Fat lady prepares to begin her 2010 first round tour
Fresh off her regular season tour that finished off fourteen of the thirty NHL team’s season, the fat lady is once again preparing for her first-round playoff tour. Last we saw of her, she was singing a tune for the New York Rangers on the last Sunday of the season. The Tuesday night prior, she was doing so for Atlanta…a frequent stop on her regular season tour.
Now she looks to begin her post-season schedule in the northeast as both the New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Senators face elimination, down 3 games to 1 in their series with Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Tomorrow night, she’ll find her way to Buffalo and D.C. as the Sabres and Canadiens will be hearing the hefty soprano if they fail to defeat Buffalo and Washington in game five of their matchups.
Later tonight, the seventh-seeded Predators will look to push their advantage to 3-1 over the second-seeded Blackhawks as game-four of that battle will be played in Nashville. Colorado and San Jose will also play game five with that series knotted at two-apiece. Tomorrow night, Los Angeles and Vancouver will look to un-knot their series when game-five is played in British Columbia while Detroit travels back to Phoenix with that series tied at 2-each as well.
Thus, the chubby chick will know who to begin preparing her swan song for in those matchups.
So you can see, after about a week and a half of rest, the fat lady will be on the move quite a bit between now and the beginning of next week. It’s a good thing that she’s so quick for such a big gal.
Regarding tonight’s action…the Flyers have gotten themselves to the point of a possible 7 vs. 2 seed upset by way of good ‘ol fashioned tough, physical, hard-nosed hockey. Goalie Brain Boucher, (1.98 GAA & .925 SV%), has to date out done his counterpart Martin Brodeur, (2.98 GAA & .886 SV%)…and the Flyers have held the games close, finding a way to eke out a pair of one-goal wins and a 4-1 game four victory that was 2-1 entering the third period.
Ilya Kovalchuk has a pair of goals, six points and an EVEN rating with 6 PIM.
The Penguins stumbled in game-one of their battle with the Senators, losing 5-4 at home, but have taken the next three games by a combine score of 13-7. Sidney Crosby leads the way with 11 overall points in the post-season, (4 goals and 7 assists) and the Pittsburgh defense has held Ottawa to just 24.5 shots per game, the lowest average in the playoffs so far.
Marc-Andre Fleury has a 3.01 GAA and .878 SV%.
Meanwhile, Montreal really has to be kicking themselves…they were leading 4-1 in game-two after taking the first game from the top-seeded Capitals. But since that time, the Caps have stormed back to win that match 6-5 in overtime and have outscored the Habs 16-5 since the 18:23 mark of the second period of game-two. Niclas Backstrom leads the attack with 5 goals and 4 assists and is tied with teammate Tom Poti with a +8 rating, which leads all skaters so far. Alex Ovechkin has 4 goals and 4 assists and is a +7.
Since relieving Jose Theodore last weekend, Semyon Varlamov is 3-0 with a 2.44 GAA and .920 SV%.
Daniel Paille, Johnny Boychuk, Marco Sturm and the Boston Bruins skated away with a 3-2 overtime win Wednesday night...taking with them a 3 games to 1 lead in their series with Buffalo (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
And in one of the most entertaining series to watch for me, the Boston Bruins find themselves on the doorstep of a round-two appearance by edging the Sabres in some very close, very exciting games. The Bruins have come out victorious in two one-goal games and a 5-3 win in which an empty-netter provided the two-goal margin. Last night saw Boston take a 3-2 decision in double overtime…the winning goal scored by Miro Satan while Drew Stafford sat in the penalty box serving a too-many-men-on-the-ice minor for the Sabres.
All Tuukka Rask has done is go 3-1 with a 1.80 GAA and .939 SV%.
One last thing for you to ponder…something I help but think about the other night while watching Philly beat New Jersey. If you look back on the five-game losing streak during last month’s Thrashers March to from the Playoffs, you’ll see that four of the teams they lost to failed to make post-season play. Three of those teams… Tampa Bay, Carolina and Columbus…finished below Atlanta in the standings. But if the Thrashers simply beaten those teams and gone just 3-2 during that stretch, they would have finished with 89 points in the standings and seventh in the Eastern Conference.
If so, we would be playing the Devils and Philly would have to be dealing with Washington at this time.
I know, I know…”ifs” and “buts” and all that….
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139 comments Add your comment
Spud Webb
April 22nd, 2010
11:16 am
First?????????
Spud Webb
April 22nd, 2010
11:20 am
Rask is a stud. The guy is rock solid. That alone gives the B’s (hate them) a chance in any series. He’s playing as well as any goalie.
The frogs, HAVE TO BE KILLING THEMSELVES. They’ve not recovered from the huge lead they blew on Saturday night. Could’ve been up 2-0!!!!!!!! WOW what a turnaround.
Pens will roll Ottowa again. SHOW SOME HEART Senators, good lord.
glovesave29
April 22nd, 2010
11:26 am
The diving save Rask made last night was stellar…only to be topped by this moment in an AHL game last season.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUVGz0MVyKI
Russian
April 22nd, 2010
11:26 am
Fleyrs is bad condition right now. They lost Simon Gagne and Jeff Carter. It will very effective to Philly. I think it will be 7 games. For other pair: Ovi will take Canadiens at 5 games. Crosby finsh Ottawa at 5 games. Boston and Buffalo will be interesting, it might be 6 or 7 games.
J(Z)
April 22nd, 2010
11:28 am
I assume we should we be rooting against New Jersey? I refuse to root for anything about the city of Philthadelphia, but I can root against New Jersey…What are the stakes of the NJ draft pick? If they lose in the first round where would that pick be? Are the 8 teams that lose in round plotted on the draft board right then? Or does it all stay in reverse order of the standings except for the teams in the Finals???
GaVaHokie
April 22nd, 2010
11:28 am
Rask, another in a long line of guys who should still be a Maple Leaf… he could be on his way to a Conn Smythe trophy, “Cam Ward” style.
GaVaHokie
April 22nd, 2010
11:36 am
In other, sad news… the fat lady is singing for “Bobby and June’s” on 14th Street. Great place. Hate to see it go.
http://www.11alive.com/rss/rss_story.aspx?storyid=143030
Savannah Blueland Fan
April 22nd, 2010
11:36 am
That fat lady was caught complaining to the Winnipeg Sun that her vocal cords were strained by repeated performances in Atlanta. She was quoted as saying the entire month of March was a “must win” for the Thrashers and that she was trotted out after repeated losses so many times that her ability to perform during the playoffs is now questionable. The NHL may be forced to resort to the old-fashioned cane hook followed by a rapidly falling curtain.
Dwayne
April 22nd, 2010
11:40 am
Do not appreciate yall calling my “high maintenece beauty queen girl friend” a singing fat lady!!!!
Smoothie
April 22nd, 2010
11:44 am
“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.”
Awwww shucks Mr. Bill, we are as entertaining as any blog in the NHL!
Matt
April 22nd, 2010
11:45 am
I shudder to say this but, “GO FLYERS!!!” (I feel unclean now)
Somaatl95
April 22nd, 2010
11:52 am
Go easy on the Habs – they can’t help that they spend more time drawing ponies, unicorns and rainbows on their hockey sticks than actually preparing for their playoff games. I’m happy as long as the Habs and Nucks don’t make the final. As much as Canada rips on our Thrashers I would love to say for another year “Hockey is your sport? Then why have USA teams been winning the cup for over a decade now?”
And its nice to see the “#17 Curse” is infecting the Jersey Shore. Maybe “Snooki” and all of those losers can be filmed at a Devils game watching Kovalchoke help give the playoffs away…. just like he did for Atlanta.
Hokey Clisters
April 22nd, 2010
11:52 am
Well ……….that rascally Rask. No wonder Boston would not blink an eye at getting Kovy (We had to be asking for Rask).
Bruins new tolerance policy for future trade scenarios: Don’t tell and don’t ask: remember Kovy vs Rask.
Rawhide
April 22nd, 2010
12:02 pm
I shudder to say this but, “GO FLYERS!!!” (I feel unclean now)
Matt – Yeah…kinda make one feel the need to take a shower after saying it outloud, eh?
Awwww shucks Mr. Bill, we are as entertaining as any blog in the NHL!
Smoothie – Don’t sell yourselves short. The comments section of this forum and C-Viv’s contains nothing but the best in regards to the discussion of Thrashers chat. Where else in these parts can you get such a wide variety of insight…the type of wit…the banter…the broad array of topics and discussions???
Well….WELL…WELL…???
Do not appreciate yall calling my “high maintenece beauty queen girl friend” a singing fat lady!!!!
Dwayne – Look, I’m not trying to be rude here…but when she goes swimming, she leaves a ring around the lake!
Spud Webb
April 22nd, 2010
12:05 pm
Very interesting about rask is the Tim Thomas situation. boston owes him a lot of money over the next 3 (maybe 4???) years. Does anyone (Tiller) know how the cap works? Say the cut him, is that a cap “hit” still (similiar to the NFL) or what??? I’m not familiar with this. Whos going to take that salary on in a trade???????? I believe he’s what 34 or 35 years old??? Hamstrung that teams payroll for sure!!!!
Jeff97
April 22nd, 2010
12:06 pm
Drew Stafford probably did not sleep well last night. That was an obvious too many men penalty.
It was one of the best goaltending duel’s I have seen this year and the first OT especially was electric.
One can only wonder (and drool) at the prospect of that type of playoff game happening in our building someday…
World Be Free
April 22nd, 2010
12:14 pm
Brunes need to get better; they ened to dump Thomas on whoever will take him. Not sure he’s worth the risk at the cost and years. soemthing happened to him this year.
Fat Lady is warming up in Buffalo; she’s gonna break out my favorite Polish polka, the “Too Fat” polka. “I don’t want her, you can have her, she’s too fat for me, HEY! she’s too fat for me, HEY!”.
Sabres don’t have the fight in them. Sabes will go down, the fans will bitch and forget within the next few weeks. No such shakeups in Buffalo-status quo prevails.
Lou Lam is railing his guys over being down 3-1. Been a LONG time since the devils advanced past the 2nd round. The finals results of the Kovy trade may bring the luster off Lou Lam in NJ.
Go Nashville! Not that I dislike the Hawks, but I would like to see the Preds go on a long run. Time for Barry Trotz, one of my favorite coaches to get rewarded for his work.
Anton Volchenkov’s wants $5M/year long term-anyone interested?
Red Light
April 22nd, 2010
12:15 pm
Guys, we’re just 3.5 hours away from Nashville. They play in the other conference. They are what we hope to become with smallish salaries, a team concept, a coach that implements and sticks to a system while the GM brings in new guys year after year to take the place of others who sought greener pastures. Now, they’re close to grasping their first-ever playoff series win against a team many thought would dispose of the Preds in short order in the series. The poll was 107 Chicago, 18 Nashville in the prognostication blog, but I could only find Sharon, Joe Friday and myself who actually chose them to win (I’m sure there were others). This is a team that is “outmanned” talent-wise but rarely gets outworked. Their first-ever No. 1 draft pick, David Legwand, still plays for the team, is captain and is one of the best defensive forwards in the league. On Saturday, they will make their third (non-VERSUS) national TV appearance on NBC since the lockout in Chicago. Jump on the Preds bandwagon for a few more games, weeks, months or whatever it comes to! There’s no harm in pulling for the underdog.
Go Preds
World Be Free
April 22nd, 2010
12:18 pm
Jeff-
What do these players have in common?
Drew Stafford
Jochem Hecht
Jason Pominville
Henrik Tallender
Derek Roy
Toni Lydman
Answer-they are all current Sabres, that should be former Sabres.
I am sure there’s a fashion show somewhere that could use these “guys”. They will bring their own purses.
Russian
April 22nd, 2010
12:21 pm
**to WBF**
Anton wants $5 per year. If we keep Pasha Kubina and trade Hainsi, we could talk to his agent.
World Be Free
April 22nd, 2010
12:29 pm
Russian!
Where have you been?
I like Anton’s game and I think you do too.
Not sure we could dump Hainsey, but it sounds good.
Red Light
April 22nd, 2010
12:36 pm
Pass at $5 million
Spud Webb
April 22nd, 2010
12:41 pm
WBF, two I have to disagree on are Roy and Hecht. Both are NOT flashy and are what they are. Responsible and usually pretty reliable. 2 or 3 liners that won’t hurt you and score 20, play both ways well.
The problem is Buffalo doesn’t have a true stud, nor a true sniper at this point. Maro Satan, good flipping lord!!!!!!!!!!!!
DWTOO
April 22nd, 2010
12:42 pm
WBF – Just ask Joe McGrath. Sure he’s putting on a fashion show right now. Maybe one of the Sabres will “wiggle” his parts at them.
MB
April 22nd, 2010
12:59 pm
WBF, the Devils made the semis in both ‘06 and ‘07, so it hasn’t been all that long since they made it out of the first round. They were, however, crushed in the 2nd round both those seasons, so maybe that makes it feel like they lost in the first.
Regardless, hats off to the Flyers and especially Brian Boucher…they’ve played a heck of a series up to this point. Hard to believe these are the same Flyers that our very own Thrashers dominated just one month ago with Boucher acting like a S’mores-starved Cub Scout collecting marshmallows in his net.
Meanwhile, apparently Lou has taken to smashing jars of Smuckers in the locker room in an effort to rouse the somnambulant Devils. They’ll get some help with Carter and Gagne out, but with few goals from Kovy and Parise and a complete disappearing act from the rest of NJ’s “scorers,” it’ll still be a tough row to hoe. With Marty on the decline (by his standards) and seeing the firepower of the Caps and Pens, Lou took a big gamble by bringing in #17 to try to keep up. Needless to say, it’s not exactly working out as he had planned…and it may well come to an end tonight.
On the other coast, I just caught the 2nd period of last night’s Kings v. Canucks tilt…now THAT was some fun hockey to watch. Hope some of the non-hockey fans who got caught up in the Olympic excitement have been tuning in to these first round games. If so, then I think they’ll be hooked.
World Be Free
April 22nd, 2010
1:01 pm
Spud-Buffalo had 2 playmakers that fit perfectly in their system, Drury and Briere. Both were allowed to walk for nothing and the team hasn’t been the same since. Cody McCormick was a bigger difference maker last night the the “core players” that are supposed to carry this team. Buffalo needs a total makeover starting with the GM. We tore down The Aud now time to tear down the team. No more hobbitts on Buffalo! Get Ted Nolan back and play some physical hockey!
DWTOO-one of many funny scenes in “Slap Shot”. Johnny went on top say that the only one not running for the exits will be his wife. Classic.
Riceowls
April 22nd, 2010
1:11 pm
Montreal down 3-1, Ottawa down 3-1, Kovy down 3-1. Life is good.
(C’mon LA and Colorado).
Now, off to Nashville to cheer for the Preds so Hossa is down 3-1.
Badger Bob
April 22nd, 2010
1:13 pm
J(Z) – we do beneifit from an early NJ departure. The draft seeding is in order of regular season standings among the teams eliminated in any round. That means the eight teams that lose in the opening round are seeded 15 – 22. Since NJ finished behind only WAS, SJ, CHI, PHO and VAN, our NJ draft pick will be 22nd minus the number of those five teams that also lose in the first round.
So I guess we need to cheer for the Habs, Avs, Preds, Wings and Kings so that pick becomes #17 (and how ironic would that be?).
Savannah Blueland Fan
April 22nd, 2010
1:16 pm
I am loathe to criticize the Versus network because I am thrilled to have hockey on TV; truly I am. But so far in the playoffs, whenever there are two games on at the same time, they show one game and settle for “a look in” on the second game and EVERY SINGLE TIME it’s the second game that I would rather be watching.
GaVaHokie
April 22nd, 2010
1:24 pm
J(Z)… yeah, what Badger said… we had a lengthy discussion about it on Rawhide’s last blog, if you have time.
So far, it looks like only Washington might be safe. So, the highest pick we’re staring at right now would be 18th… but no less than 22nd.
Of course, this is all dependent on a Philly WIN tonight… go Flyers.
Badger Bob
April 22nd, 2010
1:27 pm
Spud Webb – I believe if you buy out players over 35 you don’t get any reduction in cap hit. So ya, the Brunes are not looking good with Thomas’ contract (6M, 5M, 3M for next three years, with $5M cap hit each year).
Rawhide
April 22nd, 2010
1:27 pm
So I guess we need to cheer for the Habs, Avs, Preds, Wings and Kings so that pick becomes #17 (and how ironic would that be?).
Badger Bob – Root for Avs, Predators and Kings? Not only can I can do that…I’m already doing that!
Wings and Habs….not so much.
Alan R.
April 22nd, 2010
1:39 pm
Lou is apparently pretty pissed off about the Devils’ performance as of late.
DWTOO
April 22nd, 2010
1:51 pm
SBF – Know how you feel re VS. As the lone Flyers fan on this blog, and feeling like the red headed stepchild, I am abolsutely sick of watching Sid the Crotch Punching Squid, and the Pens against the gutless/heartless Sens. Each Devils/Flyers game has been up against the “Face of the NHL”. And tonight looks more of the same. Probably should’ve bought the Center Ice package.
So, with a Flyers win not only see the Flyers advance, but, the double pleasure of watching Kovalchuk slink off to spend some quality time with his family.
kracker
April 22nd, 2010
1:55 pm
DWTOO – Go to a sports bar, maybe.
Red Light
April 22nd, 2010
2:05 pm
Alan R.
Did you expect him to throw a party down 3-to-1 to the 7th place team? Just saying…
Alan R.
April 22nd, 2010
2:09 pm
Red Light: Yes.
Seriously though, I didn’t expect to see something about a smashed jar of jelly.
lola
April 22nd, 2010
2:10 pm
SBF: Agreed! I kinda wanna watch #17 go down tonight ….
Lou Lamoriello
April 22nd, 2010
2:13 pm
Actually, I was letting everyone know that they’d be promoted if we lost the first round.
glovesave29
April 22nd, 2010
2:14 pm
Ya take Lamariello’s jelly, add in some of Schoenfeld’s donuts…
Russian
April 22nd, 2010
2:16 pm
If you do not have VS or Center Ice on your TV you can always see hockey on http://www.ATDHE.net
It is absolutely free.
Also #17 is not going down EASELY. Game will be very interesting to watch.
lola
April 22nd, 2010
2:19 pm
Yeah, that’s my point … I wish I could watch that one instead of the Pens/Sens game
lola
April 22nd, 2010
2:22 pm
And thanks for the website…
DWTOO
April 22nd, 2010
2:23 pm
Yeah kracker, but, the couch is soooooo comfortable. Thanks Russian – I’ll check that out tonight.
Jeff97
April 22nd, 2010
2:27 pm
#17 might be going down tonight, but he has probably been their best player. 6pts in 4 games. I was hoping for 0 -2pts for the series. Of course, it will be status quo for him as he has gotten his points, but his teams go nowhere. Dont you think the GM’s in the NHL will be using that when negotitating with him? Kovy gets 7.5 – 8.5million for about 5-7 years.
Red Light
April 22nd, 2010
2:28 pm
Brian Campbell is a game-time decision tonight for the Blackhawks, which means if he is inserted in the lineup that the Preds will score six goals instead of four.
Jeff97
April 22nd, 2010
2:31 pm
Red Light – somehow I think your glad that we did not sign Campbell to that 7 million per year contract.
Cliff Fletcher
April 22nd, 2010
2:38 pm
It looks like Doug Risebrough could be the next GM of the NY Rangers. Sather would be moved to a “new” position in the organization.
The Rangers are the Thrashers all over again.
Sather and Waddell screw up and they both get promotions!
WTF!
World Be Free
April 22nd, 2010
2:41 pm
Jeff-#17 is new Jersey’s best player becuase nobody else on the team touches the puck when he’s on the ice. I’ll be interested who will sign him and how close he will come to the $10M he rejected from Atlanta.
I still say he will .60/.65 cents on the dollar compared tot he contract he turned down.
Savannah Blueland Fan
April 22nd, 2010
2:46 pm
Did I hear a WTF???? To early for tequila, but eh……why not!
Jeff97
April 22nd, 2010
2:51 pm
World Be Free – I agree, that was kind of my point. Kovy got his points here, but we never won, so far, it seems to be the same way in NJ. I still think someone will give him a pretty decent salary, such as LA that has cap room and could probably move one of their other players such as Frolov to make room for Kovy. If Kovy does get 7.5-8.5 million, i dont think it will be a 10 year deal but more like a 5 -6 year deal.
Hokey Clisters
April 22nd, 2010
3:07 pm
I told my friend Elrod that if the Predators continue to win that we’re heading to Nashville. Elrod gets all excited and asks….will this event be in-doors or out? I was dumbfounded for a few minutes but finally realized Elrod was thinking about a tractor pull.
Red Light
April 22nd, 2010
3:17 pm
Jeff97
Not at all, would have been most entertaining to see him skating in circles with Afinogenov at the public skating events the Thrashers played this year.
Thanks for the most welcome news Cliff Fletcher. Hopefully, Sather’s new position will be escorting fans up the escalators at MSG like all the other dinosaurs that work there!
Joe Friday
April 22nd, 2010
3:21 pm
Red Light, do you have britches in a bunch over my constant teasing of your Blue Skirts?!?
I watch the Hawks, and Campbell is the gel that makes their offense, and PP, work. I know some of the newbies around here deride that contract he got, but he’s worth every penny. They have not been the same since Ovechkin mugged him.
Elrod from Hall County
April 22nd, 2010
3:29 pm
Ok Hokey Clisters, now you iz beginnin’ to imbariss me a might. An you knows a trackter pull can be inside of doors or outside of doors, so you can unnerstand my reasons for aksin’ ya.
Red Light
April 22nd, 2010
3:40 pm
Joe Friday, I grew up with Flyers fans, so anything you bring to the table about the Strangers is just another verse of the unfinished symphony I’ve been listening to since 1967. No harm, no foul!
I used to like Campbell but he has become a specialist not a hockey player, salary or not.
World Be Free
April 22nd, 2010
3:47 pm
jEFF97-Betcha Kovy’s wife is thinking about how she could spend all those bucks Kovy flushed when he turned down the Thrashers! His refuseal to extend here may be the best thing that every happened to the Thrashers, as long as they spend the money on other assets.
I’d rather Duds had the $$$ to spend as he sees it.
Cliff Fletcher
April 22nd, 2010
3:48 pm
Red Light-Sather’s continued employment is by reputation only, over what he did 25 years ago. He took too many shots to the head!
DWTOO
April 22nd, 2010
4:01 pm
Red Light – Grew up with Flyers fans? That’s probably why you’re so tough today! And I do have a few Ranger fans as friends. Actually my sister likes them. She’s not well regarded within the family tho’.
Bob and Doug McKenzie
April 22nd, 2010
4:27 pm
Take Off – You Hosers
Red Light
April 22nd, 2010
4:42 pm
DWTOO: This is the one that cemented it for me to always hate the Flyers. I pulled for the Red Army to beat them!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82pEAetLXrY&feature=PlayList&p=42927C4123524CD8&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1
DWTOO
April 22nd, 2010
6:11 pm
I saw that game too. At the time thought it good to the Flyers pretty much cheapshot the Russians into the lockeroom, but, upon further review not so cool.
rob
April 22nd, 2010
8:27 pm
BOOO Flyers!!! I mean um, go flyers? WTF!!!! (That was for you Savannah) Go Broduer!!! I mean, um, you suck now with Kovy!!! HAHAHAHAHA Loving watching yarku rutuu (I know I must have misspelled it but don’t care) and his punk a$$ sens getting knocked around… Go Avs!!! So, would it be the Pens, Flyers and Caps, Bruins???? That will make some interesting hockey!!!! Watching this shows just how bad we need the size of guys like Artyukin, and a few more like him. Watching Kennedy get treated like a kid against Recchi in game 3 for the winning goal was pitiful…Cormier has some size too doesn’t he? Now if we can get him to keep his elbows down……
Russian
April 22nd, 2010
8:46 pm
Look Likes Kovy PO ended very soon. 3:0 Philly after second period. It is big.
kracker
April 22nd, 2010
9:03 pm
3-0 tonight for Flyers after 2!!! I’m more about the Thrashers drafting position than about Kovy losing. But then one depends on the other.
kracker
April 22nd, 2010
9:21 pm
WOW Flyers givint it up…blood on the ice
lola
April 22nd, 2010
9:34 pm
ahhh so sad….. wish I could see it in real time
lola
April 22nd, 2010
9:39 pm
Switched over just in time for the guys to congratulate each other — great series!
Tom (Capital T Tom)
April 22nd, 2010
9:42 pm
Ilya Kovalchuk – 1 for 9 in playoff games.
I wonder how many millions of dollars he has cost himself with his failure to sign with us.
My guess, 40 million.
And what is truly amazing is that he has shown what a chemistry killer he is for a quality team.
I think Ilya thinks he is a Mike Bossy using his scoring skills to lead his team to the Cup, but I think he is in the Pavel Bure leaving a path of destruction in his wake…
Hokey P. Clisters
April 22nd, 2010
9:42 pm
Hokey just had an thought (I gets one every now and then): If we are able to sign “Mad Max” to a maximum contract should we change his nickname to simply, “The Max?”
Speaking of Mad Max, my yard dog starred in all the old “Mad Max” movies with Mel Gibson. His stage name was Runny Clisters. Unfortunately, Runny is no longer with us since his intestinal issues led to a early demise………..
Was amazed to see that my ole friend Elrod checked in on the blog. I was unaware that he could read or write. Elrod, I apologize for misrepresenting you. I will do better next time.
Adam
April 22nd, 2010
9:42 pm
I wonder how far Kovy’s stock has dropped… 2G (1 was an empty netter) & 4A in 5 playoff games. I think he’s got a total of 19SOG after tonight’s LOSS.
I also wonder how much jelly got on his suit…
kracker
April 22nd, 2010
9:43 pm
It’s golfing time, Kovy…or South of France or whatever.
Tom (Capital T Tom)
April 22nd, 2010
9:43 pm
Oh, and the Devils were the first team eliminated from the playoffs this year too. LOL
kracker
April 22nd, 2010
9:47 pm
Adam….it would be sort of appropriate if Kovy’s suit got grape-jellied in Lou’s outburst…..He never looked right in a Dev’s uni…maybe he will look right in a KHL uni….or maybe a King’s uni.
LAC
April 22nd, 2010
9:48 pm
The look on #17’s face was PRICELESS, like What am I doing here… LOSING !!!
He is never going to get the “supposed” money he could have gotten here.
He looked average at BEST… This means we have #8 & #15 picks in the upcoming draft !!!!!
Wow bet “Lou” is FUMING now, Even the NJ TV guys were saying is was very doubtful #17 would resign there, he did not “fit”… Gee Whiz “Chico”…
So NJ loses #1 pick, 2 starters and one prospect, for about a month and a half and 5 playoff games, and when #17 lost the puck outside the zone near the end, The fans were REALLY on his case…
Hope he is enjoying the “first-Class” LOSING in the playoffs NJ provided him !
Good-Bye NJ !
mirandawonawards
April 22nd, 2010
10:03 pm
Well I geuss that Kovy trade worked out really well. Unfortunately VERSUS didn’t show any of the games. I geuss the curse of Atlanta Flames/Thrashers post season continues.
kracker
April 22nd, 2010
10:03 pm
The ‘Russian sniper’ mostly was shooting blanks. To be fair, though, for the NJDevils to lose to a lesser Flyers team that lost key players during the series and still carried the action in Philly or in NJ….well Lou has a boatload of things to consider this off season.
Tom (Capital T Tom)
April 22nd, 2010
10:04 pm
I officially declare the trade of Ilya Kovalchuk to New Jersey a win for the Atlanta Thrashers.
Sure we did not make the playoffs, but who in their right mind would guarantee that we would of with Ilya.
Now we have 2 solid NHL players, 1 prospect that has the potential to be a top 6 forward, and a first round draft pick.
And New Jersey is wondering if they have to spend stupid money to get Kovy to sign with them after 1 and a months and 5 playoff games.
So you saw it here, Dudley beat Sweet Lou in a trade.
kracker
April 22nd, 2010
10:19 pm
Yep he did, Cap T, Dudley won that deal!!…I think it was on one of C Viv’s blogs where we learned that the required return that we got for NJ renting Kovy was indeed set by Dudley, not Waddell. Good job, Duds!
BG33Brown
April 22nd, 2010
10:27 pm
how is the NJD’s draft pick now determined? Anyone know?
No way Kovy resigns in NJ.
Adam
April 22nd, 2010
10:42 pm
Wouldn’t it be nice to be a fly on the wall while Kovy & his wife are packing their bags this weekend as they prepare to return to the mother land.
BTW, Tanguay is back on the market. I’m just saying.
Hokey P. Clisters
April 22nd, 2010
10:48 pm
It appears that the Senators and Pens will be playing all night………Nothing good can happen when a bunch of Senators are out playing all night.
Have lost contact with Elrod……..He called earlier but I told him the draft was on and I would call him back. Have not seen or heard from Elrod since………..
Brendan
April 22nd, 2010
10:51 pm
20th overall pick in the draft, here we come! Thanks Ilya! I’m not much of a Flyer fan, but I must give them credit. I gave them “no shot” of winning this series. I had the Devils in five. I cannot even begin to tell you how surprising this is. Sweet Lou is one of the best GM’s in hockey. But the last time the Devils were in the CF occured in 2003, when they last won the Cup. In 2004, the Devils lost to the Flyers, 4-1. In 2006, the Devils swept the Rangers, then lost to eventual Cup Champion, Carolina, 4-1. In 2007, the Devils eased past Tampa Bay, 4-2, but then lost to eventual Conference Champion, Ottawa, 4-1, in the next round. In 2008, the Devils had the misfortune of losing to the NY Rangers, 4-1. Last year, it was two very late goals by Carolina that ousted them, in Game Seven, vs. Carolina. Now, in 2010, they are ousted by the 7th seeded Flyers. They just brought in Lemaire, so I cannot imagine he’d be fired. And Lou is an institution. He’ll be GM until he doesn’t want to be anymore.
Which brings me to this point. Every year since 1996, except twice, some # 7 has defeated some # 2 seed in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Bizarre, isn’t it? But such is life in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Flyers went from needing to win a shootout on the Final Day of the regular season just to qualify for the playoffs, to advancing to the 2nd Round. (Remember when I picked the NY Rangers to finish 8th, and it didn’t happen by that huge GARGANTUAN margin of a shootout goal, but I digress.) GM Paul Holgren took a lot of flack for the Laperriere acquisition, but really … he’s played well for the Flyers. I hope he’s not seriously injured. He was struck FLUSH in the face on a point blank slapshot. He lost a LOT of blood, very quickly. Might have been an eye, a nose, or a mouth cut. But what’s not to like about the guy? Laperriere handles his business. He doesn’t make excuses. And the effort is always there. What more are we supposed to ask of the man???
The Penguins and Senators are headed to the second DOUBLE OVERTIME of the 2010 playoffs. Sabres vs. Bruins was the other. WBF is correct. I cannot imagine how frustrating it must be to be a Sabres fan. I say that with absolutely no malice intended. I saw a Sabres team take a 2-goal lead into the 3rd period in Game Two and Game Four and come away empty-handed. No “pity” points in the playoffs. That’s why I, personally, LOVE the playoffs. It’s win … or go home.
That’s worth repeating. It’s win … or go home. There’s no crying in hockey. They’re just winning. You either get it done … or you DON’T. The Sabres left Tallinder and Lydman UNSIGNED all season long. If they get away, whose fault is it? Don’t even say Darcy Regier. I’m sure Regier TRIED to pry the money from Larry Quinn’s tight hands. And really, don’t blame Quinn, either. Tom Golisano appointed Quinn “czar” of the Sabres. Quinn’s an incompetent. Who employs him? And continues to employ him? The answer is Tom Golisano, a guy I used to have a lot respect for. Apparently, his philantrophy doesn’t extend to hockey operations, where he apparently delights in the sufferings of the fans of the Buffalo Sabres. There’s a word for that. It’s called “shadenfreude.” Gazundheit! You’re welcome.
If Ilya Kovalchuk’s NHL career has just come to an end, in favor of the next 10-12 years in the KHL, then he leaves a playoff legacy of a smattering of goals and a 1-8 record, with no series wins. I’m sure Ilya’s not proud of that. But it’s not as if the Kovalchuk “legacy” is utterly devoid of titles. He’s won two (2) World Championships with Russia, and banked a bronze medal in the 2002 Olympics, in Salt Lake City. And, oh yes, an ever so important Division Title in 2007 and another in 2010. I wish him well. He certainly did his “time” in the Fulton County Slammer, otherwise known as Blueland. Ilya must have sat back in amazement, that nothing was done in 2007, after the playoff sweep. Either he should have been traded then, for a king’s ransom, or Waddell and his entire Cabinet should have been forced to clean out their desks, in a squeaking halt to their Administration. Instead, Ilya endured nearly three more full seasons in Atlanta, trudging it out.
Shifting gears, my favorite time of year is now drawing to a close. The time when we get playoff hockey every single night. Already one team is gone. In mere moments, the Senators could be gone. The hockey will become less and less, as time goes by. It’s another month before the Finals, where hockey is truly sparse.
Flagstaff
April 22nd, 2010
10:52 pm
Yeah, I bet Lou’s lovin’ that Kovalchuk trade right about now.
Yung JB from MTL
April 22nd, 2010
11:12 pm
Kovalcchoke
My dad’s a big Flyers fan so good for him, go daddy-o
HAHAHA so happy Kovalchuk’s ”first class oraganization” got him 1 win. (And thats cause he was ranked 2nd in the East, if he would have been 3rd like when with the thrash, he wouldve had gotten 0)
What I’m saying is he’s a loser, no matter what team he plays for. A.K.A he’s Hossa without the Finals.
’nuff said.
Somaatl95
April 22nd, 2010
11:36 pm
The only “First Class” thing that #17 now gets to be part of is said section of an airplane. On his way out of town. Hopefully permanently. The #17 curse lives on!
Brendan
April 22nd, 2010
11:40 pm
Senators win!!! On to Game Six, in Ottawa!!
HookyBob
April 22nd, 2010
11:46 pm
Boy are we getting our money’s worth !!!
Brendan
April 23rd, 2010
12:19 am
Can I ask something? Why are so hung up on how much Kovy’s new deal is worth? Let me ask a follow up question. What flippin’ bit of difference does it make if Kovy gets 12-years/$135 million from the Columbus Blue Jackets or 7-years/$60 from the NY Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs or Los Angeles Kings? It has nothing to do with us.
Follow up question, “What would Ilya Kovalchuk do with ‘another nickel’s worth’ of salary, that he couldn’t do RIGHT NOW???”
Oooooh, you’re thinking now. What can’t he buy, right now? Go ahead. I’ll wait. Think it over. Isn’t the answer: Kovalchuk can’t buy his daughter Karolina a real, live pet dinosaur. That’s the ONE (1) thing he can’t buy. If Kovy wanted to take his family to the Moon, and live there, for the duration of the offseason, he could afford it. If Kovalchuk wants to play golf … on the moon … he could. What’s stopping him?? Nothing but a lack of desire to do so.
I don’t care what Kovy makes. I don’t care if he signs with the Detroit Red Wings for $2.35 million, on a one-year deal. He doesn’t need the money. Money wasn’t the issue, in Atlanta. The issue was … that the organization was mismanaged, and not about to correct itself soon. Kovy didn’t know if the team would be sold, or sold and relocated. All he knew was … going into 10 seasons and no playoff wins didn’t spell the end of the GM, the scouting staff, or the Head Coach. Honestly now, do you fault Kovalchuk for saying, “Nyet, at ANNNNNY price.” I don’t. I definitely don’t. He’d seen enough. Let’s go back to Rawhide’s “high maintenance” girlfriend example. Only substitute “utterly incompetent” for “high maintenance.” He’d seen enough.
Stop. When you want to break up with someone, how soon do you want to do it? Isn’t the answer: IMMEDIATELY? Kovy had to wait nearly 3 more years to get out of his contract with Atlanta. Imagine having to stick it out with a girlfriend you don’t want … for three years.
Venturing off, further, on this tangent. Let’s explore “break ups.” During my college years, a lot of my friends and teammates went through a plethora of break ups, with their girlfriends. When consoling them, this piece of advice ALWAYS WORKED. As they sat there, sobbing, feeling sorry for themselves, wishing they had “Susan” back, ohhh if only she’d come back, this advice changed their minds, and caused them to be able to move on with their lives, right away. Ready for it???? Remember when you wanted to break up with someone? And you’d put it off …and you’d put it off, and you’d put it off, with greater procrastination and INACTION than Waddell could only dream of. And when you finally summoned the courage to DO IT, remember how GREAT you felt??!! Like the weight of the world had been lifted? You were, FREE AT LAST, FREE AT LAST, or LORDY, LORDY … FREE AT LAST! And you went out … and ya partied. And ya “hooked up” with another girl, who was NOTHING like the last one??! And you swore the air smelled SWEETER. The water tasted FRESHER. And God, Himself, was even higher on this Throne in Heaven, smiling like a cheshire cat.
Ummn-hmmn. I see nodding out there in the blogosphere. “Yeah, well … that’s how she feels about YOU, right now!!” What?!!!! Sobering, isn’t it? Well, I don’t think Kovy is looking to come back to Atlanta. I think he sees himself as “FREE, AT LAST” and happy to be rid of us. And really, thinking of him that way … makes it EASIER to break up with him, and that jersey of his you might potentially still have in your closet.
The other nice thing about the “break up” is … you learned from it. Whether as the “dumper” or the “dumpee,” you learned and grew from the experience. We are the “dumpee,” but it doesn’t mean we’re “scarred for life,” by any means. We’ll fall in love again. Or so says rocker Sammy Hagar. “You do whatchu wanna do. I leave it all up to you. In time, I’ll find love again.” Or lyrics similar to this. True enough, that.
Alan R.
April 23rd, 2010
12:56 am
Why are so hung up on how much Kovy’s new deal is worth?
Wait. People are hung up on how much a new deal for Kovalchuk is going to be worth? Forgive me if you answered this in your novel. I’ve been pretty ill the better half of the day. Is there any way I can get a cliffnotes version?
Nikita (in PA)
April 23rd, 2010
1:01 am
DWTOO, you’re not alone. I’ll root for them after some of my other favorites are gone, and that’s what Im doing now. Plus, Mr. Nikita is a Flyers fan. We both dislike the Pens right now, and I can’t say I’ve been a fan since Martin Straka went to NYR.
That said, I’m a bit worried about the finals, because ordinarily neither the Flyers nor Boston should be good enough to get past the first round.Weak matches in the second could put someone who’s pretty weak in the 3rd.
Badger Bob
April 23rd, 2010
5:13 am
TSN out with their free agency rankings:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=319036
Nice that Antro was given credit as a strong aquisition – only about 1 in 3 of last year’s big free agents really met expectations.
World Be Free
April 23rd, 2010
5:38 am
Kovy’s new deal-hung up for one reason only.
I wanna see how much money he left on the talk for 5 playoff games.
$30M? $40M?
Then we can really laugh at him.
World Be Free
April 23rd, 2010
5:38 am
That’s table not talk
Cliff Fletcher
April 23rd, 2010
7:36 am
The Kovy deal with New Jersey-wow, I don’t hear too many people trashing Waddell or Dudley today. This might be the best deal made by the Thrashers in their existance.
R. Stroz
April 23rd, 2010
8:03 am
Starting today, I’m no longer a Flyers fan.
Thanks for the memories though, I mean a higher draft pick.
Then again, thanks for the future.
DWTOO
April 23rd, 2010
8:06 am
Glad to know the Nikita’s in PA are out there! Who would have thought Brian Boucher would first beat King Henrik in a shootout to put Philly in the playoffs and then outduel Marty 4 – 1! Thanks for the link Russian – was able to watch the internet feed.
Although I am glad that #17 is now done for the year, Brendan’s right – time to move on. Who cares what he does – yesterday’s news.
World Be Free
April 23rd, 2010
8:11 am
I agree Stroz, it was tough for me to like the Flyers for any reason. I have to say they played well in this series, especially Pronger who I thought was done. He’s been playing 30 minutes/night so far.
I hope the closing of last night’s series will also bring a close to all the Kovy back to Atlanta talk. Kovalchuk has moved on and so should we. I hope he gets a portion of the dollars he turned down here in Atlanta. Let’s face it, Kovalchuk is not a Rick Dudley kind of player. The 4 players we received from New Jersey all have the chance to be contributors for several years. This may indeed be THE best trade ever made by the club, just Bergfors and Oduya’s contributions to date make it a good deal for Atlanta.
Brendan-Buffalo has some defenseman in their system to replace Lydman and Tallender. They may bring one of these guys back, but not both. Buffalo really needs an overhaul after their latest debacle.
Is it true that we get the 20th pick in this year’s draft from NJ? Why isn’t higher, Like 15th?
kracker
April 23rd, 2010
8:14 am
I was rooting for the Flyers hard last night! I still can’t believe NJ couldn’t make a dent in that 3-0 lead all thru the 3rd period! At home and facing elimination, no less. I’m over Kovalchuk, he made his choice and got a few playoff points and one win…ya really have to wonder what Lou destroyed last night between the 2nd and 3rd period! lol Anyway, I was just rooting to get the Devils out so the Thrash get the best position possible for their #1 pick from NJ. What is it, about the 20th? Sweet, 2 first round picks for Duds to use or trade!
Happy Friday everybody.
R. Stroz
April 23rd, 2010
8:15 am
I’d like to nominate Kovalchuk as the Thrashers MVP.
Most Valuable POSER.
Lou Lamoriello
April 23rd, 2010
8:19 am
Booyah!!
And Philly was supposed to give up Giroux to get Lehtonen? No way!
glovesave29
April 23rd, 2010
8:50 am
I wouldn’t bet on too many players using the KHL as a bargaining chip for much longer. The league is offering contracts they cannot afford while drawing 4,000 – 6,000 per night. This week it was annouonced that the Montreal Canadiens of the KHL (old RSL), the Moscow Dynamo are going belly up.
One of the things I liked best about the Pens / Sens game last night, is that the refs (for a change) didn’t swallow their whistles in OT. Seems every year, you can get away with murder after the 60 minute mark elapses…not last night. Made for a great game. OT PP’s – that is entertaining hockey!
Dwayne
April 23rd, 2010
8:57 am
I will still pull for the Flyers(born in Philly), no way in hell I pull for Cindy Crotchby, the crapitals, Boston or Buffalo.
Rightshot
April 23rd, 2010
9:04 am
Just checked the NJ fan blog. One guy called Kovy out big time and wanted Berfors and Oduya back! LOL Most are just calling for Lou’s head.
Lou in Atlanta? Would be interesting.
Smoothie
April 23rd, 2010
9:18 am
Rightshot – so right you are…tis priceless reading the veritable meltdown over on the Devils’ fan blog Fire & Ice(now Slush):
http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/comments/kovalchuk_open_to_re-signing_with_devils_lemaire_still_loves_coaching/P25/
Seems like the hockey gods are more into karma than the gods of other sports, if you will. Boucher over Brodeur and Kovalchoke with Ian Lapierre breaking his face again with a puck. Montreal getting pulled asunder with lousy defense because they overspent in the UFA market for a bunch of smurfs, talented albeit, but still tiny and often ineffective against the Caps. Although I’m not sure why karma is frowning on Ryan Miller and the Sabres…perhaps because the douch quotient of their fans at Philips is often too high compared to the league average??
Adam
April 23rd, 2010
9:19 am
Brendan – What has me so hung up with what happens with Kovy in the short term is the fact that he, like Hossa, was paid very good money here only to give up on the the coach, the fans & worst of all their teammates.
I don’t care that either of them wanted out of Atlanta. What I do care about is how they left and the last 2-3 months of their tenure here with forever affect how I view them. All it would have taken was a simple statement in the off season “I am not going to sign here, please find me a new home”. While I’m no Heatley fan, that is the right way to do it. Once the season starts and your still on the team man up and earn your money, you handle yourself with dignity but most of all you honor your teammates and the contract you signed.
I truly believe that if these players were moved in the summer or played to the best of their abilities while here the team would have made the playoffs in both of those seasons. While that’s all water under the bridge now I can still sit back and enjoy the Karma while we wait for the future to unfold.
GaVaHokie
April 23rd, 2010
9:26 am
Hockey fans are some of the funniest people I know… this is priceless!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f02Bs8HkHeg&feature=player_embedded
Smoothie
April 23rd, 2010
9:28 am
From the NJ blog:
“I don’t know what to say. Moves need to be made obviously. I think Parise should be our new captain. We need better defensive pairings. We were getting pinned in our zone with the two man forecheck all series. The only defenseman that could bring the puck out with consistently (without dumping it) was Greene (and Martin on occasion). I’d like to see a “puck-moving” and a “shut down” defenseman on each pairing. That means moving some of the guys we got. They don’t need to be expensive guys, but they need to fit these roles well.”
Do you mean a guy like Oduya? Woooops!
kracker
April 23rd, 2010
9:33 am
Not surprised that the Devils fans are POed, Rightshot. The Devils fought hard for their 2nd seed position. However, they weren’t playing very well at the trade deadline and Lou gave up a lot to get the guy he thought would add the firepower to get them deep into the playoffs. Now they got nothing to show for that big move.
Smoothie
April 23rd, 2010
9:38 am
This might be the best…and most laughable post of all:
“I really hope to see Kovalchuk wearing the “C” next year as a Devil. He was the ONLY player who tried hard in every game. I have said numerous time, that I dont think he’s a good fit on this team. I would like to keep him and find players that can play his game. An offensive game. An exciting game.”
Yes, because EXCITING hockey = winning hockey! I wonder if this is Don Waddell posting on the Devils blog. Ha ha ha LOLzers
Kovyoverrated
April 23rd, 2010
9:41 am
I CAN”T RESIST…………
SMELL THAT?—IT’S CALLED KHARMA!
Odd Man Rush
April 23rd, 2010
9:41 am
Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but it appears that NJ’s 1st round pick will be between 18 -22. Should all of the underdogs win in the west (CO,Nash, LA, Det) the pick will be 18th. It will be interesting to watch Dudley’s moves heading into the draft with (potentially) two top 20 first round picks.
kracker
April 23rd, 2010
9:51 am
Funny, Smoothie. Whoops, indeed!
rob
April 23rd, 2010
9:55 am
So after the NJ debacle, I am a little better feeling about our trades there. I seem to remember that when Salmella showed back up in NJ, wasn’t there a comment made about how he “said I would come back to NJ?” When I heard that I wondered out loud if Oduya and Bergfors might have those same thoughts. If they did, I hope they see that they were traded during a drive to the playoffs for NJ and the guy they were traded for did absolutely nothing for NJ, and that they are seen as key pieces of the puzzle here in Atlanta with Dudley (hopefully) in charge now.
World Be Free
April 23rd, 2010
9:57 am
The Devils have won 3 Stanley Cups, so I have very little for for sympathy for the team or their fans. Time for good forture to shine on Atlanta.
I have been watching John Stevens on Versus and I have to say I am fairly impressed with him. Stevens, Torchetti or Ramsay are all pretty good candidates.
GaVaHokie
April 23rd, 2010
9:58 am
Odd Man Rush… yes, you are correct. It can be as early as 17th with a Washington upset included, but seems doubtful.
Whoever loses the Buff/Bos and Ott/Pitt matchup will pick ahead of us, in any scenario… thus the 17th as the earliest possible pick.
Everything else is based on upsets.
GaVaHokie
April 23rd, 2010
10:00 am
Gotta think New Jersey is done making deals with Atlanta after Havelid and Kovalchuk.
GaVaHokie
April 23rd, 2010
10:09 am
Best Case Scenario:
15) OTT/PIT/BOS/BUFF
16) OTT/PIT/BOS/BUFF
17) Atlanta
18) Vancouver
19) Phoenix
20) Chicago
21) San Jose
22) Washington
Worst Case Scenario:
15)Montreal
16)Boston
17)Ottawa
18)Colorado
19)Nashville
20)Los Angeles
21)Detroit
22)Atlanta
rob
April 23rd, 2010
10:11 am
Smoothie,
Awesome. Exciting hockey got them 1 win, which is an improvement over Kovy’s previous playoff attempt. At this rate he might get to win a series in, well……. KARMA is indeed nice to watch. Obviously the TEAM concept still hasn’t worked its way to Kovy. Watching the PP the other night and him calling and calling for the puck only to turn it over the 3 times he got it because he tried to make something out of nothing when there was an open pass available. Wonder how many other teams are looking at that and wondering….. HAHAHA I know a lot of people here loved him but it will be interesting to watch what happens to him now.
Red Light
April 23rd, 2010
10:11 am
Ben Wright tweets that the draft pick the Thrashers acquired will be between 22nd and 26th depending on how many division winners are in conference finals.
alex
April 23rd, 2010
10:21 am
calm down folks. keep you kovy sarcasm with in. he going to be ok even if he strike a deal for one rubble. this is not about money for him, it’s about not playing for asg idiots. i think kovy going to get last laugh after atlanta relocation. it taked 6 years for him to earn gold in world champ. sure 5 years from now he going to get stanley cup, not sure 5 years from now this blog even going to exist. instead of kovy talk you better save money for thrasher tickets to support organization on live support thanks to dw and asg. so far only BRENDAN get this right. don’t fool youself.
kracker
April 23rd, 2010
10:30 am
Red Light…22 to 26??? If Ben is correct, then NJ losing in the first round did what for the NJ (Atlanta) draft position? No effect?
Smoothie
April 23rd, 2010
10:32 am
Alex – it’s called IRONY. That’s why so many here are delighting in the fact Kovy is left to wonder what the hell went wrong. You and Brendan are missing the point. It’s even more funny when you add in the fact that he may have hurt his FA value in the process. He’ll probably still get $7.5 – $8.5 M / year from some chump GM (or LA because they can afford him I think after Frolov walks), but he isn’t the answer. He is almost impossible to play with unless you’re a player like Nik Antropov. But honestly, I thought Antro was better without him until the hip injury really wore on him and took away a lot of his mobility.
If we are not a better team next year without Kovy thanks to the trade and the draft picks, that is solely the fault of Rick Dudley, Larry Simmons and to an extent Don Waddell.
DWTOO
April 23rd, 2010
10:32 am
You’re right alex – too much Kovalchuk. Time to stop venting/ranting and move. Who cares. We’ve got a pretty good young core and with adding a few pieces we could be there next year.
Kovy (Being James Bond)
April 23rd, 2010
10:44 am
The name is Choke, Kovalchoke
GaVaHokie
April 23rd, 2010
10:45 am
Crap, Ben Wright might be right… I think it’s only if teams make it to Conference Finals. So, as a Division winner, the best the NJ pick could be is 22-26th… we needed the Penguins to win the Atlantic.
http://www.nhlscap.com/draft.htm
GaVaHokie
April 23rd, 2010
10:47 am
And before we gloss over it… I’d like to point out that Nabokov had a shut out last night… carry on.
kracker
April 23rd, 2010
10:50 am
Well, drafting 22-26 is better than picking at #30
kracker
April 23rd, 2010
10:53 am
(I hope this works, apology in advance if this list doesn’t format correctly)
Top FAs (minus 1) per TSN:
Patrick Marleau, LW, San Jose
Age: 30
Stats: 44-39-83, plus-21, 22 PIM in 82 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 90.32
Comment: Hitting free agency at a good time, with a career-high in goals and plus-minus; should be in demand.
Tomas Plekanec, C, Montreal
Age: 27
Stats: 25-45-70, plus-5, 50 PIM in 82 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 79.96
Comment: Talented and determined player who can play in all situations.
Alexander Frolov, LW, Los Angeles
Age: 28
Stats: 19-32-51, minus-1, 26 PIM in 81 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 71.94
Comment: Production has dipped in each of last three seasons, but size and skill will attract suitors.
Matthew Lombardi, C, Phoenix
Age: 28
Stats: 19-34-53, plus-8, 36 PIM in 78 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 75.44
Comment: Speedster could cash in with few scoring centres available.
Ray Whitney, LW, Carolina
Age: 38
Stats: 21-37-58, minus-6, 26 PIM in 80 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 74.08
Comment: Durable, productive and a threat on the power play.
Alexei Ponikarovsky, LW, Pittsburgh
Age: 30
Stats: 21-29-50, minus-1, 61 PIM in 77 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 74.50
Comment: Big winger can skate and has more than 20 goals in four of the last five seasons.
Maxim Afinogenov, RW, Atlanta
Age: 30
Stats: 24-37-61, minus-17, 46 PIM in 82 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 71.07
Comment: Showed he can still be a productive scorer when healthy.
Todd Bertuzzi, RW, Detroit
Age: 35
Stats: 18-26-44, minus-7, 80 PIM in 82 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 68.75
Comment: Has settled in 40-44 point range for last three seasons.
Olli Jokinen, C, N.Y. Rangers
Age: 31
Stats: 15-35-50, plus-3, 75 PIM in 82 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 73.70
Comment: No longer an elite producer; should be a better fit, at least economically, in second-line role.
Lee Stempniak, RW, Phoenix
Age: 27
Stats: 28-20-48, even, 26 PIM in 80 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 75.12
Comment: Might have been a free agent afterthough until he scored 14 goals in 18 games after trade to Coyotes.
Brendan Morrison, C, Washington
Age: 34
Stats: 12-30-42, plus-23, 40 PIM in 74 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 75.04
Comment: Not a big point producer any more, but a career-best plus-minus.
Bill Guerin, RW, Pittsburgh
Age: 39
Stats: 21-24-45, minus-9, 75 PIM in 78 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 63.12
Comment: Hard to believe he’d be just as productive with any other centre.
Tomas Holmstrom, RW, Detroit
Age: 37
Stats: 25-20-45, plus-5, 60 PIM in 68 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 74.64
Comment: Crease-crasher has always been a Red Wing and is coming off a strong season.
Saku Koivu, C, Anaheim
Age: 35
Stats: 19-33-52, plus-14, 36 PIM in 71 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 77.64
Comment: Still productive in a complementary role; should be demand for his services.
Pavol Demitra, C, Vancouver
Age: 35
Stats: 3-13-6, plus-3, 0 PIM in 28 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 69.98
Comment: Talented yet oft-injured player hasn’t had a minus-rating since 1995-96.
Alex Tanguay, LW, Tampa Bay
Age: 30
Stats: 10-27-37, minus-2, 32 PIM in 80 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 65.54
Comment: Could be forgotten coming off career-worst season, but might still make it work in the right situation.
GaVaHokie
April 23rd, 2010
10:59 am
Okay… I think I have it now.
We’re looking for a “darkhorse” Stanley Cup match-up… even a rematch of Detroit and Pittsburgh works in our favor.
Here’s a best case scenario:
Western Final: Detroit vs Nashville
Eastern Final: Pittsburgh vs Philly
30) Detroit
29) Pittsburgh
28) Nashville
27) Philly
26) Washington
25) San Jose
24) Chicago
23) Phoenix
22) Vancouver
21) New Jersey
World Be Free
April 23rd, 2010
11:04 am
kracker-nice work.
I am a BIG Lombardi fan, I think he is worth the bucks.
Stepniak, for 2 reasons-restaring his career in PHX and he’s a Buffalo boy.
Smoothie
April 23rd, 2010
11:05 am
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/buyer-beware-on-kovalchuk/article1544252/
Looks like Eric Duhatschek has been reading this blog for his material.
Rawhide
April 23rd, 2010
11:07 am
So…Philly was the last to qualify for the playoffs with a win on the last day of the season and is now the first to qualify for the seond round. Nice…
In the “pick you first-round winners” blog, 111 votes were cast for the Devils to win, (myself included), while only 21 cast a vote for Philly to win. So, well done by the few who accurately forcasted this 7-2 upset.
Now…on to our next blog which was written by the 2010 Rawhide Comment of the Year winner Joe “Bob” Friday.
Enjoy.
Smoothie
April 23rd, 2010
11:07 am
World – I too think Lombardi would be a sensible choice. Very versatile and his style of play would seem to lend itself to Dudley’s philosophy. He’s very good in the F/O circle, is he not? He could allow Pevs to slide over to the LW and perhaps free him up to be more dynamic offensively. Playing C with the likes of Kozlov, White and Max really took a toll on Pevs’ +/- and I think wore him down prematurely.
Tom Lysiak
April 23rd, 2010
11:39 am
alex, the Kovy talk won’t die down for some time. He was a big part of the organization for years, so what do you expect? He is glad he is gone from here. And, some of us are just as glad that he is gone. He is on another team now. That makes it our right as fans to root against him and his team, and to laugh when they lose. Lou went for the whole “Kovy was surrounded by a bad team and he really is a complete player” BS that floated around. He went “all-in” to keep him away from other teams and to go for the cup this year. He thought that gifted offensive weapon would simply be an addition to the team, with no other impacts. But something happened to the Devils team, their chemistry, and specifically their power play the last six weeks or so. Is it all to be laid on Kovy? No, but the similarity in results can certainly not be coincidence. Read the Devils blogs. They were sick of the power play being dedicated strictly to Kovy and his sharpshooting. Just like here, it becomes easy to defend.
We know Kovy will be ok and so will we. Especially with Oduya, Bergfors, Cormier and whatever the first rounder brings being here now. Not to mention the $10 million per year that can be spent elsewhere.
Oh, if you’re taking bets on whether this team and blog are still here in five years or whether Kovy wins the cup in five years, I’ll take this team and this blog. They could both happen, but you made it an either/or. In an either/or, I gotta be leery of Kovy’s effect on a team and bullish on Dudley. We’ll see though.
Tom Lysiak
April 23rd, 2010
11:44 am
Disclaimer…I know the salaries for all the assets gained in the Kovy trade really count against the $10 million “savings”. The point was that money can be used for multiple players/needs.
World Be Free
April 23rd, 2010
12:34 pm
Yeah Pevs fell back in the 2nd half of this past season.
Brendan
April 23rd, 2010
11:17 pm
Adam, I definitely think that’s a good post. And you’re right. When a player is under contract, he has an obligation to put forth his best effort for his employer. Fans ragged on Hossa. They ragged on Kovalchuk, when negotiation stalled. And they probably ragged on Savard, back in 2006. But my point was … who cares if Kovalchuk left $30, $35, $40 million on the table? The point was … he wanted to leave the Atlanta Thrashers Hockey Club, for a new, fresh start. I don’t blame the man. I harbor no ill will towards him.
Smoothie, are you seriously making the point that Kovy wanted to stayyyy in Atlanta?, since you say “Me and Alex are missing the point.” My point, again, is that Kovalchuk wanted to leave, and wasn’t going to stay if the organization could have offered him a Billion dollars. He doesn’t need the money. If Waddell made him the $101 million over 12-years contract offer on July 1, and said, “Kovy, you have until July 14th to sign it. Or you’ll be traded,” then Kovy would have been traded during the offseason. Speaking honestly, I don’t know how much better Waddell/Dudley could have done, from New Jersey, than what they got at the deadline. They plucked Cormier, a 1st round pick, Bergfors, and Oduya. About the only thing I think they could have done better … was NOT swapping out 2nd round picks, had the deal gone down back in July 2009.
Folks, I apologize for even still talking about this. It really is time to move on. All I’m saying here is … it doesn’t matter to me how much money Kovy left on the table. To me, that’s a total “non-issue.” The man doesn’t need another nickel in life. He can’t spend what he has now. So lest we work for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or the State of California Dept. of Revenue, where the Los Angeles Kings payroll could come into play, what we do/should we care???????? The money was just a “smokescreen” to leave.
Brendan
April 23rd, 2010
11:34 pm
Rawhide, the fat lady go all warmed up, but the show was cancelled. Buffalo won, to extend its series, and so did Montreal, surprsingly, in Washington.