Thrashers pending UFAs – Sign ‘em or ship ‘em?
As I’m sure you all know, the Thrashers have a fair amount of pending unrestricted free agents on their roster. Given the fact that we are now in late January, the time is drawing near for the organization to decide whether to retain their services beyond this year…or to ship them off at the deadline.
And given that we have an Olympic break scheduled between now and the official trade deadline, chances are good that we could see teams pullin the trigger on deals in the next couple of weeks…as well as the first week of March.
Therefore, this weekend’s assignment for you is to review the list of those in Thrasherville whose current contracts expire this summer and are able to swim in the NHL UFA talent pool, then…acting as the team’s cyber-GM…let us know if you would attempt to re-sign the player or ship them off for something in return.
And with that, let us begin…
- Sign Armstrong (36%, 76 Votes)
- Ship Armstrong (64%, 138 Votes)
Total Voters: 214
Loading ...Colby Armstrong: Doesn’t seem too that ago we were welcoming this guy to town along with Erik Christensen, does it? Now, if he’s dealt away in the next few weeks, all we have to show for the trade that sent Marian Hossa and Pascal Dupuis to Pittsburgh two years ago will be a prospect playing at Michigan State, (Daultan Leveille selected with the Penguin’s 2008 draft pick), a prospect playing in the OHL, (Eric O’Dell who was acquired when Christensen was traded to Anaheim), a prospect who was playing with the Chicago Wolves before suffering his second ACL injury in as many years, (Angelo Esposito)…and whatever we get in return for Army.
Someone want to tell me again how Waddell procured the proverbial “king’s ransom” for Hossa?
Armstrong has 8 goals, 9 assists and is a +3 in 49 games played this season. His current contract pays him $2.4 million.
Rawhide’s take: He’s probably traded at the deadline, if not just before the Olympic break.
- Sign Kubina (84%, 178 Votes)
- Ship Kubina (16%, 35 Votes)
Total Voters: 213
Loading ...Pavel Kubina: Last summer, long-time Thrashers defenseman Garnet Exelby was traded to Toronto in exchange for Kubina…both players had one year left in their contracts and there were a couple of prospects also involved in the deal as well. It was, IMHO, one of the better transactions Don Waddell has made in his 11-plus years as the organization’s GM. Kubina has been a very solid, dependable blueliner for the team and his physical presence is something we’ve not had the pleasure of seeing in the parts too often. But, seeing that he’s going to be 33-years of age on April 15, the question for the team is whether or not a blueliner of that age would be of benefit given some of the prospects waiting in the wings.
Kubina has 5 goals, 20 assists and is a +8 in 49 games played this season. His current contract pays him $5 million.
Rawhide’s take: Tough call, however I wouldn’t mind seeing him back for another year…but at a considerably lower price.
- Sign Hedberg (49%, 101 Votes)
- Ship Hedberg (51%, 104 Votes)
Total Voters: 205
Loading ...Johan Hedberg: Ah yes…the Moose. He is as dependable a back-up goalie that any team could ask to have. He’s in his fourth season with the Thrashers and has a record of 46-39-11 while in Atlanta. On May 5, the Swede will turn 37-years of age and with the ultimate return of Kari Lehtonen the team will have three goalies in which to chose from. Is Pavelec returning to Chicago…or traded? If so, then we return to the Kari starter/Moose backing up role. Or, is it more likely that Anderson and Company have seen enough of Opie to at least let him remain to back up Lehtonen? The third option is putting the oft-injured Kari Lehtonen on the trade blocks…but if there’s one thing we’ve learned in 50 games so far this year…Opie isn’t just quite ready to carry the load full-time and Hedberg is a career backup for a reason.
One last note about Hedberg…he’s the only one of the three with a winning record since the beginning of the last season.
Hedberg is 10-8-3 with a .913 SV% and 2.60 GAA to go with one shutout. His current contract pays him just over $1 million.
Rawhide’s take: Given Pavelec’s better-than-thought showing this year, and Hedberg’s age, I think the days of the Moose are numbered in Thrasherville. But I’d love to see him remain as a goalie coach for the team.
- Sign Afinogenov (84%, 179 Votes)
- Ship Afinogenov (16%, 35 Votes)
Total Voters: 214
Loading ...Maxim Afinogenov: The $800,000 spent on Maxim Afinogenov has been money well spent, I believe. Last summer, after a disappointing end to his time in Buffalo, he came to training camp on a professional tryout and played his way onto the squad. Not too many people doubted his skating abilities or his talent potential…but the big question circling over Afinogenov was if he could actually finish plays as well as he started them. Well, let’s see… in 50 games so far he has ten more goals than he scored last season in 48 games and has six more than two seasons prior when he played in 56 games. His career-high in points…73 in 2005-06…could very well be matched this season. Oh, and he’s second in overall points with 42.
Again…he’s been well worth the short-term investment thus far. Question is, would he be worth keeping for another 2 or 3 years at a higher price?
Afinogenov has 16 goals, 26 assists and is a –8 having played in all 50 games. His current contract pays him $800,000
Rawhide’s take: I’d have him back in a heartbeat, but he may opt to test the free agent waters. This is especially true if one Mr. Ilya Kovalchuk isn’t around here nest season.
- Sign Kozlov (11%, 22 Votes)
- Ship Kozlov (89%, 184 Votes)
Total Voters: 206
Loading ...Slava Kozlov: First off, let me just say that Slava Kozlov is…and will always be considered…one of my all-time favorite Thrashers players. He has provided 6-1/2 seasons of quality service for the Thrashers since joining the team in 2002. Prior to the 2006-07 season, he agreed to remain in Atlanta for another three years. He’s a class act and nothing short of a professional. That be said…I just don’t see how the Thrashers can bring Kozlov back after this campaign. He will be 38-years old in May and his play has shown it this season. His –14 rating the second lowest on the team…Todd White is a –15.
I have long-since held the opinion that if the Thrashers do indeed re-sign Kovalchuk, Kozlov’s $3.6 million salary will simply be diverted to the captain’s ledger in order to pay for the raise.
Kozlov has 8 goals, 15 assists and is a –14 in 50 games played. His current salary pays him $3.67 million.
Rawhide’s take: After this season, I believe the next time we’ll see Slava Kozlov on the ice for the Thrashers is when he watches his #13 jersey raised to the rafters.
- Sign Slater (82%, 169 Votes)
- Ship Slater (18%, 36 Votes)
Total Voters: 205
Loading ...Jim Slater: The first round draft pick…30th overall…of the 2002 NHL entry draft has seen most of his playing time on the fourth line. However, he has been getting more and more time playing up…and this is a good thing. He is nothing but all out hustle and effort night in and night out. Since being the last off Schnide Island…well, besides Valabik who was injured for half the season…he’s made up for lost time, scoring four goals in his last nine games. He has nine points and is a +3 in that stretch of games dating back to the 5-2 loss in Pittsburgh two and a half weeks ago.
Slater has 5 goals, 3 assists and is a –2 in 29 games played. His current salary pays him $840,000.
Rawhide’s take: Yeah…sign him. This team needs as many players that give 110% every night that they can get.
- Sign Boulton (77%, 155 Votes)
- Ship Boulton (23%, 47 Votes)
Total Voters: 202
Loading ...Eric Boulton: Boulton is as close to an enforcer as they have. He’s not afraid to drop the gloves to protect a teammate…or simply infuse the team with some much-needed energy. The fourth-line winger was the 234th overall pick by the New York Rangers in 1994 and has been with the Thrashers since 2005. Prior to that he played 172 in four seasons with the Buffalo Sabres. By the time next season comes around, Bolts will turn 34-years of age…so that might be a small concern for some.
Slater has 2 goals, 6 assists and is a +1 in 42 games played. He also leads the team with 75 PIM. His current salary pays him $600,000.
Rawhide’s take: Unless there is a plan to replace his toughness…better keep him around.
- Sign Popovic (38%, 73 Votes)
- Ship Popovic (62%, 118 Votes)
Total Voters: 191
Loading ...Mark Popovic: Popovic is in his second tour in Thrasherville after playing 44 games here between 2005 and 2008. He was invited into training camp last summer where he impressed the coaching staff enough to make the team. Pops is currently on IR nursing an injured foot and hasn’t played since the 5-2 loss in Toronto back on December 7. He’ll be 28-years old next October.
Interesting little stat here…the Thrashers are 11-4-2 in the 17 games Popovic has started and 11-17-5 without him out of the lineup. You can make of that what you will.
Popovic has 2 goals, 1 assist and is a –4 in 17 games played. His salary currently salary pays him $600,000.
Rawhide’s take: Eh…I can go either way with this one. But his return could depend on where certain prospects are in their development.
- Sign Schubert (79%, 154 Votes)
- Ship Schubert (21%, 40 Votes)
Total Voters: 194
Loading ...Christoph Schubert: The Thrashers picked up Schubert when Ottawa was trying to slip him through waivers and has recently been placed on IR with a lower body injury. The 6’-3”, 230-pound German does seem to fit in well with Anderson’s system as he’s a defender who loves to join in the attack. In fact, if need be, Schubert can fill in on the wing. Like Kubina, his physical size makes him a presence the Thrashers have lacked for so long…and when he uses it to his advantage, it’s a very good thing. Personally, I’ve liked the pairing of Schubert with Boris Valabik. His attacking play allows Boris to remain back and concentrate solely on defense. The big problem with Schubie is the untimely penalties as he has raked up 63 PIM in the 44 games played so far.
Schubert has 2 goals, 5 assists and is a –7 in 44 games played. His current salary pays him $441,667.
Rawhide’s take: I’d like to see him back for another season or so.
- Sign Kovalchuk (64%, 139 Votes)
- Ship Kovalchuk (36%, 79 Votes)
Total Voters: 218
Loading ...Ilya Kovalchuk: Yeah…I saved this one for last. Look, we’ve discussed this one ad nausea. He’s the team captain, leading scorer and the current face of the franchise. To listen to Waddell and Kovalchuk, talks are still ongoing and both parties are continuing to strive towards a deal that will keep the prolific scorer in Atlanta for years to come. He was the overall number one pick in 2001, became team captain a year ago and the Thrashers have stated to Kovy that this team is to built around him. Could he get his money elsewhere? Oh sure…that’s never been a question. Could he even wear a ‘C’ for another team? I’m sure that is possible. But where else is he going to go in which the team was “his”? I don’t know if that’s going to happen outside of Thrasherville.
However, as long as professional players are compensated at such high rates, superstar franchise players of all sports will move from team to team. If Kovalchuk does…he won’t be the first and he won’t be the last. Also, many feel that since he hasn’t signed already, then he’s as good as gone…and as such, the team needs to move forward with shipping him out seeing that they can ask for a “king’s ransom”.
A “king’s ransom”? Hey wait a second…haven’t we seen this movie before?
Kovalchuk has 30 goals, 26 assists and is a +2. His current contract pays him just shy of $6.4 million.
Rawhide’s take: I still believe the best outcome to the Kovy contract talks is that he’ll re-sign here. But if the rumored reports are true that he isn’t coming off his demand for max-dollar, (appx. $11.3 per season), then I would suspect he’s gone.
I just hope that in seeking the “king’s ransom”, Don Waddell doesn’t wind up looking like the court jester.
And finally…there are three others on the payroll scheduled to be UFAs. Steve McCarthy, Josh Gratton and Noah Welch. You may opine as to their status as well.
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128 comments Add your comment
Tom
January 23rd, 2010
7:49 am
First, just because I wanted to catch Stroz sleeping.
Dwayne
January 23rd, 2010
8:07 am
I will now turn my money and support over to the White Basketball League. Hopefully they will bring back those short-shorts and lower the goal to 8 and 1/2 feet.
R. Stroz
January 23rd, 2010
8:19 am
It’s Saturday, no blogs should be posted before 8:00 AM.
LAC
January 23rd, 2010
8:52 am
Neat blog Bill, You ARE THE BEST !
Tonight I say TB 6 Atl 2. More coasting and NO defense.
You should watch anderson’s press confrence following the Carolina debacle, He blamed the defense for the first Stall goal, said we just stood there, WOW !!! But he would not call out specific players like creampuff zach b. How in the WORLD that punk stays in the NHL is beyond belief, He needs to the FIRST one traded !
Red Light
January 23rd, 2010
9:04 am
Armstrong: Too slow and inconsistent, deal him
Kozzie: Re-sign for $1.5 million or less, he doesn’t want to leave Atlanta ever and might take it. Worth that for PP and shoot-outs
Kubina: Deal him
Kovy: Deal him
Afinogenov: classic Oct & Nov player. 5 goals and 12 assists since Dec. 1. Disappears most seasons in March and April. Look it up! Great value for $800k, but doubt he’ll sign for that again. Deal him.
Schubert: Deal him
Any others making under $1 million, you keep for now, unless any Chicago players are ready for call-up.
It’s time to emphasize a true youth movement centered around the kids who are playing every night. Only NHL team to win a Cup with a European captain was Detroit with Lidstrom. Need a North American captain, preferably a Canadian who is well respected.Maybe Pevs because of his effort.
House cleaning and time for a new five-year plan with someone else calling the shots.
James Brown
January 23rd, 2010
9:07 am
LAC………..All us old guys are always up early huh? If Kovy is shipped out…………………that will be the domino that starts a major fire sale! DW`s job may the last domino to fall when all is said and done…………Do what we have to do to bring in Cliff Fletcher and David Poile to run the franchise………..they know how to build a winner in Atlanta!
Putting On The Foil
January 23rd, 2010
9:21 am
Rawhide. How you muster the strength to continue writing these great blogs after watching games like Thursday’s is beyond me. Personally, I just would just wanna holler to fire somebody and then drink heavily. Agree with all your assessments of the free agents. Kubina has got to come cheaper.
Rawhide
January 23rd, 2010
9:25 am
that will be the domino that starts a major fire sale! DW`s job may the last domino to fall when all is said and done
James Brown – I hear what you’re sayin’…but IMHO, if there is going to be such a “fire sale” then DW should be the first to go. If we have to start over again, let’s begin there.
BTW, did you see the photos Trixie posted last night?
House cleaning and time for a new five-year plan with someone else calling the shots
Red Light – If the Thrashers do not put together a strong run between now that the Olympic break, I fear you may be right. It would sucks too…having to start all over after 10 years and nothing really to show for it.
Personally, I just would just wanna holler to fire somebody and then drink heavily
POTF – FIRE WADDELL!!!!! PASS THE RUM!!!
Kovyoverrated
January 23rd, 2010
9:28 am
Still BLOWS MY MIND that anyone would still want to absolutely kill this franchise by paying $11 mil a year for Kovy! How many one-dimensional athletes are the highest paid in their respected sports? NONE! So just for the sake of keeping him around,and “saving the face of the Thrashers”, lets look forward to a future with a team built around an overpaid shooter, causing us to have to let all our talented young players walk when it comes time to re-up. This will go on year after year. Yea! Great plan!
The Joker
January 23rd, 2010
9:55 am
I just hope that in seeking the “king’s ransom”, Don Waddell doesn’t wind up looking like the court jester.
Well sir, I take exception to your remarks. From a long lineage of court jesters, we had to perform well, or, off with our heads.
You see sir, there is ACCOUNTABILITY to being a court jester, none so as a Thrasher GM.
To paraphrase, court jesters must rely on their wit, whereas Waddell relies on bull$h!t.
Lee
January 23rd, 2010
9:56 am
Good News, Lehtonen on his way down to chicago, supposed to play next game, may be back up here in 1-2 weeks
World Be Free
January 23rd, 2010
10:01 am
Funny how everyone fell off the Max bandwagon, now that Max has returned to being Max. The Max freight train from October and November has slowed to one of those little choo-choo’s you see at a kid’s fair. Now you wonder why Buffalo kept him so long.
61, which in itself should be reserved for Roger Maris, a classy guy that never had to take roids to be a champ. He just had to hit after my all time idiot, Micky Mantle.
Keep Kubina and Schubert; Schubie leads the team in hits and that’s good enough for me.
Colby who? He’s the guy that should be on the carton.
And finaly, keep Jimmy caused he’s earned it. Jim Slater is the good news from this season, he’s upped his game. See what happens when you put a guy in the press box? If he’s any good and has any pride, he’ll get the message.
R. Stroz
January 23rd, 2010
10:10 am
WBF – I’m not off the Max wagon yet. Max needs to be on a line with either Peverley and Little/Slater.
Although I enjoy the scoring potential of Kovy and Max on the same line, the defensive liability is too high. The scary part is when Kovy and Max are on the same line, Max is the more defensive minded of the two.
five_hole
January 23rd, 2010
10:13 am
Overall, I agree with your talent assessment. The only quibble I have is about “raising Slava’s #13 to the rafters”. Don’t get me wrong; I’ve been a fan of Slava’s; even when he played for the (much hated) Red Wings. I disagree that his play has been worthy of having his number retired. He’s been a good consistent player for years, but hasn’t “put up the numbers” to get that kind of treatment.
As far as the rest, there are players I like and players I don’t like so much. If we lost/dealt Colby, Kubina, et al; I’d be disappointed but we could replace them (with equivalent talent) in free agency. As other people have pointed out about Kubina, for example, it’s all about getting them at the right price.
However, the only one that is “special” (as I’m sure his mother tells him) on the list is Kovy. If you want to build a championship, you don’t deal away your difference-maker. If you want to sell tickets, you don’t get rid of your gate attraction. He needs to be signed. Period.
And of course, this assumes we’re not going to make the playoffs, which as the season progresses, seems to be the more likely outcome.
R. Stroz
January 23rd, 2010
10:15 am
Tom – I wasn’t sleeping. I was Waddelling on the job.
James Brown
January 23rd, 2010
10:21 am
Pics look great Rawhide……thanks………the girls got a kick out of that.
Its amazing what happens when ownership demands accountability from management. Case and point would be in Colorado and Philadelphia…………..They make coaching and personnel changes when they need to be done.
Snider didn`t think twice about putting the ax to ex-Flyer great turned GM Bobby Clarke when things got stale…………..same with Ken Hitchcock who arguably was a better coach and teacher than anybody that coached the Thrashers.
Waddell and the Thrashers have the luxury of flying under the radar here in Atlanta until about this time of year…………..now is the time the fans and the media need to light a big fire up under the Spirit,Waddell and Anderson and demand results…………Brendan posted something 3-4 years ago that Curt Fraser had “minor league” written all over him…………..well I say the same thing about John Anderson………….pathetic situation……….no fire!!!
World Be Free
January 23rd, 2010
10:22 am
All I want is a hockey team that will work hard. I support keeping Schubert because he hits and he’s not a bad player. Keep Boulton and Thorny because they keep the other teams honest. I’ll keep any play that drops the gloves.
This team needs to get back to working hard, like they did at the end of last season. We were all pretty jazzed about the end of last year when the Thrashers outworked potential playoff teams. These guys aren’t outworking anyone right now.
Your team needs to gain the reputation of a team that nobody else wants to play. Look at Ottawa; half their team is hurt and they are in 2nd place in the East because they work hard. I don’t care how flashy and talented your team is; if they don’t work hard the team will never win consistently enough to make the playoffs. It’s that simple.
World Be Free
January 23rd, 2010
10:24 am
Stroz-Max is the second coming of Miko Makela, the ex-Islander, King and Sabre who would take “vacations” during games. Which is why Miko earned the nickname “The European Vacation”.
Max has a tendency to call his travel agent in the middle of games.
Jimbo
January 23rd, 2010
10:31 am
Agree with most that Kovy is not worth anything near max. so it is likely that he will be traded. Kubina is OK but not at his current salary. He’ll probably go. Armstrong is one of the slowest forwards in the NHL and is not worth $3 mil. He goes. Even with Kozzy’s current “sabbatical”, I thin that he has a $1-2 mil worth as a third liner and shotout specialist. I love Slater’s hustle but he has not hands around the net. Still like him for energy. Others no. How about Lets? Isn’t he a UFA this summer? If he gets healthy and many goalies don’t really hit their prime until the late 20s, I’d favor trying to keep him. this is an interesting exercise since it forces everyone to do a little cost/benefit analysis on the current crop.
R. Stroz
January 23rd, 2010
10:34 am
Your team needs to gain the reputation of a team that nobody else wants to play.
WBF – Like the Atlanta Flames? Bygones.
Rawhide
January 23rd, 2010
10:35 am
How about Lets? Isn’t he a UFA this summer?
Jimbo – Kari is an RFA again this summer given his age and years of service as of July 1, 2010.
R. Stroz
January 23rd, 2010
10:41 am
I’d rather have Colin Stuart than Colby Armstrong.
James Brown
January 23rd, 2010
10:43 am
WBF……………Nobody wanted to play the Flames or anybody else in the Patrick Division back in the day……….that was one tough group of teams.
docsbro
January 23rd, 2010
10:45 am
Rawhide another good blog. K-overrated…I still don’t understand how paying him his money kills a dead franchise. Put yourself in his shoes. So this was DW’s big effort to put together a playoff team and they aren’t going to make the playoffs…AGAIN. If I where in Kovy’s place I would want MAX money also because they aren’t going to spend that money to make the team better. Besides if we have so much young talent to “let walk” why aren’t they here playing for us.
This whole franchise has been nothing but “young supposed talent” and the reason they have “walked had nothing to do with Kovy…it had to do with DW…and DW alone…why because he can’t put together a team worth playing for. For that matter our “old” talent has walked for the same reason. We offer Campbell more money and he signed with Chicago, offered Hossa enough money and he said Hell No!! Heatly well he was just a punk kid. Oh yeah how about Ka-Chuck going back to St Louis…why because he knew we wheren’t going to do the right things here and it wasn’t worth up rooting his family for.
Sooooo…I don’t blame Kovy AT ALL. He has carried this sorry franchise for almost ten years. He has been the only player worth watching for almost ten years…his he the best player in the NHL no, does he “snowbird’ sure, but what about this franchise is worth sticking your neck out for??
Oh yeah and please bench Kozzy!!! and bring up some of this young talent K-O-rated is referring to oh wait there isn’t any!!
ThrasherTim
January 23rd, 2010
11:12 am
After this last effort Thursday night against a Canes team playing for nothing, it finally hit me that this season’s excitement after a 14-7-3 start was a mere pipe dream and the franchise is very close to having to start all over again. It’s really sad as I think of the hope at the start of the season and all the positive comments coming out of the Kovvy camp and the Waddell camp about getting a deal done. As much as many of you have come out and said we can’t pay so much for a one-way player, I bet once he determines where his home is going to be for the next x years — and if it’s on a decent team – you will see the effort on the D-end upped considerably. I’m not saying that he will be a mad hitter and great at digging out pucks along the boards, but it’s pretty clear that right now, he’s trying to avoid an injury to sign a big contract and wants to stay healthy for the Olympics.
Someone above posted about Ottawa’s hard work and recent winning streak. This is the team we decimated a couple weeks back and they looked awful – I thought they would be out of the playoff picture by now and instead, they are catching up to Pittsburgh in the standings for 4th place and a home playoff series. It starts to point to the coaching staff. Why can’t a bunch of guys who should be hungrier than any in the league for the playoffs continue to put forth such a weak effort, especially at home? I know the crowds have been sparse, but the crowds won’t come when we are continually fighting back from deficits. I mean, we have scored 1st in only 19 of 50 games or so? It’s the classic chicken and egg.
Anyway, thanks Rawhide for your enthusiam for the blog. It’s been painful to read it lately as things have continued to get more desperate. Remember, this is the team that finished 12-6 last year WITHOUT Kubina or Max or Antropov (our best +/- player). We have 2 regulation wins since November. Let that soak in. 2…since November.
Thrashers27
January 23rd, 2010
11:13 am
Anybody else see the top ten highlights on ESPN today? #1 is a beautiful Vinny Sapponari goal.
Red Light
January 23rd, 2010
11:20 am
I think odds are stacked squarely against anyt kind of run, Rawhide. Had they beaten Carolina, it might have been a little different. The Thrashers are like many other Eastern Conference teams, inconsistent. It might be a result of the cap but more likely poor personnel management. Gainey was reputed to be some sort of genius and look at was has happened there. Holmgren in Philly, nice goaltending. Sather in NY, nice signing of Redden and Rozsival for $11 million plus. $10 million for Kovalev for two seasons in Ottawa by Bryan Murray???
After the top four teams, right now, it appears only Garth Snow on the Island has a clue of what’s going on. Long been a fan of Regier, Shero, McPhee and Lou in terms of talent evaluations, but all other teams are either re-tooling or grasping at straws at this point.
I think the likelihood of a playoff run in Atlanta will only happen with a key addition or three! Seven road games and three home between now and the break. All are against teams above them or in the same desperate situation.
Kovyoverrated
January 23rd, 2010
11:28 am
Docsbro, I agree with you about DW and the makeup and culture of the team. Bogo and Kane would have a much better chance to develop on another team, with older players that give a crap. And I’m not blaming the problems of this franchise on Kovy. He will be a good piece, as a sniper, on another, more physical team. He can’t carry a team on his shoulders by himself. Can’t play defense, can’t hit, does’nt even like to be within 10 feet of the net. So why sign him for $11mil? Huge difference between $9mil that Ovetchkin gets and the $11 mil he’s asking for. That’s $2mil that can be put toward signing other players, or keeping draft picks. It is all a moot point anyway- he’s gone. He’ll play as a rental for the rest of the season and then go play KHL. Other GM’s in the NHL have said there is no way anybody here pays $11mil for him next year.
World Be Free
January 23rd, 2010
11:29 am
Stroz and James-as a sabres fan inthe 70’s, I hated playing the Flames. They had guys that would work hard, hit and beat you in 3-2 games.
ThrasherTim-hockey is one of the few sports where you can be successful in just by working harder than the other team. You need the right motivator, a great captain, the right system and an internal motor.
Ottawa is the perfect example-Daniel Alfredsson
Brendan
January 23rd, 2010
11:48 am
One of the most exasperating things, for me, personally, as a fan of this team … is the attitude of the ownership. I mean, after all, it’s THEIR money! You’d think … that they’d want playoff revenue. They’d DEMAND it. Instead, they’re quite content to field league minimum payrolls, coupled with revenue-sharing dollars, to prop up the franchise and “break even.” And all they ask of the GM is this, “Just keep us within striking distance of a playoff berth in February. So that we can maintain the APPEARANCE of doing something right … to our fanbase … to help sell tickets.”
Uhh, nice try, guys. I think even the least among us … has figured out what you’re all about. Even if the great Scotty Bowman were our GM, responsible ownership would have to let him go, over these results. And he’s a 1st ballot Hall of Famer. It’s called “accountability.” I think it’s rather lame and pathetic that … in the search for a qualified GM … the best thing the Thrashers have to offer … is LONGEVITY at the post for the encumbent.
Smoothie
January 23rd, 2010
11:49 am
Gee Rawhide, talk about ruining my weekend with a depressing blog! I count on the Thrashers to do that when I get to relaxed and happy.
When you start to examine the UFA situation in light of the potential of losing Kovy, the picture really starts to look bleak. Considering the domino effect Kovy’s signing may have on certain players, the idea of losing him makes ot seem extra scary.
However, other than Kozzy, Max and probably Army due to his strong family ties up North, I don’t see any reason why we can’t get the others back. But the only ones I would want are Kubina, Schubes (as a 7th d-man), Slater and perhaps Boulton since he comes so cheap anyway.
Kubes knows he’s winding down his career and may “settle” for an extra year over an extra mill. 3 yrs at right around $4.25 seems fair. But that is risky considering Hainsey is playing like a 2nd pairing d-man at best with the same contract. Zach is having some serious growing pains, but should be fine. We may be better off going after a more moderately priced North Anerican vet to better mentor Bogosian?
But none of this really matters unless Waddell is fired and Dudley is allowed to do the grocery shopping. Even if DW has a hand in the Kovy trade, he should still be fired to set the tone for the new regime and instill some much-lacking accountability to this ailing franchise.
James Brown
January 23rd, 2010
11:51 am
Who would be the GM canidate thats available if DW is let go? Dudley is in house so that`s a possibilty but I would rather see a fresh start.
Rawhide
January 23rd, 2010
11:56 am
I think odds are stacked squarely against anyt kind of run, Rawhide.
Red Light – I completely agree. As I opined over at HockeyBuzz… after the loss to the ‘Canes, the Thrashers are 22-21-7 with 51 points. My personal benchmark is 94 points for a team to make the playoffs To get to 94 points, the Thrashers need 43 more over the last 32 games…say going 21-10-1.
That would be a points winning percentage of .672.
Even if 92 points might get a team into post-season this spring, that would mean the Thrashers would have to play to a record of something like 20-11-1 the rest of the way…a .641 PW%.
That means the rest of the way the Thrashers would have to play at roughly the same level as the Colorado Avalanche, who are currently playing at a .640 PW% clip.
The term I use for the probability of that happening is…notgonnahappennowayinhell.
Brendan
January 23rd, 2010
12:11 pm
I always like the posts made by Red Light and WBF. Great job, today, guys. And Rawhide, we’re not worthy! We’re NOT worthy. This is an awesome blog topic. If you’ll allow a transgression, I’d like to add a discussion to the pending RFAs, like Kari Lehtonen, Bryan Little, Brett Sterling, and Ondrej Pavelec. I’d re-sign all of them. Sterling stays in the minors, two-year deal, two-way contract. NHL salary is the league minimum. If some team shows interest in Sterling at the deadline, he’s your “sweetener.” Lehtonen gets a one-year deal only, at $2.5 million. Take it or be traded. Lehtonen has done nothing to deserve more. Pavelec, I’d re-sign him for two more years, or up to his remaining RFA years, at RFA pricing. We’ll know what that is by the end of the season, when we can compare him to similarly aged netminders, with similar NHL experince. Then make a RESPONSIBLE contract to him. Pavelec and Lehtonen, both must get qualifying offers, if they’re still here in June. Or we lose their rights. Which would be bad. Bryan Little? I, personally, think he’s been miscast this season, because of the arrival of Nik Antropov to be Kovy’s center. A clear “appeasement” move by Waddell, to urge a new Kovalchuk contract. Little is a natural Center. He’s one of the best centers on our roster; he’s just having a ‘down year,’ or Sophomore slump. Whatever you want to call it. I see Little’s contract, believe it or not, as an opportunity to lock him up, LONGTERM, at a huge discount. I’m talking about dipping into his UFA years, folks. Maybe I’m thinking crazy, now. But I like 8 years/$32 million, for a cap hit of $4 million, that would pay him well past his UFA eligibility years, at 26, to the age of 29 or 30. I think the kid’s got skills. He’s just having a bad season, miscast in his current role. He potted 31 goals last year. I think he can get back to those numbers, as a CENTER, with real linemates around him.
As for the UFA minor leaguers, re-sign ‘em all. McCarthy, Gratton, Welch. Minor leaguers don’t cost anything, and when they get called up, they’re league minimum contracts. Here’s my PLEA: Don’t give away the STORE at the deadline!!! Give the NEXT GM a fighting chance to evaluate our prospects and decide what is best. Guys like Kulda, Kaip, Machacek, Grant Lewis, Holzapfel, LaVallee (is he still around?), Niclas Lasu, Zach Redmond … Postma, Leveille, Esposito, Klingberg, … Oysterick, Lehman, Kozek, Pospisil, etc. You gotta keep ‘em, and DEVELOP ‘EM. That’s why you drafted them. For once, can we AT LEAST TRY to get something right???? You want to trade a prospect? Trade Dan Turple or Chad Denny. Or Will O’Neill.
Adam
January 23rd, 2010
12:13 pm
Is this team, on paper, better than last year? You’d have to say yes. When this group of guys goes out and plays 60 minutes of hockey they’re a top 5 team in the conference. But the team out there now might play 30-40 minutes at best. Teams can’t play hard at the beginning and end of the season and expect to make the playoffs. The best they can hope for is squeak into the 8th spot. The team has no hustle right now and the play on ice comes down to coaching and the captain. Obviously Anderson doesn’t have control of this team right now and when your captian spends half of his shifts skating figure eights north of the circles where does your motivation come from. I keep waiting for Kovy to do a triple lutz back there…
There is no way Kovy is worth anything more than 7.5 mil and I think that is still over paying. He’s an offensive specialist and should be compensated as such. I figure $100-125k per average goals scored over the last 3-4 seasons. At the high end of 125k that puts him right about where he’s at now if you include this seasons projected 56 goal pace.
Now if he were a solid two way player I could see giving him a half to a full million more the Ovie but he’s hasn’t shown that he can play two way hockey for more than 15 to 20 game a season. Look people there is noway that Kovy gets league max from any other team in the league his only shot at that kind of money is right here fleecing DWadd & the AS buffoons and I can’t say that I blame him for trying. But when you see it’s not going to happen and you really want to stay don’t you think it’s time to take a step back and say where can we meet to get this behind us? So the question is does he really want to stay?
They should tell him this is our offer you have to the end of the month to take it or we’re trading you. But Dwadd is trying to save his job so that will never happen. If there were any accountability with the “Lack of Spirit” group they would tell the Wadd he has till Feb 1 to make the deal happen for the right money or you’re out of here. At which point turn the reins over to Dudley and let him try to right the ship.
Brendan
January 23rd, 2010
12:25 pm
Adam, I always enjoy your posts, too. I think Waddell’s job is safe. The word “accountability” isn’t in their dictionary, over at the offices of the Atlanta Spirit, LLC. I know. I snuck in once and checked. Other missing words were “judgement,” “player retention,” “development,” and “tact.”
World Be Free
January 23rd, 2010
12:26 pm
five_hole-not sure how good Slava’s English is-if we raise is jersey to the rafters, his acceptance speech may be in Russian!
Brendan-you offer more detail and research than anyone else on this blog. So I am honored to know you read my stuff as well. You wonder why ownership does not demand the maximum bang for their buck. They act like they own the Braves or something.
The kids you mentioned need to have a chance to play with the big club. The time is now!
James-I’d take Dudley as a player right now. You NEVER had to motivate Duds, ever. I am on an old school kick today. I want players that work hard, guys that know the difference between pain and injury.
Sorry about not making it to TJ’s. Family obligations tonight.
Miami Screaming Eagle
January 23rd, 2010
12:50 pm
The simple fact that Don Waddell is still GM here is totally mind-boggling. You could offer 100 reasons why the guy should be gone and I would give you 100 more to support the decision. Why the heck has he lasted this long is one of the great miracles of pro sports over the last 25 years.
His draft picks have been horrible, his UFA signings questionable and his selection of coaches totally abysmal. That’s the hockey end of the situation and the hockey end directly relates to the business end. Why? Because we as hockey fans are not idiots. Hockey fans in Atlanta can tell the difference between a turd and fillet mignon. The franchise has smelled like a turd since day one.
Finally, the Kovy situation. No player should be allowed to dictate the terms of their staying with or leaving a team. When Kovy claimed he wanted to wait and see, the team should have said “make a decision now”. If he did not want to stay, then he should have been dealt within 2 weeks, when as a player, he had full value. Now he is a rental, with competitive teams knowing they cannot match his contract demands. Yet, this GM still has a job. I want to meet the guys from ASG and sell some swampland disguised as prime beachfront property.
Unbelievable, totally unbelievable.
Brendan
January 23rd, 2010
12:56 pm
Rawhide, I never addressed the UFA’s. But, in the interest of speaking to potentially NEW fans/readers, or those unacquainted with hockey, I want to present a “simplistic version” of the blog topic. So, here goes. First of all, I think we have to ask the question, “What does unrestricted free agency mean?” And what should it mean, for teams, specifically, our team. Here goes, then I’d delve into the actual players later on.
Unrestricted free agency means that the player, come July 1, 2010, at 12 noon, is FREE to pursue contractual options with ANY TEAM in the NHL. He is also FREE to pursue contracts in European leagues, like the KHL, which doesn’t have a salary cap. (At least, I don’t think so.)
Okay, “What does unrestricted free agency mean for NHL teams?” Well, it means that teams (GM’s) are FREE to GO SHOPPING for players to improve their respective clubs. It’s also an opportunity for GM’s and owners to really make some BAD, CRIPPLING choices. Let me explain. Players who reach UFA status, always get PAID MORE than those who are restricted, or perhaps, are already under contract. There is this natual tendency to overpursue a coveted player, consequently driving up the cost of his service (contract). Classic examples are Scott Gomez, Chris Drury, Brian Campbell, Daniel Briere, etc. The contract is crippling, not only in terms of salary, but in terms of YEARS of COMMITMENT to pay him at that inflated price.
“What SHOULD unrestricted free agency mean for NHL teams? Well, in my view, it represents the opportunity to ‘tweak’ your club’s roster, NOT OVERHAUL IT, at Sak’s 5th Avenue prices.” A GOOD GM identifies a SPECIFIC NEED, say a “2nd tier (3-4)” defender, or a depth center, or a goaltender, etc., and lands that player at a responsible wage. Or, in the case of Tier I player, “at the price that the market will bear.” If the GM’s needs are of the “Tier I” variety, he’ll have to PAY THROUGH THE NOSE for it. And hope he was “right” to pay it.
“What does unrestricted free agency mean to the Thrashers?” Well, it means that they’re FREE to shop. They have cap room. They’ll be able to present some attractive contracts to several players. But, part of the issues and consequences of poorly running your team, with no accountability, are … that Unrestricted Free Agents DON’T WANT TO PLAY for your team. The UFA players want to go play for winning franchises. UFA players “choose” their next team. The decision is entirely theirs, as to which offers they’ll accept for their services. If the UFA player isn’t all that good, he may not be able to be “so choosy.” He’ll just have to take whatever offer he gets. Segue to the Thrashers, if Don Waddell or whomever is the GM, wants to target some other team’s rejects, (think Eric Perrin, Ken Klee, Steve Rucchin, etc.,) he’ll be able to jump all over the next Todd White that hits the market. The Waddell approach is to extend the years at a lower cap hit. Todd White’s contract is a perpect example of this. Todd White wanted a 3-year deal in unrestricted free agency. Atlanta offered FOUR (4) years, at a lower wage that what White was probably seeking. I suspect White wanted 3-years/$8.5 to $8.75 million. Todd White is/was a Tier II type player. He’s just a “depth” player, at center. Waddell’s offer of 4-years/$9.5 million, for a cap hit of $2.375 million, was ultimatley ACCEPTED by White. White saw the ADDED YEAR as “job security.” So, he signed it. Atlanta’s GM got what he wanted. A depth center, locked up, at a fair wage. Todd White actually had a CAREER-BEST season in 2008-09. His trade value, last summer, was fairly high. Moose Hedberg, by contract, had a very low TRADE VALUE for last year’s DRAFT. But this year, his elevated play, may fetch substantively MORE than some ‘throw-away’ 7th round draft pick. Some team that’s “thin” in net, just may come-a-callin’ for Johan Hedberg at the deadline. DW would do well to give Moose a chance at playing some playoff minutes this year. But in DW’s mind, those playoff minutes would be played at Philips Arena, in downtown Atlanta, GA.
Okay … next post will address the players.
Smoothie
January 23rd, 2010
1:06 pm
Chalk up another loss tonite as Nittymaki gets the nod in net tonite!! His GAA over 15 games against us is 1.98…are you serious?? Then again, his defense isn’t as good as it used to be in Philly. But alas, Carolina’s D is / was a shell of what they were a year ago and years past.
‘Ning 4 – Atlanta 2 (3 if we’re lucky enough to get 20 mins of effort from Kovalchuk)
Barry
January 23rd, 2010
1:07 pm
Colby=ship him. He had one good year for us but this year he is not contributing a whole lot.
Kubina=This guy is a stud. Hopefully Waddell will try to re-sign him.
Hedberg=If Kari is healthy and be ready to play next and NOT get hurt, then I like the tandem of Kari/Pavelec.
Max=Definately re-sign. He’s the second leading goal scorer behind Kovy. To resign him is a no brainer.
Kozlov=Sorry I love the guy to but he needs to hang them up.
Slater=I don’t know about this one. His speed and work ethic gives him value even if a little bit.
Boulton=Ya we should keep him. Tough guy that brings a little more than just fighting.
Popovic=Nah let him go. Guys like Kulda are probably NHL ready. It’s time to give them a shot.
Schurbert=I wouldn’t mind seeing him back in blue. Ya he sometimes takes over physical penalties but I’d rather see some more punishment given out from our blueline than mamby pamby soft play.
Kovy=Keep this guy a Thrasher forever. It’s a no brainer. Thrashers will not being to find someone else who can score like he does or turn the game around like Kovy can. We lose Kovy we lose about 40 goals a year plus goals for other players his play helps create.
Brendan
January 23rd, 2010
1:08 pm
WBF, any time. Your posts are substantive reads.
LAC
January 23rd, 2010
1:20 pm
James, I remember seeing Flyer great Bobby Clarke, say thi about Atlanta. We were the toughest team in the NHL at the time, but one team ALWAYS carved us up, The Atlanta Flames, they were as tough or tougher and we did NOT like playing Atlanta.
Don’t we ALL wish it was like that today ? When you have a REAL Professional GM, who knows the game and players it makes for a quality team, with this crap we have now they are no better than an ECHL team.
I agree, why after ten FAILED years is worthless waddell still here, can’t these IDIOT owners look at the track recond ?
I wonder if they can ever read !
LAC
January 23rd, 2010
1:22 pm
Barry, here is one, zach b. TRADE his, cost us a goal against the last three games, worthless and shows no grit for a kid his age, look at Meyers in Buffalo and the Downey kid in LA, light years ahead of littl boy zach, and about the same age. I’d rather have Meyers than Kane at this point.
But this zach b. has got to go, he will never be anything except a journeyman defenseman playing for many many teams and not doing very
much in the grand scheme of things.
Brendan
January 23rd, 2010
1:42 pm
With the above post in mind, here goes on the UFA player lists.
Colby Armstrong: Does he even WANT to stay????? Uhh, that’s a relevant question. I think the answer is, “no.” If he really did want to stay, he could have DEMANDED the salary he wanted as an RFA. As in, “I will forego my UFA eligibility, if you OFFER ME what I’d like to be paid in UFA dollars.” DW is not so stupid … that he doesn’t understand what that request means. He could have signed Colby to some 4-year/$11 million deal. Neither party cared to pursue that option. Bygones. I wish Colby Armstrong the very best. He got TRADED here, and AGREED to RE-SIGN for his remaining RFA year in Atlanta. He was a good sport about everything. But I doubt his heart truly lies in Atlanta. Trade him someplace good, Don! You owe him that. He could have taken you to arbitration last year, and forced his way out. And ya know it.
Kubina: I love this guy. But he’s almost 33. And that’s NOT the direction we want to go, UNLESS he’s willing to re-sign at a one-year deal. If you’re Pavel Kubina, WHY ON EARTH … would you sign a one-year deal?? Okay, if the Red Wings offer a one-year deal, you take it. But realistically, Pavel Kubina is looking for a “retirement” contract. So, I’m thinkin 5-6 years. If there’s a GM willing to make this sort of commitment to him, I bet he’d drop the price, BIG-TIME, to land some six-year deal at a very reasonable cap hit. But that would pay him until he’s 38-39 years old. I don’t see that as being the Atlanta Thrashers’ best option. Nor his, to be frank about it. Trade him! He was acquired as a salary dump from Toronto, to fetch us a 2nd round pick in the 2010 draft. Make it happen, Waddell.
Mooooooose: I love Hedberg. I’m so proud of him. He’s a multiple time “teammate’s teammate award winner.” Nobody is classier in the whole league than Johan. He’s a great guy. He’s battler. He’s a competitor. He’s a total team player. Everyone in that lockerrom wishes him well, and tries their very best for him, when he gets a start. If we’re out of it, you MUST trade him. He’ll get a decent return. DW, send Moose someplace nice, where he can see some playoff minutes. Then, re-sign him, as a UFA.
Max “Finny” Afinogenov: I’d double his pay and re-sign him for one-year, at $1.6 million. Pretty much, you can’t wrong with that deal. Even if he only fetches 40 points next year, he’s still a responsible contract. And you can still move him at that price, as a “rental” at the 2011 trade deadline. If Atlanta’s totally out of it at the deadline, you must trade Max, while his trade value is as high as it is. He had NO TAKERS in unrestricted free agency and at last year’s deadline. Buffalo couldn’t GIVE HIM AWAY. No takers.
Kozlov: His shootout value, alone, is worth $2.5 million. But, does he really want to play “Eric Boulton minutes” for us??? ‘Cuz that’s all I’d give him, with a new contract. I’d tell Slava, “sit there, on the bench, and we’ll call you for the shootout.” My offer? One-year, at $1.9 million. Take it or leave it. And he’d be right to leave it. If he’ll waive his no trade clause, I’d move him at the deadline.
Slater: Re-sign him. What??? Are we knockin’ on the door of the Stanley Cup championship? Then, there’s no harm in re-signing Slater, at $750K, for one-year.
Boulton: Re-sign him, if no other free agent is willing to take over his role, at $600,000. A one-year deal will suffice. And if Boulton inks it, he’ll be one of the longest tenured Thrashers in team history. He was initially signed on a whim, by Waddell. And he kept on getting renewed. Just like, I suspect, he will this time, too.
Popovic: Interesting decision. I’d package him as “sweetener” in a trade deadline deal. Then try to re-sign him, at 600K, as a UFA. Why not try to “rent” him? Everyone comes looking for blueline depth, as the playoffs approach. Of course, he’s got to get healthy.
Schubert: I like him. I’d still package him as “Sweetener,” too. Then, depending on prospect development, re-sign him. It’s not the end of the Thrashers if Schubert departs. My God, he was a “waiver claim.” We’re not married to him.
Kovalchuk: If you’d asked me, between June 28-30, 2009, I’d have made some OUTLANDISH offer to Kovalchuk. Ready for honesty? I wouldn’t make this deal, today. $121.2 milllion, over 12 years, for a cap hit of $10.1 million, paid out in $10.1 million increments. Same salary. Every year. That’s MORE than Ovechkin and MORE than Crosby. And locks him up for life. And the deal would be presented on July 1, 2009, with an expiration date of July 14, 2009. If the contract isn’t signed, or renegotiated for less years, at the same terms, Kovy gets traded. And if fans are furious about it, ask them this question. “Did we, as an organization, INSULT Kovalchuk with a $121.2 million offer? Did we, REALLY?” CLEARLY NOT. That’s a ridiculous offer. And I know it. But it avoids all of what we’re seeing now. Maybe Kovy says, “I’ll sign it, so long as you trade to (supply other team name here).” And then, maybe the Thrashers get something decent in the return. If Kovy says, “nyet,” then you KNOW AHEAD OF TIME … you’re losing him at the conclusion of the season. Any way you slice and dice it, Thrasher fans won’t be happy. All you’ve done there, in that situation, is buy ‘meaningless’ time, from your irate fanbase. You’ll face the music, and the depths of the cold, steely waters of the North Atlantic Ocean.
Brendan
January 23rd, 2010
1:44 pm
Uht-oh. Trixie. I’m in SPAM filters.
James Brown
January 23rd, 2010
1:46 pm
Wonder what it would take to pry David Poile away from Nashville? I can dream can`t I?
Yes LAC I was at both playoff games in `74 against the Broad Street Bullies and that was the most physical playoff series I have ever seen and I`ve been watching hockey since the mid `60s.
Fletcher and Poile built that team to be able to play with teams like the Flyers. Oh for a GM like those guys.
ThrasherTim
January 23rd, 2010
1:46 pm
Armstrong – I would like to see him stay, but his lack of production this year leads me to believe he doesn’t really want to be here…so trade him.
Kubina – sign him…will he stay here though?
Popovic – let him go. we have depth in the minors to cover this spot, especially if….
Schubert – sign him…2 years at low salary…yes, he takes dumb chances and penalties, but we simply need another big body on the blueline
Max – he will not sign here for a reasonable amount if Kovvy isn’t here…so need to let him go
Slater – sign him for cheap again…he is actually improving and we need his energy…I like him with Little and Kane.
Slava – it’s over. thanks for everything, but it’s just….over.
Boulton – brings nothing but an actually scrap…have not been too impressed this year except for a play here and a play there
Moose – it’s going to be Pavs/Kari I think next year…obviously, Kari is a wild card still. Moose has been great for this team, but I can’t see another year.
Kovvy – Yes for $10MM or less…no for $11MM. I still hold on hope, but it’s fading with every loss.
Adam
January 23rd, 2010
2:09 pm
Thanks Brendan. I too, unfortunately, think Waddell’s is safe. In the AS’s eyes he’s exactly what they want. A “yes” man. He will be here until the team is sold. Hopefully at that point they aren’t moved. I broke my oath of staying in my house as long as DW is in the organ-I-zations. I got lulled into believing they had turned the corner at the end of November so I went to 2 games in the early part of December. At least the tickets were free and they won both games but I’m kicking myself for giving them my money on concessions.
Well at least my Hawks (Blackhawks that is) are giving me something to watch. That and the Av’s… Hell, before seasons end I may be forced to watch 2 ex-Thrashers playing for Chicago
BTW I have 2 vouchers for Tuesday nights game if anyone is interested. Good for 2 tickets each. I’m sure as hell not going to use’em. The only way I’ll go back to Phillips with Waddell still here is if it’s a second round playoff game. I’ll happily pay through the nose for a ticket, but I have a feeling my money is safe.
Zoomo
January 23rd, 2010
2:13 pm
NY Rangers announcers and local NY reporters have said that Thrashers scouts have been at the last 3 Rangers games – including Thursday’s game at Philly. Rumor is they want one of our goalies (I assume Moose) to stablize their back-up.
Miami Screaming Eagle
January 23rd, 2010
2:25 pm
LAC-I agree accept I would not trade Bogo yet.
The kid Doughty in LA is a rock. Myers plays against the other team’s top lines. Both players play defense first, offense second, though both have the green light to jump up on occasion. I’d get Bogo to sit back more, go get Chelios to teach him how the game is played. Bogo looks lost this season; Matthew Schnieder was the best thing that ever happened to him.
As for UFA’s, like all teams, the Thrashers will lose 1 or 2 players this year to free agency. I think it is important to add support players as free agents, don’t try and build your team through free agency.
Look at Montreal-mostly free agents this year an they have had a poor season, no home grown core of players.
Then look at Buffalo-added 2 support players in Steve Montador and Mike Greier, character guys to add to the players drafted and developed in the team’s own system. Builidng from within is still the best and only way to go.
rob
January 23rd, 2010
2:27 pm
All of the Zach B bashing on here….who does he have to look up to and who is taking him under their wing to show him? There is NO LEADERSHIP anywhere on this wreck of a team. He is a good prospect who needs guidance right now, and getting rid of him would bite this team in the A$$ down the road. We don’t need a new 5 year plan. A few good young guys here, a decent core, hopefully Kari can come back and not be injury prone again, we just need someone with that fire to come in here and remind the guys why they strap on those skates each night. For the glory of playing for LORD STANLEY. Anything else in unacceptable. Wanna play golf, join the PGA and stop taking up space in the NHL!!!
How about some signs down at ice level saying WE DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY and PLAY WITH SOME PRIDE. If that didnt embarrass them enough to play harder……the fan base here is being too soft. Boo these guys when they aren’t giving 110%. They are a decent team with no motivation right now……so give them some. If the brass doesn’t have any stones to do it, then we the fans must do it. So buy a ticket or 2 for the remainder of the season, and give them hell if they won’t give us an honest effort!!!! During the sorry excsue that was the Caps game I was begging for them to bring back the peewee kids!!! They at least were excited about playing hockey that night!!!
Brendan
January 23rd, 2010
2:37 pm
Adam, I think you have a candidate for Rawhide’s “post of the year” hopper there. Here now, the Adam quote. “I think Waddell’s (job is) safe … but I think my money is safe (too).”
Now Adam, that’s a post that’s gonna catch on!
“Waddell’s job, like the hockey money in my wallet, is safe.”
Brendan
January 23rd, 2010
2:46 pm
Rob, I wouldn’t trade Zach Bogosian, drunk on Tequila! If anything, you offer him a PROACTIVE contract. He’s the 3rd overall pick from the draft. What you do with Zach Bogosian, is coach him up. What’s Ray Bourque doing these days? There’s an offseason assignment. Can Chris Chelios mentor him, a little bit? He’s receptive to that sort of thing. Zach Bogosian, I can tell you, WANTS TO BE THE BEST DEFENSEMEN IN THE NHL. That’s his goal. He’ll listen to guys like Schneider, Chelios, and Bourque, if they’re made available to him.
If you ask Don Waddell, a former defenseman, to do it … that won’t work. That, there, won’t work.
Riceowls
January 23rd, 2010
2:49 pm
Playoffs took a hit with Carolina loss, but who else for 8th? Islanders – 20/31. Flyers – 20/33. Montreal – 20/30. Atlanta – .22/30. Florida 22/31. One of the .500 teams has to get hot to get to 94. Unless Flyers get a goalie, do any of these teams look that good? Of course, we don’t either right now.
As for UFAs, Slater for his hustle and toughness, especially if he keeps scoring. Kubina for no more than 2 years. Schubert too. Can’t teach that kind of size. Bolts, unless there is an alternative fighter, because he’s what we got.
Maybe: Max.for the right price. Hedberg onlyn if its a two way contract (can he even sign one?)
No: Slava, I think his hands are gone. Colby, not worth the price. Popovic, easily replaceable.
Must: Ilya. (1) If not now, when are the Thrashers going to sign a star? Savard – gone. Heatley – gone. Hossa – gone. (2) 50 goal scorers don’t grow on trees. What draft pick looks like a 50 goal scorer? (3) Sign Ilya and others may follow, see Antropov.
Is he worth $11 million, in absolute terms? No. But is he worth it to this franchise at this time? Yes.
Brendan
January 23rd, 2010
2:52 pm
Trixie, thank you for freeing my 1:41 PM post. :Grin:
Rawhide
January 23rd, 2010
2:55 pm
For those who haven’t read it yet…C-Viv is reporting that Slava Kozlov will be a healthy scratch tonight. That will end his franchise record 251 consecutive games streak.
Todd White will return to the lineup in his place.
Brendan
January 23rd, 2010
2:57 pm
Hallelujah!! Hallelujah!! Does anyone have a link of the Mormon Tabernacle choir?
Trixie (Rawhide's Secretary)
January 23rd, 2010
3:06 pm
Mr. Brendan – You are quite welcome, as always.
And here is the link you requested.
Mike M
January 23rd, 2010
3:32 pm
Don will trade Kovy and have no time left before the deadline to find out if any of the other UFAs are going to resign or take chances in the summer of being picked up. So once again we will all hear that the trashers can not make any trades while on a playoff run even if they have to win every game. It is the same old story.
I hope your are right Rawhide and the first piece moved out of here is DW not upstairs but out of town on a rail if they promote him nothing changes.
I for one would rather anyone else make the trade for Kovy after the way he handled the Hossa trade now almost three years later with nothing to show for it Don is a proven loser and the less he has his hands on the better.
Sorry about Kovy but who can blame him if he wants to play some thing other than crapy old Don Waddell brand hockey.
Red Light
January 23rd, 2010
4:20 pm
Zoomo: Were the Thrashers’ scouts that were at MSG named?
Presumably it was Moe, Larry and Curly!
Scotty
January 23rd, 2010
4:37 pm
The only down side of sitting Kozlov is that White will play.
Sign: Kovalchuk, Boulton, Slater, Schubert, Kubina and Max
Ship: Kozlov, Armstrong, Hedberg and Popovic
HookyBob
January 23rd, 2010
5:28 pm
Might Kozlov have an injury,…and maybe has for a few games? Seems like he has been getting hit pretty hard in each of the last 4 or 5 games. Still, I think we are better off shipping him out.
Sign our 4th line guys, get what you can for the guys on higher lines. On D, sign Kubina & Schubert. Keep Hedberg, or ship him off with a guaranteed return (a true rental).
At this time of year though I don’t think we’ll get much more than prospects for anyone. Kovy, and possibly Kubina may be the exceptions. Maybe this is how Don keeps his job. He is always shipping out talent for “great potential” two or three years down the road. So then we have to wait and see what he has “built.”
Go Blue. Tonight we get the Nittimaki monkey off our backs.
Adam
January 23rd, 2010
5:35 pm
“If you ask Don Waddell, a former defenseman, to do it … that won’t work. That, there, won’t work.”
ROFLMAO! Brendan, I think you just got one in the bowl too.
Adam
January 23rd, 2010
6:15 pm
@ All – I am serious about the vouchers. Up to 4 tickets for the Ducks game are yours if you want’em. They’re from Applebee’s and the only way you don’t get in is if it’s a, (cough) sellout (cough) Hmm yea that’ll happen…
Jameson
January 23rd, 2010
6:29 pm
For those that think a sign and trade with Kovy is a good idea, how about this: Tell Kovy that we’re going to sign, and trade him. Ask him what team he wants to go to. Call him back a couple of days later, and tell him that we think a deal is doable. Once he signs the contract, laugh maniacally, and tell him the deal fell through.
Spud Webb
January 23rd, 2010
6:47 pm
Great post as usual Bill.
Can we do a new one tomorrow?? Called players we SHOULD be going after at the deadline for our playoff push!!!
DOH, cancel that, forgot about the ASG and DW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tom
January 23rd, 2010
6:48 pm
Kozlov out tonight, healthy scratch. WOOT.
Next one if the coach and GM had Balls would be Ilya.
Stay Thirsty My Friends
January 23rd, 2010
6:52 pm
Adam – I would love to have 2 tickets if they are still available?? How can I go about getting them from you? Thanks
MB
January 23rd, 2010
6:53 pm
Adam, I’m interested in the vouchers if they’re still available.
Jameson
January 23rd, 2010
7:06 pm
I really thought Josh Gratton was about to take Boulton’s spot at the beginning of the year. Especially after that game in the preseason where he scored a couple of goals and won a fight. Being a couple of years younger than Boulton, I almost want to let Boulton walk. Think there’s any chance we can sign them both to two-way contracts?
Nikita (in PA)
January 23rd, 2010
7:35 pm
Steve McCarthy? Dear God — I don’t know what he’s doing stinking up our roster, but we really should get rid of him immediately . Of course, since we traded for him, I don’t see that happening. He he’s a piss poor defenseman with only rare flashes of brilliance and he has an attitude so bad that he broke a contract less than two years ago. For the love of God, don’t put him on our ice.
Of the others, I’m pretty ambivalent on most, but I think we should keep Schubert (potential), Boulton (character), and Kubina (merit). I’d probably like to ship Max ( inconsistent, untrustworthy, and costs us as many goals as he scores).
Adam
January 23rd, 2010
7:57 pm
Well we’re up one early for once and if nothing else with the scrapping already this looks like it’ll be an interesting game.
STMF & MB, you guys are 1st. We can either pick a place to meet here or hit another site that has PM’ing to contact each other. I don’t feel like posting personal info here. I live in Duluth near PIB and Sugarloaf if that helps.
Sh!t as I type this TB tied it. Stamkos on the PP.
Stay Thirsty My Friends
January 23rd, 2010
9:21 pm
Thanks Adam… Are you going to the game as well?
Lee
January 23rd, 2010
9:57 pm
The slate-kane-armstrong line is looking really good! Personally, I think slater should be alternate captain rather than hainsey.
LAC
January 23rd, 2010
9:57 pm
Decent road game, but WHAT is wrong with iur POWER PLAY ?
Stay Thirsty My Friends
January 23rd, 2010
10:01 pm
Did anyone else see the latest JA WTF moment caught on air? You would think that Sports South would have a better delay!!!! Will we ever score again on the PP – I mean seriously 0-9 tonight is absolutely unacceptable….
Brendan
January 23rd, 2010
10:07 pm
Okay, folks. Here’s your updated standings. http://www.nhl.com/ice/standings.htm?type=con#&navid=nav-stn-conf. The outcome of tonight’s Bolts-Thrashers game will determine 13th place in the Eastern Conference.
And, here’s your boxscore. Kovy and Little are a +1 right now. http://www.nhl.com/ice/boxscore.htm?id=2009020767
Brendan
January 23rd, 2010
10:26 pm
We’re going to the shootout! Hedberg is one of the statistically BEST goalies in the shootout. Could Niittymaki’s reign o’er the Thrashers finally be coming to an END? Wouldn’t it be GREAT if Kovalchuk actually scored in the shootout? Unfortunately, I joked to myself, “wonder if we’ll go to a shootout, now that Kozlov is out?” D’oh!! So, Kozlov won’t be out there. I’d go with Peverley, Kovy, and Little.
Brendan
January 23rd, 2010
10:33 pm
Oh, God no! Todd White is our last shooter?? Annnnnd, we lose. Who saw that coming??
Stay Thirsty My Friends
January 23rd, 2010
10:37 pm
How ironic – JA finally decides to sit Kozzy and White comes back and lays an egg!!! Put them both in the press box – this is getting sooooo depressing!!!
LAC
January 23rd, 2010
10:37 pm
Guess Slava should have played, but todd white athe last shooter…
Gee Whiz ! It’s over when you lose to Carolina & Tampa… Might as well
pack it up guys…
R. Stroz
January 23rd, 2010
10:51 pm
Todd “Insert word used for Bucky Dent” White. Everytime I see Todd White I just want to puke.
stendec
January 23rd, 2010
10:52 pm
Hi Rawhide.
Still ###### as ####!
Nice article. Only player worth a #### on roster worth keeping is Moose Hedberg. Remainder are worthless oxygen wastes. Especially that fraud captain.
That said…Thank you Mr Moose Hedberg sir for the point. Thank you for giving a #### about this team along with solitary remaining fan. Thank you for caring. You are the only professional hockey play in Atlanta with heart. You are the true captain of this otherwise disposable bunch. Hey El Kaptain Ilya “Could Not Hit Side Of A ####### Zambonie” Kovalchuk how about at least pretending that you give a flying ####! All of us true fans already know that you do not. You tanked it long ago. Nice figure eights though. That pitiful apathetic shootout attempt made me want to put the hockey stick of Mr Hedberg upside your uncaring brainless skull! Captain? Captain my ###! You Siberian scumball piece of ####. Have renegotiated your contract. Top offer is $1.99, one stale hot dog and one flat soda pop per game. Take it or pack up. Sorry Russian bestard! ++STENDEC++
Brendan
January 23rd, 2010
10:58 pm
Check it out. These are the “updated” Conference standings. By virtue of technicality only, Atlanta has escaped the 13th spot in the Conference. And just think, “this is, really truly, the BEST lineup the Thrashers have ever iced.”
If you’re Kovy, how can you even THINK of staying?
Tom
January 23rd, 2010
10:59 pm
Stroz, Is that what the kids are calling it these days, Waddelling? To be honest, it is a pretty apt description. He sure has been Waddelling around the GM’s office for years.
Brendan
January 23rd, 2010
11:01 pm
http://www.nhl.com/ice/standings.htm?type=con#&navid=nav-stn-conf. Thanks the link to the conference standings, again.
Kovyoverrated
January 23rd, 2010
11:05 pm
The best line we have now is Slater-Armstrong-Kane. They go full-out at the goal and then hustle just as much coming back on D.
$11 million dollars per year. You and your agent have been drinking way too much vodka, Mr Kovalchuk.
stendec
January 23rd, 2010
11:08 pm
Everyone was overjoyed that John Petrino sat Kozlov. I agree the bum does not have an ounce of true NHL talent. The quitter does very little well but he can do one thing exceptionally well. Kozlov can score shootout goals. El Kapitan “Only Hustle At Olympics” Kovalchuk was the feed man on nine, count em, nine, man advantages. How many power play goals did the overrated piece of Siberian #### score? Not a one! How many did the team he captains score? Zippo! Had Kozlov streak remained intact the Yardbirds would have left Sunshine State with two points instead of one. Thanks again Mr Moose Hedberg sir. As for rest? #### is not even half full! ++STENDEC++ Will settle for Hamilton! Oh yeah, fire whiner John Petrino. This second!
Kovyoverrated
January 23rd, 2010
11:10 pm
Enstrom is good at what he does, but he’s just a little bigger than my 11 yr old. Can we find some defensemen that actually hit?
Brendan
January 23rd, 2010
11:28 pm
Rawhide, can I take a brief moment to say how proud I am of one of my two “adopted” Western Conference teams this year? No, it’s not Minnesota, though they are winning tonight over Columbus, 3-0, late in the 3rd period. I’m referring to my OTHER adopted Western Conference team, the Los Angeles Kings.
What can I say? Today, the Kings went into Hockeytown and pulled off the “4-point swing,” to pad their 7th seed spot over the 8th seeded Red Wings. I cannot even begin to tell you how much this team has come of age. I think they’re finally ready to make the playoffs, and stun some people, once there. If I were Kovalchuk, I’d like to get traded there. And if it turns out that it’s not what he expected, he doesn’t have to re-sign there.
The Sabres and Sharks, a marquee matchup, is the best game still left to be played tonight. Tim Connolly extended his 15-game point streak. It’s 1-0, in favor of Buffalo, after one period.
The Joker
January 23rd, 2010
11:50 pm
Coach Anderson, at best, has a luke warm temperature IQ.
HookyBob
January 24th, 2010
8:20 am
Good point Stendec. How ironic that the game coach sit Kozlov (breaking a string of 251 no less) we loose in a shootout.
Smitty
January 24th, 2010
8:56 am
We took only one point out of a possible six points versus division teams that were beneath us in the standings. We scored only four goals in those games. Might be time to man the lifeboats.
I really believe the Kovy situation is affecting the locker room. You look at captains like Ovie, Iginla, Richards and Crosby and they are all involved in the play, not always waiting for an outlet pass or a pass for a one-timer. I think it is time to trade him and move on. IMO franchise players do not play on the fringe. They get involved in the play and THEY make something happen. They do not wait for something to happen.
Right now Kovy is playing not to get hurt, something unfortunately we in the ATL have seen before. Time to pull the plug now not at the trade deadline. Hope Dudley has a lot of input into any trade discussions. I shutter to think what will happen if he does not.
Smitty
January 24th, 2010
9:00 am
I apologize. We only scored three goals in those games against TPA, FLA and CAR.
GaVaHokie
January 24th, 2010
9:28 am
Yeeah… Kari’s not ready quite yet… he got lit up by Peoria. He let in a mid-ice 100 ft. shot on the first goal. Ugly…
http://chicagowolves.com/multimedia/wolves-tv
World Be Free
January 24th, 2010
9:32 am
Another wasted opportunity.
You gotta come up in the cluth in shootouts and a few guys wet the bed tonight.
More Kovy trade rumors to surface today as we sink further and further in the standings.
I never thought we would be in for a lottery pick this year; at this pace it’s sure in our future.
Off to the gym to sit in the steam room for awhile
Smitty
January 24th, 2010
9:37 am
Larry Brooks of the NY Post mentioned that ATL is the only team to lose a franchise player since the lockout and that we are about to lose another. He compared the Thrash to the Pittsburg Pirates. Ouch!!
James Brown
January 24th, 2010
9:45 am
A better effort than Thursday but we were still awful on the PP……………Time to hit the treadmill and forget about the playoff mess for a day or so…………Playoffs?? Playoffs?
R. Stroz
January 24th, 2010
9:49 am
GaVaHockie – Wolves fans meet a monkey puck.
Maybe Kari should change his name to Kari Monkey Puck, kind of like Chad Johnson changed his name to Chad Ocho Cinco.
five_hole
January 24th, 2010
9:51 am
Had a good time last night at the viewing party. Really nice to see everyone again.
In fairness to JA, how often do you expect any one single game to come down to a shootout? And Koslov needed to be sat down (although I would have preferred a call-up from Chicago).
Watching our power play is like listening to Sarah Palin. It’s just painful.
Yes, we have goaltending issues, but what’s absolutely killing us now is our inability to score. Who would have expected that? We should have at least 7 or 8 players who should register 20 goals; at least 2 defensemen that should chip in 10.
Red Light
January 24th, 2010
9:56 am
Don’t expect Lehtonen to return until after the break. That gives him plenty of starts in Chicago to get back in game shape. There is no rush. Goaltending is not the problem with this club right now.
Looking at the standings, there are 14 teams with winning records in this watered-down, cap-stricken NHL. Apparently, a loss in OT doesn’t mean anything in their calculation of winning percentage. To me an OT/SO loss is a loss, not a tie. If you’re tied for 22nd in the league in wins, it’s as good a time as any to begin the player dump. With 31 games left, Atlanta is 26th in goals against and 29th in shots against, and 11-18 in one goal games. And, in first and second periods, they are 28th and 29th worst in the league in goals against.
With those stats, as Brendan aptly pointed out, a 19-year-old defenseman is not the root of the problem. He’s a future star in this league and needs time to develop. I have to disagree with LAC on that point, but agree his development has been compromised during the past two months.
R. Stroz
January 24th, 2010
10:12 am
Power Play 101 – Screen the goalie.
Are the Thrashers the only team in the league that doesn’t keep someone parked in front of the goalie on the power play? The goalie can’t stop what he doesn’t see.
five_hole – Just for you with smiles, our power play strategy appears to come from the Martha Coakley school of political campaign strategy.
Bob
January 24th, 2010
10:32 am
Waddell running the Thrashers reminds me of Obama trying to learn on the job how to run a country. Similar results.
We stink.
LAC
January 24th, 2010
10:43 am
It is just sad to watch this and I 100% agree with Smitty, #17 plays a 50-60% game, he is NOT a complete player like the other capitans mentioned, he never hits, NEVER backchecks, and is, like someone said, always looking for the outlet pass and nothing more, and when he DOES attack the other teams zone and loses the puck, which is happening more and more, he just coasts and never tries to retrive the puck, HE GIVES
UP ! PERIOD !
Lastly zach was standing around a LOT last night, Vinny skated right around him twice I saw, sad to watch the demise of what was thought to be a promising career.
Guess all the players know the owners do not care and why should they ? We cannot keep any star players and I bet most players cannot wait until they are UFA’s to Get The Hell Out of Atlanta and this CRAP run team !
HookyBob
January 24th, 2010
10:52 am
The “sign or ship” poll should be rather complete now. 62% say to sign the face of the franchise. Only Heburg, Armstrong, Popovic, and Kozlov have less favorable sign rankings. Over 80% want to keep Kubina, Affiniginov, and Slater. Schubert and Boulton are over 75% to sign.
five_hole
January 24th, 2010
11:03 am
R. Stroz – agreed. It was an accepted principle that our power play would succeed, to the point that we should take a vacation in the middle of the campaign. What a shock that it failed. Um, we are talking about the power play, aren’t we?
rob
January 24th, 2010
11:56 am
I think we need someone in the media to ask JA some tough questions. If the AJC can’t/won’t do it…….how about having The Hockey News or another paper come in and do it? Tired of watching this circus ruin hockey in this town. Team is decent, just no LEADER and no COACH. We need real hockey people here. So can we get SOMEONE to try to hold these morons in charge of hockey in Atlanta accountable?
Curly
January 24th, 2010
12:09 pm
With a two point swing in the standings at stake, who do you go to in the shoot-out with the game on the line……. Todd White??? I think we have a coaching problem.
Curly
January 24th, 2010
12:15 pm
Kari got to Chicago just in time to break the Wolves 7 game winning streak. He looked Awful.
Darkhorse
January 24th, 2010
12:19 pm
This whole team needs to go to a sports phychologist, including the coaches.
stendec
January 24th, 2010
12:29 pm
Hi Rawhide.
Glimpse of things to come…
Peoria opened scoring at 15:52 of the first period when defenseman Bryce Lampman took a slap shot from the boards at center ice (*). The shot took a wild bounce in front of Wolves netminder Kari Lehtonen and ricocheted into the net under Lehtonen’s blocker.
(*) Exactly how many feet/yards is that? Just curious.
Better rush untalented Finnish sieve back into lineup. Sounds like the untalented LaLa Land loser is in midseason form!
Know for #### sure the Wolves will be glad to get him the #### out of Chicago. Forcing a decent club in Illinois to play commode residue rejects from the big club is simply not fair. The Wolves are TRYING to WIN hockey games.
Play Mr Moose Hedberg until he drops. Only professional hockey player in Atlanta with heart who actually gives a ####!
++STENDEC++
August
January 24th, 2010
1:04 pm
After sitting in the St. Pete Times Forum for that game, I may never say another bad thing about Natalie Taylor again. Their version of “J-Bird” was a 20something woman that sounded like she should be hosting a show on the Disney Channel.
After going to that game though, I also have more of an appreciation for Philips. The crowd reacted the same as they do in Atlanta: react for breakouts, any minor save by the goalie they would cheer, etc.
The guys looked good and dominated for the most part, but I’m really disappointed by the lack of creativity in the shootout more than anything. Everyone just skated down, no real fakes, took a shot right at Nitty, and that was it.
I was also thrilled Kubina finally hit the midget, even if he did get penalized for it. The interference call looked legit if you go strictly by the rulebook, which they occasionally forget to do now that we’re past the “get over the lockout” stage.
hoosier_hoser
January 24th, 2010
1:28 pm
World:
“61, which in itself should be reserved for Roger Maris, a classy guy that never had to take roids to be a champ. He just had to hit after my all time idiot, Micky Mantle.”
Actually, when M&M were with the Yankees, Maris hit third and the Mick batted cleanup.
Flames Fans:
Speaking as a Flames STH, the Flames were every bit as tough, if not tougher, than the Broad Street Bullies. The problem was that they were a step slow, even in a clutch and grab league. They continually took hooking, tripping and interference penalties at the most inopportune game moments.
If Kovy is not worth $11M to the Thrashers, then they have to move him. If as a UFA he is not worth $11M to the rest of the league, then he either reduces his asking price or signs with the KHL Either way, your Kovalchuk jerseys become collector items.
Red Light
January 24th, 2010
1:57 pm
I think Nittymaki’s dominance over this team simply is a remarkable streak. Hats off to him for 15 straight wins over any team. Like to know what the record is of being unbeaten against an opponent, in any sport. I’m sure it’s longer than 15, but who knows. I’m in no mood for research, help me Brendan!
World Be Free
January 24th, 2010
2:12 pm
Hoosier-thanks for correcting me. I mixed that up. I remember that Maris was not intentially walked once during the 1961 season, because Mantle Mantle hit behind him. That was Maris’ advantage in 1961 and he used it.
And on Kovy’s value; you wonder was he wasn’t moved long ago.
John
January 24th, 2010
2:20 pm
Kovlchuk wanting 11.3 million is a hilarious joke. Where does he think he’s going to get that? If he wants to go to a winner, the’yre not gonna have the cap space (or want to get pushed around) like that. I think he’s just testing the waters, knowing that Atlanta needs him more than he needs Atlanta…there’s no rush from his end to sign. The longer he holds out the more money he wants…and lately, his play hasn’t reflected the 11 mil he demands. He’s been great, but to make the max contract, and to not score on 5 power plays in a 1-1 where the play is drawn up to have you score every time…nope. Kovy stays, Kozzie signs for like 1 million for a 1 year deal, Army gets dealt (hate to see him go), Lehtonen is gone for picks, we re-sign hedberg for life, give Afinegenov what he deserves for 2 or 3 years and keep Kubina around.
Brendan
January 24th, 2010
2:25 pm
Welcome to 22-21-8. So??, you might be thinking. Well, sadly, due to the utter ineptness of most of tenants of the Eastern Conference, that means that a dunderhead the likes of Bruce Levenson still has “some reason” to talk about the playoffs. And talking about the playoffs, coming from ‘that man,’ pushes the bile to the tip of my throat.
Look at all his exceedingly convenient excuses, folks? (1) We’re really only a few points out of a playoff spot. (2) We’re over .500, with our #1 goalie, Kari Lehtoen, still awaiting return, to WHISK US AWAY on a magical journeyman to the top of the Southeast Division, laying wake to Ovechkin and the Capitals. (3) We’ll be BUYERS at the deadline. (4) Negotiations are going WELLLLL with Kovalchuk. (Which means, Jay Grossman is still willing to dine on the finest cuisine New York City has to offer, if Waddell makes the flight to meet with him, and pick up the tab.)
And if/when you bring any of the plethora of missteps this ownership has undertaken, he’ll dismiss you as a malcontent, whose parents must not have held you much, as a baby.
It’s a beautiful time … to be a Thrasher fan.
The closest thing … we’ve ever come … to admission of culpability or failure … was Gearon stating that, “We never should have left Waddell in charge of coach for those remaining 76 games. That was a mistake. One we won’t make again.”
Shrugs. What does that mean, anyway?? Okay, here’s what I think it means. It means … next time a coach (Anderson) gets fired, Waddell won’t be tasked with coaching the remainder of the year. Instead, presummably, Waddell will get to hire a 4th Coach during his Administration. And gee, the first three worked out so well, Thrasher fans will be grabbing their wallets and dialing up the ticket reps of the Atlanta Thrashers faster than you can say “Rumpelstiltskin.” It’s a ‘brilliant plan.’
The worst of it is … it’s their money. Ya know? Most owners … tell their GM’s … something like this. “You have 3 years to get us into the playoffs. You have 5 years to get us into the Conference Finals.” And the GM swallows, nervously, “And if I don’t?” The owner glances at the door. Clear enough? But not here! Here, the philosophy is, “How do you ever expect a plant to sprout, if you’re constantly uprooting it?” No, you leave your GM in place … to learn how to do his job … for the longterm stability and betterment of the franchise.
Most owners … expect the candidate they hire to be GM … to ALREADY POSSESS THE KNOWLEDGE necessary to run an NHL franchise. Successfully run, I mean. Up to and including, what it costs to sign a Tier I RFA or a Tier I UFA. An accountant CAN run the Thrashers. That’s the truth. Ask R.Stroz. Here’s how it works. The accountant isn’t a sports talent evaluator. Not really. He’s strictly a “dollars in, dollars out,” budget guy. And when the Coach says, “We’re weak down the middle. We need a couple of centers,” the account looks at his books and says, “We can afford Eric Perrin and Todd White.” Then he looks at their stats and says, “maybe they’re due for a breakout year?” And he signs them. While Marian Hossa walks out the door, wanting Briere, Gomez or Drury, to even “begin to think” about staying. If he EVER possessed such a thought.
And it goes on like this. With no berths in the Conference Finals, despite nine (9) Top Ten overall picks, and six (6) lottery draft selections. And yet, talent has passed within our walls. It doesn’t stay. It walks out. But even with that talent, came zero playoff wins.
If you were the owner of the Atlanta Thrashers, why would you sit idly by? Why throw your hands up in the air to pronounce, “Every NHL team loses quality players to free agency, in an era of salary cap. That’s just the economic landscape of the league.” See, these are questions I’d be asking Gearon, the only AS, LLC member with a brain. You don’t ask Bruce Levenson that question. You might as well be talking to a Cockatoo or any other kind of parrot. SQUAWK! “Don Waddell’s a great GM.” SQUAWK! “Don Waddell’s well-respected.” SQUAWK! “Don Waddell’s been part of TEAM USA Hockey for years!”
We have this thing called standings, to help us, evaluate teams. Here’s a link to the Thrashers schedule. Notice where the wins have come lately. And even where the losses reside. The Atlanta Thrashers are just a “middling” team. Nothing more. Over the past 27 games, the team is 8-14-5, for 21 of a possible 54 points. That’s 8-19, straight up.
http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/teams/schedule/ATL/
Is anyone paying attention?
Nikita (in PA)
January 24th, 2010
2:35 pm
A bunch of random thoughts:
1. Please, for the love of God, shut up about politics.
2. I question the shootout order. As I’ve pointed out before, Kovalchuk has a very low conversion rate on the shootout — he should not have been in the first three. Little also has not done all that well in the shootout format. The order should probably have been Max, Pevs, and maybe Slater or Antropov.
3. Blaming White for doing what everyone else did is just silly.
4. On the shootout, that was an exceptionally lazy and unimaginative bunch. There wasn’t a deke among those attempts.
5. The call on the St. Louis hit was bogus. Technically it was legal, but I doubt anyone thinks it was intentional.
Brendan
January 24th, 2010
2:46 pm
Red Light, I couldn’t find it. For all I know, Niittymaki does hold the all-time record for wins vs. a specific team, at 15.
Brendan
January 24th, 2010
2:48 pm
It’s much more fun to watch Sarah Palin, than to listen to her, five_hole. When I want to feel exasperated LISTENING to someone, it’d be Bruce Levenson, talking about how well the Thrashers are doing.
World Be Free
January 24th, 2010
4:14 pm
Can someone please tell NBC that there are other teams in the NHL besides the Pittsburgh Penguins?
R. Stroz
January 24th, 2010
4:29 pm
Some not so random thoughts:
1. Some of us that have sat down and watched games together, actually enjoy talking a little politics and ribbing each other. We do so in good fun.
2. We aren’t blaming White for missing as much as the coach for putting such an inept player on the ice for the shootout. Based on recent performance, I’d put Slater out over White.
3. Most of us are sick of seeing White in the lineup as some individuals were sick of seeing Exelby in the lineup last season. I’d rather see Exelby’s heart and energy on the ice any day of the week over Todd White’s tepid play.
Miami Screaming Eagle
January 24th, 2010
5:36 pm
Kovy plays 50-60% at best – and why?
Because he,as the player is totally dictating his relationship with this team. Management has been suckered into thinking that the world evolves around the player, instead of having the player and captain driving the team. He should have been traded before the season. Now this team will get jack sh__ for his talents.
Those idiots in Canada wonder why we don’t fill the arena every night. Only they would be STUPID enough to pay top dollar for this garbage.
Brendan
January 24th, 2010
9:55 pm
R.Stroz, I think it all comes down to this. An organization run without accountability … is no different than a spoiled child, whose parents give him presents for C’s and D’s on his report card, while he’s constantly in trouble at school. What’s possibly going to change his behavior? What are the consequences for bad grades? None. What are the consequences for principal’s office visits? None. What is the likelihood he’ll be getting another present or loving hug soon? Virtually certain. And when the kid says, “Shut up, Mom! I’m going next door to play,” the mother says, “Don’t be too long, then. Come back in an hour.” And the flippant child says, “I’ll come home when I’m done.” And we get to buy tickets to witness this egregious display.
We’ve got an out of control, spoiled brat of an organization, where the players are in charge. And it’s not about to ’straighten up and fly right’ any time soon. Why would it? It’s NHL PAY!!, for beer league performance. When I hear the NHL refer to its teams as “clubs,” it’s only TRUE insofaras the Atlanta Thrashers are concerned. It’s like … a country club, only for hockey.
Normally, when this situation occurs, a coach and/or a GM gets fired. Why? It’s easier to fire the $1 million coach or $1 million GM than it is to fire the $54 million salaried roster. But in Atlanta’s case, the players are in charge and the Coach and GM stay, too. It’s quite a scene, that’s for sure.
Imagine, just for a second, that the Thrashers organization wanted to retain Kozlov, while re-signing Kovalchuk. And Ilya says, “No, pay me HIS SALARY, plus my new raise.” How is that any different than a kid saying, “Better buy TWO video games, ‘cuz I’m NOT sharing with my brother or sister.”
Paminski
January 25th, 2010
2:47 pm
Army: Good guy, reasonable player, but replaceable. Trade him.
Kubina: Hard-working d-man. Sign him.
Hedberg: I’d say trade, but not sure what team would want/need him. Moose is a dependable back-up, but not good for more than two games in a row.
Max: Sign him inexpensively. He has some decent scoring streaks and still plays more responsibly than Captain Kovertly-searching-for-a-new-team.
Slava: I have nothing but respect for this man’s career, but he’s almost as old as me. He needs to enjoy retirement.
Slates: Why not? His heart is in it. He’s cheap. Sign him.
Boulton: He may not be the best player on the ice, but what an entertainer. Keep him.
Popovic: He has potential. Trade him or sign him to the Wolves next season.
Shootbert: I’m thinking the bad penalties can be improved. Sign him.
Kovy: Trade him for rental. Try to re-sign him after, but don’t pay too much.
Joyaman
January 26th, 2010
2:10 pm
Thanks Brendan, WBF, Red Light (and a few others) for your candid and insightful commentaries. I just don’t have the energy or dollars any longer to invest in this broken record of a franchise. If it wasn’t for Center Ice, I think I’d be locked up right now for doing something stupid down at Philips.
Agree with most of your trade-em/sign-em observations. Here are a few of mine:
Lets – let him go. His prime years have been wasted behind a non-existent D. It’s hard to cover the area between the circles and defend the net at the same time. I still believe that he could have been a top-tier netminder on another team, but alas, that train has sailed.
Moose: You’re going to need a veteran netminder – he’s as good or better than any other options that I see out there (including Lets).
Pavlec: Yes please. Insanity to abandon him now. Perhaps the new GM can put enough D in front of him to keep him from developing Helskinki syndrome.
Slava: Thanks for the memories. Pehaps a victory lap in the KHL would be the best way to wind down his productive career.
Slates: Keep him. He’s the only veteran draft pick still on the roster that brings it every night. You need a battle-tested gamer like Slater to keep the torch flickering long enough until Kane, Bogo, Enstrom, etc…can light their torches for a longer burn under new management / leadership. Kovy wants to be this kind of leader, but his torch goes out far too frequently (especially when retreating from the O-zone). His give-away/take-away ratio looks like a steep cliff when plotted as a curve.
… leading to …
Kovy: An awesome sharpshooter with a brave and well-intended heart, but a weak stomach. He’s improved his defense marginally as a function of playing so much time on the PP point, but his best defensive plays are usually on recover-the-giveaway missions caused by his own errors. Sad to say, but we’re better off with prospects – especially if his departure is accompanied by a management change.
Kubina and Schubert: Keep ‘em. The Thrash are at a high-water mark right now in terms of having at least a handful of big D-men that can actually close down a play by taking a man out. Any errosion here and the already appauling GA totals start to return to the stratosphere, where it’s hovered for the entire Waddell decade.
Bolts: (see Slater, but subtract the speed). Every team needs these guys, so show me a better option and I’d consider a changeout. If not, why not keep a grinder that you know will show up every night in Thrasher blue. The the club’s history is littered with imports who lose their mojo once they join the Ringling Brothers and Barnimum Waddell Circus.
This season has been like watching the CNN live shot of a Las Vegas hotel getting ready to impode. We all watched and gawked as the Hossa Wing of the building crumbled, but nary a lesson was learned. This time the Kovalchuk dynamite should be powerful enough to easily take down the rest of the building that is already on a shaky foundation (ASG) and was designed by a unlicensed architect (DW). My only hope is that there will be enough pieces left on the ground for new owners or at least new management to start building a young, motivated team from legitimate NHL blueprints.
Keep the pressure on folks. The facade is finally about to topple.
Go Thrash!
-Joyaman
TMAC
January 27th, 2010
3:12 pm
Not sign Max? max takes Jan through April off? Some of you so called hockey experts are idiots. 2nd leading scorer on the team and if not put with armstrong and reasonar for a month would have 10 more points. name another player in the top 50 points in the NHL that gets paiud $800,000. Thought so. max is doing just fine and will get his points. resign him