Sunday Morning Thrasherville Times
Is there anything better to do on a chilly winter weekend morning then to remain between the sheets with the Sunday paper to peruse through? Well, this morning you may do just that. Yes, just sit back on your pillows, nestle yourself between the flannel sheets, sip on a nice hot copy of morning nectar and enjoy this morning’s Thrasherville Times… written, published and editorialized by yours truly.
And the best part of this is, given the publication’s web-based nature, you didn’t even have to wander outside in your robe to pluck it off the driveway…something I am certain that your neighbors greatly appreciate.
I just hope my online editor doesn’t have an issue with the AJC online sports page hosting my little startup cyber-publication.
Anyway…headlining this morning’s rag…
WAKE UP ATLANTA!
That’s right, its Sunday morning…the last day of February. And as the calendar flips over to March tomorrow, the Atlanta Thrashers will be preparing to play 12 of the 17 games scheduled during the month inside the friendly confines of Philips Arena. In light of this fact, the team will awake to greet the sun as it rises tomorrow as to kickoff of their “Wake Up Atlanta…for the March to the Playoffs” campaign in the streets of Thrasherville.
The Thrashers have partnered with AM/PM to carry out this mission. As such, players, coaches, Thrasher and Blue Crew members will be at select locations handing out free coffee, prizes and tickets to upcoming games. Here’s the list of scheduled AM/PM appearances…so if you find yourself nearby, please drop in and take part of the festivities.
610 Spring Street in Atlanta, GA: Scheduled to appear between 8:00 and 9:00 am are Rich Peverley, Bryan Little, Niclas Bergfors, Jim Slater and Tony Borgford.
5018 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Chamblee, GA: Scheduled to appear between 8:00 and 9:00 am are Nik Antropov, Slava Kozlov, Christoph Schubert and Steve Weeks.
10965 Medlock Bridge Road Duluth in GA: Scheduled to appear between 8:00 and 9:00 am are Johan Hedberg, Todd White and Todd Nelson.
2001 Pleasant Hill Road in Duluth, GA: Scheduled to appear between 8:00 and 9:00 am are Eric Boulton, Chris Thorburn, Mark Popovic, Zach Bogosian and Randy Cunneyworth.
As well as the above-mentioned scheduled appearances, there will also be players and coaches taking to the airwaves to “Wake Up Atlanta” tomorrow. Evander Kane will be on 95.5 The Beat between 9:00 and 9:15 am. Marty Reasoner will be on 790 The Zone between 9:00 and 9:15 am. Ron Hainsey will be on 680 The Fan from 8:00 to 8:30 am. And Jim Slater will be on DAVE FM from 8:00 to 8:30 am.
Coach John Anderson and Thrash can be seen on WXIA with “Commuter Dude” at the AM/PM on Pleasant Hill Road. Thrash is slated for the 5:30 to 6:30 am timeslot while the coach will be in later, starting at 6:40 and going to 6:50 am.
Friday Night Follies at the Duluth Ice Forum
I don’t know who was the brainchild behind Friday night’s 3 on 3 game/skills competition held at the Thrashers’ practice facility in Duluth, but whomever they are deserves a big pat on the back. It was a lot of fun to watch and it really looked as though the players and coaches were having a good time out on the ice as well.
All of the Thrashers who were not a part of the Olympic games in Vancouver…or injured…participated in the exhibition. Peter Mannino, who practiced with the squad this week before being sent back down Saturday, was also on hand and was the acting keeper for the Blue team.
For me, it was well worth the drive out to Duluthland from the twin cities of Acworth/Kennesaw. And I wasn’t alone as the rink was completely packed to beyond capacity with fans. If the place ”seats” 500 officially in the bleachers, then I would say there were a good 600-650 people in there.
Thrasherville Set For Many Moose Sighting in March
Head coach John Anderson told AJC Thrashers beat writer Chris Vivlamore that Johan Hedberg should see the bulk of work between the pipes from here on out. Pavelec will assume the role of backup.
Look for Moose to be the man between the pipes on most nights the rest of the way (AP Photo/Don Heupel)
“If [Hedberg] continues to play that well, he’s probably going to get the majority of the games”, Anderson recently told C-Viv. “Right now, it’s not about [Pavelec] or him. It’s about who is winning and we have to get as many points as we can”.
Continuing, the Thrashers bench boss added, “Whoever is going [well], is going. It’s the same with the power play or penalty kill. Whatever is going, we have to use it at that point”.
Hedberg is 14-9-5 with a 2.56 GAA, .920 SV% and one shutout for the season.
Despite a very strong start last fall, Pavelec is now 12-15-5 with a 3.45 GAA, .900 SV% and a pair goose eggs left on the ice.
Now to some of us, giving Hedberg the lion’s share of work down the stretch doesn’t come as too much of a surprise as there have been calls to “Ride the Moose” to victory for some time now.
Just sayin’…
Schubert Looks ready to Re-join Blueline That Could Be Changing Soon
Defenseman Christoph Schubert participated in Friday’s event, so it appears that his recovered from the lower body ailment that has kept him out since the January 16 win in Carolina. Thus, the current slate of blueliners at the ready for Atlanta are…Olympians Kubina, Enstrom and Oduya along with Hainsey, Bogosian, Popovic and Schubert. Valabik is out for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL.
So, what do you think of that defensive corps heading into a playoff push?
Uh-huh…well, something tells me it might not be exactly the same in about three more days.
There is little matter of the trade deadline that looms ahead of us this week…Wednesday at 3:00 pm to be exact. So the question is, what will that mean for that defensive unit makeup? With Kubina slated for free agency this summer…as well as Schubert and Popovic…there’s been a swirl of discussion regarding his trade value. Last I heard however, Don Waddell is discussing a possible extension for the Czech veteran.
As discussed above, with the return of Schubie we have seven defensemen ready to go at this time. Add in a healthy Boris Valabik next fall and one Arturs Kulda…who did absolutely nothing in his two games played but show his is ready for serious consideration for one of the D-slots here…and you come up with nine.
That’s too many.
Therefore…one has to be prepared for some sort of deal this week. Given that, here are the “hands off” players…players that under no circumstance do I want to be dealt away… on defense. These players we selected and endorsed officially by the editorial staff of the Thrasherville Times…me.
Bogosian, Enstrom, and Oduya. I’ll add Kulda as well.
Next are players that, if traded, would have to bring in return NHL-proven talent that would help the team right now…Hainsey, Kubina, Schubert and Popovic.
That leaves Boris…who is scheduled to be an RFA in 2011 and could be running out of time on the development patience clock. But given his injury status, it would be tough to get much in return right now. He might get some decent offers next summer during training camp if he can show he’s 100% healed.
Thrasherville Prepares for Trade Deadline-A-Palooza 2010
Which pending Thrashers free agents do you NOT traded this week? (Pick three)
- Afinogenov (UFA) (25%, 49 Votes)
- Armstrong (UFA) (14%, 27 Votes)
- Bergfors (RFA) (74%, 148 Votes)
- Boulton (UFA) (1%, 2 Votes)
- Headberg (UFA) (32%, 64 Votes)
- Kozlov (UFA) (3%, 6 Votes)
- Kubina (UFA) (43%, 85 Votes)
- Little (RFA) (54%, 108 Votes)
- Pavelec (RFA) (21%, 42 Votes)
- Popovic (UFA) (1%, 1 Votes)
- Schubert (UFA) (5%, 10 Votes)
- Slater (UFA) (13%, 25 Votes)
Total Voters: 199
Loading ...As we look forward to Wednesday’s trade deadline, there are a number of players on the Thrashers roster that will certainly get their fair share of attention. As mentioned in the previous section of today’s fish wrapper, Kubina, Popovic and Schubert are two blueliners that could possibly be facing trade winds head on given their pending UFA status. But forwards Maxim Afinogenov, Colby Armstrong, Jim Slater, Slava Kozlov and Eric Boulton will also be UFAs come July 1 as well as goaltender Johan Hedberg.
Niclas Bergfors, Bryan Little and Ondrej Pavelec will be RFAs.
Now to me, the trick Don Waddell and Rick Dudley have is…how do you deal with these pending free agents while at the same time keeping a roster of players that give the best shot at making the playoffs this spring. With no less than nine players that will be UFAs this summer and another three that will be RFAs, thats a lot of talent to allow slip away with nothing in return, should the team chose to keep a number of them around. On the other hand… many of those players can help the team in the push for post-season play right now/
So, which ones go and which ones stay? I have a feeling this is going to be a very interesting three days to come.
If I had to pick just one who is almost certain to remain, my guess is Moose. He’s is too valuable a commodity given the trading of Kari and Pavelec’s yet-to-be-proven reliability. And if I had to pick just one player that is an almost certainty to go, that would be Kozlov…if there is a team that will take him. After that, I would say Armstrong.
We will have a special Trade Deadline-A-Paloosa blog posted first thing Wednesday morning to track, announce and discuss all moves made on that day. Until then, today’s fan poll question is… which of the above listed Thrashers pending free agents, both of the restricted and unrestricted variety, do you NOT want to see traded away this week.
Trade Deadline Not The Only “Big News Day” in NHL This Week
Remember, Thrashervillians…Wednesday the 4th is not the only really big news day for the NHL this week. The very next day, Thursday the 5th, is the date we’ve been told that a press conference is to be held in Winnipeg announcing the sale and relocation of the Thrashers to that city.
snicker…snicker…snicker…
I asked Trixie if she’d be willing to head up there to cover this major sports news event for me. It will considered business travel, of course…totally expensed.
Yeah, I know. To Winnipeg… in late winter…to cover an event this isn’t going to happen.
She laughed so hard at me that she almost dropped her nail file…almost.
Bergfors Making Friends Fast in Thrasherville
Since coming over from New Jersey with Johnny Oduya, Niclas Bergfors has been making himself quite the popular fellows with his new teammates. He’s been place on the Thrashers’ top line with Nik Antropov and Bryan Little and has accounted for 3 goals and an assists as well as a +2 rating. The three have 7 goals and 9 assists in those five games played since Bergie’s arrival and are a combined +5.
Of his new linemate, Antropov was recently quoted as saying, “We’ve played five games together, but it feels like we’ve been playing forever”.
Indeed…let’s just hope that the “forever” type feeling will last another six weeks or so.
Oh, and one last thought on the subject of the Bergie, Little, Antropov trio. For those of you into naming lines, try this one on for size…the “Dull Razor” line. Uh-huh…it’s the one that gives you…ahem…a Little ‘Nick’ twice.
sigh…OK, maybe not.
Trade Request from Kozlov Just Another Example of the Veteran’s Class
As we learned a few days back, Kozlov has requested a trade and is willing to drop his NTC to facilitate one, if that is Don Waddell can arrange a swap with a team of interest. His reasons are very simple and straight forward…he doesn’t want to end his career sitting in the press box.
“I asked [general manager] Don [Waddell] to find a team,” Kozlov said per Chris Vivlamore. “I don’t know if I’m going to be on this team or another team. If we can find a team which I like and which is good for me and my family I will go. If not, I’m going to be here”.
Kozlov, seen here last fall vs. the Blues, holds the Thrashers team record with 251 consecutive starts .(AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
Continuing he added, “With coach [John Anderson] not playing me, what can you do? That’s why I feel I could go play for somebody that needs my help. If so, I’ll waive my no-trade clause”.
Personally, I see this as a very classy move on Slava’s part. He sees that he is the odd man out, spending most of his time in the press box while the other twelve plays. He knows he is in the latter portion of his playing days and the only way the organization can do the best thing for both he and the team is to allow him to move on…so he informs his GM to see what he can work out and he’ll discuss any such deal with his wife and family.
Honestly…can you ask any more out of the man?
If in fact we have seen Kozlov’s last game in a Thrashers uniform, I would like to thank him for his years of service and for his professional attitude. You’re a class act Slava…good luck in all of your future endeavors.
Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics
And for our final entry in today’s daily grind…here’s an interesting stat for you. The Thrashers are currently 26-24-10 for 62 points. That record amounts to a .517 points winning percentage, which is 21st in the NHL.
However, in the Eastern Conference…that ranks as the eighth highest.
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162 comments Add your comment
Southside Rob
February 28th, 2010
7:02 am
First! Go Thrashers
Mrs. Duluthland (aka Mrs. Zoomo)
February 28th, 2010
7:20 am
Friday night was alot of fun, a great way to generate excitement for the “March to the Playoffs”. Ryan told us he saw you…we got stuck behind that huge crowd of autograph seekers afterwards. Considering how much we go there we should have known better!!!
I’ll give Todd White your regards if I get over to that AM/PM tomorrow.
The Real Thrash
February 28th, 2010
7:41 am
Can we just trade the GM for a real one?
LAC
February 28th, 2010
7:50 am
I Agree with The Real Thrash… Could we get a broken stick for waddell, because he has broken the
team to almost nothing !
The Real Thrash
February 28th, 2010
8:19 am
Just wondering, why would one think that we would “receive players that, if traded, would have to bring in return NHL-proven talent that would help the team right now.” That has not been the history of the GM. The history is to receive players that have marginal experience and marginal history of contributions with great “potential”.
Ashe
February 28th, 2010
8:36 am
Real Thrash : LAC
You guys dont understand how well he has done the past two years now that he isnt completely hamstrung by owners and finances.
We have to overpay to keep people here because we dont have a track record.
And it started with Heatley, Who got us a newly signed Hossa who didnt want to be here, followed by Kovy asking for a ridiculous ammount of money that we offered, and it wasnt good enough.
Being from Saskatchewan, Its actually nice up here this time of year, i just hope i can watch the remainder of the games.
I doubt we see Kubina going anywhere this year as well. Schubert/Pops are more then able to disappear.
Kozzy, Army, White, Boults, are all guys i see gone by the deadline.
Ashe
February 28th, 2010
8:38 am
Hossa,Kubina, Bergfors, Army, Oduya say hello to you.
Red Light
February 28th, 2010
8:54 am
So, the three UFAs Kubina, Army and Max don’t have to make an appearance at AM/PM nor on the radio? Hmmmm!
Duh 5
February 28th, 2010
8:59 am
And it started with Heatley
Nope, it started with Staios as well as Brunette and has continued through Savard, Hossa, and now Kovalchuk. Some people refer to this as a retention problem. And the one constant has been? Waddell
R. Stroz
February 28th, 2010
9:00 am
Red Light – In poker, we call that a tell. Good spot.
Heather
February 28th, 2010
9:08 am
I sure would like to keep Kubina and Army. But I’m afraid that, at least, Army is gone.
Red Light
February 28th, 2010
9:21 am
Here’s another spot R. Stroz:
If Moose, Slater, Boulton and Kozlov sign elsewhere as UFAs during the off-season, not a single player from the 06-07 roster and playoffs will remain with the team. Oh, the legacy!
Red Light
February 28th, 2010
9:23 am
Except for Popovic who played seven games that season, but he too is a UFA!
NorthStarsDave
February 28th, 2010
9:32 am
Anyone see the ‘exchange’ between Kubina and Kovelchuk in the Olympics??
The Thrashers need to worry about THIS YEAR….they have a chance THIS YEAR!!! UFA’s and RFA’s…who cares??!!!
If the Thrashers start winning…the UFA’s/RFA’s would want to be here….not somewhere else…
Tom
February 28th, 2010
9:57 am
Looks like the KHL is going to make a big run at Ilya. I wonder if there ever was a chance at keeping him.
Think about it, his wife could try to resume her career as a singer, Ilya would be a national hero, and (drumroll please) his tax rate would go from 45% (thanks Congress) to 13%. That in itself would be a huge difference.
If I was a cynical man I would say a deal has already been roughed out by his agent. That is why Ilya asked for the max contract. If he got it, fine, lets stay. Otherwise he knows he is guaranteed the same dollars in Mother Russia.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=4952551&campaign=rss&source=NHLHeadlines
“Unless he signs an extension with the New Jersey Devils, Kovalchuk will become an unrestricted free agent July 1. Medvedev’s company Gazprom owns the KHL club in St. Petersburg and he’s hopeful the former Atlanta Thrasher will be open to a lucrative offer to jump ship from the NHL.
“The difference between 45 percent taxes and 13 percent taxes is substantial,” Medvedev said. “We could top that [NHL] money he would receive by a substantial sum up. He will decide.”
In other words, a $7-million salary in Russia for Kovalchuk is akin to making almost double in the NHL and that’s what Medvedev hopes will be the biggest allure.”
GaVaHokie
February 28th, 2010
9:59 am
Wow Rawhide, you’re such a “mouthpiece” for the organization.
Promoting March to the Playoffs.
Anyone read the latest from Eklund… Sources say it’s “blatantly obvious that Kovy wants to play for the Kings, that’s why the offer was so low from the Kings. They can have him for free this summer.”
GaVaHokie
February 28th, 2010
10:06 am
How many times do I need to point out the team budget for the Thrashers was $11 million and $17 million during the Staois and Brunette years?
The first you can make any argument for player retention is Savard.
Lee
February 28th, 2010
10:23 am
I voted: Afinegenov, Bergfors, and Hedberg
HookyBob
February 28th, 2010
10:33 am
Yes, the NHL returns to ATL like a Tsunami. A game at Philips Tuesday, trade deadline Wednesday, and a game Thursday. All this with our boys in blue being on the play-off bubble. It may be a reach to make the play-offs,…perhaps they can learn a thing or two about “reaching” from our boys in red, white and blue.
Redlight and Stroz,….I’m with you that Kubina and Armstrong won’t be wearing Thrasher burgandy at this Thursday’s game. They will be hard to replace and I wish we could find a way to keep them. I’d like to see Kozlov go to cup contender,….regardless of what we can get in return. I wonder who else around the NHL will be fitted for new unis on Thursday?
One big game to be played before the NHL returns. I want the US to win,…but am OK with Canada winning if they play the better game. Above all,… I hope the gold isn’t determined by some fluke goal or bad call Go red, white and blue..
R. Stroz
February 28th, 2010
10:51 am
I actually view Armstrong as the key pending UFA that the Thrashers need to keep. Although Armstrong is by no means a top tier player, his re-signing would send a message that the young core beleives in the future.
With the re-signing of Peverley coupled with new contracts for Armstrong, Slater, and Little (whose contract needs to go into his UFA eligible years), a positive message would be sent that the youngsters see a future for the organization. Otherwise, the revolving door continues and the fan base is churned, instead of being built up.
Armstrong is the pivot; however, I believe the writing is on the wall.
jimbo
February 28th, 2010
10:55 am
Who cares about the UFAs/RFAs/UFOs, etc. Get us a team of guys who bang behind the net and go full bore at the first puck drop. The play of the US Olympic team reminds us of what good, aggressive hockey is all about. I don;t understand why our lads stand around every first period at home. Maybe with the Koaster gone and Kozzy watching, the others will shed the “we’ll wait until the third period” mentality and actually play for 60 minutes. What a delicious thought.
kracker
February 28th, 2010
11:21 am
I want a vote do-over. I voted two RFAs that aren’t going anywhere anyway. Seems better to vote which FA you think will be traded, not counting Kozzy because he is publicly asking out: Kubina, Army and probably Max. I’m assuming these guys are not interested in staying so bye-bye and I’m not saying that with malice. Our UFAs that probably would re-sign: Boults, Pops, Shubert and Slates. Any could be moved, perhaps along with one of the four to-be-traded FAs mentioned above.
The big surprise would be if either Kubina or Army stays via agreeing to a new contract. Max is probably going but who knows, maybe he likes it here and is grateful for the chance to get back into the game. Not likely, though.
Next week is going to be pretty darned interesting around here…and oh yeah, there’s some games to be played, too.
DWTOO
February 28th, 2010
11:55 am
Reading the blog sure beats what I should be doing – painting the sunroom before the tile guys start with the floor. I’d like to see us add players rather than trade for prospects – we have plenty of them. We need to keep Kubina and Max for the run. Realize we proabaly won’t go far, but, it’s still better than we’ve done in the past. Think it’s important that we at least get the experience.
Well back to the grind.
kracker
February 28th, 2010
12:29 pm
Oh, I was remiss in not thanking the staff of “The Thrasherville Times” for their Herculean effort in publisning their inaugural issue! Thanks to all involved and I look forward to devouring the Sunday editions to come. Salute!
Brendan
February 28th, 2010
12:32 pm
Kubina gets one of my Thrashers MVP votes for this season, along with Moose. However, the trade value of many of these players should not be ignored. I’d shop them all, without intending to trade them all. I’d, at least, want to see what is being offered. Hedberg, too? Yes. He’s not getting any younger. In FACT, Johan Hedberg will turn 37 on May 5, 2010. And do they (the hypothetical trading partner) have a stud goalie in their system, as part of the exchange? If so, … I think we have to consider that. With a heavy emphasis on … just how far away is their prospect goaltender? If there’s a surplus of NHL goalies with that team, we could opt for one of them, as well. I want to be clear on something. I like Johan Hedberg. He’s one of my favorite Thrashers. Now, he’s one of my All-TIME favorite Thrashers. But even I, a supporter of his, can see that he’s not the goalie to build around, closer to 40 years of age, than 30. I repeat, Moose turns 37 in two months. Calendars don’t lie, folks.
The other point of clarification? I have always, still, and continue to tell you all … that this is “Year Three” of a “Four Year Building Project.” Former beatwriter Craig Custance told us, “This NY Rangers playoff sweep has set the organization back by 5 years.” I argued, “No, only four years.” And this is Year Three. Is making the playoffs THIS YEAR worth derailing what this organization is, allegedly, supposedly, trying to build? I say, “No, it isn’t. Trade Kubina. Trade Armstrong. Trade Max, UNLESS they’re willing to re-sign here.”
I like Schubert. But we’re hardly married to the guy. He was a waiver claim, last Fall. I like Mark Popovic. I’d like to keep him. But I’ll listen to what other teams are willing to offer. If I don’t like the offers, I say, “thanks, but no thanks.”
Re: Kubina, if he won’t re-sign, he MUST be traded. Like Kovalchuk HAD TO BE TRADED. He was a “one year loan” by Waddell’s buddy in Toronto, named Brian Burke. Burke tossed him a bone. Now, it’s up to Waddell to get get a 2nd round pick for him, or maybe even something better than that. He netted a 2nd rounder for 40-year Matthieu Schneider last time around. If Kubina wanted to stay, on some 2-year deal, I wouldn’t think twice about it. But in Kubina’s shoes, a player who will turn 33 years of age on April 15, 2010, I’d be looking for a 4-6 year deal, on a contender. That makes him 37-39, by the end of that contract. Is this the “direction” the Thrashers need to be headed in? I say, “No, it isn’t.” But it’s Waddell’s job to find out what Kubina’s intentions are. He can’t just bury his head in the sand like an ostrich. I love Kubina, but he’s gotta go. Period, the end. He’s too valuable to simply let walk in free agency.
Re: Armstrong. If the organization were to engage in a “depth strategy,” which I’ve outlined countless times now for bloggers, then Armstrong is an important element to retain. But he holds the cards, folks. If he wants to leave, then that’s what he wants. And Waddell must trade him.
Re: Kozlov, read the previous blog. I thanked the guy for his years of service, in lean times, to this organization. But it’s time for him to go. I just hope Waddell can find a suitor for something good.
Re: Bergfors. He must be retained. He’s an RFA. Advantage: Atlanta. We can match any offersheet. We’ll wind up overpaying, but that’s kinda of okay, all things considered.
Re: Finny, he’s cheap. You keep him. Unless an offer too good to be TRUE comes along. Then, you trade him.
Re: Slater and Boulton, there won’t be trade interest. These players cost nothing. So, you keep them.
Re: RFA’s, other than Bergfors previously mentioned, you must re-sign Ondrej Pavelec and Bryan Little. In the case of Little, the goal should be to get him to forego some of his UFA eligibility years in the interests of saving money. The way it works is … you OVERPAY him in the first 4 years of the deal, but you substantively UNDERPAY him the last three years of the deal. The issue, to me, is how Bryan Little will be used by the organization. If they force him away from his natural center position, to that of a winger, I think the returns on Bryan Little will be diminished. Therefore, I don’t want to pay him so much. But someone grows a brain, and makes him a center, when he scored 31 goals last season, and he can replicate that kind of performance with capable linemates, then I’m fine giving him a hefty raise, on an 8-year deal.
Re: Pavelec. Grabbing R.Stroz’s bullhorn, “Ondrej is twenty-two (22) years old!!!” Raise your hand, and get ‘em wayyyyyy high up in the air, if you think, if you HONESTLY think, that Ondrej has reached his “learning curve.” That, Pavelec has reached the limits of his capacity, at age 22. Now quit airing out your pits, like darned fools. Pavelec turns 23 on August 31, 2010. Hardly an age when you should QUIT on a goaltender. It’d be the equivalent of cooking your Thanksgiving Day Turkey for an hour and ten minutes, then abandoning the effort, in favor of some Chinese takeout. Pavelec needs a goalie coach and a decent corps of blueliners, and he’ll be fine. Plus, Waddell gave up a LOT to get Pavelec in the 2005 draft. He passed on Marc Staal at #12 to fall back to #16, to go select Alex Bourret. Bourret was traded to the NY Rangers for Pascal Dupuis and the Ranger’s 3rd round pick, which the Thrashers used to trade for Chris Thorburn. Dupuis was packaged with Hossa to the Penguins for what you might call Colby Armstrong, today. If you prefer to think of Dupuis as Erik Christensen, then Dupuis is prospect Eric O’Dell, today. But any way you slice and dice it, Pavelec cost a lot to acquire and should be “untouchable.” That said, “Any player can be traded.” But if you opt to trade Pavelec now, or at the draft, you better get something a kin to 12th overall pick in the draft, for that’s what he cost.
kracker
February 28th, 2010
12:44 pm
DWTOO – It will be interesting to see which, if any, of our top FA(s) will be kept for the playoff push. It’s seems likely that some may be retained, depending on what type of offers Waddell gets. I figure Waddell will be seeking a signed D-man back for Kubina, for example, though one of lesser ability. If none is offered Kubes may play out the season here.
We’re all just speculating, of course. There are too many unknowns, such as will Waddell allow other teams to contact our FAs and their agents about a summer signing agreement prior to the trade. I’m sure I read that the NHL doesn’t allow actual sign and trade deals between teams but a player can talk with the other team, right?
kracker
February 28th, 2010
12:50 pm
Anyway, we know the Spirit Group is going all out to make the playoffs. After all, they are springing for free coffees Monday morning at the AM/PMs for the Wake Up Atlanta player/public greetings.
Brendan
February 28th, 2010
12:54 pm
Folks, I’m still gonna root hard for the Thrashers to make the playoffs. Why wouldn’t I? I just don’t think that the Atlanta Thrashers are the pony to bet on, for the 7th or 8th spot in the East. Barry Melrose says, “no.” Jeff Schultz says, “no.” Scott Burnside, I haven’t heard from in a while, but I’d suspect he says, “no.” Rawhide, our blogmaster, says, “They’ll make an exciting race, but finish just short, in 10th place.” I agree with all of them. It’s an uphill battle for the Thrashers. They didn’t do themselves any favors with that 1-7-4 stretch of season, after previously being 14-7-3, at one point. I’m not blaming this on Kovalchuk. It’s Barry Melrose who says, “plus now the players and organization have an excuse for missing the playoffs, since they lost their captain and face of the franchise.” I don’t think that’s the reason Atlanta will miss the playoffs. I think they’re in Year Three of a Four Year Building Project, and Kovalchuk got tired of waiting. Who answers for accountability for results of the Atlanta Thrashers?
Normally, the answer to such a question is clear. But in Atlanta, the answer is usually a string of circular arguments over ‘totality of circumstance.’ I think we’ll finish 10th in the East, and add another piece at the June Draft. I won’t fly off the handle because of it. I understand the situation. But if you’re a fan who demands the Stanley Cup or CF every year, you’re probably not reading this anyway. You’ve given up on the team AGES AGO, when it was clear that it was mismanaged. I sit here, hoping that Waddell improves, since he’ll never be fired. I sit here, hoping that the organization will start to care for hockey, and hold people accountable. I sit here, knowing full well, that teams ebb and flow in their evolution. I don’t get angry because of it. I know that building years are part of the contending years. And so forth. All I’ve ever asked … is for some accountability over direction and results. That continues to be my wish.
five_hole
February 28th, 2010
12:56 pm
Me, I’m just looking forward to 3PM. I missed the game last week, ’cause it was a 7PM start and at that time I was sitting in Heartsfield, waiting for my plane. The game had ended after I landed. I am so hoping that someone puts a shoulder into Cindy Crosby’s chest (ala Army on Hossa). Go U-S-A!
With respect to who stays & who goes, we’re on the cusp of a playoff spot, and will only have the one game Tuesday (which I’ll miss – again) to make the decision of being buyers or sellers. I’m hoping we’re buyers. Keep the blueline depth & add a decent scoring winger.
EA
February 28th, 2010
2:13 pm
USA! USA! This is the only time I will root for a Buffalo Sabre. Ryan Miller may be the difference. Can’t wait!
Friday night in Duluth was a blast. Kudos to the fans and the players as well as the organizers of the event.
Jeff97
February 28th, 2010
2:26 pm
Good turnout today at Thrashers practice. things seem to be really upbeat and the boys seem poised to make a run.
I would like to see them get maybe one more grit player. Those are the types of players that you need this time of the year to get into the playoffs and succeed in the playoffs. One player that comes to mind is Steve Ott of Dallas. He fits that mold. One of those guys that you dont like to play against, but you like to have on your team. He might only be a rental, but we might be able to give him up for Popovic and maybe a mid-low round pick.
I would hate to see us have to trade Kubina, but if he has no intention of staying here after this year, then i say see if we can get a good return for him. Same goes for Army. He is such a fan favorite, it would be harder parting with him than most any other of the FA’s we have.
Lets hope Tuesday is the start of a wild and fun ride to the playoffs. Go Thrashers!
Rawhide
February 28th, 2010
2:42 pm
GaVaHokie – I don’t know about being a “mouthpiece” for the team…but I don’t mind doing whatever I can to assist in their efforts to fill Philips Arena. Also, I think the PR and marketing department people have really stepped up their efforts to promote the team and their product.
Just doing my small part when and where I can.
Kracker – On behalf of Trixie and the enitire cyber-staff, you’re most welcome…and thank you for the kind words. Glad you enjoyed it. I don’t know if I can pump one of these out every Sunday…too much like giving birth. LOL!
Everyone – Per C-Vivs tweet…it looks like Belkin ponied up his $2 mil as ordered.
kracker
February 28th, 2010
5:38 pm
Overtime 4 on 4!!! yeah!!
HookyBob
February 28th, 2010
5:42 pm
May the best team win.
Let it be a quality goal.
HookyBob
February 28th, 2010
5:55 pm
Can’t begrudge Canada.
But we played them pretty close. Head held high.
Lee
February 28th, 2010
6:03 pm
SAY WHAT??!! USA played a great game, but Canada deserved it. Bitter-sweet win…
I love Kane’s mouthpiece!
Brendan
February 28th, 2010
6:41 pm
Well, for Canadians, these Olympics will probably always be “the best ever.” The most event to them, Ice Hockey, resulted in Golds for both the Men and Women. And both times, they beat the United States to do it. Does it get better than that, for Canada? Plus, Joannie Rochette got that bronze in figure skating, under difficult circumstances. Their Canadian Curling team lost in the 11th end to Sweden. But that’s still a silver for them, in an important sport for Canadians.
Their national “icon” in sports probably is Sidney Crosby, at this point. For him to score the OT winner is just the cherry on top. I congratulate Canada. But what I want to talk about … is how the USA Hockey Program went from 1-4-1 in Torinto to 5-1-0 in Vancouver. Folks, that’s what proper planning and accountability will do for a program. The United States was NOT expected to be on the medal podium … AT ALL. As in, NOT … AT … ALL. Instead, they were “one shot” from being Gold Medalists.
There are a lot of people who deserve credit for this REMARKABLE turn-around from Torinto. Brian Burke. David Poile. Lou Lamoriello. And even Don Waddell had some hand in it. A clear strategy was implemented. And it works. Gloriously. This American teams did defeat Canada in these Games. That’s a fact. The final score … was 5-3. They came up one goal short in the Gold Medal. This was NOT some 7-2, or 5-0 pasting … at the hands of the much favored host nation Canada.
I feel GREAT about this tournament. Two silver medals for the USA in Ice Hockey. That’s tremendous achievement. It really, truly is. They almost wrote an improbable script. But the USA will get another chance at the World Cup later this year. And let’s see what happens in 2012. Several of this year’s team will be back for that one, assuming NHL players will still be participating.
Matt
February 28th, 2010
6:41 pm
Nooooooooooooo, NOT “Cindy”!!
Dang.
Great tournament for Team USA, but disappointing final result. USA gave great effort all tournament long and just was not meant to be, I guess.
R. Stroz
February 28th, 2010
6:46 pm
Great game by both teams.
Final Thought: At least Dany Heatley didn’t score the winning goal.
Smoothie
February 28th, 2010
7:18 pm
Not enough Ryans on the team. Needed one more to put us over the top.
I blame Waddell.
Brendan
February 28th, 2010
7:21 pm
Heatley did not score, that’s true.
And Marian Hossa did not medal. And Marc Savard did not play for Team Canada. And Pavel Kubina did play very capably for the Slovakians.
Smoothie
February 28th, 2010
7:27 pm
Keep Kubina if you can. If he says, “hell no! I won’t sign”, then trade him and hope to get a player and a pick. No prospects unless it’s some other team’s top 2 rated prospects.
Trade Slava for any pick you can get…he can probably help someone in limited action and S/O.
With respect to Colby, only trade him if someone is willing to overpay. In other words, either a 2nd round pick or a top 5 prospect. Otherwise, keep the hardest working line in hockey (Kane – Slates – Colbs) together for the stretch run.
As far as Afinogenov is concerned, trade him if and only if he has come to you and requested a trade. Even then I’m not sure we can afford to not have his speed on the ice. He’s a game-changer when he’s on the ice and keeps a D on its heels. As long as he keeps back-checking, he’s very valuable to us. We gave up nothing to get him so I have no problem getting nothing for him at the deadline if he’s a difference-maker on the ice.
Pittsburgh Pirate Fan
February 28th, 2010
8:04 pm
Screw Canada, it’s the 51st state anyhow
DWTOO
February 28th, 2010
8:13 pm
What an awesome game today. We were at Firebird’s and the place just erupted when Parise scored – after which 30 million crapped their pants! Tremendous outporing of enthusiasm. And Ryan Miller getting the MVP!
Smoothie has it pegged on Finny. We need his speed – and he does play both ends of the ice. Sometimes just not real effectively, but, the effort is there.
I have to disagree with the “Professor” on this one – I want us to keep everyone unless we get an immediate return in exchange. We’re loaded with prospects – we need to push now.
Maybe Johnny Weir is available. He’d be an addition in the locker room.
Brendan
February 28th, 2010
8:45 pm
R.Stroz, I never got your official prediction for today’s gold medal game. I don’t it’s too late to make that projection. Please, grace us with a final score.
Pittsburgh Pirate Fan
February 28th, 2010
8:58 pm
I hope somebody runs over Cindy Crosby in the first game back and he has to be taken off the ice on a stretcher. Most of Canada disliked him until today-the great Canadian hypocracy.
Brendan
February 28th, 2010
9:02 pm
These closing ceremonies have been interesting. Nice to see the Canadians poking some fun at themselves, over the fourth pillar malfunction from the Opening ceremonies. I tells ya, I’ve come to have some respect for figure skater Joannie Rochette and curling player Cheryl Bernard.
Brendan
February 28th, 2010
9:07 pm
It’s always a bit sad when the Olympics end. Any Olympics. For you know the end of the “feel good-isms” are over. And we’ll go back to the way we were, prior to the two week moratorium on squabbling with each other, as peoples and nations.
We always say it, right about. “If the world can gather and GET ALONG with each for two weeks. Why not three weeks? Why not a month? Why not a year?” Well, maybe it’s because we know it’s only two weeks … that it becomes possible?
Pittsburgh Pirate Fan
February 28th, 2010
9:28 pm
Let’s get back to all the players who want out of Atlanta because of the way this franchise is ran.
It’s reality week folks, time for more players to tell mngt “I am outta here” with no intention to resigning with the Thrashers. Only players staying are those too young (held captive) or already under contract.
Pretty sad week coming up-another rebuilding campaign and I am not sure I have the stomach for another failed effort.
WTF-not whiskey tango foxtrot
Brendan
February 28th, 2010
9:52 pm
Do the Atlanta Thrashers brass even care that their players want out and have given this GM as vote of “no confidence” when the decision of where to play becomes exclusively theirs? No, their answer is, “In an era of salary cap, all teams lose good players.” Allrightee then.
If you suggest that it might not be easy to fix things via free agency, Mr. Levenson’s response is to say, “I think we know how to sign free agents.”
If you suggest that the GM chair needs a new occupant, they’ll tell you, “Don Waddell is extremely respected in NHL circles.” And on and on it goes.
Pittsburgh Pirate Fan
March 1st, 2010
5:32 am
We are about to begin our 3rd 5 year plan
R. Stroz
March 1st, 2010
6:57 am
We are about to begin our 3rd 5 year plan.
Either that or our 11th year in the desert with 29 more to go.
Pittsburgh Pirate Fan
March 1st, 2010
7:39 am
At least the folks in the desert (Phoenix) have something to look forward to.
R. Stroz
March 1st, 2010
7:59 am
PPF – Think Biblical analogy.
Pittsburgh Pirate Fan
March 1st, 2010
8:16 am
I was thinking that; if we can only get someone to part the seas.
GaVaHokie
March 1st, 2010
8:31 am
Rawhide… I was just teasing about the ‘mouthpiece’ thing.
It was a jab at those people who constantly say Darren Elliot and Viv are apologists for the organization.
It’s going to be an interesting 3 days… I’ll say we hear about Kozlov and Max first.
GaVaHokie
March 1st, 2010
8:32 am
I’m soooo glad Heatley didn’t get the game winner… but Sidney Crosby is a close second. Destiny just seems to fall in that kids lap… it’s disgusting.
World Be Free
March 1st, 2010
8:48 am
GaVa-I guess we just have to admit that Crosby is good, real good. We sure does take advantage of his opportunities.
I have a feeling alotta guys will be gone by Wednesdat at 3PM. Too bad
kracker
March 1st, 2010
8:50 am
Eklund: * The Devils are thinking of bringing Max Afinogenov in to join with Kovalchuk. So far, there have been some issues getting Kovalchuk to fit with linemates in NJ. The Caps are also interested in Max, who is MEGA tight with a certain #8 in Washington.
“…issues getting Kovalchuk to fit” – Yep, I’d say so.
GaVaHokie
March 1st, 2010
8:53 am
WBF… I think what’s most disgusting to me is how instantaneous his success has been… I like seeing the guys work their asses off until they’re 35 years old to win their first Cup and Olympic Gold Medal… the Hart Trophy should have an age limit of 27 years of age.
GaVaHokie
March 1st, 2010
8:55 am
kracker… kind of hard to build a team around a guy who can’t “fit in” with other players.
R. Stroz
March 1st, 2010
9:01 am
I think what’s most disgusting to me is how instantaneous his success has been… I like seeing the guys work their asses off until they’re 35 years old to win their first Cup and Olympic Gold Medal
Just look at it this way, there’s plenty of time for Cindy Crotchby to pull a Tiger Woods.
da 'boomer
March 1st, 2010
9:12 am
can we clone zach parise? we need more guys like that instead of the euros. it is amazing the squad the usa put together w/o d-wadd’s input..enough said
R. Stroz
March 1st, 2010
9:12 am
if we can only get someone to part the seas
PPN – I’m sure Waddell would say he could.
Rightshot
March 1st, 2010
9:20 am
Today, much less than last night, I really hate Cindy Crosby. I have no problem with Canada wininng, but why did it have to be that overrated, crotch grabbing, pretty boy!
Anyway…
I am looking forward to seeing who we get for trades in the next couple of days. I’m thinking because of the chemistry Army has with his line mates on the JAK line, he will be staying. Kubina will try to be signed for 2 or 3 more years, or just leave in he off season. Slater will stay for the same reason as Army. Hedbrg and Pavs will stay unless we get another goalie who is like Patrick Roy , even with the Thrashers D (So not happening).
Sorry to see Koslov go but I competely understand (Thanks Slava for all you have done for the team.)
I would offer Max a contract but expect him to go elsewhere. Little is having an off year (A little off?) (Hangs head in shame) so he will stay.
Most likely to go are Pops and Schubert. Hopefully for a Better D man.
Todd White will be traded. I have no idea what the Ice Forums Rec league has to offer but it’s going to be better than Charmin.
GaVaHokie
March 1st, 2010
9:30 am
I especially loved Crosby’s post game remark of, “the game was a lot closer than we expected it to be”…
…what a prick!
Smoothie
March 1st, 2010
9:34 am
Parise is a tough little son of a gun! He and Langenbrunner embody the true hockey way and I have a new found respect and admiration for both. I can’t hate them just because they are Devils. I’m sorry for them that Kovy is going to ruin their chemistry. But Zack and Jamie are the type of leaders who can get their team to overcome that.
kracker
March 1st, 2010
9:35 am
Spector – Early Rumors – March 1, 2010
http://www.spectorshockey.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1009:early-rumors-march-1-2010&catid=5:trade-rumors&Itemid=4
Bob
March 1st, 2010
9:39 am
They can’t trade Kubina, even if he doesn’t sign. That would be throwing the towel in on the season. Now if someone wants to overpay for Colby, let him go, as he’s not re-signing here.
Not sure I get all the hate for Crosby. Reeks of jealousy. The kid is a pure hockey player and made a great play to step off the half boards and sneak a quick shot past Miller. Broke my heart as I was really pulling for our boys, but it is no shame to be beat by the best hockey player in the world making a great play.
Anyone want to discuss Brian Burke’s GM prowess? Didn’t think so . . .
GaVaHokie
March 1st, 2010
9:51 am
Anyone want to discuss Brian Burke’s GM prowess? Didn’t think so . . .
Pretty easy when there’s no salary cap in the Olympics and you have Ryan Miller… but it was pretty impressive how the boys stood up to the Canadians.
Team USA combined salary $58 million ($85 million cap hit) against the $110 million Team Canada combined salary.
Smoothie
March 1st, 2010
9:52 am
Bob – thank you! Trading Kubes is akin to giving up! He’s a top 20 D-man in the league and his play and leadership are not easily replaced. If people think he’s good enough to net a hefty return at the deadline, then you know the players see him as an invaluable piece in a playoff run. I mean seriously? What do we really have to lose by keeping him? We can trade Colby, Slava and Max for draft picks and future prospects. If you still have Kubina, the remaining players can still win games. But I don’t really advocate trading Max either.
GaVaHokie
March 1st, 2010
9:58 am
Excuse me… Team Canada was $127 million if you count the cap hits.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704479404575087511661644130.html
GaVaHokie
March 1st, 2010
10:00 am
Smoothie… I’m all for keeping Kubina for the season and risk losing him this summer. You gotta roll the dice every once in awhile.
Max, on the other hand, has looked lost since Kovy left town.
kracker
March 1st, 2010
10:03 am
DarrenDreger – As per TSN…Florida trades Jordan Leopold to Pittsburgh for a 2nd round pick in 2010, pending trade call with NHL.
Pittsburgh Pirate Fan
March 1st, 2010
10:08 am
Crosby is like most of the Canadian players. He makes a boat load of money in the U.S. then trashes us as soon as he goes over the border. He must be taking tips from Dany Heatley. Don’t worry, he’ll be back to pickup his paycheck.
I hope someone drives his dead into the ice.
Smoothie
March 1st, 2010
10:10 am
GVH – indeed. If we didn’t already have several good prospects waiting in the wings (Postma, Kulda and Vish), I’d understand trading Kubina. But I doubt we’d get more than a 2nd rounder and a prospect. No one is giving up a # 1 pick I reckon. There’s a chance some GM could offer that but do we need another late round # 1? No. We need to win hockey games, period.
joyaman
March 1st, 2010
10:18 am
OK, so Canada earns a split….But wait a minute, I think you get three points for a regulation win and only two points for an OTW in Olympic terms.
There’s no denying, however, that the USA has reached a new high-water mark in producing NHL-caliber talent. No Canadian can go around today talking about how they were/are truly better than the US. Sure Canada still produces more NHL talent than the US, but it’s great to see that the US can now go toe-to-toe with Canada, Finland, etc… when it’s best-on-best (unlike the World Championships where it’s rest-on-rest).
The best-on-best format also exposed the fact that the KHL aint there yet. Nice try Russia, but you really need to go back to building teams from the ground up instead of trotting out your domestic vision of an all-star team. Perhaps Fetisov and Waddell could both attend Brian Burke’s “How to Build a Hockey Team” camp this Summer.
Go Thrash!
GaVaHokie
March 1st, 2010
10:24 am
Kracker… thanks… so it looks like Florida is out of the hunt. Trading Leopold for picks, with rumors of Horton and Booth being moved.
Wish we had more games left against them.
World Be Free
March 1st, 2010
10:27 am
FLA does not have much left to show for Bouwmeester, just like the Thrashers do not have much left to show for Kari.
Smoothie
March 1st, 2010
10:28 am
GVH – they’d be insane to trade Horton and Booth. Dvorak, Olesz, Seidenberg and Cory Stillman better have their bags packed just in case!
GaVaHokie
March 1st, 2010
10:30 am
Calgary doesn’t have much to show for Bouwmeester either.
sisu
March 1st, 2010
10:32 am
I think this trade deadline will be the most important yet, many questions to be answered on what the team looks like after this. I doubt that Kovy will go to Russia and after his showing in the Olympics maybe his stock took a hit…and also based on what I have heard lately he is not very pleased with his agent. Hard to say who will say and go but if Schubie can be turned in to a bag of pucks the team should take it!
GaVaHokie
March 1st, 2010
10:34 am
Smoothie… I might be willing to trade Kozlov to sunny Florida for Cory Stillman.
Red Light
March 1st, 2010
10:37 am
If Leopold is worthy of a second-rounder, Kubina certainly can command this price: At least one 1st or 2nd rounder and a current NHL player. As others said above, he’s too valuable to accept less.
GaVaHokie
March 1st, 2010
10:37 am
sisu… I know it’s Eklund, but I believe this to be the truth.
“In fact, the predominant feeling is Kovalchuk already knows what NHL team he wants to play for, and that appears to be so widely known and accepted it seriously handcuffed Waddell at the deadline.
“People know he wants to play for the LA Kings. They know it too. It’s why they only were willing to pay a small amount for him now. They can have him for free soon.”
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=26578
Red Light
March 1st, 2010
10:39 am
Kovy’s not going to Russia and Kozzie is only worth a mid-round draft pick at this point in his career and because of his salary cap hit.
GaVaHokie
March 1st, 2010
10:42 am
I’d like to see us land one more solid youngster to add to our line-up…
Peter Mueller, Jack Skille, Luca Caputi, Tyler Ennis… someone along those lines.
Smoothie
March 1st, 2010
10:45 am
Yeah, I think Cory still has 10 or so goals left in those hands this year!
I would hate to do that to Kozzy unless he plans to retire down there!
World Be Free
March 1st, 2010
10:57 am
GaVa-doubt Buffalo will part with Tyler Ennis. Theyu do not have alotta good forward prospects, especially centers. It would have to be a special deal.
And you are right, Calgary has little to show for an overpaid and underperforming Bouwmeester. Canadian kid wanted to go home; serves him and the Flames right!
joyaman
March 1st, 2010
11:15 am
For those of you watching this year’s trade deadline part-two like a hawk, waiting for that landmark deal that rids the Thrash of White, Kozzie (or anyone else for that matter) and returns anything of value to Atlanta – try this simple experiment at home:
1) Place your trash out on the street
2) Watch from the window to see if anyone looks at the bin.
3) When nobody looks, start calling your neighbors to see if they want your trash in exchange for their trash
4) Once the neighbors have all placed your number on their call-block list, wait until Wednesday at 3:00 EST, then bring your trash back in from the curb.
Go Thrash!
kracker
March 1st, 2010
11:23 am
Nice!!..
BenThrashers RT @Buccigross: Sunday’s game drew a higher rating than every World Series game since 2004, NBA Finals since 98, and every Final Four.
GaVaHokie
March 1st, 2010
11:28 am
Joyaman… I’m not worried about the trash on the curb… I’m more interested in the nice reliable Sofa we can buy with draft picks from the cookie jar.
joyaman
March 1st, 2010
11:58 am
GaVaHokie:
Agree. Happy that we still have a few cookies in the jar and would actually be willing to cash out the contents of the recycling bin for another cookie. Problem is that DW still needs to prop up the facade of the cupboard already having been stocked for a playoff run in order to keep playing his role of a GM on TV.
Go Thrash!
Bob
March 1st, 2010
12:13 pm
“Pretty easy when there’s no salary cap in the Olympics and you have Ryan Miller”
lol, you stepped right into it, didn’t ya (again), Hokie. Uh, Hokie, who was it that Waddell left off the team he was GM for? Yes, that’s right, Ryan Miller. But keep on blogging nonsense, like Florida wanting to take Kozlov off our hands? LOL indeed.
GaVaHokie
March 1st, 2010
12:23 pm
Ryan Miller was an alternate to the 2006 team, which was a compliment for a guy who hadn’t even played a full season in the NHL at the time.
I suppose they might as well have played him, because all the American goalies sucked in 2006.
GaVaHokie
March 1st, 2010
12:23 pm
It’s pretty glaring what the problem in 2006 was…
http://proicehockey.about.com/od/international/a/us_olympic_team.htm
johnny
March 1st, 2010
12:39 pm
hi guys, i am permanent reader but never participant directly. this outcry because yesterday accidental met current Thrasher acquinted couple years ago in lobby of private massager. below our conversation with little change to protect him.
“hi, how are you
hi, what about yourself
what going on with thrashers
please don’t ask, this is a swamp
it’s because of waddell?
not only. the owners even worse.
sorry god luck”
ok, nothing new but still revelation because information from inside. what can i say. hand off from atlanta sports team dirty ASG mafia gang. how even we can think about keeping or signing decent UFA, if players, not fans having such opinion. god luck extending kubina, army, max. in current situation i see only waddell and white going to be extended. no light at the end of tunnel.
Bob
March 1st, 2010
12:53 pm
“met current Thrasher acquinted couple years ago in lobby of private massager”
lol! Hokie, this guy outdid ya!
Bob
March 1st, 2010
12:53 pm
Oh, I forgot to ask, Happy Ending?!?
kracker
March 1st, 2010
12:57 pm
The Hockey News, Kyle RIchardson….
“Versteeg would likely attract interest in the trade market, but his salary – a little more than $3 million per – might be difficult for the Blackhawks to move at this point in the season.
Unless he’s swapped for a player making a comparable salary who could be jettisoned in the off-season, …Versteeg will likely finish the season in Chicago.”
Versteeg for Kozlov? Kozzie could appeal to the B’Hawks for the playoffs (and shootouts until then). Both are LW. Versteeg has had a bit of a down season but he’s still quite young at 23. Though he’s a little pricey at $3M that’s a little less than Kozlov and he’s signed for two more seasons.
kracker
March 1st, 2010
1:02 pm
Wonder if Rawhide will be nice enough to tell us who “johnny” really is? Perhaps it’s legit but the odds are it’s one of our regular bashers.
kracker
March 1st, 2010
1:04 pm
SpectorsHockey New blog post: Ott Re-signs with Stars, Stajan with Flames. http://bit.ly/9kTPUN
kracker
March 1st, 2010
1:08 pm
Vivlamore: ajcthrashers Don Waddell – Thrashers are more buyers than sellers at trade deadline.
Smoothie
March 1st, 2010
1:11 pm
Bob – LOL That must’ve been Mary Anne Hossa and Eric Belanger getting there man-rubs at the spa! We know how fragile both of them are.
kracker – I like you’re thinking but I believe we’ll have to give up a little more than that to get Versteeg. How about Colby and Vishnevskiy for Versteeg right now? Mary Anne might be a bit sore at first, but he’ll get over it when Colby is knocking out Red Wings left and right.
GaVaHokie
March 1st, 2010
1:12 pm
kracker… that was my same line of thinking with Stillman in Florida… Florida would be rid of Kozlov at the end of the year.
johnny
March 1st, 2010
1:22 pm
bob, do you have any doubt that ownership suck. forgive me bad spelling, by the way you suck like ASG no matter if you employed by them.
kracker
March 1st, 2010
1:25 pm
Smoothie and GaVaHokie – Smoothie, I’m sure you know the Hawks have to move salary. You’re right that they will want as much as possible but 1) they aren’t a very good negotiation position because of the salary dump and )2 can they get a better replacement player than Kozlov that they can shed at season’s end? They want to follow the physician’s motto “First, do no harm.” So add a pick if Versteeg is a player that Anderson likes. Of course, Chicago can easily do nothing and deal him in the off season.
Bob
March 1st, 2010
1:33 pm
“do you have any doubt that ownership suck”
No man, they blow as hard as a $10 hooker. Wait, what?
Thrashers27
March 1st, 2010
1:37 pm
Q: What’s a Bergfor?
A: For scoring goals, dummy!
Let’s go Thrashers! Bring on the Panthers.
kracker
March 1st, 2010
1:45 pm
Hokie, Here’s another reason to trade Kozlov to the Panthers: They can exchange players tomorrow, everybody’s happy
GaVaHokie
March 1st, 2010
2:24 pm
Per Viv’s Twitter… Thrashers have gotten a few feelers on Slava Kozlov. Nothing imminent.
I guess some GM’s are sniffing around our garbage can.
kracker
March 1st, 2010
2:24 pm
Vivlamore – ajcthrashers Thrashers have gotten a few feelers on Slava Kozlov. Nothing imminent.
GaVaHokie
March 1st, 2010
2:27 pm
Apparently Los Angeles is giving up on Ray Whitney… they couldn’t reach an extension agreement. I’d like to think Kozlov would be someone of interest to LA.
World Be Free
March 1st, 2010
2:41 pm
Darcy Regier already taking heat for missing out on Jordan Leopold.
Smoothie
March 1st, 2010
2:43 pm
Good to see some GM’s sniffing our garbage…inhales deeply…ahhhh!
I hope Slava doesn’t read our blog while he’s sitting in the press-box as he is hardly garbage and certainly would be aghast at reading this. But metaphors such as these are common in sports…Slava’s been nothing but a classy member of this organ-I-zation so perhaps we should refer to him as our leftovers. Kozzy is a meatloaf that may well have a few weeks left w/r/t his shelf life.
Anyway, ideally we can only hope to pull off something like a Colby + prospect (Blackhawks are thin on blueline depth and could really like Vish as a prospect) might be a plausible, attractive deal for Bowman. Also, check this: perhaps by letting Colby get a taste of the playoffs will make him more inclined to sign with us as a UFA. Doubtful I know, but he won’t be able to re-up with CHI and perhaps he’ll be thankful Don Dudley gave him the chance to play some real Canadian hockey. Knowing he’d be on a line with Versteeg and Slater might be enough to convince him to come back…that and an inflated $3 M salary I suspect!
Wouldn’t you be interested in this team?
Poni or Frolov(UFA) – Litts – Antro
Kaner – Pevs – Bergie
Colby(?) – Slates – Versteeg
Crabb / Macho – Reasy – Thorbs
Gotta make one pause and give consideration I would think.
Rawhide
March 1st, 2010
2:46 pm
Florida is in re-build mode…they have even informed their fans of such and have thrown in the towel. Given that, I have no idea why they would part ways with any player, prospect or draft pick to take on Kozlov’s remaining salary for the remainder of the year.
Nope…don’t see it happening.
GaVaHokie
March 1st, 2010
2:58 pm
Smoothie… I was just making a joke reference to joyaman’s comment from the first page, regarding Thrasher’s “trash on the curb”.
Rawhide… Kozlov to Florida for Stillman would free up an extra $3.5 million for the Panthers this summer. However, it gives Atlanta another 36 year old making $3.5 million next year (Stillman has another year). I’m not crazy about it, but Stillman would be a nice playoff piece.
Can’t imagine anyone, including us, wants to take Stillman at that price for this year and next.
GaVaHokie
March 1st, 2010
3:01 pm
Wow… I’m seeing that the Gold Medal game got 27.6 million viewers yesterday!
GaVaHokie
March 1st, 2010
3:03 pm
The most watched hockey game in 30 years!
http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/03/01/usa-vs-canada-gold-medal-hockey-most-watched-game-in-30-years-with-27-6-million/43413
Smoothie
March 1st, 2010
3:10 pm
Hokie – I know that most people on here don’t think Slava is garbage, or even Euro-trash for that matter. I was just pointing it out as a casual observation to make a bigger, underlying point about the perception a player may have reading something like this.
Most players have thick skin and would not be affected, but considering our core fanbase is small to begin with and the fact that there is a lot of cynicism from diehard fans on this blog and in general, it’s not surprising that players would feel less welcome and therefore less apt to want to stay here LT. How we change that perception I don’t know?
But trading Kubina and Max in the middle of a playoff run doesn’t help that mission. To be taken seriously, the management must show a commitment to winning by icing the best possible product. Not by having a fire-sale of 3 of the 4 best players with UFA status all the while launching a marketing campaign to “wake up” Atlanta for the playoff run.
Brendan
March 1st, 2010
3:11 pm
I agree with Rawhide. I can’t see Florida taking on Kozlov. Plus, why would Kozlov waive his NTC to go to a non-playoff bound team? The Florida Panthers sent their fans a “we goofed” statement about the 2009-10 team. They admitted to building towards 2010-11.
Segue to Kubina, why didn’t we just keep Kovalchuk? Answer: He is too valuable of an asset to simply let walk at the end of the season, to chase spot #8 in the playoff field. It’s the same deal with Kubina. It’d be one thing if we could re-sign him. Are we EVEN negotiating with him?????
But if Kubina has said, “I really appreciate your interest, but I won’t play here next season,” then that’s his answer. And the proper thing to do is trade him for the best return. I think a 2nd rounder is probable. There’s even some chance at a 1st rounder, but it’d be a late 1st rounder. I’d look to move Kubina to Phoenix, Calgary, or Nashville, for their 2nd round pick. Remember, New Jersey owns Atlanta’s draft position in the 2nd round. And Atlanta owns New Jersey’s spot, in the 2nd round. With another 2nd rounder in the hopper, from some middle of the playoff pack or bubble team out West, Atlanta could seriously start to look at packaging those 2nd round picks (NJ’s and Phoenix’s) for an RFA. We have cap room to steal another team’s RFA, if they cannot come to terms with him, by the June Draft.
We’re not making the playoffs this year. It’s Year Three of the building project. That’s how I see it. So, we have to move assets for the best return. Meanwhile, let’s see what the call ups and prospects can do, on 9 game auditions. It’s the GM’s job to assess the situation. Florida has assessed their situation correctly. Will Atlanta follow suit?
Spud Webb
March 1st, 2010
3:12 pm
WOW, what a great two weeks of hockey. I’m very proud of team USA. Talent wise, nobody other than miller would’ve made the canadian team, so for a silver, I’ll take it. WoW, how bad did the gutless russians lay down?? Unbelievable…
Lets get back to hockey here…lets see if DW was serious about making a playoff run?? If max & army are shipped out, then the jokes on us, again. We won’t get any real players for either of them. yes we could get something for kubina, but not anything that will knock us off our feet. So don, lets see whats you got for us. SLava, good luck, thanks for all the hard work.
I’ll be totally honest here, Philly is gonna make a move, emory is out for the year, I wouldn’t be shocked if Hedberg is sent there. You heard it here first!!!!!
Pittsburgh with a suttle yet good move w Leopold. He’s solid.
GaVaHokie
March 1st, 2010
3:16 pm
FYI… Atlanta wasn’t even in the Top 25 markets for Nielsen ratings for the Gold Medal Game.
Top 25 Metered Markets for USA-Canada Olympic Gold Medal Hockey Game:
1. Buffalo, 32.6/51
2. Pittsburgh, 31.9/50
3. Detroit, 26.9/47
4. Minneapolis, 26.4/53
5. Milwaukee, 24.5/43
6. Boston, 24.1/46
7. Chicago, 23.5/41
8. Columbus, 22.3/37
9. Denver, 22.2/42
10. Philadelphia, 20.9/35
11. West Palm Beach, 20.3/33
12. Kansas City, 19.5/35
13. St. Louis, 19.4/39
14. Seattle, 19.3/45
15. Cincinnati, 19.2/31
16. New York, 19.0/36
17. Hartford, 18.5/30
18. Providence, 18.4/34
T19. Salt Lake City, 18.3/38
T19. Cleveland, 18.3/32
T21. Washington, D.C., 18.1/33
T21. Baltimore, 18.1/32
23. Ft. Myers, 18.0/34
T24. Austin, 17.1/34
T24. Indianapolis, 17.1/29
Red Light
March 1st, 2010
3:23 pm
As I said this morning, Thrashers GM Don Waddell told the AJC’s Vivlamore he won’t trade Kubina for a second-round pick, but he didn’t say he wouldn’t trade him!
Smoothie
March 1st, 2010
3:46 pm
So Brendan, if we aren’t making the playoffs, who do you see making it out of NYR, TB and MTL? Hell, there’s no guarantee that BOS won’t tank. They’ve been shaky all year and their lack of scoring combined with the fatigue of a long, grueling Olympics to Chara and Bergeron may spell their demise. Also, we have 3 games in hand on MTL (plus the tiebreaker edge head to head), 2 on NYR (plus 3 wins over them) and 1 on TB with a huge match up Saturday night. Assuming we get 3 of the next 4 points AND beat TB, doesn’t that make us the favorite for the 8 spot?
C’mon man, beeeeeeee honest!
kracker
March 1st, 2010
4:16 pm
Works for me Smoothie.
The team’s fate is in their hands with all these home games, assuming DW doesn’t gut the team in the next few days and I don’t think he will. Like you or somebody said you can’t publicize the big push for the playoffs (and with free coffees, no less!!) and then up and trade away guys just because they are impending FAs. Unless you get back a comparable player, more or less. Kozlov and maybe one of the FAs. Maybe none per Waddell’s comments to C Viv.
kracker
March 1st, 2010
4:21 pm
Brendan, the Panthers have earned 4 points less than Thrashers and they have played one more game. That doesn’t sound like a lot but to an NHL GM it’s freakin’ HUGE at the TD. Plus, the Panthers probably don’t have as many home games remaining as the Thrashers.
kracker
March 1st, 2010
4:28 pm
Eklund — flyers talking to Atlanta as well.
well, gee, about what? lol
World Be Free
March 1st, 2010
4:46 pm
I guess the Panthers believe there’s little hope of making playoffs or going very far, so get ready for the future. Not a bad idea.
World Be Free
March 1st, 2010
4:47 pm
I wonder if Bettman is still thinking of not sending NHL players to the Olympics. I’d say the viewing numbers made the decision for him.
Midfield
March 1st, 2010
4:56 pm
Brendan, what is your building cycle time-line based on exactly. As far as I can follow Waddell’s busy-busy work, he is permanently building something – it just escapes me what it is exactly. I think at this point, the cycle is pretty much tied to the ownership/front office situation, and it is as muddy as it ever was? What are the implications of Belkin’s $2M deposit? Was Bettman serious, when he hinted his irritation with the way the Thrashers are being run? It’s time for somebody to drop the gloves – that’s the way I see it.
Smoothie
March 1st, 2010
4:58 pm
Keep in mind, Fla went for broke last year and missed the playoffs. They are not in position to do that again. We have less to lose after back to back 76 point seasons. Plus, we have done an adequate job in stocking up on picks and prospects. Surely we can add a couple of more without giving up on the season. This team can do this. And the positive momentum of such a run — not to mention the experience gained by the young players — could be invaluable.
joyaman
March 1st, 2010
5:02 pm
Slava has served us well over the years, but right now his contract is not a good value for an acquiring club given the falloff in his play and the length/dollars of his deal. That’s all. The overall point is that a if a team in the Thrashers’ position wants to shed these players/contracts, what are the chances of a legitimate playoff team wanting take for anything other than rental purposes.
The only way you get real value for a rental is if the acquiring GM is Don Waddell (see “Waddell Mortgages Future for Boomerang Player” -2007).
Red Light
March 1st, 2010
5:35 pm
Nashville gets d-man Denis Grebeshkov from Edmonton for a second-rounder.
Smoothie
March 1st, 2010
5:40 pm
Smart move by Nashville! Grebeshkov gives them a little more offense on the backend, where it falls off after Suter and Weber.
Looks like the market has been set with this and the Leopold deal. I reckon a top-flight winger like Poni or similar will cost either a 2nd and a prospect or a 1st.
Red Light
March 1st, 2010
5:52 pm
Could spell the end of UFA Hamhuis in Nashville! Grebeshkov is an RFA making $3.150 million this year, while Hamhuis’ salary is $2.5 million.
Red Light
March 1st, 2010
6:32 pm
Uncomfortable plane ride for Grebeshkov? Oilers play at Nashville tomorrow night. Long walk down the hall to the other room!
Red Light
March 1st, 2010
6:33 pm
Hamhuis to Philly? That’s the TSN speculation from Dreger and McKenzie. Ryan Parent back to Nashville?
Brendan
March 1st, 2010
6:44 pm
Center Ice to offer a free preview. Enjoy it. And/or take advantage of their discounted package for the rest of the year. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=519505
Brendan
March 1st, 2010
7:02 pm
Smoothie, beeeeeing completely honest, here’s how I see the entirety of the playoff field, all due respect to R.Stroz as being the “Nostradamus” of the bloggers.
1. Washington
2. NJ
3. Buffalo
4. Pittsburgh
5. Ottawa
6. Philly
7. Boston
8. NY Rangers
—————-
9. Montreal
10. Atlanta
That’s meee, beeeeing honest, Smoothie. You can disagree with me. I certainly don’t own the truth. And I don’t know anyone who does. I’m one person, with an opinion. Everybody’s got one. And so forth.
Midfield, my timeline is based on Craig Custance’s estimation of how long it would take Atlanta to return to the playoffs, post NY Rangers sweep. Custance stated it would take 5 years. I say 4 years. The timeline estimate is also mitigated by the coinciding lawsuit status, pending appeals, as estimated back in 2007. I figured 2011 was the first year Atlanta would seriously have a chance to be among the playoff field.
Now, if they get in this year, GREAT! I’ll be rooting for that. But I don’t want to leave assets, like Kubina and Armstrong, on the table in an “iffy” playoff year. Even getting in, only to be swept, must be weighed over what another team might offer for Army, Kubina, Finny, Moose, etc. I see this as a process, not as a “Gimme, gimme, gimme. I gotta have INSTANT GRATIFICATION. Where’s my playoffs??!! I want them NOW!! As in, NOW-NOW.”
We don’t know what Kubina might fetch. It might fetch an NHL player, ready to help now. How would we know what is out there for Kubina, unless we shop him? Shortterm loss, LONGTERM gain is “A-okay” with me. It’d be different if we were sitting at #5 right now, eyeballing home ice with a berth at #4. That’s just not reality. The reality is … there’s a logjam of teams all around us, who will be playing each other, and sharing points in those games. It’s far from “hopeless, hopeless, so utterly hopeless,” but it’s not looking all that great, either.
If we hold on to Kubina, what can we possibly get for him on Draft Day? What is a team willing to part with for exclusive negotiating rights, for a couple of days? With Kovalchuk, in that situation, at least you can hope the gaining team has some cap issues, forcing them to jettison some bad contracts Atlanta’s way. Though, we speculated about the L.A. Kings not really having that problem. But can the same be said about Kubina? What’s Kubina going to cost, even as a UFA? Is it enough that the gaining GM will have to shed payroll to acquire him? Maybe not. I suspect that whichever teams want Kubina will simply wait until July 1, then bid on his services. That’s how I see it. Beeeeeeing honest. Like I always am.
Brendan
March 1st, 2010
7:03 pm
Redlight, would you have liked “Kubina for Nashville’s 2nd rounder?” To me, that doesn’t sound so bad of a deal.
Pittsburgh Pirate Fan
March 1st, 2010
7:42 pm
GaVa thanks for the broadcast numbers for the gold medal game. My friends in Buffalo did not let me downas usual. Goes with the sellouts.
Brendan-I like your choices, but i have to say that I believe positions 7 and 8 could be interchangable. Boston needs scoring and everyone know it. The Rangers have spotty play and no backup goaltender, so the King will be worn out by early April. I think you have the Sabres too high as well; “The Buffalo Swoon”, something we Sabres’ fans are accustom to is right around the corner. Again, no backup goalie to spell Ryan Miller, who just had a heck of a week.
I still think the Thrash have a chance. Most of these guys are rested and ready to go. If Moose holds up, the Thrashers will be in the hunt.
It all depends on what these teams do in the next 43 hours. Pittsburgh already landed a good d-man in Leopold. Leaving a wakeup call for Darcy Regier at 4PM Wednesday.
Pittsburgh Pirate Fan
March 1st, 2010
8:16 pm
Waddell wants to be a buyer-is there another Zhitnik out there?
Brett
March 1st, 2010
9:16 pm
Thrashers pick up Evgeny Artyuhkin from Anahiem!!!
Smoothie
March 1st, 2010
9:17 pm
No Zhitnik, but there is an Artyukhin!! Looks like we’re priming the line-up for the departure of Armstrong and Kozlov. Then again, Evgeny could get flipped in a deal with another team.
Russian
March 1st, 2010
9:34 pm
Will Don Waddell build Russian NHL Team? Dream comes True.
Artuhin will be good to a club. He is big and phisical player. He is not like Max or Kovy. He worked very hard around a boards. But he is UFA next year.
World Be Free
March 1st, 2010
9:35 pm
Maybe this means Boulton will be next
Smoothie
March 1st, 2010
9:38 pm
Curious move, but D-Wads DID say he wanted to get bigger and beefier up front. Well, he did. He didn’t lie. At least not at first blush. But not sure why we need more size on the 4th line!
Perhaps Evgeny is Armstrong’s temporary replacement on the 3rd line. He could certainly open up more ice for Kane and Slater I suppose.
This move only makes sense if we’re also going after a scorer like Poni, Versteeg or similar using Colby as a negotiating chip.
Brendan
March 1st, 2010
9:47 pm
What did we give up to get Evgeny Artyuhkin? My feeling, irrespective of that, is that Evgeny Artyuhkin will stay, not be flipped. But who knows??? At least it’s fun when we do something. Procrastination and inaction are the hallmarks of the Atlanta Thrashers Hockey Club. So, this is kinda nice.
World Be Free
March 1st, 2010
9:51 pm
He’s 6″5″, 250# so I’d say he’s a thumper. He’s gotta get rid of the visor, you can’t be a tough guy and wear a visor. Maybe “Art” and Fedoryk can duke it out when we play TB, since Fed-dork wears a visor too. Pat Verbeek tried to be a tough guy with a visor 10-15 years ago. It doesn’t work.
Great ratings for hockey, on the way up compared to the other sports-
MLB has steroids and half the teams have no chance
NFL has no salary cap and a looming lockout
NBA is well, the NBA
Like I said yesterday, he’s your opportunity Mr. Bettman, earn your $$$$$.
LAC
March 1st, 2010
9:56 pm
Evgeny Artyukhin the Playoff answer ??? Hummmmmm, Big, but that’s about it…
Rawhide
March 1st, 2010
10:04 pm
Brendan – We gave up Nathan Oystrik and a condition draft pick in 2011.
Brendan
March 1st, 2010
10:06 pm
I have to think there’s more coming than this, if the real goal is to push for the playoffs. What did we give up for Evgeny Artyuhkin? How did we get him?
Brendan
March 1st, 2010
10:07 pm
No!! Oysters is gone???? Dang. I liked him. What kind of ‘conditional’ pick? Does it say? Is the ‘condition’ that either Anaheim or Atlanta make the playoffs?
Brendan
March 1st, 2010
10:09 pm
What was the RFA/UFA status of Oystrick? I thought we controlled his rights for a quite a while longer. This Evgeny Artyuhkin is a pending UFA, correct?
Smoothie
March 1st, 2010
10:17 pm
The conditional pick is prolly predicated on whether or not EA re-signs with us. Otherwise, this deal makes no sense whatsoever. You don’t give up a minor leaguer AND a pick for a grinding, depth 4th line winger.
Rawhide
March 1st, 2010
10:46 pm
What was the RFA/UFA status of Oystrick?
Brendan – Oystrick will be a UFA in 2011. His contract pays $563,750 this season and next.
The conditional pick is prolly predicated on whether or not EA re-signs with us. Otherwise, this deal makes no sense whatsoever. You don’t give up a minor leaguer AND a pick for a grinding, depth 4th line winger
Smoothie – shrugs…I dunno. Maybe they are filling Army’s spot in the lineup this way? Kozlovs? But with the current number of players on the roster, we have 1 too many by my count. I will wait and see what else is comin’ down the pike before rendering judgement.
Smoothie
March 1st, 2010
10:48 pm
I read on the Thrashers’ message board that it was a 6th rounder back to AHM IF he re-ups.
But he did not cite a source or put up a link. I didn’t see any reference of that in Ben’s press release or on NHL.com
Smoothie
March 1st, 2010
10:51 pm
Bill, both Boris and Schubes are still listed as being on the IR. Even if Shubes comes off, that means Arty is the 23rd roster player.
R. Stroz
March 1st, 2010
10:52 pm
Well since we don’t know who owns the team from week to week, why not bring in some beef? Here are your Atlanta Chiefs!
Rawhide
March 1st, 2010
11:19 pm
Smoothie – Correct…I was still counting Boris.
Viking
March 1st, 2010
11:54 pm
Erin Andrews on Dancing with the Stars.