For those still hoping for Kovy to come back – We need to have a little chat
From the comments posted during the past few days, it looks as though most of us agree that Thrasherville A.K. (After Kovalchuk) is not as bad a place to reside as some had feared. In fact…life after Kovy isn’t so bad at all.
However, there have been some who have asked me, e-mailed me, texted and phoned me about the possibility of a Kovy-Thrashers reunion this summer. You tell me the organ-I-zation has the cap space…you remind me that Kovalchuk still has a home in here…you insist that it is still possible, still feasible that Ilya could be persuaded to “come home”. You’re still thinking about…chatting about…hoping for…wishing for…a possible Ilya Kovalchuk return.
And so, it is time we had a little intervention…a “come to Jee-zus meeting”, as it were.
slap…slap…
OK, now that I have your attention, let me introduce a new word into your vocabulary…
Stopit-forgiddaboutit-notgonnahappen-nowayinhell-donotdothistoyourselfanymore
Let’s look at this matter from two different angles…logic and emotion.
First, logic… logic that takes the form of dollars and cents.
I take you back to last summer when I opined that the Thrashers would probably allocate any increase in Kovy’s salary by simply moving the departing Slava Kozlov’s $3.6 million over to Ilya’s column. The combined salaries would equate to roughly the $10 million they offered to pay him over three, five or seven seasons. This way, they didn’t have to shuffle around other funds to pay for Kovy’s increase.
However, Kovy said “nyet” and was then shipped off to skate in the swamplands of New Jersey. As a product of that transaction, we now have Johnny Oduya’s $3 million to account for as well as whatever the team and Nic Bergfors settle on in order to re-ink that pending RFA. Last season he made just over $800,000 and I think the kid played well enough to expect some sort of raise, don’t you?
So as you can see, the money set aside for Kovalchuk’s “raise” has been reapportioned elsewhere…(for those of you from Hall County, that means, “The money done all been spent”).
Taking the monetary matter a little further… if you look at where the organization is right now in regards to players signed for next season, it is true that they have a great deal of cap-space to work with and, theoretically, they are one of the few teams that could actually handle a contract the size of which Ilya will again seek to obtain.
Those roster players currently with a contract for the 2010-11 campaign are Antropov, Kane, White, Reasoner, Thorburn, Peverley, Hainsey, Enstrom, Oduya, Bogosian and Valabik. Combined they have the Thrashers at a little over $28 million in cap.
So, that still leaves them with a lot of money to spend…right?
Uh-huh…
But do you also want to bring back Afinogenov…maybe even Kubina? How about Little, Slater, Bergie and Artyukhin…maybe even Armstrong if the price is right? Well if so… and if they came back at just their same salaries as last year… that alone would add another $12 mil or so to the budget, bringing it to about $40 mil.
But I’m gonna bet that players like Max, Slater, Little and Bergfors will be looking for some love via a salary bump…so maybe the number required to keep them is more like $15 or $16 million at a minimum. It probably could be higher, but I’m trying to keep this simple.
Now you are sitting close to the $44 million range. But we haven’t even begun to chat about paying a goalie or two…and last I checked, those are really good to have around on a hockey team.
Between Pavelec and Hedberg last season, the Thrashers spent a cool two and a half mil. So if you bring back Moose and Pavs, something Rick Dudley has stated he’s comfortable with, chances are good that right at about $3 mil minimum will be going out the door to pay for that goalie tandem…bringing the total to around the $47 million mark.
At this point, what you have on your team are two goalies, six defenders and twelve forwards. You still need to deal with a seventh blueliner, (maybe Pops or Schubie) and another couple forwards to give you some healthy scratches, (Boulton or MacArthur types)…and this doesn’t even bring in to the discussion what to do with the likes of Arturs Kulda, Spencer Machacek, etc.
So let’s say Dudley is thrifty enough to round out the remaining roster spending just another $3 million or so. That would mean the total is now closing in on $50 million.
And for that price, you pretty much get the same team that went 11-11-5 after Kovy was sent off to chase Lord Stanley’s Cup dressed up as a Devil. No upgrades.
I don’t know about you…but I want an upgrade or two.
Personally, what I would rather see Dudley do with that cash is try to bring in a quality starter between the pipes…one that can handle the load for another year or so before handing the job off to Opie full time. Also, a winger to replace Kozlov in the lineup would do the trick nicely too.
Regardless, I just don’t see how Kovalchuk’s desired salary can fit back in the system as far as the accounting department is concerned, even if he would entertain the notion of returning here.
Would you like to see Kovy back as a Thrasher?
- Sure! We could use the goals (8%, 16 Votes)
- No Way! He's gone and I'm over it (65%, 128 Votes)
- Only if he takes less than offered last winter (27%, 54 Votes)
Total Voters: 198
Loading ...And that brings us to the emotion aspect of why I don’t care to see it happen…even if the funds were made available. And the only way I can explain this is with the following analogy.
Ladies, please forgive me as this really is directed toward those in our midst who are of the male persuasion
I’m sure all of us have in our past that one girlfriend that could be classified as “high maintenance”. She was stunningly beautiful and equally as fun to be with. But this chick demanded attention 24/7…and we dropped much coin to keep this young gal happy and well attended.
Yeah…you remember her now, don’t you?
Anyway…something happened and the relationship went Tango Uniform. It could have been caused by any number of things really…you said the wrong thing…you didn’t say the right thing…you forgot her poodle’s birthday…you failed to remember the 7th month anniversary of the first time she allowed you to buy her a piece of jewelry…possibly you just ran out of money.
Maybe, after you’d searched the world over and thought you’d found true love, she met another and …pttthhh…she was gone.
But then, after a few months of time healing the wound, a buddy of yours informs you he’d run into [insert name of high-maintenance ex here] and she had asked about you…she seemed to miss ya, he says. He suggests that you call her up and seeing if the ‘ol flame could be re-kindled…wink-wink-nod-nod.
Now just after the painful breakup, you would have jumped on this chance as hard and fast as Rosie O’Donnell would an open buffet. But now…well, time has passed, you’ve met another cutie pie that is just as much fun to be with… if not more so…and money has somehow found a way to remain in your bank account. Spending time with her didn’t necessarily mean having to spend a pant-load of money on her…at least not every night.
That, plus everything in your little world didn’t have to revolve around whether or not what you did or didn’t do meant losing or keeping her. It was more an “us” thing…not just “her”. And besides…where did you really go in life with her around anyway?
So you thought about it, then handed over to your buddy the ex’s number and told him she likes red roses, dark chocolate, diamond bracelets, fancy cars, five-star restaurants, rock concerts and orchestra level seats at the opera…telling him to have a blast while the money holds out.
Yup, back then you realized that you were a better person without her and it just made no sense at all to go down that road again. You’d discovered that life after [insert name of high-maintenance ex here] not only wasn’t so bad at all…it was actually better.
Today…you can insert Ilya Kovalchuk in those brackets.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
150 comments Add your comment
Lee
April 21st, 2010
3:13 pm
Kevin Gibson from the Atlanta Spirit called me today….and will probably be calling you too any minute now. But anywayz…..he wanted to see “How the game waaaay back when against the Rangers went. Yep…the 5-2 loss…I think you already know how the game went. And you are calling me why?? Oh, yeah…to sell tickets. Mhmm…not happening.
GaVaHokie
April 21st, 2010
3:14 pm
While we have a break in the blog action… I’d like to point out again that we might be staring at a possible #17 pick from NJ… wouldn’t that be ironic? Kovalchuk?… #17?
Ilya Kovalchuk for Johnny Oduya, Nicolas Bergfors, Patrice Cormier, and a #17 pick… not to mention that #17 will be chosen by one of the best talent evaluators in the league, Rick Dudley.
World Be Free
April 21st, 2010
3:47 pm
Iggy does have a NTC
World Be Free
April 21st, 2010
3:49 pm
GaVa-don’t forget about Ansi Salmonella
Smitty
April 21st, 2010
3:55 pm
Forget Kovy. Thrashers did everything they could (at least this past year) to try to keep him.
Has anyone read or heard how Cormier is doing with the Wolves?
Jeff97
April 21st, 2010
4:02 pm
For those keeping Score – Heatley Sharks are tied 2-2 in their series, Kovy’s Devils are down 3-1 and Hossa’s Blackhawks are down 2-1 in their series. I really dont want to see one or both of any of them make it to the finals.
Russian
April 21st, 2010
4:04 pm
If Kovy will not come back to Atlanta WHO IS GOING TO SCORE????
Kovy is Scoring Mashine. He can score 40-50 goals for the season. Look at the Atlanta Thrashers Stats:
Antro is first of the list – 24 Goals
Then Max -24
Pever – 22
Berg – 21
And Then 16, 15 and etc…
Please do not tell me that Ingila will come here and play for us. We lost our Reputation long time ago. If Kovy is very Expensive for us we have to find at least player who can score 35-40 goals.
rebo
April 21st, 2010
4:06 pm
The problem with the girlfriend analogy is that we haven’t yet found that cutie pie to replace the high maintenance hottie. Sure we have some decent looking friends who provide the occasional benefit but at the end of the day, we’re leafing through the SI Swimsuit edition, pining for the days when a good looking chick would even talk to us.
GaVaHokie
April 21st, 2010
4:14 pm
The problem with the girlfriend analogy is that we haven’t yet found that cutie pie to replace the high maintenance hottie. Sure we have some decent looking friends who provide the occasional benefit but at the end of the day, we’re leafing through the SI Swimsuit edition, pining for the days when a good looking chick would even talk to us.
haha… was it Sixteen Candles this line is from?
“Nobody likes me.”
“I like you.”
“Nobody ‘good’ likes me.”
Rawhide
April 21st, 2010
4:18 pm
rebo – HA-HA!
Hokey Clisters
April 21st, 2010
4:21 pm
You best get head out of these lurid and suggestive analogies or you’ll been living in a trailer down by the river…….in Hall county.
LAC
April 21st, 2010
4:32 pm
I read where the final drafting position would be determaned by playoff finish.
So I have to assume, upon reading this, if NJ is first-out, so to speak, they would fall in position
number 15. I am not saying I am 100% correct, but go back and check the draft order on the NHL site and I believe they state the playoff finish is what places the playoff teams in drafting order.
Red Light
April 21st, 2010
4:35 pm
Here’s a little interesting reading I dug up this afternoon. In nepotism we trust?
May 12, 1996: By Tim Turner of The Orlando Sentinel
Rivalry Much Thicker Than Ice
The Ties Of Solar Bears Gm Don Waddell And Vipers Gm/coach Rick Dudley Go Back A Way.
Going into Monday night’s Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series, the Orlando Solar Bears and the Detroit Vipers have played each other 13 times this season. Orlando leads the series, 2-1, and if it goes to a full seven games, their number of meetings could reach 17.
The games only add more layers to this rivalry. From the front offices down to the ice, there is no escaping the ties existing between the teams.
For starters, Orlando General Manager Don Waddell and Detroit GM/coach Rick Dudley are best friends. Their relationship goes back to 1987 when Dudley coached the Flint Generals of the International Hockey League.
During that season, Dudley’s assistant coach, Frank Perkins, died. Not only did he need an assistant coach, the team was already searching for a defenseman. After his IHL career, Waddell had retired to a port-a-let business in Toledo, Ohio.
At Dudley’s request, Waddell came out of retirement. He played the last 12 games of the 1987 season and helped lead the Generals to the 1988 Turner Cup Finals, where they lost to Salt Lake City.
When Dudley left Flint two months later to coach the Los Angeles Kings’ affiliate in New Haven, Conn., of the American Hockey League, Waddell, then 29, took over as Flint coach and GM.
Dudley went on to become the coach of the Buffalo Sabres from 1988-92. Waddell left Flint in 1990 to get the expansion San Diego Gulls franchise off the ground.
After serving as GM/coach for the 1991-92 season, Waddell hired Dudley. Dudley guided the Gulls to a 62-victory season (an all-time hockey record that was tied this season by the Detroit Red Wings). The Gulls went to the Turner Cup Finals that season but lost to the Fort Wayne Komets.
“I think what that tells you is that the two of us together, we come up with a pretty good combination,” Waddell said. “Rick is one of my better friends in hockey. He’s become a close friend outside the game also. And he and I are just night and day difference (in temperament). I think that’s why we work so well together.
“He gets excited with his team and the other team, and that’s just his style. He’s been successful with it. I’m more of a laid-back guy. I approach and handle situations different from what he might.”
Dudley, not wanting to put pressure on his players with the coach and GM on the bench, leaves the game-day coaching in the hands of associate head coach Steve Ludzik. Ludzik and Orlando coach Curt Fraser were teammates with the Chicago Blackhawks in 1980.
Viper left wing Clark Donatelli played with Fraser with the Minnesota North Stars. Fraser played against defenseman Lee Norwood when Norwood was with the St. Louis Blues and coached Vipers right wing Dan Kesa last season at Syracuse of the AHL.
The ties fuel a very competitive series.
“The closeness of friends helps this become that much more of a rivalry,” Waddell said.
“I think regardless of how it comes out, we’ll be good friends. I’d like to sit up on that first tee this year during the off-season and be able to brag that we beat them in the conference semifinals.”
LAC
April 21st, 2010
4:40 pm
Checked and picks 1-14 are set, with the rest of the draft positions blank, which means playoff position will count as pick position. So the second round pick could be better too, the one we swapped with them.
Scotty
April 21st, 2010
4:42 pm
“You best get head out of these lurid and suggestive analogies or you’ll been living in a trailer down by the river…….in Hall county”
Otherwise known as the Hall County Arts and Culture Center.
Russ
April 21st, 2010
4:45 pm
I’m going to throw out a trade proposal, then you can all tell me why each team wouldn’t do it. I know one reason would be because teams don’t like to trade within the division (which if you have confidence in what you are doing has never made sense to me).
The Thrashers should offer the #8 pick, next year’s first round pick, and Pavelec to Carolina for Cam Ward. Ward is a proven #1 goalie (especially a big game goalie) entering the prime of his career and he is locked up for the next six seasons at a cap hit of $6.3 mil. I don’t know if his contract extension included a NTC or not, but if not I think this would be a good trade for the Thrashers. IMO priority #1 this offseason should be to get a proven starting goalie, which this franchise has lacked since its’ inception. I know Dudley has stated he would be comfortable going with the same goalie rotation as last season, but I am hoping that is just because he doesn’t want to come out and say “Pavelec is still way too inconsistent to be counted on and Moose played over his head last season in comparison to the rest of his career and figures to only go downhill considering his age”.
Anyway, I’ll be interested to see what you other closet GM’s have to say.
glovesave29
April 21st, 2010
4:46 pm
Iggy has a NTC, but has been saying in the press he will drop it if he is no longer wanted there.
Do ya think it will cost us Little? Yeah, he had a bad season, but still has a ton of potential…not really wanting to give up on him just yet. Realize we have to give something to get something of value in return…What about a sign and trade with Armstrong in addition to the Devils #1 and our #2 next year?
I am going to be part of the loyal opposition, and still want Kovy back. He’s not going to get the kind of $$$ we once offered. His value is diminished should Philly finish them off. If it is all about money, who moves to LA where everything costs 4X more? The simple fact is that we have no one who is a pure goal scorer. We all like the scrappy, hard working team, but even those need someone who can put the biscuit in the basket with regularity. Iggy would be great setting up the play, getting in the crease and causing havoc and clogging up the middle to support the forecheck.
Nabokov – NO WAY. Not after his “I am not playing in the Olympics unless I am the starter” stance. And we are calling Kovy selfish? He’s gonna ask for 3-4 years, Pavs needs another year as a backup – which is why ya keep Moose, and get a good goalie coach. And again – Mooses’ the glue on this team, a tireless worker – a true team guy.
SBF – didn’t catch the logic behind Dale Murphy not liking Chipper…he was traded to Philly in 1990 to make room for David Justice. Chipper didn’t come up until 1993.
Red Light
April 21st, 2010
4:48 pm
Jim Rutherford might trade Eric Staal before he’d deal Cam Ward. No way, no how! It would be akin to the Devils trading Marty Brodeur in 1998!
Russ
April 21st, 2010
5:00 pm
Red Light – Thanks for the comment and that’s why I have Atlanta having to offer up a lot to have a chance to get him. Anyway, slow day and was just throwing something out there.
R. Stroz
April 21st, 2010
5:18 pm
I am going to be part of the loyal opposition, and still want Kovy back.
Everyone – Call me crazy, I’ve been called worse, but I’m with glovesave29 on this one.
Lee
April 21st, 2010
6:16 pm
I know! I’ll nominate my neighbor for 2011 swimsuit! HAHA NO!
Lee
April 21st, 2010
6:23 pm
Over the years, you vote:
Type 1 for – http://www.newstoob.com/media/images/2010/02/20100210-bar-refaeli-sports-illustrated-swimsuit-issue-past-001.jpg
Type 2 for – http://bittenandbound.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/08_marisa-miller_01.jpg
Type 3 for – http://newsroom.mtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/brooklyn_decker_cover.jpg
Type 4 for – http://www.jetstreaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/sports-illustrated-swimsuit.jpg
Type 5 for – other
Hokey Clisters
April 21st, 2010
6:29 pm
Breaking News Alert: My friend Elrod has just released a formal statement in regards to Mr. Rawhide’s reference to Hall County
Elrod says (and I quote):
I’m proud to be a citizen of Hall County
A place where even red-necks have a ball
We still eat fried chicken down at the Walmart
And ole Rawhide still makes fun of us all
Brendan
April 21st, 2010
8:26 pm
Lee, type 1.
Well, just in case anyone’s actually interested, tonight’s Caps-Habs game features Varlie vs. young CAREY PRICE. If you are a Thrasher fan interested in Price, you may want to tune in to your Center Ice channels. It’s # 783 on Comcast. Washington 1, Montreal 1, with 6:00 left in the 2nd.
The Sabres are up, 2-0, on Boston, thanks to a 2nd period goal by Steve Montador. There are 7:34 left in the 2nd period. This is a “must win” game for Buffalo.
Lee
April 21st, 2010
8:30 pm
Haha….ok..
Noooww. Back to hockey, I forgot this wasn’t a swimsuit blog. Don’t like Boston much, they’ve gotten in out way too much this year…so GO SABRES!
Brendan
April 21st, 2010
8:36 pm
Simeon Varlamov has made three (3) spectacular glove saves for the Capitals in the 2nd stanza. Right now, I have to give the edge to Montreal in this game. And the scoreboard does reflect that, as the Habs lead, 2-1. It was Brian Gionta with the goal, for Montreal. And Montreal is going to the PP, with 1:55 left in the 2nd period. They’re going to get the chance to take a 2-goal lead into the 3rd period, if they can convert here.
Brendan
April 21st, 2010
8:39 pm
Instead, it’s a shorty!!! Mike Knuble tallies for the Capitals, with 6.3 seconds left in the 2nd period 2-2!!
Brendan
April 21st, 2010
8:44 pm
No, it wasn’t Carey Price’s fault. The Habs got caught pressing and gave up a 2-on-1, that was converted perfectly. I don’t fault Price on this goal.
The Sabres-Bruins has now reached intermission, with Buffalo still leading, 2-0. I don’t want enrage any Sabre fans, but if they don’t come away with a win, tonight, with a two goal lead here in Boston to tie up the series, they’ll go home to Buffalo facing ELIMINATION, down 3-1 in the series. Buffalo HAS TO WIN this game. No excuses. Excuses and $1.50 buys you a cup of coffee at Denny’s.
Hokey P. Clisters
April 21st, 2010
9:44 pm
I totally agrees with Rawhide on Kovy. Too much water under the bridge. My estimation is that the water has now flooded its banks and ripped the dadgum bridge away. Could we strike an elaborate deal to get him back? I’m afraid the “devil” would be in the details.
By the way, I used my formal name for this response. The P stands for Pokey………….
Brendan
April 21st, 2010
9:55 pm
Bruins scored two in the 3rd period to force overtime in Boston. The Sabres had a PP, but could only manage to ring it off the post. There’s 13:00 left in the first overtime. Sabres fans must be sweating bullets. They’re staring 3-1, right in the face.
Brendan
April 21st, 2010
9:57 pm
Bruins just blew a glorious scoring chance. They also managed to get a shorthanded breakaway opportunity during the Sabres PP. Boston has to be shaking their heads; they’ve had such great chances. What an overtime!!!!
Brendan
April 21st, 2010
10:02 pm
Washington owned the 3rd period, to defeat Montreal, 6-3. It was tied, 2-2, after two periods. Could tonight have been the very last time that Montreal fans will see Carey Price wearing “les bleus, blancs, et rouges?”
Brendan
April 21st, 2010
10:18 pm
We’re headed to double overtime in Boston. Anybody want to try to pick the goal scorer? R.Stroz, you’re the Nostradamus of the blog. Pick me a goal scorer.
World Be Free
April 21st, 2010
10:28 pm
Sabres blowing it again-this has been going on for 40 years-since the first Nixon administration!
The Beatles still had a faint heart beat as a group. “Patton” was released. And the sabres were starting their traditional swoon when the games meant something. And so it goes.
LAC-I hope Philly can overcome Gagne and Carter’s injuries to close out the series. Tough injuries at a crucial time.
HookyBob
April 21st, 2010
10:32 pm
I second JB’s motion (nomination) for Stroz’s “best blog ever.” Ironic how Kovy is helping us more, as a member of another team, while playing his usual game. Russian:… Kovy does score a lot,..but many are on the PP. Since he has a negative +/- that tells me we get scored on more at full strength (when he is on the ice) than we score. Ungood.
I’m pulling for Philly (swallow hard). Yes, if Kovy doesn’t really step it up, and the Devils advance, his stock will plummet faster than the NYSE back in the fall of 2008. I’m so glad we divested of Kovy when his stock was worth a lot (Oduya, Berfors, Cormier, etc). Hard to believe it is Sweet Lou who might have “de ja vu all over again” stockwise. My bet is that Kovy doesn’t get a good enough offer in the NHL and ends up in the KHL.
Swallowing hard again,…did I just give DW a backhanded compliment?
Getting Iggy would be a dream come true. Let me list the benefits 1) Scoring, leadership, attitude, work ethic & grit (that is really 5 reasons folks),…2) Role model / mentor for Evander (the real deal) Kane. 3)Something tells me he would be a real draw here in Atlanta, a hockey hinterland. What more could you want in a hockey player? This is one of those things that would be too good to be true. (Besides Todd White would have to give up his #12.)
Second on my wish list would be either Carey Price or Jarislov Halleck, whichever one the snow farmers (TM Bob) will deal/opt out on. If not one of these guys,… I think I’d go looking for some Finnish goalie. No offense Mr Stendec,..I just think Finland produces a lot of 1st rate goalies (Kipper, Nittimaki, Rask, Renne, etc), and we might find a sleeper. They produce a lot of tough goalies too. Anyone remember our first Finnish goalie? I still remember Pasi Nermenen going toe to toe with the Oilers Ty Conklin. I’d trade my Steffan #13 jersey in a heartbeat for a Pasi.
Finally, any chance we keep Kozlov as our “shoot-out” coach? If he’d get us 6 or so more points a season it would be worth it.
World Be Free
April 21st, 2010
10:36 pm
Red Light-nice piece on the ties that bind. The business is like that, people helping each out along the way. I think Don needed “help” more than Duds. Wish we had some video of Don as a player, now that would be entertaining.
Stroz-I was with you on brining Kovy back at first. But the more I thought about what went down this year, the more NOW I say no. He shoulda said he wanted to leave and we could have picked up assets for him early in the season. The drama dragged on most of the season.
Plus, he was your captain. if you bring him back, do you make him captain again! ? No, no and no, name a new captain from your younger players. You can’t have a former captain in your lineup with a new captain at the helm.
It’s like being married, getting divorced, remarried and keeping your ex-wife in the basement. Kovy is not a leader.
R. Stroztradamus
April 21st, 2010
10:54 pm
Brendan – I just arrived home, however, I predict Satan will score the winning goal for Boston.
Brendan
April 21st, 2010
11:22 pm
R.Stroztradamus, you did it again! Unbelievable!! How do you do it???
Brendan
April 21st, 2010
11:27 pm
Anyone know if Miroslav is married?
If he isn’t, I could see this scenario. A daughter turns to her father, “Please, Dad. Answer the door and let my new boyfriend in.” The father opens the door. “Hello there, son. My daughter’s inside. Say, I didn’t catch your name.” He replies, “Miroslav, but you can call me Miro.” “Miro, eh?,” says the father, rubbin’ his chin. “What’s your last name?” “Satan.” The father perks up, and calls for his wife. “Honey! You may well have been right all along. Our daughter just might be the ‘Bride of Satan.’”
HookyBob
April 21st, 2010
11:32 pm
So,if the current trend continues we are looking at (smacking forehead with kuckles,… to knock on wood) the Caps and Philly in round 2 (and the Pens vs Boston). I’m thinking the Caps and Phily woudl be a some great hockey (even if it ends in sweep).
Out west,..rather soon to tell,..but I think Brendan might get his Preds and Yotes match-up. I would much rather see that as the conference final. Not sure who needs to win this round for that to happen though.
Strozadamus,…the legend grows! Tell me who will we draft this year?
World Be Free
April 22nd, 2010
7:20 am
To follow up last night’s comments.
If you ever want to know why Sabres’ fans are such a deranged bunch, just watch a replay of last night’s game against the Brunes,. Yet another season of high expectations and low results with half the team not showing up for a crucial game.
I predict that Ryan Miller, once day will pull a Dom Hasek. He’ll walk into Sabres’ management and ask to be traded to a team that has a hope of winning a Stanley Cup. Miller will go to Detroit and win his Cup just like Hasek.
Now you know why I have hope as a Thrashers’ fan-because there is no hope in Sabre land.
Red Light
April 22nd, 2010
7:38 am
Not sure that dropping two one-goal games, one in 2OT, without two important players qualifies as a complete failure in Buffalo. In fact, last night’s first overtime was 20 minutes of fantastic hockey World Be Free. Disappointing yes, but certainly not a complete mail-in failure ala the Habs’ third period. All Eastern Conference series stand at 3-1, while all Western series stand at 2-2, except for Nashville, which can go up 3-1 tonight at home.
I think San Jose will win tonight and the Hawks better come up with a big effort or they’ll be staring at elimination Saturday on NBC.
World Be Free
April 22nd, 2010
7:49 am
Red Light, Sabres have had the lead in all 4 games and they are down 3-1 in the series. Had a 2 goal game going into the 3rd period last night and blew it again. Same old act we have seen for years.
Lindy for 14 seasons is called “stability”; I call it apathy.
Dwayne
April 22nd, 2010
8:38 am
I.D.W.T.
W.W.D.D?
Joe Friday
April 22nd, 2010
9:08 am
“Call me crazy”
Ok, you’re crazy! Kovy will never sign here and he’s not a guy you build a club around. Pass, pass, pass.
Spud Webb
April 22nd, 2010
9:27 am
WBF……same old story. Tough to watch for sure!! Gonna be the end for some of those guys, stafford gone, Pominville gone, possibly Tallinder.
The sabres have more talent in the AHL, but those guys are literally TINY. Need some beef!!!
Also on the Max re-signing. We’ve all gone over this before. Sure he scored 24 goals, good for him. He’s proven he derserves to be in this league. For me, I’ll take the hard working, never a shift off guys. Max still has his lapses, his cherry picking…his “i’m not interested tonight” nights. Just my opinion but let him go. Not interested at all. If he doesnt score, he’s not doing anything. I’m fairly certain back-checking isn’t in his dictionary!!!!!!!!!!!
World Be Free
April 22nd, 2010
10:04 am
Spud-I think the house is split on Max-I will defer to Duds. I did not want him here to beghin with, but he sure surpised me. I do want him back, but I am worried about what will happen when he’s no longer playing for a contract as he did last year. He took alotta paid time off in Buffalo.
Sabres’ problems are Darcy Regier and the legoin of smurfs he has collect, except for Zach Kassian who’s an animal. As my buddies stated last night, people will be satisfied enough to keep the status quo because they made the playoffs. I say BFD!
And to think that some people call Thrashers’ fans sheep!
R. Stroz
April 22nd, 2010
10:15 am
Thanks Joe Bob Friday, I needed confirmation.
It’s not pass, pass, pass.
It’s screen the goalie and shoot, shoot, shoot.
Rawhide
April 22nd, 2010
11:17 am
Wow…almost 150 comments in less than a day and a half since this blog went live. Now some may say I am “misinformed” about certain matters, but I don’t think it’s too difficult to find good, quality Thrashers discussion…or playoff chat as well.
Nope, not to difficult at all…It’s found right here on the AJC.com sports page by way of your comments. You guys provide some of the best, most informative, most entertaining Thrashers/NHL Playoff coverage found anywhere in Thrasherville.
For that, I think you deserve a new blog to continue your discussions…so here ya go, have at it.
Chris16
April 22nd, 2010
9:36 pm
Bye Kovy, He is never coming back to Atlanta, I will add to the list Hossa, Savard, Heathly all will never play here PERIOD. Back Kovy and the Devils He did not help them at all to win one playoff game.