Operation ‘Take Sixth Place’ – Mission Accomplished! (well, at least for now)
I take you back to Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 pm. In that post, your humble blog host opined that there was a mathematical formula in which the Atlanta Thrashers could take over sixth place in the Eastern Conference. All that needed to happen was for Tampa Bay to beat Montreal and the Hurricanes defeat the Rangers that evening. Then, on Thursday night, Carolina needed to return home to take care of the Islanders and…most importantly…the Thrashers would then need to take care of there end of the deal by beating the Flyers in Philadelphia.
And with that…Operation “Take Sixth Place” was a go!
First, the Canes smacked New York 5-1 while the Bolts were shutting out the Habs….and we’re halfway home. Then tonight, Carolina continued to hold up their end of the deal by thumping the Islanders 4-1. Three down…one to go. All that was left was for the Thrashers to do their part in Philly.
Mission accomplished!
Well…I mean, at least we are in 6th place for now.
Behind a pair of goals from Jim Slater…and what in the world has gotten into this guy of late?…and one from Ilya Kovalchuk and Rich Peverley, the Thrashers did indeed catapult themselves into sole possession of sixth place in the east. They needed three in the third period to do so as they found themselves down 3-1 after 40 minutes of play.
Jim Slater celebrates his first goal of the night in the first period (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
The eventual game-winner was an absolute thing of beauty as Evander Kane streaked up the left side boards, wrapped himself around the backside of the goal and found an open Slater in front who simply had to direst the puck into an empty net.
In fact, it was very similar to his first period tally…that assist also going to Kane.
Kovalchuk got things rolling just 29 seconds into the third when he slipped behind the Flyers defense on a faceoff from the left circle. He then gathered the puck and moved in from left to right, getting Ray Emery to drop to the ice before lifting it top-shelf.
Peverley then tied the score less than four minutes later via a breakout pass from Pavel Kubina…he raced in one-on-one with Emery and buried his shot. Todd White earned a secondary assist on the goal.
Slater’s second goal of the night then put the Thrashers up 4-3 at the 13:28 mark.
And as exciting as all that was…play of the night honors goes to Johan Hedberg, who was making his third consecutive start. With just under four minutes to play and the Thrashers nursing a one-goal lead, Simon Gagne raced into Atlanta zone on the left side… Moose raced from his net to cut him off at the pass, sliding in to poke the puck away. In the collision, Hedberg lost his helmet…and almost lost his head.
In fact, it almost looked like he did as his jersey came up over his noggin. As play continued, he jumped back to his skates looking like the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow.
For the night, Moose saved 34 of 37 shots faced and improved his season record to 12-8-4.
Tonight’s thrilling win, coupled with Tuesday night’s 2-1 victory over Anaheim, means the Thrashers have won back-to-back regulation wins for the first time since last November when they shutout Philly 1-0 then beat Florida 4-3 two night’s later.
Hmmmm…oddly enough, that’s the same night that Panthers’ netminder Tomas Vokoun almost lost his head.
And Now…It’s On To Nashville
Saturday night the Atlanta Thrashers make their way to the Music City of Nashville, Tennessee to take on the Predators…and they will not be alone. Hundreds of Thrashers fans will taking part in the Atlanta Thrashers Fan Club’s invasion of Sommet Center by hopping on buses and making the journey to Nashville.
I will also be making my way to the capital of Tennessee along with The Blueland Chronicle boys.
Local authorities have been notified and placed on high alert.
And Speaking of Bus Trips
The Thrashers, TJ’s Bar & Grill and I are planning another Thrashers Party Bus trip on Saturday March 20 when the Flyers return to Philips Arena. Like last October’s Trip-A-Paloosa, the bus will depart TJ’s Bar and Grill in Alpharetta, drop fans off at Philips for the game, then return to TJ’s afterwards.
$55 buys ya a lower-level ticket to the game as well as gets ya on the bus and avail you to the drinks onboard. Prizes will also be raffled off on the way down.
If interested, please shoot an e-mail karin.beckman@atlantaspirit.com…or leave me a message below.
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154 comments Add your comment
World Be Free
January 29th, 2010
5:10 pm
Sounds like you people hate Philly more than Buffalo? Could that be true?
Brendan
January 29th, 2010
5:32 pm
No, WBF. They hate Buffalo more. Don’t be fooled.
Brendan
January 29th, 2010
5:34 pm
Sharks vs. Blackhawks was a great game. Chicago was up, 3-0, in the 1st peiod. But the Sharks battled back, to force overtime. And then, I think it was Brouwer who scored, to win it for the Blackhawks. I’m tellin’ right now, folks. Chicago vs. San Jose is a playoff matchup that is GONNA HAPPEN. I can’t say where. Not the 1st round, but maybe Round II or the CF. But those two teams will meet in the postseason.
HookyBob
January 29th, 2010
5:35 pm
World Be Free: Philly’s game is far too goony for me. I appreciate tough/physical hockey,..but they are too close, often over the line, on being dirty. I admire the Sabres as they field a competitive team year and year out without much for high paid stars. (Vanek wouldn’t be making his big bucks yet if it weren’t for that shaft job by Lowe.) The Sabres also play a good team game.
Biltong and Hokie: Methinks you might enjoy Bridgeport’s Blackstrap Stout. Another stout on the sweet side and at $7.50 /six it is much cheaper than Allagash’s and Brooklyn’s offerings. Think I’ll have one now.
Go Blue. Beat the Predators. Do I hear an “A-men” for a Peverly hat trick? (Actually I respect the Predators, for the same reasons I like the Sabres.)
HookyBob
January 29th, 2010
5:44 pm
The weather talk is interesting. Anyone growing up in hockey country knows this is what separates hockey moms,..from other sports moms. They deal with this many times a season. Caravan and carry worst case items like tire chains, sleeping bags, candles, and high calorie fruitcakes.
Hockey moms….my hat goes off to you!
hip czech
January 29th, 2010
6:17 pm
The Brooklyn Brown Ale is good stuff…another ‘cheap’ stout is Mackeson….kind of the sweet side also, but good.
rob
January 29th, 2010
6:21 pm
Diego,
He made that great back check and then in the 2nd and 3rd he dogged it again…..maybe we should post this blog on the scoreboard for him to read. When I saw his backcheck, I rewound it, thinking I had mistook the jersey number, as I do once in a while getting 17 and 47 mistaken.
WBF,
I am from Buffalo LOL so I love them and HATE the cheep bunch of hockey players always assembled in Philly hahahahaha
I am still waiting to hear a story done on Waddell’s PATHETIC history here! FIRE him, get on with the job of making this a HOCKEY TOWN again!!!!
A27
January 29th, 2010
6:30 pm
Ahhh… Hockey talk and Stout beer what a great combo… Having a Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout with a nice hot bowl of beefstew. CHEERS!!!
Sarah Palin
January 29th, 2010
9:52 pm
Thank you HookyBob.
Rawhide
January 29th, 2010
10:00 pm
Some more favorable results coming in from the schedule tonight…
Washington beats Florida 4-1
Buffalo beats the Boston 2-1
So the Panthers are not able to leapfrog over us and the Bruins were not able to tie us at 56 points.
Tampa Bay and the Ducks are tied 1-1 with about a buck-thirty left in the third.
Go DUCKS!!!
Brendan
January 29th, 2010
10:09 pm
Hiller just ROBBED Stamkos in the overtime.
Brendan
January 29th, 2010
10:14 pm
Hiller just stoned St. Louis, now! Go Ducks!!
Brendan
January 29th, 2010
10:17 pm
We’re headed to the shootout! Both teams used their timeouts in the overtime. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen that before.
Brendan
January 29th, 2010
10:21 pm
Ducks wins it! Thank you, Anaheim!
Rawhide
January 29th, 2010
10:33 pm
Yessss. Ducks win in shootout.Tampa Bay gets a point…55 on the season. Thrashers remain in 6th all by themselves.
Now looking ahead to tomorrow’s action…
5th place Ottawa with 64 points is at Montreal, who have 55 points.
Philly hosts the Islanders. Flyers with 55 and NY with 54.
So, regardless of the outcome in those games, two teams in the hunt with the Thrashers will gain 2 points. Hopefully…neither go into OT.
Then there are a few east teams playing western conference teams…
The Rangers have 55 points and are at Phoenix
Boston has 54 and host L.A.
Toronto has 44 and is home against Vancouver.
Carolina hosts Chicago.
What does all this mean?
Atlanta needs two points in Nashville tomorrow night! (duh1)
goose
January 30th, 2010
1:02 am
For those of you who don’t know as of now are Chicago Wolves are doing quite well. They are in fifth place in their conference with 58 points in 47 games played with Winning 9 out of the last 10. They are 28-17-0-2 (the AHL differentiates between overtime and shoot out losses the wolves have not lost in overtime and have two losses in the shoot out). Jason Krog is 5th in the AHL in points with 9 goals and 40 assists for 49 points and is tied for first in the league lead in assists. Brett Sterling is tied for the league lead in goals with 25. Tim Stapleton is third in the league with 23 goals. Kulda leads the league with a +31 and grandpa Chelios is second in the league with a +24 Peter Mannino leads the league in goals against average with a 1.76 and also leads the league in save percentage with a .943% with 13 wins 3 losses (has one shut out) in 18 games played. Those are all of AHL player of note. Also Kozek has 7 goals 11 assists 18 points in 41 games played and is +1. Oystrick has 6 goals 14 assists for 20 points in 37 games played and is a +6. Crabb has 16 goals 11 assists for 27 points and is +8 in 46 games played.
Brendan
January 30th, 2010
1:56 am
Thank you, goose, for the AHL update. I hope Chicago Wolves have a great season. It’s also my hope that our prospects can make the leap from the minors to the pros, at some point. When people ask me, “Brendan, what are the Thrashers going to do when no respectable free agent will touch us with 10-foot pole?” My answer is always, “that’s what the draft is for. We just have to hope our selections can eventually make it to the NHL level. And then prosper there.”
I do realize … that for some of you, this is a very lame answer. But it’s the one we’ve got. This franchise has to improve on the core areas of “player development” and “player retention.” If you stop for a moment to ponder this, it’s possible that next Fall’s Thrashers will not have Kari Lehtonen or Ilya Kovalchuk among its ranks.
So? Well, between 1999-2002, this team benefitted from the possibility of landing franchise players in the lottery draft. In 1999 & 2001, Atlanta enjoyed 1st overall draft position. In 2000 & 2002, it owned the 2nd overall picks. Those players turned out to be Patrik Stefan, Dany Heatley, Ilya Kovalchuk, and Kari Lehtonen. If all four of them are GONE after a decade’s worth of seasons … it’s more than just disappointing, it represents abject failure as an organization. I hear it, now. “But nothing is ever guaranteed.” What does that mean, exactly? That it’s “okay to fail?” Ostensibly because life is full of uncertainties? Oy gavult. The silver lining to any season that ends with 78-points or less … is that you have a pretty good chance to rebuild your club with a Top 10 or even lottery draft selection in June.
Many teams could only hope for the opportunities with which the Thrashers were blessed. Two 1st overall and two 2nd overall picks, inside even a six year span, would be incredible. That it happened in four straight years ought to translate into … well, “The Pittsburgh Penguins.” Penguins drafted 1st overall in 2003 & 2005 and 2nd overall in 2004 & 2006. Those players are Marc-Andre Fleury, Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby, and Jordan Staal.
A few years back, several bloggers opined that, given the parameters of the cap, Pens GM Ray Shero would “never be able to keep that core nucleus together.” Welllllll, they’re all still there. How does one explain it? Who did the Penguins lose from their Cup-winning roster? Sykora, Gill, Scudierre, and Satan. And keep in mind, that’s still a roster that went to “back-to-back” Finals. And can anyone really say … with certainty … that the Penguins won’t win the Eastern Conference again this year? For a third year in-a-row. The only season that matters … is the playoffs, then WHAT YOU DO once you get there.
Segue, look out West for a moment. The Mighty Red Wings, with tonight’s win, got back into 8th spot. They’re not having a fabulous season. But all they really have to do … is get in. If they do, how eager is the #1 seed going to be … to have to face Detroit, right off the bat? Last year, the #1 seed out west was San Jose, a President’s Trophy winner. Their playoff results? Bounced in six games by Anaheim. Their mantra? “Put it behind us, win the President’s Trophy again, and win the Cup along with it.” If San Jose draws Detroit in the opening round, they could golfing EARLY again. That’s why they play the games.
With respect to the Thrashers organization, they simply must try a new strategy, a new business model, with new Management personnel. It’s not about being in a weak division, or in a Conference whose teams are overly “watered down” this season. Those are just “blessings.” It’s, simply put, about making better decisions. That’s what it takes. Make good decisions … and good results will likely follow.
Look at this whole Kovalchuk situation. Can anyone argue that Ilya doesn’t have the Thrashers exactly where he wants them? If he wants out, he’s certainly positioned himself to be traded. If he wants the league max, Atlanta is a likely candidate to pay it to him. Ilya could have been traded as early as the 2007 offseason. That’s not what the Thrashers wanted to do. It’s not what Thrashers fans wanted to see happen. But who’s responsible for “oversight” of the franchise, if not the GM? It’s his job to create a climate of winning and success. That’s the pot of honey that brings forth all the Free Agent bees. He didn’t do it. This ownership didn’t hold him accountable. Both are to blame. With this losing environment, Atlanta is forced to overpay for its players. And often cannot keep its players (Heatley, Hossa, Savard, Coburn, Kaberle, Audette, Brunette, Staios, etc.).
I always speak honestly. Agree with me or not, I am honest. I am frank. And I am sincere. On June 28th, 29th or 30th, if placed in the situation Waddell found himself, here’s what I would have done, even if it were WRONG to do it. “Ilya/Jay, I’m offering 12 years/$121.2 million, to be paid in $10.1 million increments. If you want to cut the term in half, I’ll still do six-years/$60.6 million.” Is he worth that much? Of course not. But the offer expires on July 14, 2009. If his signature isn’t on that contract, we discreetly, but ACTIVELY pursue trade options. And tell him that, too. If he says, “I want to evaluate the team/ownership more,” I say, “Fine, he’s a one-year, $10.1 million deal. Sign it within 72 hours. Or it’s withdrawn. That buys you a year to evaluate the situation. But we’re not going to have your contract hovering over our heads like the Sword of Damacles throughout the season.” Is $10.1 million cap hit more than Crosby? Yes. More than Ovechkin? Yes. Is it something Kovalchuk could honestly say, with any kind of credibility, “insulted” him? No. Any way you slice and dice it, a cap hit of $10.1 million … is … not … insulting him … or any player in the NHL today. If Kovy says, “nyet,” it’s because he doesn’t want to play here. And if that is the case, holding on to him only bought you “time,” not a different outcome. Bygones. The time to do something that might make Kovalchuk sign a proactive contract … was 2007, after the NY Rangers sweep. And there it is. With no ’sugarcoating.’
Tony C.
January 30th, 2010
5:51 am
nYBODY ELSE MIND SEEING N a ON sLATER’S SWEATER NEXT SEASON-CURRENTLY PLAY BEING CONSISTENTLY DELIVERED (i DO BELIEVE HE’S CAPABLE OF DOING JUST SO)?
Lee
January 30th, 2010
7:50 am
Tony C.-I’ve always wanted an A on Slats, take it off of Hainsey and put it on Slater.
The Hedless Hedberg save is all over Yahoo now, lol.
Lee
January 30th, 2010
7:53 am
wow, I spelled headless wrong.
HookyBob
January 30th, 2010
9:38 am
Sarah: You are welcome. And welcome to this blog. I’ll try to stop over and see you at the next game. (You’re in section 222 right?) I’d like to hear more about your support for extending bar hours in Wasilla,..despite law enforcement concerns about added traffic fatalities. I know you must have had a good reason.
World Be Free
January 30th, 2010
9:45 am
Watched the replay of the Philly game last night. I guess I had not realized how good of a game Kane had, especially against Pronger. Jimmy on our #1 line?
You have to give the coaches alotta credit for the changes in the 3rd period, especially on the Pevs goal. There’s a game in which we can say we outcoached the opposition.
World Be Free
January 30th, 2010
9:53 am
Hooky Bob-Philly just keeps living in the past. This is not 1975 AND the Flyers have not found a goalie close to Bernie Parent since he retured. Parent was THE major reason they won those Cups in the 70’s. I still think “Flyer hockey” is one of the reasons that keeps the NHL behind other sports. Sabres aren’t cheap, though I do get a kick out of Kaleta.
Brendan-you know I like to stir to pot on occasion.
Rob-so many of us from Buffalo know this snow, ice and white-out stuff. Western New Yorkers know snow and hate the Flyers, so I am lovin’ it when they lose to anyone. Now they have the headcase in goal. Marty was too good of a guy for Philly.
World Be Free
January 30th, 2010
9:56 am
Brendan-I go depressed after reading you last post, where we were in the draft and what we may have left after this season. It’s enough to make you sick. We look like the Toronto Maple Leafs south.
Brendan
January 30th, 2010
10:51 am
WBF, I have to wonder, out loud, this question, “Yeah, but does it make THIS OWNERSHIP depressed?” If the answer is, “no,” then they just … don’t … care.
But, that’s not what they’ll say. Here’s what they’ll say. Ready, World Be Free? Here it comes. Levenson approaches the podium to address the STH’s. “As you know, we simply couldn’t afford Ilya Kovalchuk’s ridiculous salary demands. But no worries. We’ve got a pipeline of talent coming from Chicago, and now we have more money to go shopping in free agency, where I’m CONFIDENT, Don Waddell land us the missing pieces we need to get back to the playoffs. Regarding Kari Lehtonen, we convened as a group … and collectively decided that Kari’s health issues are just something we’d rather not deal with anymore. So, we released him/traded him/didn’t make a qualifying offer, resulting in his becoming a UFA.”
It’s remorseless, like that, with them. They don’t know “value you” as customers. They don’t care what you think. Six thousands fans of the other team will show up, game-after-game. There are over 5 million people in and about the metropolitan Atlanta area. There’ll always be 3,500 Thrasher fans. That means roughly 10,000 fans. Discount the slight reduction in revenue-sharing, and you’ve got a franchise that can survive, so long as they stick to the minimum payroll plan. They’ll essentially break-even.
Now ask yourselves this question. “Is this what the NHL had in mind when they put a team in Atlanta? That it’d be bleeding them of $14-$17 million, annually, in revenue-sharing dollars? Or, did they think, “This club is well positioned, within the Southeast Division, to be a dominant team, and a good revenue producer for this league.” Because honestly, I think it’s the latter, not the former. Bettman expect a market like Atlanta, saturated with northern transplants, to pack the house, assuming the product the was good and well-run.
Your thoughts on that topic?
Lee
January 30th, 2010
10:53 am
Intresting article here:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4868156&name=lebrun_pierre
J.B.
January 30th, 2010
11:06 am
Jay Grossman concurred with Chris about Kovy being through TALKING about negotiations to the media. He said Kovy ending negotiations with ATL was “Absolutely not true”.
rob
January 30th, 2010
11:16 am
Brendan,
Great post, would love to see even more in depth article explaining that to the rest of the hockey world and asking why in the world does Waddell still have a job, do the owners down there really not care that much about hockey?
Tony C,
While I am glad Slater is playing so hard right now, he is gonna need more than just a month of solid play to earn that C. That being said who should get it? Don’t know, we went through too long a streak with no one standing up to try to right the ship. Could Pevs be a C? Don’t know about that yet either. I say if it gets taken away from 17 then you pass it around….and if we can make the playoffs, maybe someone rises to the top, but if not then you come into training camp w the C up for grabs and let someone TAKE IT! The C is something very few people can actually wear, and shouldn’t just be given to someone on a spur of the moment decision or based on a short period of time. I would like to know who the team would want as C, if it isn’t 17. Of course that would mean actually asking questions that might risk conflict or make the owners/gm/coach mad and heaven forbid THAT happen here. Just ask the fluff questions and hope no one ever ever notices.
Brendan
January 30th, 2010
11:38 am
Hey, look who is the player of the day at NHLPA.com? http://www.nhlpa.com/
It’s none other than Atlanta’s Jim “Second Half” Slater! I’m fine with Jimmy getting an “A,” if the organization wants to bestow that upon him.
Brendan
January 30th, 2010
12:10 pm
Rob, two of my posts got caught in SPAM filters this morning, but I’ll try again. Basically, this ownership considers anything that happened prior to 2004 as “not being relevant to them.” They acknowledge that Waddell should have hired someone to coach the remainder of the 2008 season, rather than let Waddell do it for 76 games. For their part, they’ll acknowledge that the lawsuit is on them. They’d readily admit that they would have preferred to end it quickly and in a less messy manner. But, that story opens the door for … “but we didn’t have money to go spend, while the legal fees added up to $10 million.” So, we figured we had a pretty decent GM in Waddell, who could also serve in a dual capacity as Coach. We asked around. And everyone told us how much they admire and respect Waddell. (What are they supposed to say, “You’re riding on the Titanic. Cut bait.”) He came out of one of the greatest organizations in the league (Red Wings). He’s been part of Team USA hockey, off and on, for decades. And he’s won half a dozen minor league championships. They’d tell you that Heatley, Kovalchuk, Coburn, Little, Bogosian and Kane are all very fine draft selections. So Waddell knows what he’s doing there. And as for losing pending free agents, they dismiss that aspect of the way the franchise is tun to the “realities of the salary cap era.” Pretty convenient for them, huh? “The guy wanted too much. More than he was ‘worth.’” If there weren’t a salary cap, they’d still have lost them. Then the excuse would be, “We’re just the ‘little guys,’ trying to compete with the New Yorks, Phillys, Bostons, Detroits and LAs of the world. We desperately NEED a salary cap structure, to help us out. Thud.
Any of this pushing the bile to the tip of your throat? They just don’t get it. They don’t. And they won’t. It literally will take Commissioner Gary Bettman’s intervention to get this club to shift managerial gears. They won’t come to that conclusion, all on their own. There has been only one (1) PROACTIVE contract in the franchise history. That’s it. Ten years. One proactive contract. And it was Enstrom’s, not Savard’s, not Hossa’s, not Kovalchuk’s, not Little’s, and we’ll see with Bogosian.
Shrugs. I don’t know what to tell you, Rob. Other than, “pray harder than you ever have … for ownership to WAKE UP.” I sort of thought, mayyyyyybe, that they got a reality check … when they threw all that money at Brian Campbell, and STILLLL he wouldn’t take it. The light bulb didn’t go on. Instead, they congratulated themselves on the non-acquisition, citing that Campbell’s numbers aren’t worth his salary.
A-hem. Yeah, well … I can’t help but notice that it didn’t STOP you from offering it to him. Campbell REJECTED the offer. The one that ownership claims wasn’t worth the money. Okay, maybe they never said that. I can’t find a quote about it, anyway. But I’m reasonably certain it’s how they view it now, in hindsight. But the truth is … they offered MORE TOTAL GUARANTEED MONEY than Chicago. Chicago’s cap hit was larger, so people think they offered more. That isn’t the case. Atlanta offered more total money, at a lower cap hit.
I wish the Thrashers luck in attracting free agents. Personally, I think they should focus on developing their prospects and continuing to stockpile via the draft. Whoever does sign with us … is only chasing the money. And that’s not the right culture for team growth.
Spud Webb
January 30th, 2010
12:25 pm
I’ve got a GREAT Idea, just came to me, had to write it down!! I really never do these things but… How about Kovy for Dion Pheanuf?? I would LOVE that trade. Dion gets 6.5 a year for the next 4 years. Yes, he’s having a down year, but I still love the kid. A GIANT, PHYSICAL D man as a Thrasher?? That would be a first!! Flames need help up front and would love Kovy, I’m sure!!!! Yahoooooooooo…of course this won’t happen.
R. Stroz
January 30th, 2010
12:38 pm
HookyBob – That wasn’t me.
Thrashers27
January 30th, 2010
12:39 pm
I was just looking over the schedule for the remainder of the season. Things looked encouraging through March. Once I flipped the calendar to April, things got a bit depressing.
Assuming the Thrashers acheive a lofty, but not unreasonable record of 16-8 between tonight and the end of April…they will have earned 88 points with five games remaining on the regular season schedule. This is where it gets scary… Of those five games, two are against Pittsburgh, two against Washington and one against Jersey. Ouch!
Traditionally the boys would need to win at least two of the final five games in order to have a shot at the playoffs…maybe three. However, with this season’s Eastern Conference parity maybe 88, or 90 points will allow a team to squeak into that eighth and final playoff spot.
Maybe the boys squeak into the post season, get hot and make a good run…Hey, a guy can dream can’t he?
Miami Screaming Eagle
January 30th, 2010
1:26 pm
Lee-interesting artcle and admission on Waddell’s part. Do you think he just figured this out?
Why not give the guy a deal that gives Kovy and out of the contract if the team moves to another city? Or is that too smart?
Miami Screaming Eagle
January 30th, 2010
1:36 pm
Spud-I’d make that trade tomorrow. I think the problem with Dion is how he is being used in Calgary. I am not sure how many minutes he’s getting, but Calgary has a great “D’ and need offense. Dion is their most tradeable asset and worth the $$$.
But hense the ownership problems with the Thrashers. Too bad we have to trade Kovy instead of having him spend his prime years in Atlanta.
These idots are only concerned about gangster basketball.
HookyBob
January 30th, 2010
2:16 pm
Spud: I don’t believe Kovy for Phanuef straight-up is very realistic. Now if you throw in Hainsey and possibly a depth player from the Flames chances get better.
Stroze,….my apologies. I’ll look closer for finger-prints next time.
R. Stroz
January 30th, 2010
5:21 pm
Why not give the guy a deal that gives Kovy and out of the contract if the team moves to another city? Or is that too smart?
MSE – Good point. I addressed this issue with someone and received the following link. A “no relocation clause” can’t be placed in the contract.
http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2009/12/30/thrashers-uncertain-future-playing-a-role-in-kovalchuk-talks/
This is the ket to the article:
A player can ask for a no-trade clause in his contract. But he can’t ask for a clause that reads, “If the franchise relocates to Winnipeg or Quebec, the player can opt out.” Doesn’t work that way. And I would like to see the look on the face of the next owner when the Thrashers tell him, “Well, we can bring Todd White with us but not Kovalchuk.”
Kovalchuk can’t be guaranteed of anything: 1) That the Atlanta Spirit will keep the team and spend to keep and acquire players (according to NHLnumbers.com, the Thrashers rank only 23rd out of 30 teams in payroll); 2) That anybody who purchases the team will keep it in Atlanta and also spend to compete.
Look at the past. Look at the present. Look at the future. There is no reason for Kovalchuk to feel comfortable.
Here’s the real quaetion: If you’re Kovalchuk, do you trust the ASG and Waddell? If not, what do you ask for, could that be max cap?
R. Stroz
January 30th, 2010
5:23 pm
I’m not sure how link became “ket.”
HookyBob – No problem. However, I’m a Batman fan, especially the last two Batman movies.
Tom
January 30th, 2010
8:16 pm
If you are looking for the game and you have Center Ice, the internal feed from Nashville is on. Channel 780 on Directv.
Tom
January 30th, 2010
8:22 pm
Well our beloved Captain and Kid Bogo did a horrible job on the second goal. There was a guy sitting in the slot for what looked like 5 seconds all by his lonesomeness. He put down his cup of tea to score the goal…
Tom
January 30th, 2010
8:29 pm
Damn the announcer showed up halfway through the period. I was enjoying actually watching a game without being treated like a moron…
Tom
January 30th, 2010
9:11 pm
That is bulltwinkies taking the goal away from Kane.
Brendan
January 30th, 2010
9:22 pm
Chris Thorburn has scored a Short-handed goal, to make it, 3-2, for the Preds over the Thrashers. It’s an interesting feed. That’s for sure. It’s on Comcast Channel # 783 tonight.
Brendan
January 30th, 2010
9:26 pm
The Nashville announcer just said, “There’s a 400 person contingent here tonight from Atlanta. They’ve got to like what they’ve seen so far.”
Brendan
January 30th, 2010
9:27 pm
Bryan Little just scored for Atlatna! It’s 3-3.
Brendan
January 30th, 2010
10:30 pm
Thrashers lose in regulation time, 4-3, to earn zero points.
Diego from Lilburn
January 30th, 2010
10:30 pm
Dang. 4-3 preds.
Brendan
January 30th, 2010
11:30 pm
It was a good game tonight against a playoff-bound team in Nashville. I think the Thrashers played them very well. 31 shots against. Special teams were at least “okay.” One PPG and one shorty. Here’s your boxscore: http://www.nhl.com/ice/boxscore.htm?id=2009020813
Atlanta now sits at 7th spot. Montreal is, at the very moment, 8th. And your attention please, Carolina’s 4-game winning streak now sees them 14th in the Conference. That’s right. They caught and surpassed the Toronto Maple Leafs. Seems naming Staal Captain was a popular move. Staal has scored 8 goals in five games since it happened. Carolina also has TWO games-in-hand on the Leafs. But it doesn’t end there. The ‘Canes also own two (2) more wins. For Toronto, things aren’t going that great lately. Tonight, for example, they lead Vancouver, 3-0, and didn’t come away with a single point. They lost, 5-3, in regulation time.
Other notes, at -3 were Bogosian and Ron Hainsey. At -2 were Kovalchuk and Little. At +1 were Thorburn, Reasoner, Salmela and Enstrom. Our ice time leader was Kubina, at 25:25. Enstrom played 25:06.
LAC
January 30th, 2010
11:38 pm
No way Kane goal is NOT allowed. No Way Arnott is allowed to skate in like a prince all alone 7 seconds into a period… zach $UCKED tonight as usual, why is he STILL HERE ?
Please send him off with #17 when he departs !
R. Stroz
January 30th, 2010
11:43 pm
Brendan and/or Tom – Since I didn’t watch the game, can you tell me if the -3 for Hainsey and Bogo were (a)indicative of their level of play, (b) an anomaly resulting from Koasterchuk being on the ice with them, or (c) both of the above?