Matt McConnell is enjoying second tour of duty in Thrasherville
Matt McConnell…the Atlanta Thrashers’ original TV play-by-play man has, in his own words, quite the whirlwind journey in life so far…but his travels have brought him back to Thrasherville for his second tour of duty for the team and he’s loving every minute of it.
McConnell was born in Gary, Indiana and his father worked for a steel company…a job that would eventually move the family around quite a bit. He lived in Indiana for the first 12 years of his life and that’s where he became a fan of hockey…a big Chicago Blackhawks fan, he told me.
“I remember one night when I was about 4 or 5 years old”, McConnell recalled, “My dad turned on a Blackhawks’ game on WGN and I just kinda started watching it…and just really seemed to enjoy it”.
Then his dad came home with some tickets and he soon got his first taste of live hockey action. “That became something we did ten times a year”, Matt recalled. “We’d go to Blackhawks games… those Sunday night games. I grew up loving the game and following guys like Bobby Hull, Stan Makita and Tony Esposito. They were all my heroes”.
In 1975, just before Matt went into the seventh grade, his dad was transferred to northern Minnesota…a town called Virginia. “John Harrington, who played on the U.S. 1980 Olympic team was from that area”, McConnell remembers…and that’s where he began playing bantam hockey himself.
“Basically, I got my butt kicked”, he told me with a laugh. “And I realized it probably wasn’t going to be anything that was going to take me very far”.
In McConnell’s tenth grade year, his dad’s job took him to Pittsburgh where they lived between ’78 and ‘81…and naturally, he began to follow the Penguins.
Matt McConnell's whirlwind tour has him back in Atlanta calling Thrashers games on TV
After high school, McConnell was off to Michigan State where he got his first taste of broadcasting. “I started out as an accounting finance major but quickly telecommunications with an emphasis in economics. I also began working with the campus radio station…and they had a really good hockey team at the time, always went to the tournament. In my senior year they were upset by Provenance, which was a monumental upset…but they had some really good teams up there and that’s when I began broadcasting”.
After college he did some play-by-play work in the International Hockey League for a few years… “Making about $250 per week in Flint, Michigan in 1985”, he remembers. “The team almost folded mid-season, then went to Peoria for a couple of years. And then my big break came in 1993 when I got hired by the Ducks in Anaheim…so I was the first guy to do Ducks games”.
Given that he was there to see the startup of both the Ducks and Thrashers organizations, I asked him to discuss the similarities between the two.
“I think there are a lot of similarities…I think you always try to build through draft picks. But the fun part about starting up with a franchise is the buzz, you know…the initial buzz with everyone so excited about the team being there and they have the franchise in place. In Anaheim we won, I wanna say, nineteen road games and were in the playoff race the first year right until the final weekend when Winnipeg won a couple of games to take the final playoff spot. So that was a lot of fun”.
Continuing, he added, “I think when it’s an expansion team… everybody’s new, everybody’s kind of coming together as a family. We had a really good group out there…and I think Atlanta was the same in a lot of ways…you know, non-traditional hockey market, so I was used to how all of that unfolds”.
“There was an incredible buzz here those first few years [here in Atlanta]…and the team wasn’t very good back then. But now we’re fighting for a playoff spot”.
After about three years in Anaheim, McConnell returned to Pittsburgh where he did some TV work between 1996 and ‘99. “Working with the Penguins was fun…I got a chance to call games with Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr and Ron Francis”.
He then came to Atlanta for their inaugural season in 1999. After the 2002-’03 season, though, it was off to Minnesota for one year before returning to Atlanta. Once back, he did some freelance work for college sports television, doing college hockey, basketball and lacrosse.
He also hosted Thrashers Live for two seasons…2006-07 as well as 2007-08.
“It’s been a whirlwind, for sure…and I’ve truly been blessed to have worked for some very good people, “he said while nudging Darren Eliot to his right. “This guy is one of the handful of people who can really break down the game analytically and not just regurgitate replays”.
“It’s been a lot of fun and I hope it can continue for many more years”.
Regarding this current edition of the Thrashers and their chances of making the playoffs, McConnell told me he likes what he sees for the most part… but there is that issue of playing the full 60 minutes. Sure, they don’t get blown out of the barn, but the slow starts are somewhat of a concern.
“The fact of the matter is that we are in the middle of a playoff race. They are fun to watch…very talented. Ya know…you see flashes of what this team can be. They go into Philadelphia and get down 3-1, come back to win it. But I think since day one, it’s really been a matter of consistency…when are we gonna see a run of consistency over the course of a number of games? …I think that’s the next hurdle and I think that they’re really close”.
“We’re going to have this incredible spring in March with all of these home games…there is so much parity right now, it’s one or two games [separating several playoff contending teams]…so it’s exciting from that standpoint”.
“The thing that I’ve taken away from this team just being around them is that they don’t seem to let a lot of things bother them. I think the chemistry this year has been as good as I’ve seen. They seem to genuinely have a good time, they seem to genuinely want to play for one another. And I think with those attributes I’m pretty bullish that they’re gonna stick around and make a serious run for a playoff spot”.
Regarding his comments about things not bothering them…I asked if that was true during the recent drama surrounding the Kovalchuk trade situation as it unfolded.
“If it did bother them”, he responded, “Then they did a pretty good job of keeping it behind closed door. I thought John Anderson had a great quote when said that if Don and Jay had done a good job of keeping the negotiations in the board room and not letting it effect that team”.
When I asked Matt what were the best things about his job, he again directed my attention to the man he shares a broadcast booth with. “When I was down here for the first tour of duty, we lived closer together and so we would drive in together, carpool to the airport and we’d have long talks about the team and about the shows and I think that really helped us initially get to know each other”.
“But he’s as easy going as you’ll find…and I don’t know what it is, why we don’t always step on each other, but for some reason it just flows”.
“Besides working with Darren…who teaches me something new every day…what I like is just being around the game. Ya know, I found out in bantam hockey that I never had the ability to play professionally like these guys do, so I like being around the game and I have fun calling the games”.
Matt went on to add, “What else makes it fun is all of the stories. Not just from the present-day players but being around a group of guys [that date back over the past]. When I was working in Peoria, we had a game in Salt Lake and our coach was Rick Mohar, the All-American at B.U…and he told me, ‘Hey, I’m going out with a bunch of guys from the 1980 team that are in town’. He was a good friend with Mike Eruzione…and he asks me if I wanna go and I say ‘sure’. So we walk across the street to this hotel and there’s about eight or nine of them in this mini-reunion of the 1980 players. And as like to tell Darren, for the first time in my life I shut up for about two hours and just listened to the stories”.
To which Darren interjected…”I only wish I could have been there to enjoy it”.
McConnell also says he enjoys the travel that comes with his profession…getting to go to different cities and see different things. But overall, it’s the entire hockey experience that he enjoys…being around the game and the players that make and have made it what it is.
Of course, the big question for anyone so close to the Thrashers is…what will it take for the Thrashers to make the playoffs and what are their chances of doing so?
“For me, I’m going to keep my eye on special teams”, Matt said. “That’s going to be key. And we’ve talked a lot about secondary scoring and how the emergence of a guy like Jim Slater…which I think is a big deal. But I really think that they’ve got what it takes…but I think they would be in a much better position if they came out and started dictating play more, especially on home ice with all the home games coming up”.
Either way it unfolds, Matt McConnell will be there bringing us these all-important games the Thrashers will be in…and alongside him will be his partner Darren Eliot, who we’ll hear from later in the week.
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124 comments Add your comment
Lee
February 23rd, 2010
9:25 pm
First!
I like Matty, he’s a good guy…..
spell check
February 23rd, 2010
10:04 pm
it should be parity not parody.
Tony C.
February 23rd, 2010
10:26 pm
I’m glad this guy is doing the play-by-play…Delacamera was a pro, but you can tell McConnell has a passion for the game that just isn’t there with J.P.
NYC
February 23rd, 2010
10:46 pm
Matty’s a good egg!
Badger Bob
February 23rd, 2010
11:10 pm
Good story, Bill!
Brendan
February 23rd, 2010
11:53 pm
It’s a nice item, Rawhide. And nice of Matt M. to make the time to do it. He’s a good egg! I like to tease ‘im because he uses the term “stretch pass” with a little too much enthusiasm, but really … he brings passion to the job. And unlike J.P. Dellacamera, he doesn’t say the words “hockey stick.” (What other kind of a stick could it be, I do wonder. But I digress.)
Folks, it’s not an enviable job to cover a team that is perpetually in the bottom third of the Eastern Conference. But Matt McConnell, and Dan Kamal, and Darren Eliot, along with Natalie Taylor, do their best to make their respective broadcasts good ones.
If you’re a hockey fan or a Thrasher fan who has given up on watching Thrasher telecasts or radio broadcasts, beeee honest. You didn’t leave or quit your support of the team because of Matt McConnell. Or Darren Eliot. Or Natalie Taylor. Or Dan Kamal. These are the personalities trying to keep this boat afloat. Do I blame any of them? No.
They take their jobs seriously and try the best they can. Can we say the same of the ownership? No, we can’t. And to blame it all on Waddell is all too easy. In his shoes, you’d milk the AS, LLC for every last nickel, too. It’s not Waddell’s job to point that he’s a failing GM. And really, as employees of the AS, LLC, it’s not Matt McConnell’s job, nor Darren Eliot’s, nor Natalie Taylor’s, to point that out, either.
Nice job with this blog, Rawhide. I think Matt McConnell is really happy to have his position. And it’s good to see, for an organization whose Tier I pending UFA players have HISTORICALLY given it a vote of “no confidence.”
Brendan
February 24th, 2010
12:20 am
Latvia has tied it! Latvia has tied it! Latvia has tied it up! It’s 2-2! And we’re going to overtime!!!!!
C’mon Latvia, you CAN do it!!!
Badger Bob
February 24th, 2010
12:30 am
Sorry, Brendan. We are seeing some GREAT hockey, though!
Brendan
February 24th, 2010
12:41 am
Oh well. David Kreji has won it, for the Czech Republic. It was a fairly benign-looking shot. What a shame, after such a wonderful performance from the Latvian goaltender.
Norway has just scored to cut Slovakia’s lead to 2-1.
Brendan
February 24th, 2010
12:43 am
No sooner spoken, than Zednik has scored for the Slovaks. Another PPG. It’s their 3rd powerplay goal of the game.
LAC
February 24th, 2010
2:10 am
Our Announcers are every good and second to none, ever hear that guy in Buffalo or Washington ? they are awful
Derrin does excellent color and you can tell… he wishes he could say MORE.
But at least our guys in the booth are near the top of the NHL broadcasters and we should
be very thankful for that fact, one point for asg I guess !
World Be Free
February 24th, 2010
6:20 am
LAC, don’t gop picking on Rick Jenneret now!
Nice piece Bill-I think Matt is doing a very good job, I like JP a little better int he role. But Matt is better than alotta play-by-play men in the league. As LAC stated, you see how good our guys are when you flip around on Center Ice.
Eliot is one of the best color men in the league, that’s my opinion.
Who is the worst? My vote is Pete Weber in Nashville. He wallowed on Buffalo radio for years, doing P-B-P and other misc. sports in Buffalo until he got bounced. Weber has the personalty of a wet shoe. How he has kept his job in Nashville since day one of that franchise I will never know.
Lee
February 24th, 2010
6:49 am
Canada – 8
Germany – 2
Go Canada…..and USA!
World Be Free
February 24th, 2010
7:47 am
Hey Bill, not to change subjects but…..
The NHL trade deadline is March 3rd, next Wednesday at 1500 hours.
Any news from Thrasherville on what they have up their sleeves?
We have a number of key UFAs-are they staying or going?
More importantly, are we buyers or sellers at the trade deadline?
I am surprised we don’t have more team direction and trade skuttlebut by now.
The key UFA keepers are Kubina, Colby and Jimmy (can’t believe I included Jimmy). Are they staying or going? Negotiation on new contracts? We can’t have another Kovy situation, where the player controls the situation. You either want to be here or not. I think the word is commitment.
MASHAPlayer7
February 24th, 2010
8:47 am
I think Matt and Darren do a great job, but like any home team broadcaster, they definitely have a substantial pro-Thrashers perspective on plays in the game. I guess that’s the job of the home broadcaster, but I prefer a more unbiased approach to the game.
I grew up watching Whalers and Bruins games…Rick Peckham (now in TB as TV color) is also a very good broadcaster. John Forslund, who did minor hockey in Springfield and now does the Canes’ broadcasts (and some Versus TV) is very good. On the opposite side, Fred Cusick (RIP) and Derek Sanderson of the Bruins team was terrible…i don’t even think “rose colored glasses” is a strong enough metaphor for how one-sided they called Bruins games.
Sorry World, but although I do love Rick J.’ soccer-esque goal calls, he is extremely bias and never gives appreciation to an opponents play. The guys in Pittsburgh are bad too.
MASHAPlayer7
February 24th, 2010
8:50 am
So I was a Sports Management major in college and took a few sports pyschology classes. But I never thought of this until now…it would be fun to survey fans in different in NHL cities and compare that with the broadcasters’ perspective on games. I bet you that the majority of fans mirror the perspective of their broadcasters. That’s why Boston, Pittsburgh and Detroit fans think the hockey world revolves around them, and that’s why Atlanta and Tampa Bay fans have hopeless enthusiasm that (someday) things will finally get beter:)
Interesting to think about.
World Be Free
February 24th, 2010
8:59 am
Masha-Rick J was better when he had Jim Lorenz as his partner. Jim would reel him in and offer a full game perspective of what was happening. His current partner, Harry Neal is barely awake during current Sabre games.
Speaking of the Bruins, I really think their current announcers, Jack Edwards and Andy Brickley do a great job. Fred Cusick was such a homer it was sickening. He was always offended when the old-style Bruins would get penalites, usually for mugging an opposing player. Peckham is first rate in TB, as he was in Hartford. Good call
Putting On The Foil
February 24th, 2010
9:04 am
Bring back JP. Would prefer Kamal. Where the hell is Jiggs? And enough of the “drive by” references Matty.
Rawhide
February 24th, 2010
9:04 am
WBF – Yes indeed…Trade Deadline-A-Palooza 2010 is indeed upon us. I would think that we’ll see three days of action next week once the roster-freeze is lifted, (Monday morning I think).
As for the Thrashers, that really a tough call…Given our standings, we are in “buyer” mode I believe…but just how much we are looking to purchase is the question. The one thing I don’t want to see is another Zhitnik-Cobourn type of deal. Remember, the last time we were in this position, that’s what D-Wad did to us.
He’s done better as a “seller” the past two seasons, IMHO.
So in short, my response to your questions are…stay tuned. It should be an interesting three days next week.
MASHAPlayer7
February 24th, 2010
9:30 am
I liked JP too, but I know people who know JP (name dropper alert!), and he is a soccer guy first,and a full hockey schedule would have interfered with his soccer broadcast schedule.
rob
February 24th, 2010
9:43 am
Hometown announcers better be biased towards their team! At least enough to say the ref missed an easy call or we got away with one there. Boo the bad guys and cheer on the good guys. If he doesn’t share the hometown enthusiasm, why do it, and why listen to them? I personally would like to hear a little more of that from our guys. Jenneret is awesome, I love listening to him call the games. He has the fans and home team at heart and calls it that way, mirroring many of the same things the fans are saying or thinking about what is going on during the game. The excitement in his voice is great.
“lalalalalalafontaine!!!!” and
“he put it upstairs where mama hides the cookies”
are things every Sabres fan remembers hearing watching the games there
Rawhide
February 24th, 2010
9:48 am
MASHAPlayer7 – I really do enjoy a soccer game announced by JP….the man knows his stuff with that sport.
World Be Free
February 24th, 2010
9:59 am
Rob-Falalal goes with Wowie – Housley and Oh-la-la Pierre (Turgeon)
World Be Free
February 24th, 2010
10:01 am
Bill-I have not heard the Thrashers on ANY rumor sites. They need to make a decision on Colby, or he needs to make a decision on what he wants to do. I did hear about Colby back to Pittsburgh a few weeks ago. I don’t see this happening unless there’s salary coming back this way.
Rawhide
February 24th, 2010
10:06 am
WBF – Yes, it’s been quiet. Maybe…maybe too quiet!
Smoothie
February 24th, 2010
10:08 am
I am so ready for Trade-a-palooza! I even started a twitter account so I don’t miss a tweet from Double D, Kevin A or Craig Custance. Man am I sick in the head!
As for Daren and Matty, they are a pretty good tag team. However, after having Matty for a full season, I do find myself more and more annoyed with some of his repetitive phrases like “drive-by” or “carom” and some of his exaggerated calls when he gets excited. But he knows his hockey and he offers a lot more than JP ever did.
I like JP’s voice and his overall call, but his “play dumb” routine where he asked silly and naïve questions in the attempt to set up Eliot were so amateurish and silly. Daren doesn’t need a set up man; he knows when to speak and what to speak about. Now if Matty could just work on expanding his lexicon of phrases like Emrick or Benninatti (sp?), he’ll elevate his stock around TV broadcasting circles.
Bill – did you ask him why he moved around so much? I reckon the answer doesn’t mesh with the positive piece you were intending, but perhaps there were extenuating circumstances.
Rawhide
February 24th, 2010
10:20 am
Bill – did you ask him why he moved around so much? I reckon the answer doesn’t mesh with the positive piece you were intending, but perhaps there were extenuating circumstances.
Smoothie – In his early years, obviously, it was due to his dad’s job. In his professional life, I think he went where the work was…not unlike so many other people.
War Eagle
February 24th, 2010
10:21 am
Good article, Rawhide. Very interesting. If you haven’t done a piece on Kamal, that would also be an interesting read. Kamal can make an instant hockey fan out of you. His excitement level reminds me of the late Jim Fyffe of the Auburn network and Al Ciraldo and Wes Durham for Tech and the Falcons. Too bad WGST doesn’t come in real well in Douglasville anytime after dark. Not always convenient to listen through the internet.
ChippersLoveChild
February 24th, 2010
10:25 am
Excellent read, thanks for this.
Matt is a good guy, but I guess I’m in the minority on this one, I just don’t like him on the play-by-play.
Rawhide
February 24th, 2010
10:41 am
War Eagle – In fact, I had the honor of sitting down with The Grand Kamalian last summer and was able to post up a two-parter on the radio voice of the Thrashers.
Here is part one.
Here is part two.
Look forward to seeing ya’ll again soon.
ChippersLoveChild – I was at Hooters the other day…thought about you.
World Be Free
February 24th, 2010
10:42 am
Smoothie-where you been? I knew this trade talk would bring you out.
Libby
February 24th, 2010
10:50 am
Rawhide, enjoyed your article very much. On Powerplay at 4 PM on NHL Network, Darren was the guest. He said that he believed that Waddell was looking to find a big winger to increase our size.
Smoothie
February 24th, 2010
11:20 am
Libby – Ponikarovsky is a “big” winger, ain’t he?
Bill – I meant after he was all grown up. He moved around quite a bit when he could’ve just stayed put in Anaheim. Sounds like he had a pretty good gig there in Cali…don’t quite understand why you would leave the Big C when you’re in broadcasting and have a good job. But alas, perhaps the pull of the Minnesota was too great for such a hockey lover as Matty.
WBF – I’ve been lurking mostly lately because I don’t have as much to say when it comes to the non-Thrashers chatter. However, I am armed and ready with plenty of blog fodder and I’m starting to ramp up my own blog again with some Olympic hockey material. Check it out if you’re looking for more stuff to read. But I can promise you the material is going to shift back to a Thrashers focus very soon!
PS – Bill, I disagree with your view on trading Afinogenov. Just like Colby, it boils down to his desire to be here and help this team — you know, the one that helped put him back on the map! If he says “nyet”, trade him as he would get a good return. Then flip some of that return for Ponikarovsky as he’s a better fit in this system.
World Be Free
February 24th, 2010
11:25 am
My thoughts on Max-
Max better remember that NOBODY wanted to take a flier on him before the season, only the Thrashers gave him a chance at all! If he wants out, then let him go. Mark “61″ on the wall when he returns so everyone can take a run at him.
Red Light
February 24th, 2010
11:50 am
As posted before, Max has been an October-November guy most of his career. If another team likes him and you can get another pick or a better player by tossing him in a deal, by all means do so.
Let me bring up Penner again, because Poni is going to be in high demand as a rental, and Penner is signed for a few years. Thrashers can’t be in the player rental business or have we all forgotten the 2006-07 deadline debacle?
Smoothie
February 24th, 2010
11:56 am
Why would the price tag for Penner be lower if he has years left?
I know rentals are expensive, but we’d surely have to give up a pretty hefty return to get Penner, especially considering he’s had a very good rebound year. Plus, his high cap number might screw up our budget and chances of bringing back Kubina. But if you don’t think Kubes in the plans, then Penner might be a good idea (assuming Kulda is ready and Bogosian improves).
rob
February 24th, 2010
12:28 pm
WBF- exactly, those were the things you remembered, and his excitement for calling the games. I understand some people down here might not like how fast he talks, I have slowed down quite a bit from when I first moved and people were always telling me to talk slower LOL
da 'boomer
February 24th, 2010
12:29 pm
I listen to a lot of games on my XM radio and have watched TV broadcast from other cities…we have a top-notched crew here in Atlanta. All are total professionals and know the game. Trust me, I have heard some that are almost ‘un-listenable’. The Devils have a female color person on their radio network. It’s horrible. Nashville radio is a joke since Terry & Pete moved to TV. Carolina is awful, too.
Red Light
February 24th, 2010
12:33 pm
Because Edmonton needs to dump salaries to create cap room. Thrashers have plenty of cap room to sign four Kubinas.
Rawhide
February 24th, 2010
12:35 pm
da’boomer – I’ve heard the duo that broadcast the Devils game via XM, the dude and the lady. They are just awful…both of them. They sound like they are talking to kindergardeners.
DWTOO
February 24th, 2010
12:36 pm
Thrasher trade rumors – see Fouth Period. Article about Slava primarily – he’s also on the top 25 tradeable players.
Smoothie
February 24th, 2010
12:51 pm
Red Light – ha! Good one! Cap room and Budget room are entirely different things when it comes to ASG. I hope they spend about $52 M but would not be surprised if they stay right below $50 M if they can’t find another investor to replace Belkin.
After raises for Little, Pavs and Bergie, they will have roughly $12.5M to sign 2 FA forwards, a top-flight D-man and a back-up goalie at a $50M budget. If you bring back Hedberg, then you have about $11M for 3 players. Penner may fit in that equation depending on what you pay for a D-man.
rob
February 24th, 2010
12:58 pm
If we are talking about getting people for a serious run at the playoffs, shouldn’t we be thinking goalie? Or is the consensus that what we have now is the best we can get? If you are looking to get better for next year, than it isn’t as pressing and we should solidify the forwards. I guess the real question is, are ASG and DW hoping we will make the playoffs this year on a prayer, or serious about a run at it? If rentals are all that is out there, I say leave them out there. Beggars can’t be choosers but at the same time, we have to find a way to get people to STAY here. I hate ASG and what they are doing to hockey here, but at the same time I love the game itself. So what do the FANS do to help fix things here? Ignoring hockey here will only make a bad situation worse. You want the team sold, but who will buy if they see that there isn’t as much interest? Sure there were lots of tickets sold before, but a buyer will be looking at now and the future. I think if we want to voice our opinion and make it make some type of difference, the best place to do so which will work best for FANS and the team is at Philips. That will show potential buyers there are people going to the games, it will show the guys playing out there that Atlanta is a place they want to play, and if you want ASG gone, make some noise at the games.
Got a little off the starting point there LOL
PhiK
February 24th, 2010
1:03 pm
Moooooose is going to be on NHL live – nhl.com in a few minutes…….
Wayne stuck in AL
February 24th, 2010
1:12 pm
I’m sorry but Matt (Ambien CR) McConnell is just a snooze; just like Bob Rathbun, he sounds like he should be hosting game shows…
BRING BACK KEN DOUBLE!!!
Wayne stuck in AL
February 24th, 2010
1:14 pm
BTW: Does anyone know that status of radio rights for the Thrashers after this season? The contract is up, and 680 seems to put all its money into the Braves.
World Be Free
February 24th, 2010
1:23 pm
rob-I have to check myself sometimes cause I talk too fast.
You are totally correct ont he goalie thing. we have painted ourselves into a corner by trading Kari. Whether it was a good move or not, I would have waited until after the season, just to see if he had anything left before getting rid of him, with no clear no. 1 to replace him.
Red Light
February 24th, 2010
1:49 pm
29th in shots against. 28th in goals against. Pavelec has a .902 save percentage and a 3.45 goals against average. Both figures are way below Hedberg, BUT, the kid has only appeared in 54 NHL games, so I still say you have to have some patience. If Moose sticks around, he’ll get plenty of action during the course of the last five weeks of the season, BUT, the goaltender of the future is Pavelec. I think we all better get used to that fact and be patient with the 22-year-old. Same with Bogo.
Schroeder
February 24th, 2010
1:58 pm
I read where Mannino is at practice today,Is something in the wind? Why fly a guy to Atl to practice when you could send a cab to Gwinett for their backup to practice w the parent club. Is something up or did we just have a “DOH” moment? Just sayin.
Smoothie
February 24th, 2010
2:12 pm
Pekka Rinne was just extended per the twittering of his agent…some guy by the name of Grossman.
Looks like Dan Ellis could become a viable target for us in FA. He might be a good guy to have battle Pavelec for the starting job next year. The best way to get Pavs to improve is to push him as hard as possible. He knows that Hedberg will never take more than half the games from him going forward so bringing in a guy like Ellis might help make Pavelec great instead of good.
Jason
February 24th, 2010
2:24 pm
Listening to Matt McConnell makes me appreciate what we had in J.P. I’m sure Matt’s a nice guy, but I remember listening to the end of a game we won and he said, “…and THAT’S the Hockey Way!” I wanted to throw up when I heard it, so imagine my joy when they used the Atlanta broadcast for the highlights on On the Fly and what do I hear again? At least the anchor was nice enough to subtly make fun of it.
J.P was understated at times, but when there was something to get excited about, he REALLY got excited. He’d call the game on about a “4″ volume and turn it up to “8″ at the big moments, hit “9″ or graze “10″ when it was huge. McConnell just stays too excited the whole time. He rides along on “7″ the whole time, and then jacks it up to “11″ when the need is there for more excitement.
And on a different topic, they’re practically giving away tickets for the first two home games back. http://www.ticketmaster.com/promo/8gqkg4?camefrom=NHLTHRASHERS_0910_E_022410STH
Dwayne
February 24th, 2010
2:51 pm
When I watch the Thrashers on TV, I just turn the sound OFF and turn the radio on to Larry Munson.
Dwayne
February 24th, 2010
2:55 pm
On trading Colby Armstrong, if everyone knows he will not resign with Atlanta, doesn’t that make him a rental?? In a way?? Trade him and a pick for Poni-ka-rovs-ski. Would Poni (whats his name) give us a better chance at a ployoff spot that Colby??
World Be Free
February 24th, 2010
2:59 pm
Trade Colby for Poni straight up.
The Leafs Nation has been talking about Colby for a long time.
That’s if he does not want to stay here.
Smoothie
February 24th, 2010
3:27 pm
With Colby being a UFA, I’m not so sure the Leafs want to risk not being able to re-sign him on July 1. If Army wants Canada, wouldn’t he prefer Western Canada? If the Leafs were a true buyer at the deadline, then I could see them drooling over Armstrong.
Personally, I think it makes more sense to parlay Finny and Army into picks and prospects at the deadline IF Toronto (Burke) tells Waddudley “you’ve got a deal for Poni as long as you can get us a 1st round pick or a high # 2 along with a prospect.” Rumors are that the price-tag is a 2nd rounder and a prospect. At least I think that’s what I recall reading on Spector’s site.
HookyBob
February 24th, 2010
3:50 pm
Good game,…eh?
Bob
February 24th, 2010
3:55 pm
Colby is exactly Burke’s kind of player. No way Colby re-signs here, so might as well move him.
HB, you watching the game? From the stats it looks like the U.S. are all over the Swiss and Hiller is probably keeping them in the game, no?
HookyBob
February 24th, 2010
3:57 pm
Bob,…..you called it spot on. Announcers just said it is eirily(sp) similar to the Canada-Swiss game in tourin.
Team US is killing a penalty.
World Be Free
February 24th, 2010
4:10 pm
You have to understand-The Leaf Nation thinks Tronna is heaven. All hockey players should want to play in Toronto for nothing. So yes, they would trade for him because it’s paradise.
Canada
February 24th, 2010
4:26 pm
0-0 after 2. Sucks to be dominating a team but not winning due to outstanding goaltending, doesn’t it?
HookyBob
February 24th, 2010
4:33 pm
0-0 end of 2.
Shots are 32+/8 in favor of US.
Crowd,…many wearing Crosby & Luongo jerseys, is decidedly for the Swiss,
Gotta tip my hat to the Swiss.
They took a lot of penalties last part of the 2nd. Methinks yesterday’s game is starting to wear on the older Swiss players. Now,..fear the monkey puck.
Go red, white and blue.
Tim
February 24th, 2010
5:08 pm
Bob, why would Burke trade for Armstrong when he could try and sign him for free this summer, especially if Army decide Toronto is the best spot for him?
Being a buyer is to get good player, that are on the last season with no chance of signing with the current team,to try and improve playoff chance. Toronto of course is not a buyer in this trade deadline. I don’t think Burke would even thinking about getting Armstrong for Poni just for the remaining of the season, when most likely he can trade Poni to another team that could give him long term asset.
Christy
February 24th, 2010
5:16 pm
THAT was a fun game. going into the Olympics I was looking forward to rooting for the Swiss just based on how they had done in Torino. I was sorry to see them go against the US so often.
Brendan
February 24th, 2010
5:38 pm
USA! USA!! USA!!! 2-0 is pretty hotly contested affair with the Swiss. And the Swiss played Canada pretty close, too. Actually, almost all of Switzerland’s games were tightly contested matchups.
Badger Bob
February 24th, 2010
6:11 pm
Tim, you are a voice of sanity in the Poni trade talks. You are absolutely right about TO and Army – if TO is selling, why would you buy one of the valued pending UFAs? And from the Thrashers standpoint, I think continuing the buyer/seller fence stradling they’ve been doing could actually work well – giving up UFAs only if you get back pieces that could help now but will definitely be around for 2 or more years (like Oduya, Bergfors, Cormier, Vishnevskiy).
LAC
February 24th, 2010
6:49 pm
Loved Al Ciraldo, remember those calls… ” Toe meets leather, long high short kick…”
Classic, that larry moosen is the WORST I EVER HEARD.
WBF, No I do not like Rick Jennrette’s delivery and those yells when Buffalo scores are SICK !
Worst is that color guy on Washington, he is horrific to say the VERY least. And Little Tripp Tracey in Carolina, well Tripp needs to return to kindergarden asap to improve what he is trying to say !
what the puck
February 24th, 2010
7:40 pm
Anyone know a link for a live video feed of the Russia vs. Canada game?
what the puck
February 24th, 2010
8:08 pm
http://www.sports-stream.travel2ohrid.com/channel3.html heres al ive feed for anyone who wants to watch the game.
Lee
February 24th, 2010
8:14 pm
If the thrashers make any deals before the deadline, who do ya’ll think will be traded first…not SHOULD….cause that’s easy….but will?
Smoothie
February 24th, 2010
8:18 pm
Wow, the Russians getting buzz-sawed!! If the Canadians keep this margin through 2 periods, does that mean NBC+CN switches to Czechs vs Finns? Hope Russia can at least make it interesting before falling short one goal…Ilya & Max are certainly used to that.
stendec
February 24th, 2010
8:40 pm
The 98 year old lady was in her bikini all set to step onto the ice in Vancouver, British Columbia! Thankfully her presence was not required. SIGH OF RELIEF! The USA was involved in a trap game. Thankfully the Americans escaped the trap to advance into the semifinals! Three monumental sequences. When the puck slid past the goal line a millionth of a second after the second period ended it had to be a bad omen. Swiss netminder lived a charm life for over two periods! American third period power play goal almost ensured the top seed would not lose 1-0 in an Olympic ending shutout defeat. Only puck which would elude Swiss goaltender! Americans caught major break when puck bounced off post then back out into play. Puck could just as easily slipped into net to deadlock score at 1-1 in final period! Empty net goal was just icing on cake. Proud of Americans! Guys did what they had to do. Absolutely love beatdown Canada is putting on overrated Russian bestards! Hope Ilya “Olympic As Well As NHL Bust” Kovalchoke and Alexander “Not So Great After All” O enjoy their flights stateside. NOT REALLY! Heartless scumballs. Hope Canada reaches double figures on damn Soviet slackers. Now 6-2 in second period! This one is over. Plenty of hockey remains tonight. Enjoy the show friends! ++STENDEC++
GaVaHokie
February 24th, 2010
8:49 pm
Interesting… so the Russians play horrible defense, turn the puck over a lot, and need to score a lot of goals to win… sounds familiar.
stendec
February 24th, 2010
9:01 pm
Canada 7 Russia 3 after two periods! I know the one remaining fan of Ilya “Another Giveaway” Kovalchoke in Atlanta is so proud. Russians have IK on power play. Thrasher fans KNOW that is a fatal mistake! ++STENDEC++ Then again. The heartless quitter cannot play defense and is not a team player. Maybe it is not such a mistake after all!
Rawhide
February 24th, 2010
9:12 pm
Just Da-YUM!
GaVaHokie
February 24th, 2010
9:38 pm
I think Ted Leonsis just crapped himself.
World Be Free
February 24th, 2010
10:02 pm
Wonder if Kovy wants to be traded to USA, since Brian Burke runs a first class organization?
World Be Free
February 24th, 2010
10:10 pm
LAC-that’s Craig Laughlin, the color commentator in Washington and I agree he is awful.
Caps play – by – play guy (Bignoti) is good.
The 2 guys in Florida are both bad-I wonder who the picked to tell Denis Potvin he was fired? Pots is alot better than either of the 2 current clowns.
Pete Weber in Nashvile is still the worst. I got into an argument with him on Buffalo radio about 20 years ago. I don’t normally call in on sports radio shows, but Weber was ragging on Mick Ramsey at the hieght of his career. I had to stick up for Rammer because idiot Weber was wrong.
I bought a pair of Ramsey’s old practice skates, so Mike and I are “bros”.
Somaatl95
February 25th, 2010
12:22 am
Poor Kubina. Hope he doesn’t let this follow him back to Atlanta. Sucks his helmet broke at the absolute worst time. And poor Russia, their #71 curse sure looked familiar! At least Finny got a good Goal in the game. I really hope Canada doesn’t advance to the finals… is that wrong?
Tom
February 25th, 2010
5:58 am
Who would have imagined this day in hockey…
Slovakia 4 – 3 Sweden
Finland 2 – 0 Czech Republic
Canada 7 – 3 Russia
Sweden and the Czechs knocked out in the quarters, and a blow out of epic proportions by Canada over Russia.
Let`s Start the Season
February 25th, 2010
6:20 am
So many of our bloggers are coming up with great ideas on trades for the stretch run. All well and good. The reason we were trading before the Olympic break was to dump salary. Yes, Kovy and Lettenemin were sent out to unload salary. That`s why, sad to say. any future deals between now and the trade deadline will be for that reason.
World Be Free
February 25th, 2010
7:51 am
USA is not the Dark Horse-Slovakia is
GaVaHokie
February 25th, 2010
8:14 am
LAC and WBF… Craig Laughlin is terrible… I feel like I’m listening to Liberace commentate the game.
World Be Free
February 25th, 2010
9:04 am
GaVa-the irony is that Joe Bignoti, Washington’s P-B-P man is good.
Bob
February 25th, 2010
9:16 am
All I know is it’s great to be watching some fantastic hockey. 3 more great games to go (couldn’t care less about the bronze unless we’re in it). Wouldn’t it be great if our boys can come out of this break and make a run of their own? Even though we have no prayer in the playoffs, it’d be awesome to make the run and get in.
Bob
February 25th, 2010
9:19 am
is it true that U.S.-Finland is going to be at 3pm EST on Friday?!?
World Be Free
February 25th, 2010
9:19 am
rob-here is your Mal Davis moment-
http://blogs.buffalonews.com/sports_ink/2010/02/this-day-in-buffalo-sports-history-mals-big-moment.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+typepad%2Fbuffalonews%2Fsports_ink+%28Sports%2C+Ink%29
GaVaHokie
February 25th, 2010
9:34 am
Not sure if anyone else has noticed this, but I printed out the Olympic hockey TV schedule on NBC before the games even started. Feb. 11th to be exact.
The 3pm game on Friday says “Ryan Miller and U.S. men’s Hockey Team head into the semifinal round with a medal in sight.”
How did they know that?
da 'boomer
February 25th, 2010
10:06 am
How good would a combined Czech Republic/Slovokia be? BTW – screw you Ilya…it looks as if you do not play defense regadless of the jersey you are wearing.
R. Stroz
February 25th, 2010
10:45 am
Looks as if Milbury has caused a stir with comments about the Russians bringing their “Eurotrash” game last night.
http://olympics.fanhouse.com/2010/02/24/mike-milbury-cant-believe-russia-brought-its-eurotrash-game/?icid=main|htmlws-main-n|dl1|link1|http%3A%2F%2Folympics.fanhouse.com%2F2010%2F02%2F24%2Fmike-milbury-cant-believe-russia-brought-its-eurotrash-game%2F
From my perspective, these are the points I took from that game:
1) Russian coaches need to revert back to emphasizing defense again. The Soviet Red Army team knew how to play defense. The forwards knew how to play defense. To use an analogy, the Russian hockey team and the USA basketball team from six years back forgot how to play a fundamentally solid game as they prefered “flashy ESPN style highlight moments.” As a result, both teams were humiliated.
2) Kovy’s next contract is dwindling in amount every shift. Either he’s hiding an injury or is playing not to get hurt. At this point, I’d guess his fair market value has fallen below 7.5 million per season.
3) Why did the Russians lose? Most of the KHL players were too slow, Nikulin included, and the NHL Russian forwards wouldn’t play defense.
Viking
February 25th, 2010
10:52 am
da’ Boomer, “the old Czechoslovakia” was a strong contender every year.
Fell asleep at the end of Finland – Czech Rep. game. Woke up halfway through Sweden -Slovakia. Still 0-0. A few minutes later the “fiveconsecutiveshotsresultinginfourgoals” ensued. (Slovakia had only 14 shots for the whole game, with 7 in the last two periods.)
Unbelievable. Especially since “King Henrik” was in the process of manufacturing an Olympic record of shutout play. I guess my fellow Swedes were not only playing Slovakia, but also the laws of statistics…
The high pressure applied by Team Sweden for the rest of the game did not result in more than 3 tallies, so my guys were sent home by Hossa, Gaborik, Chara & Co. No more sleep after that experience.
While I did considered Slovakia to be in the middle, it is incredible how tight it has become between the top and bottom hockey nations this year. Heck, even Norway did as good as Sweden against Slovakia! Does this mean that we might face a possible defeat against Norway in 4 years? Horrible thought. (Do not laugh on my expense, it can happen to USA too.)
Stendec had me beat in our quibble about Russia’s excellence. For the rest of the way I will root for any team except for Canada.
whitaker77
February 25th, 2010
11:31 am
I am part of the minority but I cannot stand Matt. There is just something about him that makes me think of a fool. I am sure he has a wealth of knowledge about the game, and he acts as if he cares about the game, but he is the reason why I watch the games on TV with MUTE on or change the channel in between periods. I am shocked to learn that he has been in the industry for over a decade he looks so uncomfortable in front of the camera. Not to also mention that there is NO chemistry between Matt and Darren. If you watch Darren’s facial reactions to Matt there is at least one moment were you can tell that Darren thinks that Matt just acted the fool (rolling his eyes, sidewise glances, having to step out of frame, and so on). Also if you listen during play you can hear the unease between the two. It is funny and sad at the same time, but most of all painful to hear and watch.
I believe that play-by-play and color commentator combos should be like comedy duos, one straight man and one funny man. The Thrashers have their “Straight man” in Darren, but they by no means have their “funny man” with Matt.
Right now I think the best combo is that of Drew Remenda and Randy Hahn, the announcers for the San Jose Sharks. They can play-off of each other very well, they balance each other, they know their hockey, they are not bias (when an opponent makes a great play they call it a great play), they have no problem calling the Sharks players out for a boneheaded play, and they make watching the game that much better.
That is my 2 cents…
Red Light
February 25th, 2010
11:31 am
Interesting that the two hottest goalies in the tournament will face off against one another Friday afternoon. Miller has a 1.25 GAA and .944 save %, while Kiprusoff has 1.33 GAA and .947 save %. Thinking about leaving work a bit early and heading to TJs for the 3 p.m. start.
I was thinking just how good Eric Staal would be for the Canes if he had a bit more offensive help in Carolina. Whitney and Jokinen are good players, but playing with Iggy and Crosby shows Staal’s true value. I like watching that guy play!
Nikita
February 25th, 2010
12:05 pm
I’m glad he likes his job, but I can’t say I like listening to him. The problem, for me, is that he lacks personality. Darren Ellioitt may occasionally sound like he’s insane, but we love to catch the Atlanta feed so we can hear him do his rather wacky thing. He knows the game, but he also brings a lot of personality and flair to it. Matt does not, though obviously he also knows the game.
I still like Kamal, too.
Nikita
February 25th, 2010
12:07 pm
Darren’s supposed to be the straight man? Really?
a) he doesn’t sound all that straight when he talks about Moose.
b) seriously, he has moments where he reminds me of the football commentator from South Park.
World Be Free
February 25th, 2010
12:19 pm
Stroz-remember my Kovy contract prediction when he was traded. I predicted Kovy would get .60/dollar on his new deal, compared to what the Thrashers offered him. Now .60 may be a bit low, but I am confident that he won’t get what Atlanta offered him.
World Be Free
February 25th, 2010
12:32 pm
Stroz-Milbury is such an idiot, he’s the Terry Bradshaw of hockey announcing. He’s a Don Cherry kinda guy; you know, an IQ of around 75 (Forrest Gump territory). Remember when Milbury went up in the stands in MSG back in ‘79? He got into a fight, ripped off a guy’s shoe and beat him with it. If he fought a woman, would he have hit the woman with her puse? Or his purse?
The Russians lost because Canada ran them out of the rink. The first 7 minutes were all about physical intimidation. Russia never recovered. Kovy spent all of his time along the boards, refusing to pay the price and go to the net. Givin’ it all for his country.
Whitaker-SAJ and LA both have good annoucing teams. LA has Miller and Fox who play very well off each other. Too bad they are on the left coast, up late at night.
Pittsburgh Pirate Fan
February 25th, 2010
12:56 pm
The joke of the league is located in Toronto, known as the Maple Leafs. The Leafs are near the bottom of the standings, they have no 1st round pick this year or next year and their farm team is last too.
Are we sure this is where Army wants to go? What fool would sign with the Leafs as a UFA?
whitaker77
February 25th, 2010
1:25 pm
Pittsburgh Pirate Fan: Give the buds a year or two and you will be eating your words. Brian Burke may at times seem to have or be making strange to bad moves, but in the long run they work out to be outstanding. Just look at Team USA, when the team was pick people thought he was crazy too young, too small, there was no way they would make the medal rounds, and Canada would slaughter them. Fast-foreward to today and I think the tune has changed.
I am sure that given a chance to either sign with the Thrashers or the Maple Leafs 99% of the players would say the leafs even if the Thrashers finish ahead of them, and part of the reason will be Brian.
I am tired of seeing SuperStar leave Atlanta, but I am more upset about the role players that leave. Most give lip service saying they want to be here, but when they leave and are asked about why they did not sign too often we hear “I want a multi-year contract and they only offered me 1 year.” or “I want 2 million a year and the highest they would go was a million.” You need stars on your team but even more important are the role players, think how bad our PK line would be with out Reasoner.
We cannot keep the Hossa’s, Ilya’s, and Kaberle’s (soon maybe not the Kane’s, Little’s, or Bogo’s) of the league; and we have trouble keeping the Sim’s, Recchi’s, Bélanger’s, and so on.
What does that leave us? a team made up of our most recent draft picks (only if they are first rounds), players in their twilight, players no team want [to take a chance on],and 4th liners.
We have all said it the front office needs to wake up, the cluster phuc of an ownership needs to get their heads straight. If they want to sell the team then SELL IT ALREADY!!! If the NHL is determine to keep the team here in Atlanta (Which I think they are) then I say sell it, not too many owners could run this team any worst than it has been.
Just my brain-farts…
Smoothie
February 25th, 2010
1:53 pm
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/hockey/stars/stories/022510dnsporibeiroitem.14e50d377.html
Ron Hainsey for Mike Ribeiro? Now that would be a coup!!
Isn’t it just a little early to give up on Mike Ribeiro? Hell, they’ve got Kari Lehtonen now…who needs good d-men!!?
Pittsburgh Pirate Fan
February 25th, 2010
1:59 pm
whitaker-I think what is going to get Burke is the “win now” attitude in Toronto. These fans are so starved for a winner. They won’t wait for Burke to reload. You have to build a winner from the draft. Burke has sold out the next 2 years at least trying to win now.
The Leaf Nation will get tired of Ron Wilson soon, he’ll be gone and they will have to start all over again. This isn’t Wilson’s fault, but he’ll take the fall. I have been watching this pattern for 40 years, sitting in the balcony in Buffalo. Love it when Punch Imlach used the Sabres to exact his revenge on Toronto.
five_hole
February 25th, 2010
2:33 pm
If this story is true, will the team change it’s name to the Atlanta Chickens?
http://www.ajc.com/news/effort-launched-to-make-328963.html
Rawhide
February 25th, 2010
2:38 pm
five_hole – The Atlanta Chickens. Hmmmm…interesting. Now, think about the possibilities here.
Certainly over the course of the past decade we’ve seen enough…ahem… eggs laid out on the ice of Philips Arena. So, if such a change were to be made… then maybe now we could see not only the bird head above the ice spewing out fire when Atlanta scores, but also dropping an egg onto the ice when the opposing team does.
Not only that, but…
When an opposing team looks to drop their gloves with an Atlanta player saying, “Come on…what are ya…chicken?”, they could legitimately reply, “Well…yeah. It’s right here on my jersey”.
The player currently wearing the number 12 jersey…well, he could simply be referred to as…shall we say… the White meat in the lineup.
When the team falls behind by two or three goals early on, TV commentators Matt McConnell and Darren Eliot as well as Dan Kamal on radio could then tell us how Atlanta will try and…ahem…peck away at the lead.
When TV cameras zoom into coach John Anderson’s face…maybe he’ll be blasting out to the refs, “What the CLUCK”?!?!
And finally…to generate advertising dollars from Chic-Fil-A, while doing live on-air interviews during intermissions, general manager Don Waddell could sport a cow costume with a sandwich sign that reads, “Eat More Chicken…you know, like we ate Alexei Zhitnik’s contract for two seasons”.
Yes folks…this could be the new identity the organization has been looking for!!!
Badger Bob
February 25th, 2010
2:39 pm
Mike Milbury defending his “Eurotrash” comment:
http://www.twitvid.com/0F54A
Yes, he’s a Don Cherry wanna be, horrible as a GM, and says stupid stuff, but he was absolutely right about the Russian game. The Russians played a Kovy NHL mid-season kind of game in a Stanley Cup sudden death atmosphere. I don’t like MIlbury, but I totally agree with his comment.
Did anyone else notice Finny killing penalties for the Russians? I loved his goal and still like his game, but penalty killing? Was that bad coaching by Bykov or bad player selection by Tretiak?
Smoothie
February 25th, 2010
2:45 pm
Badger Bob – a little bit of both, but the player selection must be questioned. Viktor Kozlov?? Are you serious? Fedorov?? How old is he? 54? Goodness gracious. And too many pile-ons pretending to be D-men. Other than Radulov and perhaps Zaripov, who played okay throughout the tournament, they did not seem to have the right “role” players. Then again, was anyone actually assigned the role of aggressive defense?
Badger Bob
February 25th, 2010
2:49 pm
A clip from Jimmy Fallon, with some pretty good seats for the Canada – Russia game. After the hockey we’ve seen for the past week, its going to be tough to go back to regular NHL games…
http://www.twitvid.com/72C51
Pittsburgh Pirate Fan
February 25th, 2010
2:50 pm
Another thing that hurt the Russians early were thos 70-80 foot passes. That does not work in tight Olympic medal games.
Bob
February 25th, 2010
2:57 pm
I saw Milbury’s comments live and the look on Roenick’s face when he made them was priceless. I agree 100% with Milbury and couldn’t care less who’s panties get in a bunch. Kovalchuk and the Russians did play a soft pansy Eurotrash game. They got snotknockered by hockey players. Good riddance, Kovy, and good luck floating your way around the league the rest of your career. He’s not a guy to build a club around. $7.5m per year, ok. $10 or 11m per year? Sayonara, comrade.
Mrs. Zoomo
February 25th, 2010
3:28 pm
“The brown thrasher is the state bird, and what’s it ever done for the state of Georgia?” But its a tough looking bird and a cool name for a hockey team!
Alan R.
February 25th, 2010
3:40 pm
Bill, you’re a very punny guy. Very punny, indeed.
Lee
February 25th, 2010
3:43 pm
Rawhide – If we change our name, but still continue to play bad, they’ll be LOTS of eggs on the ice!
five_hole
February 25th, 2010
3:47 pm
LOL. Bill, I see you’re still doing 2 shows a night (and tip your waitresses).
I might ponder how this might affect the ice girls (for example, it would give the term “finger lickin’ good” a whole new meaning), but I know my better half also reads this blog, so I think I’ll stop there.
R. Stroz
February 25th, 2010
4:00 pm
Change the name to the Atlanta Chiefs, since we can’t figure out who owns the team from week to week.
fes
February 25th, 2010
4:31 pm
if we become the chickens, maybe anderson can flap his arms like hanlon did towards hartley in november ‘06. that was some funny stuff.
Red Light
February 25th, 2010
4:40 pm
Good one Stroz!
Pittsburgh Pirates Fan said: “They won’t wait for Burke to reload. You have to build a winner from the draft. Burke has sold out the next 2 years at least trying to win now”
I must disagree!
Not every team has to build through the draft, although long-term that seems like the best idea. Pittsburgh had seven guys on their team through the draft from 2000 to 2007, or one player per year when they won last year. Detroit had eight guys on their team through the draft from 1999 to 2007, or one per year, and only one was a first-rounder the year they won it. The draft isn’t the only answer.
Half of the No. 1 picks (entering this season) from the 1999 draft had played 0 to 200 games in the NHL. 13 of 30 from 2000 played 0 to 200 games in the league. 14 in 2001 and 2002, and 10 in 2003. The draft isn’t always full of Crosbys, Ovechkins, etc. Sometimes you get Hugh Jessiman, Martin Vagner, Dan Blackburn, Alexandr Svitov and Adrian Foster. How are they working out?
It was John Ferguson, Jr. who gave Blake $4 million per year, Hagman $3 million per year, Finger $3.5 million per year, Kubina $5 million per year, Stempniak $1.882 per year, Kaberle $4.25 million, Toskala $4 million and Mike van Ryn $2.9 million.
Burke unloaded Blake, Hagman, Toskala and Kubina, and picked up Kessel, and then Komisarek, Beauchemin and Phaneuf to improve the “D” along with Giguere. Yes, they don’t have No. 1 picks, but Burke got a 22-year-old winger with 66 goals in 221 games and signed him for five years. Would you trade two No. 1s for a proven NHL player, rather than gamble on an unproven 18-year-old. I know I would.
Personally, I think the Canucks and Ducks were better off after having Burke as their GM, and I believe you’ll see the same from the Leafs. If you had to ask me and others: which team will win the Cup first, the Leafs or the Thrashers? I could be wrong, but I’m guessing the majority would say the Leafs.
Putting On The Foil
February 25th, 2010
5:23 pm
Hey five_hole. How about moving the team to Cobb County and call them the Big Chickens?
Putting On The Foil
February 25th, 2010
5:25 pm
Sorry. Big Chickens probably wouldn’t be good should fans start referencing the male bird.
LAC
February 25th, 2010
6:44 pm
Just wanted to know…. Has ANYONE heard IF Bilkin paid his $2 Million today ???
World Be Free
February 25th, 2010
8:32 pm
Canucks and Ducks don’t have the win now pressure that the Leafs have to win now. I think it is going to be tough to reload the Leafs quickly. Too many mistakes made by Leafs’ management over the last 7-8 years. Another bad deal that nobody talks about-giving up Tuuka Rask for Andrew Raycroft. Raycroft was ran out of Toronto, he’s buried as a backup in Vancouver. In contrast, Rasks has beat out Tim Thomas, last year’s Vezina Trophy winner as starter in Boston. Burke is good, but he’s in a big hole with not enough assets to work with. He’s gonna have to get lucky to improve in the next 2 years. The cornerstone of his franchise will be playing in Boston the next 10 years.
And the league needs a good Toronto team.
Atlanta Chiefs-all I can think of is that French Canadian goalie from “Slap Shot” saying-
“Who own da Chiefs”?
stendec
February 25th, 2010
8:51 pm
Choke. CHOKE. CHOKE! Thanks for nothing USA hockey women. Was it the time of month for all of you at the same damn time? Totally embarrassing! Ashamed to be an American right now. Boo hoo. Cry me a handful. Miserable heartless losers! Pulled a damn Ilya Kovalchuk on entire country. Could not hit an open net from six inches away! Vaunted power play? Vaunted power play my a$$! Would not shoot with edge of two players. Doubt they could have scored with six players (extra attacker) against one defender. Shut out? In Olympics? To a far inferior team? Completely unacceptable! Clean house. Time to rebuild this hopeless organization! Damn them. ++STENDEC++
stendec
February 25th, 2010
8:55 pm
Hee hee hee! Laugh while getting those silver medals you damn quitters. True champions are angered by also ran status. Guess it suits all of you overrated scags! Why not just stay in damn Canada? Sure that country loves you! Second place is first loser. Stick those silver medals! ++STENDEC++
Rawhide
February 25th, 2010
9:10 pm
OK…as promised, here is my interview with Matt McConnell’s partner in crime Darren Eliot.
World Be Free
February 25th, 2010
9:13 pm
Stendec-you were predicting a win for the women earlier in the week. Great post, that’s the Stendec we all know. You were getting soft!
I heard the Thrashers just re-acquired Kari.
stendec
February 25th, 2010
9:48 pm
USA hockey floozies are so proud of their damn silver medals they are going to have them bronzed! ++STENDEC++ Are there any women in United States who can play hockey with passion? Start their training now! Dump all the quitters on this so called team. Embarrassing barflies!
Badger Bob
February 26th, 2010
10:30 am
On US losing to “a far inferior team”. Stendec, what are your criteria for ranking teams? Canada had beaten the US squad five straight times leading up to the Olympics.