunned. I suspect that Waddell’s tenure with the club will end … when he finally gets FED UP ENOUGH to resign.
Matt
December 17th, 2009
7:36 pm
13-5 shots for Dallas to this point. Another disappointing start in the 1st period. What’s the definition of insanity again?
Midfield
December 17th, 2009
9:51 pm
I’m sick and tired watching Hainsey. Anderson trusts him in clutch situations apparently, but – come on. They should not have gone to OT. This narcicist ices the puck first, and then he fans on it in front of own net. Not to mention time after time he gets moved away from the puck all game long. How many breaks do you need, Ron? Buy Pavelec a big fat dinner.
stendec
December 17th, 2009
10:12 pm
Talk about roller coaster rides! The Thrashers won an overtime game on home ice in their All Hallows Eve uniforms after surrendering the tying marker in the final two minutes. A Thrasher netminder allowed almost half a dozen goals but won. The same Thrasher that scored the go-ahead shorthanded goal netted the winner in overtime. That same Thrasher leads all NHL players in the winning goal category. This was a nice one after the Thrashers failed to collect any points in the previous bout south of the Georgia border. Way to go Thrashers. No. I do not expect Captain Ilya Kovalchuk to stay in a Thrasher uniform. Just my opinion. Good night all. ++STENDEC++
Brendan
December 18th, 2009
12:53 am
Ranallo warning?? Not seeing one. Okay folks, here’s your boxscore: http://www.nhl.com/ice/boxscore.htm?id=2009020505. Some interesting notes. 47 shots against. In a HOME game. Aye, aye, aye. My 1st star of the game is Peverley, who had his sixth GWG this season, with his second of the night. My second star is Kubina, who was +1, with an assist, while logging the most minutes for our blueline at 23:27. My 3rd star was Finny, with 1G, and 2 helpers. I think, despite five (5) goals against, that Pavelec merits a star. He made 4-5 “highlight reel” type saves.
Peverley had 3-points, Finny had 3-points, and Kovy had 2-points. Antropov scored again. That’s nice to see him finding the twine more often, after a slow goal scoring debut to the season. Congrats to Jim Slater for catching the ferry boat of Schneid Island.
The following players were +1: Schubert, Reasoner, Armstrong, Slater, Salmela, Thorburn, Enstrom, Peverley and Kubina. The following players were -1: Bogosian, White, Kozlov, Finny, and Antropov. Evander Kane was the only “even” Thrasher for the game. At -2 were Hainsey, Little and Lovy. Hainsey was a -3 in the last game. Little was a -2 in the Florida game, too.
Here’s how our blueline minutes went: (1) Kubina, 23:27, +1, with an assist, (2) Enstrom, 22:55, +1, with an assist, (3) Bogosian, 21:17, -1, no points, (4) Hainsey, 20:12, -2, with an assist, (5) Schubert, 15:36, +1, no points, and (6) Salmela, 12:55, +1, no points.
Atlanta had 25 shots on goal. It is the 1st ever Thrasher win at Philips Arena over the Dallas Stars. Dallas is probably my least favorite team in the entirety of the NHL. So I took particular delight and savor in this victory. Though, it was troubling to toss them a point with such a late goal.
Rawhide
December 18th, 2009
1:03 am
Brendan – Sorry dude…my bad. Here is the new blog.