Darren Eliot is doing what he likes and liking what he does
Darren Eliot has one simple piece of advice for anyone regarding their profession, their pastimes, hobbies and passions. That is… you should do what you like and like what you do.
It’s a simple enough rule, really…but how many of us can truly say that about everything we do in life? Well, after spending some time with the Thrashers’ TV analyst, I honestly believe he’s one of those who can do just that.
Eliot grew up in a southern Ontario. His dad’s career moved them around while growing up and he enjoyed what is considered to be a true, tradition Canadian upbringing…enjoying playing hockey every chance he could.
”I was on the ice a three [years of age]”, Darren told me. “Playing the game out in the streets, on the ponds, in the creeks…just playing hockey all the time”.
Sports in general were his passion, playing every one he could growing up…high school football, baseball, lacrosse and tennis. “Ya know, one season ended and I’d pick up another…but hockey was THE sport”.
And being the kid in goal was just something that seemed to fit his style. “Because I moved around a lot, I was always the new kid a lot so it was OK, I guess, that I was a goalie…you’re just kinda in your own world so you just go out and play and meet friends that way and you become part of the group pretty quickly”.
He started playing in Burlington, ON, moved to Oshawa, then to Windsor, and then back to Oshawa. That’s where he began his junior hockey playing days.
“My Junior B coach there was Mike Keenan, and we had a pretty good player on our team as a 15-year by the name of Dale Hawerchuk”, Eliot recalled. “Keenan was a St. Lawrence grad and he was the one who put me on the path to college hockey…I had never even considered it, to be quite honest with you. I was drafted by the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL, then the rights were traded to my home town Oshawa”.
Darren Eliot has been bringing us Thrashers commentary since the team began play.
But he knew he would have a life beyond his playing days. “So I chose the college path, he said, “Thankfully”.
“First year at Cornell we win the ECAC Championship”, he went on. “Had the chance to defend the title against Providence the second year, but still made it to the NCAA playoffs. Made it to the Frozen Four the first year, though it wasn’t called that then”.
In that championship round, he went up against a couple guys that he’d cross paths again with later down the road. “We actually lost that year to Don Waddell and Steve Weeks’ team…Michigan University. Don scored the game winning goal on me”.
Eliot was an All-American as a senior in college and his goaltending partner Brian Hayward. “We played three years together, he was an All-American in his senior year, which meant I didn’t play a lot in my junior year”.
But his time at Cornell was time well spent…earning two All-Ivy Team selections, the All-American honor and being elected to the Sphinx Head Society in his senior year. And if that wasn’t enough, he was inducted into the Cornell Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996.
After finishing college with a degree in agricultural economics, he then had the opportunity to wear his nation’s colors.
“Timing wise, as luck would have it, they were putting together the Canadian hockey team and so I got to play with Team Canada in the ’84 Olympics in Sarajevo… I deferred turning pro with the Kings for that”.
When the time did come to begin his pro career, he did so in Los Angeles… playing there for the next three and a half years and compiling a record of 25-41-11 with the Kings. He then was traded to Detroit, though he spent most of that time in Adirondack.
He then signed with the Buffalo Sabres as a free agent to be a player-coach for their affiliate in Rochester. “I thought that was the path I was going to take…get into coaching that way. I was there one season, it didn’t work out…so I decided to go to grad school. I had a few opportunities to keep playing but decided enough was enough”.
His NHL career numbers…25-41-12 with a 4.59 GAA and .851 SV% with one shutout during 89 games played.
But as he had prepared for, the days after his playing career were now upon him.
While completing grad school at Eastern Michigan, he got into business with a software company but stayed with hockey by coaching high school, writing for Michigan hockey and running goalie schools. That’s also the time that Eliot entered into the broadcasting world with the Detroit Vipers of the IHL. There, he learned both the TV and radio ends of the business.
And before long…that part of his career just seemed to take off.
“The NHL started expanding and I got a call from the San Jose Sharks to see if I wanted to join their broadcasting team…didn’t get that job but then I got a call from Anaheim, ended up going out there for a couple of years then Turner Sports gave me a call and I’ve been here since day-one”.
Through it all, he has always been a teacher of the game… whether it’s from the booth, or on the ice with the youth. In fact, my oldest tax-exemption took part in one of Eliot’s summer hockey camps several years back. I’m sure there are quite a few of you out there who can say the same.
“You know, I got into business when I got out of hockey, but I never got out of hockey and hockey never got out of me…so I found ways to stay in it. In Michigan a new high school program was started and I got involved there…friends of mine ran a company called Suburban Hockey and they didn’t have any goaltending program, so I designed one for them, staffed and ran it…I ran the hockey school and the goalie school for the Ducks during the summers I was out there. And so the same thing happened here, after a couple years in”.
Regarding the situation in the Atlanta community, Eliot knew there was already a foundation to build from…the attention simply needed to put in the correct direction.
“The focus was on the guys who didn’t play hockey…they were looking for everyone who wasn’t a hockey fan and were trying to convert them. And I thought they were taking for granted the hockey playing community that was already here. So I got involved and we built the hockey development team…and that’s been very rewarding”.
In regards to the number of rinks in the area for youth hockey, I asked Eliot if he thought the organization should be looking to open new ones in the community…or if it was a situation where the demand would lead to the supply.
“Oh I think the demand is certainly there, the existing rinks are max out and there is a new rink being built finally off of GA 400… the first new one being built since the Little Blueland at the MIC. But it’s an expensive undertaking for the organization to take it on. So, you leave to private enterprise locally and support it the best way you can”.
Continuing, he cited how this situation could have been handled from the onset. “I’ve thought it should have been a condition of expansion that every team, out of escrow, should have had to have built at least three rinks in every ‘non-traditional’ hockey market… because you can’t grow this sport without that base”.
The conversation then moved naturally to the Thrashers and their season so far. Like his partner in the booth Matt McConnell, he is concerned with the team’s inability to play a more consistent brand of hockey. He places this issue on the fact that the organization is still coping with an “identity crisis”.
“They’ve never been a team…for whatever reason…that has been able to assert their game. And maybe that’s because it’s an emerging identity. I think you see a lot of teams that come out and they know who they are when they hit the ice. But I think this team let’s the game dictate who they are on any particular night and any given situation and that why you get the inconsistencies…why you get the slow starts and you see moments of inspired play followed by play where you say to yourself ‘well where did that come from’?”
“But that takes a lot of time”, he added, then points to the fact that John Anderson has been with the club for only a year and a half and it’s sometimes difficult to brand that identity on the team in that time.
However, Eliot feels tat dealing with this “identity crisis” could be the key to any playoff hopes the team has. “They have to find a level of consistency that puts them in position to win games more often then not…they’ve ‘chased’ games a lot this year. They’ve played more one-goal games then any one else in the National Hockey League and some of those are due to the ‘chasing’. And sometimes they couldn’t quite catch up, couldn’t quite get over the hump and get something in the standings. So whatever that takes…whatever element that is…whether it’s an individual performance, goaltending, special teams…to me, it’s night in and night out finding a way to be consistent. And that will turn one-goal losses into one-goal wins”.
Like Darren Eliot stated before…although he’s left hockey, it’s never left him. And much like McConnell’s response regarding what he likes best about his profession, he simply enjoys being near the sport he loves so much.
“I like being at the rink”, he said smiling. “So it really doesn’t matter what rink I’m at, I’m just happy to be at the rink. The analyst part is really about presentation. It’s no different to me than getting up in front of 300 employees and giving a quarterly meeting. It’s all about presentation, it’s all about not only saying things succinctly but also trying to educate and entertain at the same time”.
And what about this Matt McConnell guy he spends so much time with?
“There’s not a lot of non-verbal communication”, when it comes to the flow of discussion during the game. “It’s more of a rhythm…we both try and have fun without slipping into comedy”.
I chimed in with the observation that the two come off as two guys who genuinely like to watch hockey together, enjoy their jobs and working with each other …to which McConnell responded, “It’s kinda like what Darren always says…’to do what you like and like what you do’.
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101 comments Add your comment
Brendan
February 26th, 2010
1:09 pm
It’s one thing to engage your boss in name calling, it’s quite another to watching a failing policy or practice and not point out that corrective action is needed. It’s a balancing act that can be pulled off. The key to that situation is to make it APPEAR that it was your boss’ idea, ALL the time.
Mrs. Zoomo
February 26th, 2010
1:13 pm
Great piece. Darren is a great guy and very sincere…but keep in mind he probably wants to keep his job!!!
Red Light
February 26th, 2010
1:27 pm
World: I think some team will offer Kubina $6 million per year for at least a couple of years. Five of his last six seasons he has exceeded 35 points and has an even rating with brutal defensive teams. That should say a lot to them. He averages more than 22 minutes per game too and will turn 33 in April. He might get a three- or four-year deal at that price tag.
His team’s GAA average since 2005-06
Tampa Bay 18th/3.12
Toronto 25th/3.20
Toronto 27th/3.12
Toronto 30th/3.49
Atlanta 28th/3.15
World Be Free
February 26th, 2010
1:31 pm
Good info Red Light-I’d take him at $6M
Bob
February 26th, 2010
2:04 pm
“I wonder what Colby and Pavel have said to him. Hope both are committed to staying, but I won’t get my hopes up too high.”
Colby and Pavel are both out of here. All you needed to know about the chances of re-signing Pavel was answered when Oduya was brought in. He’s gone.
Colby as well, all you needed to know there was the 1 year contract he signed last summer.
Boys, the rats are jumping off this sinking ship faster than all but the most liberal Dems off of Obama’s.
Alan R.
February 26th, 2010
2:42 pm
Hmmn, don’t these Canadian girls remember the rule? “Beer before BOOZE, you LOSE. You’re gonna SPEW.” The correct path is, as follows. “Booze BEFORE BEER, you’re in the CLEAR … you’re gonna get SCHMEARED.” Words to party by!
*ring ring* … *ring ring* ….
Brendan, according to the Caller ID, there is a Mr. Science on the phone. I think he wants to have a word with you…
In all seriousness, the premise that having one type of alcohol before another determines whether or not you’re going to have a rough night is a proven falsehood.
Badger Bob
February 26th, 2010
3:09 pm
US benefitting from braindead goaltending again – first Brodeur, now the Kipper
Bob
February 26th, 2010
3:32 pm
Badger, damn, I have this copied, but nice to know we’re up 1-0! I’ll ban myself from the blog now until tonight when I can fire up the DVR and hopefully watch the boys get into the gold medal game.
Alan R.
February 26th, 2010
3:39 pm
I can’t watch much at work, because the internet here is worse than dial-up right now… but wow. It’s a slaughterhouse in that arena!
Badger Bob
February 26th, 2010
3:42 pm
Um, sorry, Bob. I meant to say “Nice save, Kipper!”
Bob
February 26th, 2010
3:50 pm
lol, never mind, I’ll watch the Canada game live I guess. Someone just walked into my office and told me the score, can’t wait to watch the DVR of it!
Christy
February 26th, 2010
4:04 pm
alan – slaughter house is kind.
1st goal was on Kiprusoff certainly, but I think the rest can just as easily be dumped on Finn’s defense or lack thereof. There were in shock, I think that the first came so quick. Then the 2nd opened the floodgates. The D was leavin lanes wide open, not moving to block, just SLOW. And then it was like the entire team quit for a few minutes.
The problem now is for US not to let up too much…. they got sloppy a little at the beginning of 2nd but have tightened up again.
LAC
February 26th, 2010
6:04 pm
Bob, I want nothing to do with The Loser, His stinch of losing would likely cost me my businesses.
He has cursed this team and I don’t know what can be done to remove this Idiot.
Bill, I agree with Sage, Darren does a good job, I agree with the company line, I really really wonder
what his “Real” comments would be about this GM we endure… Would be interesting to hear.
But his “moving forward” comments, has to go, it is so depressing, when we are in the tank.
Let’s see what happens next… Will be more tragic for the team !
Brendan
February 26th, 2010
9:40 pm
Canada and Slovakia are underway now. I don’t know what I’m rooting for. On the one hand, Canada beat the USA in 2002. And “to be the BEST, you always want to BEAT THE BEST.” So, in that sense, I want Canada to win. On the other hand, I like the way the USA matches up with Slovakia. And let’s not forget, it’d be YET ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY for Marian Hossa to FAIL on the big stage. Strike 1: 2008 Cup Finals. Stike 2: 2009 Cup Finals. Strike 3? Gold medal game vs. USA. If Hossa falters, he’ll blame the massive hit Colby Armstrong put on him just prior to the Olympics.
For the sake of the NHL, they need Canada vs. USA. It’d finally FORCE NBC to air it!!! Imagine that!!!!
Brendan
February 26th, 2010
9:43 pm
Can I just say that I feel bad for Kiprussoff. I really do see him as an upper echelon goalie. But he had a rough outing. Of ALLL the times to have a bad day at the office, the Olympics is one of the worst. The memory will linger for four years. I hope Kipper puts it behind him and leads the Calgary Flames to a nice playoff run.
R. Stroz
February 26th, 2010
11:09 pm
Brendan – I’m going to go out on a limb with my clairvoyant powers and predict a USA versus Canada game for the gold.
R. Stroz
February 26th, 2010
11:21 pm
I really hope Todd White will waive his “no talent clause” so he can be moved to the KHL.
Brendan
February 27th, 2010
12:29 am
Well, irrespective of Sunday’s outcome, Team USA will have at least TWO (2) silver medals in Ice Hockey in these Vancouver Games. And I think that’s pretty good.
In Women’s hockey, I saw it like this:
1. USA
2. Canada
3. Sweden
It actually went:
1. Canada
2. USA
3. Finland
The Men’s bronze medal game will feature Slovakia vs. Finland. I’ll give th edge to Finland. But recent play suggest that the Slovaks will prevail. Kiprussoff had a terrible game, in that 6-1 loss to the Americans.
In the gold medal game, Vegas probably says Canada wins. They’re the host. They were the favorite coming in. The U.S. has overachieved. But the Americans own a recent 5-3 win over Canada. So, anything’s possible. It’s difficult to defeat a team twice in the same Games. Even if the USA comes up short, a silver medal in Ice Hockey, given their seed by Vegas oddsmakers, is a great achievement for the U.S.
And credit GM Brian Burke. His Team USA squad went 3-0-0 for 9-points in pool play. In elimination round play, the Americans are 2-0, with wins over Switzerland and Finland. That’s good enough for 5-0-0, overall. Canada hit some bumps along the way. They were forced to a shootout with Switzerland. They lost to the Americans. They just got tested by the Slovaks, 3-2, in a nail biter. But the Canadians blasted Germany, 8-2, and they demolished the Russians, 7-3. So, I definitely see the “fire” of the Canadian team, recently.
Ryan Miller, the U.S. goalie, has a nice shutout streak going. He’ll be well rested, as Tim Thomas mopped up for him once the Finland game was clearly decided.
The Canadians “spoiled” the Salt Lake City Games for Team USA, who hosted. Will the Americans return the favor, “ruining” the Vancouver Games for Canada? We shall see.
The 2010 U-17 tournament saw Team USA win the Championship. At the World Juniors, it was Team USA, in overtime, 6-5, over Canada. I asked, “Is there an American revolution brewing in Ice Hockey?”
If the Americans take the Gold at the Olympics, as well, the answer is, “Yes.” One’s a fluke. Two’s a coincidence. Three is a trend.
Brendan
February 27th, 2010
12:31 am
R.Stroz, your laser-like precision in pronostication never ceases to amaze me. On Sunday, I fully expect to see an “EXACT FINAL SCORE” for the USA vs. Canada game. I know you can do it, R.Stroz. You’ve provent that you can.
LAC
February 27th, 2010
12:48 am
Gee Whiz… See on the “other” blog the asg Tool, Again praising waddell, Now if ANYONE out there does not think the beat writer is NOT a complete tool of asg, Please raise your hand !
Tony C.
February 27th, 2010
4:27 am
I dunno if I would really want a cigar-smoking women….the blonde is kinda cute though…
World Be Free
February 27th, 2010
7:44 am
Stroz-I always thought Henny Youngman was the King of the One-Liners. You got him beat when it comes to hockey one-liners.
Red Light
February 27th, 2010
10:04 am
So, lets take a stab at who is leaving between March 1, 12 am and March 3, 3 pm. That’s 63 hours of tough decisions. With a poor group of UFAs this summer, I think if you want to improve your roster for 2010-11 you have to do it via trade, because as we have seen, you can’t overpay for everyone (see Holik, Hainsey).
All you need to know about Armstrong is that he doubled his salary with his one year deal signed last summer. If you sign for double the money and only get a one-year deal? That seems to spell departure. Kubina is gone unless a $6 million miracle shows up. Doubt Waddell departs with $18 to $24 million to keep him and he’s the most valuable piece you have right now. Afinogenov, I doubt anyone wants him but Waddell likely keeps him for the remainder of the season because he’s cheap. Kozlov, if you need to add points via the shootout, Slava’s your man. Contract is a bit expensive for 60 days but I don’t think you can expect more than a fourth- through sixth-rounder or a mid-20s AHL player.
So, you have cap space and plenty of roster options and I look for the “braintrust” to covet guys under contract for two years or more who are in their mid- to late 20s. I seriously doubt the Patrick Sharps of the world will end up here.
Predicitions
Kubina: to Ana, Bos, Buf, Det or Pit
Armstrong: to Bos, TB, Phl or Mtl
Kozzie: to elementary school reading lab
Schubert: for Johannes Brahms and a symphony to be named later
Who can you get in return?
World Be Free
February 27th, 2010
11:58 am
Red Light-return is prospects, picks or overpaid veterans
World Be Free
February 27th, 2010
12:05 pm
Canada vs. USA
Tomorrow’s game is much bigger than just determining the gold medal. For the first time in 30 years, hockey is THE sport to watch in the Olympics. The gold medal game is the marquis event of this Olympics. There will be alotta people watching that have only a passing interest in hockey. Most will be stunned to see no fighting, as they have been so programmed to believe happens in every hockey game. Even ESPN is giving hockey positive press, which is significant in itself.
The question is-does the league have the ability to exploit this game for the NHL’s benefit? We’re coming up to a sprint to the end, which should be exciting. Time for the boys in New York to use this event to elevate the game.
Midfield
February 27th, 2010
12:36 pm
Three Canadians and one Finn to referee the final game? Anybody thinks that they’re keeping it pretty close to the vest?
World Be Free
February 27th, 2010
12:46 pm
Midfield-just watch Short Track skating from last night and figure out how the officiating will be tomorrow.
Brendan
February 27th, 2010
3:26 pm
Red Light, Kubina, as an organizational ASSET, must be dealt, if he will not re-sign. And I suspect he won’t re-sign. He’s not young, either. I cannot say WHERE he’ll be dealt, and for what specific return. But if Mattheiu Schneider, at age 40, netted the organization a 2nd round pick, I expect the same from Waddell.
Now, before we advance much farther, Waddell traded Atlanta’s 2nd round pick to New Jersey, for New Jersey’s much later 2nd round pick. I’d love for Waddell to find a bubble team out West. Red Light, believe it or not, Phoenix might be a good option for Kubina. What do you think of Kubina to the Coyotes for a 2nd round pick? I also like Kubina to the Calgary Flames for a 2nd rounder. Someone just screamed, “why not trade Kubina to his former team, the Lightning?” Well, Waddell would have to explain to the fanbase why he’s ‘clamoring about playoffs’ while dealing one of this season’s team MVP candidates to a division rival, a point or two AHEAD of us in the standings. We’re better off trading out West. I just don’t think Anaheim will buy, or Minnesota.
Okay, Red Light, I’m going to also say that Armstrong will get traded. I’d like to return him to Pittsburgh for a prospect. I’d also be willing to send him to Philly, for a prospect. I don’t know what kind of draft pick compensation we should expect for Armstrong. Maybe a 3rd rounder. What’s that going to amount to?
Ya know, the other day, I heard Mike Milbury say, “After pick #15 in the draft, there’s only about 20% chance the remaining 1st round selections will ever play in the NHL, for any significant period of time.” Twenty-percent (20%). That’s 1 in 5, folks. And that’s a 1st round pick.
When you put these potential moves in that context, sometimes holding on to them makes more sense. One of my favorite examples is the case of Johan Hedberg.
Ready for some “Moose” talk, bloggers? Okay. Here goes some recurring theories. Hedberg is an “old, career backup.” And, “the market for goalies is terrible.” “We’ll be be lucky to get a 5th rounder.” But yet … Hedberg is ESSENTIAL to our playoff berth, so much so, that our organization chose to jettison a former 2nd overall pick, in the form of Kari Lehtonen, to rely on the “old, career backup goalie who has no trade value” for the remainder of the season. Well, forgive me for this. But imagine that the Dallas Stars had Hedberg, and they wanted to trade HIM to US. Well obviously, our NEED for goaltending, during a playoff push, would be well worth 3rd rounder, no? Why is this NOT the case the other way around, when WE are the ones attempt to deal him?
Seems like there’s some circular arguments out there. So, which it is, bloggers? Moose is “old and in the way” … or … Moose is “essential to our playoff berth?”
Or is there a “Door #3: Brendan, there is no playoff push. That’s just Waddell-bluster for anyone who’ll still listen. Trade the Moose, NOW, while his value is higher than it will ever be again.”
Smoothie
February 27th, 2010
5:30 pm
Y’all just can’t help but be as cynical as possible can you?
While I believe some assets will be traded at the deadline for the future (in the form of prospects and picks), I don’t see any reason to trade Kubina unless the GM really believes this team has no chance of making a run at the playoffs. Kubina was acquired through a trade involving XLB, a pending UFA himself, and Colin Stuart, another pending UFA who was replaced by Evander Kane essentially. Do you really think it would be such a bad thing to hold onto Kubina and get out of him what you’re paying him to do? He’s probably our best D-man (Toby is close, but isn’t and won’t ever be a shut-down defender) and can help us more in the next 6 weeks (and hopefully beyond) than in a potential trade for a prospect or pick that may play in 3 or 4 years. We need help now and letting Kubina stay to be a leader of this young team during a paradigm shift of philosophy may prove to bear more fruit in the short-term than it even would long-term with picks and prospects.
In short, my point is this: if you trade Kubina now, along with Kozlov, Colby and Afinogenov, you run the risk of losing any degree of faith the younger players may still have in upper management to turn this franchise into a winner. They need to be given a chance to succeed now and build confidence for the near future. If you trade Kubina, you might as well tell them all that they aren’t worth a damn and none of this matters as we fully expect to trade all of you in the future for something better too.
kracker
February 27th, 2010
6:53 pm
Proves what we all know: Milbury has rocks for hockey brains…or so it seems to me. It’s foolish to generalize like that. Strong drafts tend to yield more NHL players, weak drafts not so many.
How many hundreds of times has Jimmy Slater been ripped on the blogs and boards for not contributing more as a ‘1st round draft pick’ at #30? One spot later and he becomes a ‘2nd rounder’ carrying far less of the unrealistic expectation in the eyes of some of our more impatient and excitable bloggers.
Brendan
February 27th, 2010
10:55 pm
Finland 1, Slovakia 0, 1st period. Finland tallies on the PP.
Smoothie, we knew Kubina was a straight-up rental when we got him as a ’salary dump’ from Toronto. If the team were solidly in playoff position at this juncture, trading Kubina as a discussion topic probably comes off the table. Florida told its fan base, “frankly, we’re not going to make it. We’ve begun preparations for the next season.” How far behind Atlanta is Florida?
The official Thrashers position is this. “Nothing has changed. Our goals remain the same, to win and make the playoffs, trying to advance as far as we can.” Allrightee then. But if Kubina tells you, “I’m not re-signing here,” isn’t this a Kovalchuk-type situation? That is, one where you hold an asset that you don’t really want to move, but out of necessity, have to.
We don’t know Kubina’s intentions. We can only GUESS!! But it’s up to the GM to hold those “frank” discussions with a player or his agent. If Kubina says, “make me an offer, we can ink this deal right now,” I think Waddell has to inform ownership of that situation, and then go beg for contract money. If Kubina says, “I’m not ruling out a contract with Atlanta, but I’m going to hit the market on July 1.” Well, that’s tantamount to a negative declaration. It’s the polite way a player says, “I won’t be reporting to training camp in the Fall.” And if Kubina tells you, flat out, “No way I’m back here. I’m happy to honor my contract. But if you don’t trade me, you’ll lose me for nothing,” then Waddell has to shop the guy. Now, if the offers are a bag of pucks, you KEEP him. The idea is to get the best possible return from a desperate team out there. Short-term loss for longterm gain is something I’m interested in. Who knows that Kubina might fetch. If it’s a prospect or player who can help us for YEARS and YEARS to come, then it’s irresponsible to hang on to Kubina, for the remainder of the season, sitting in 10th place, with a logjam of teams in front and all around you.
It’s the GM’s job to accurately assess the situation. If by keeping Kubina, Atlanta makes the playoffs, the next question is, “how far did they get? Swept again? Out in five? Or will they advance to the Conference Finals?” And then one must weigh that against losing the player for nothing at the conclusion of the playoffs. If by keeping Kubina, Atlanta misses the playoffs, the word “accountability” should come into play. It never does, though, in Atlanta.
Nikita (in PA)
February 27th, 2010
10:56 pm
It would be hard for them to be more cynical, Smoothie.
As for Slava, good riddance. His career here has been decent up until this year, but if he wants to know why he isn’t getting ice time he need only look in the mirror. But I’m glad he’s agreed to waive his NTC — I would’ve been fine with waiving him.
As for our UFAs…
*All you need to know about Armstrong is that he doubled his salary with his one year deal signed last summer. If you sign for double the money and only get a one-year deal? That seems to spell departure.*
I don’t agree. Colby’s situation was what it was because of compensation. He as a RFA felt he was worth more, but no one bid against ATL for his services. So he signed the shortest contract that would fufilll his obligation with the intent to test the market at the end of the year. The point being that it’s strictly about money, and for the right amount he’ll stay.
*Kubina is gone unless a $6 million miracle shows up.*
I think he should be our top priority.
*Afinogenov, I doubt anyone wants him but Waddell likely keeps him for the remainder of the season because he’s cheap.*
He’s worth what we’re paying him, and making him work for his next contract is a smart move if we pretend to have any goals re: the postseason.
R. Stroz
February 27th, 2010
11:13 pm
Y’all just can’t help but be as cynical as possible can you?
After ten years of BS, jaded and cynical have taken hold like kudzu.
Brendan
February 27th, 2010
11:22 pm
Kracker, I don’t think Jimmy Slater gets slammed for being a 1st round pick perennially on the 4th line, so much as Waddell gets blamed for accepting Slater as the inducement not to select either Nash or Bouwmeester in that 2002 Draft. I think that’s the real issue.
I don’t blame Jim Slater for being ‘an innocent party’ to that trade on Draft Day 2002. When people say, “Slater sucks, trade him.” I look around at other 4th line centers and think, “Is Slater really that much worse than the other 4th line centers?” People sometimes attack Slater for his salary. But I’m “okay” with what he makes. And probably what it would cost to re-sign Slater. If we were talking about a potential Stanley Cup season, I’d agree that Slater has to go. But we’re nowhere that point. So, I look at Jim Slater, the player, and say, “If we ditch him, what are the alternatives at $700-$900 a year?” Does anything leap off the page? Not really. Not for me.
Gaborik scores! Slovakia 1, Finland 1.
But back to the discussion, Slater seems less of a bust than some other 1st round picks of ours, through the years. He’s on about a par with Patrik Stefan. And I think Slater’s way ahead of Alex Bourret, who went 16th overall in 2005. Stendec would jump in, right about here, to say, “Slater’s better than the Finnish Sieve, even if he went 30th overall.”
Again, I hardly blame Slater for where he was drafted. And I don’t blame Slater for being part of the trade between Columbus and Florida, that allowed Nash to be a Blue Jacket, selected 1st overall, and Bouwmeester a Panther, at 3rd overall. No, the blame for that lies elsewhere. Again, for the record, if we really needed to pick a goalie with a high-end 1st rounder, Kari probably was the pony to bet on. My opposition to the Lehtonen selection is routed in the conservation of the time that it would require to develop Lehtonen versus what might be much more readily available by taking Nash or Bouwmeester, giving some weight to the argument that defensemen do STILL take a little longer to develop. As a general rule, I think goalies take 5 years to develop, whereas blueliners take 3-4 years. In the ‘conservation of time’ argument that I espouse, it does still make sense to draft Bouwmeester, assuming Florida were willing to pass on him. But I don’t really think they were willing to pass on him. Which means that Rick Nash should have fallen right into our laps. And, as fate would have it, would lessen the blow of a future Heatley trade down the road. Maybe, instead of trading for Hossa, Waddell moves Heatley for a Tier I defender? Shrugs. Who knows. And if that happens, does Coburn even get drafted in 2003? If yes, does Coburn get moved at the 2007 trade dealine for a defensemen (Zhitnik)? Maybe not. Not if Heatley were traded for a defensemen, instead of Hossa, because the organization still had Rick Nash in its midst, from the 2002 Draft. Bygones.
Marian Hossa scores for Slovakia! It’s 2-1! It’s almost the end of the 1st period.
Brendan
February 27th, 2010
11:23 pm
Uggh. I’m in SPAM filters again. Demitra just scored for Slovakia, on a beautiful feed from Hossa. By the way, Hossa got the 2nd Slovak goal. It’s 3-1 now.
Brendan
February 27th, 2010
11:25 pm
Trixie, my Jim Slater post was eaten by the big, bad wolf. In it, I defend Slater, and explain how and why his arrival here isn’t his fault.
Brendan
February 27th, 2010
11:32 pm
Smoothie, I don’t really think that Kane and Bogosian are eyeballin’ the exit just yet. To convince them to stay, all that’s needed is the ownership situation to be resolved. And then, for accountability to happen. If those two things happen, I think Kane and Bogosian may well stay put. But if it’s more of the same, they’ll look at RFA offersheets and/or only sign RFA deals up to their their UFA eligibility.
But I don’t really think that trading away Kubina, given the set of circumstances Atlanta finds itself in, would … in and of itself, make them lose faith in the direction of the team. Not when Kubina’s trade might result in a player or prospect who contributes meaningfully for years to come. If that’s the reality of the Kubina trade, then it’s a good trade.
When we look at Lehtonen’s trade, we hope the defensemen we got will be an important acquisition for the years ahead. When we look at the Kovalchuk ’salvage,’ we’ll hope Oduya, Cormier, and Bergfors all continue to play an important role for the team, moving forward.
Trixie (Rawhide's Secretary)
February 27th, 2010
11:44 pm
Mr. Brendan – Your 11:22 pm post has been freed from Blog Purgatory.
Brendan
February 27th, 2010
11:47 pm
Thank you, Trixie.
Brendan
February 27th, 2010
11:56 pm
Don’t look now, but Jokinen has netted a pair of goals, after a Finnish PPG made it, 3-2, in favor of Slovakia. Three goals in 3:35, now sees Finland AHEAD, 4-3. Jaroslav Halak now seems shell shocked.
Brendan
February 28th, 2010
12:00 am
Bloggers, is this ’strike 3′ for Hossa, if Slovakia fails? I’m inclined to say, “no.” Hossa has a goal and an assist in this game. And both were good plays. I cannot pin this loss, if it becomes a loss, on Hossa. I’m sure that Marian would be very disheartened to walk away from Vancouver empty-handed, in terms of a medal.
No Cup for him with Pittsburgh in 2008. No Cup for him with Detroit, in 2009. And now, no medal in Vancouver, for Slovakia, in 2010? Hossa has to feel a bit dejected by all that. But hold on, there’s still plenty of time left in this game.
Brendan
February 28th, 2010
12:02 am
Slovakia is on a PP as we speak, and Hossa has played strong during this PP.
Rawhide
February 28th, 2010
12:12 am
Brendan – Ya know…having Trixie called in near midnight to unclog blog comments is costing be double time!!
R. Stroz
February 28th, 2010
12:18 am
I predict Finland wins the bronze medal.
Brendan
February 28th, 2010
12:21 am
Finland has medalled for the 2nd straight Olympics in Men’s Ice Hockey. They took silver in Torino. They’ll settle for bronze in Vancouver. For Slovakia, bitter disappointment, after a 3-1 lead, coming into the 3rd period.
Poor Hossa. Or, should I say, Hossas, as Marcel is out there, too.
Brendan
February 28th, 2010
12:22 am
R.Stroz, the IOC hasn’t certified the result yet. It may turn out that the Slovaks won it, after all.
Brendan
February 28th, 2010
12:24 am
Well, the IOC just made it official. R.Stroz’s powers of prognostication continue to astonish. R.Stroz predicted the Thrashers would be a playoff team this year. Let’s see how he does.
Trixie (Rawhide's Secretary)
February 28th, 2010
12:32 am
Mr. Brendan – You’re very welcome. That’s why Mr. Rawhide pays me the medium bucks.
Speaking of my boss, he and I will be working late into the night preparing tomorrow’s Sunday edition of the cyber-newspaper…the Thrasherville Times. It will be rolled up and delivered to everyone’s computer by the time you wake up and have your morning coffee.
I suppose this constitutes your official Ranallo Warning.
Brendan
February 28th, 2010
1:00 am
We all love a good “Ranallo Warning.” Can’t wait to read the lastest Thrasherville Times.
NYC
March 1st, 2010
1:17 pm
Darren’s a good egg! We have a top-notch group of broadcasters blanketing all our airwaves!