Thrashers talk contract extension with Kubina and Afinogenov… Armstrong, not so much
According to Kevin Allen of USA Today, the Atlanta Thrashers have begun talks with defenseman Pavel Kubina and forward Maxim Afinogenov regarding keeping the two in Thrasherville next season.
The Thrashers would like to see the return of Pavel Kubina and Maxim Afinogenov, seen here scoring against Buffalo last October (AP Photo/Don Heupel)
Allen also indicates that they have no chance of re-signing forward Colby Armstrong.
Last season… after signing a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Thrashers… Afinogenov scored a career high 24 goals and finished with 61 points. Six goals and 12 assists came while on the power play and three times he scored the game-winner.
Kubina came by way of a trade with Toronto and is coming off a contract that paid him $5-million per season. He was a solid presence on the blueline and chipped in with 6 goals and 32 assists last year, finishing with an EVEN +/- rating.
Kubina turned 33 last April 15 while Max will be 31 on September 4.
Allen surmises that both Kubina and Afinogenov may still opt to test the free agent waters. However, he also stated that they are looking to sign prospect Swedish prospect Carl Klingberg, believing that the 34th overall draft pick in 2009 could play on the second line as soon as this season.
NHL playoff ratings up 19 percent
Is NHL hockey finally starting to show some recovery from the lockout five years ago? Well according to the TV numbers, it just very well may be.
As AP sportswriter Rachel Cohen points out in this piece found on Yahoo Sports, “The good vibes have rolled on for hockey through the Stanley Cup playoffs. The first two rounds have averaged 886,000 viewers per game in the U.S., up 19 percent from last year and the most since 1997 – in other words, since before the lockout”.
Cohen contributes some of the low rating right after the work stoppage to that made their way to the Stanley Cup Finals in the years following the work stoppage that wiped away the 2004-05 season…Caroline-Edmonton and Ottawa-Anaheim.
Exciting series like the second-round matchup between Philadelphia and Boston have led to increased TV viewership (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
However, some very exciting postseason matchups from teams in big television markets…right on the heels of last February’s Olympics…have helped draw viewers back to NHL action.
“But as fortunes have shifted so have TV ratings”, Cohen’s write up continues. “The league is coming off two straight Red Wings-Penguins showdowns and that dramatic Olympic tournament capped by the thrilling final between the two North American teams. The second round of this year’s playoffs was full of large-market, tradition-rich, star-laden franchises—and it doesn’t hurt that 10 of the 12 series so far this postseason have gone at least six games at playoff series this spring.”
Having the Los Angeles Kings return to the postseason after so many years certainly has to help matters as well given that the greater L.A. area is second only to New York in TV markets.
And as we look forward to the Stanley Cup Finals, the league official have to be thrilled at the notion that regardless who comes out victorious in the Western Conference Finals, they are going to have either the third-highest TV market or fifth-highest represented by Chicago or San Jose, (considered a part of the greater San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose market).
If Philadelphia is successful in the Eastern Conference Finals…and they lead it 2 games to 1 at this time…then the NHL will be blessed with the fourth-highest market as well.
And Now, A Programming Note From Your Blog Host
As many of you already know, this Saturday my oldest tax exemption is scheduled to graduate from high school. His grades are in…finals have been taken and passed…and he is spending his last two days of secondary education practicing with his schoolmates for Saturday’s ceremonies.
However, until I actually see them hand him the diploma…and allow him to leave the building with it…in my mind, anything can happen. I just have too much history with this boy over the last twelve years to be able to breathe comfortably just yet. Anything can happen with him, I tell you.
But assuming all goes off without a hitch, Matt will be a high school graduate in a couple days and will be preparing for his days as a college student.
After that, the Divine Mrs. R and I will be wheeling our way down to the beaches of Florida with both boys to take a weeklong vacation…a long-awaited R&R before we begin a very busy month of June in which the younger tax exemption will spend each week of that month away at various JROTC camps and events.
Given all of that, over the course of the next several weeks, do not be surprised if a few days pass between blog posts. I’ll have internet access wherever I roam, but I’m sure you’ll all understand why my attention will be focused in other directions for just a while.
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123 comments Add your comment
five_hole
May 21st, 2010
2:42 pm
Congratulations Bill (assuming he does in fact graduate). Now you have several years of paying for college to look forward to. Trust me; I’ve got 2 in college right now.
I for one am happy to hear that Max wants to resign with us. Given our depth at d-man (Odouya, Enstrom, Begosian & Hainsey as top-4), I’m surprised that they want to resign Pavel, but would welcome him back as well. Army? As much as I like the kid, he is replaceable.
We need top-6 wingers and I’d like to know how much someone like Luongo would cost.
World Be Free
May 21st, 2010
2:58 pm
five_hole got my second going through college now, looks like he’s heading to grad school too. Hoping they will support me later in life. “grampa’s out in the shed”
Jason
May 21st, 2010
3:22 pm
Hopefully you and your tax exemption enjoy your time in my building tomorrow, Rawhide. Looks like I’ll be heading into the office to get ready for our baseball game – that is getting rained out today as I type….
Did he ever decide on which school he wanted to attend?
Midfield
May 21st, 2010
3:25 pm
Tony, I take it, Hardy is now becomming the front-runner to land the coaching position here – now that we already have one delinquent in the line-up.
The Real Thrash
May 21st, 2010
3:49 pm
So that means no one left from the Hossa-Dupris trade. Both of whom are playing well in the NHL.
Can anyone blame Colby for not wanting to be here?
Thanks again Waddell.
Smoothie
May 21st, 2010
4:03 pm
I forgot to click “submit” before I went into meetings for 2 hours…what a way to spend a Friday afternoon.
In response to those who say I’m crazy: Hey, I’m already crazy by being a Thrashers fan so why not go off the complete deep end and watch it twice. And then I save 8-10 games on the DVR so I can get a hockey fix during the summer when there is nothing else on between golf majors. If I could afford to play golf 3-4 times per week, I would, but you gotta have cheap entertainment options as well when you’re a poor SOB!
Flagstaff
May 21st, 2010
4:52 pm
Does anyone have a source where Colby specifically said he didn’t want to play here? Last I heard, he was praising Atlanta as his second home, having been married in the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, and expecting his first kid soon. Seems more like a case of Dudley wanting to replace him.
EA
May 21st, 2010
5:04 pm
Colby recently called Atlanta his adopted home??? I thought he really picked up his game the last couple of months. Who knows. I wouldn’t be shocked if he is here next year.
Congrats to your son Rawhide! Have fun and treasure the memories.
Alan R.
May 21st, 2010
7:43 pm
If I could afford to play golf 3-4 times per week, I would
I have no problem at all sitting on my front porch and watching the grass grow. It’s cheap and easy.
five_hole
May 21st, 2010
9:50 pm
WBF I don’t hold any hope of them supporting me later in life. I will be counting on them, however, to change my Depends, and to wipe drool off of my face.
Russian Didn’t read your post about your kid’s graduation until after I had posted. Congratulations to you as well.
R. Stroz
May 21st, 2010
10:37 pm
Holy KHL Batman!
http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2010/05/21/ilya-kovalchuk-alex-frolov-khl-deal/#cntnt
Spud Webb
May 22nd, 2010
7:21 am
I mean colby is what he is (whatever that means). He was decent in Pitt, then again, who wouldn’t be? Bottom line is a dreadful trade and espo (knee and all) is the final/only piece. Colby is a good 3rd or 4th liner, thats it. I’d say 4th, but thats just my opinion. Too small to be an avery or cooke. Doesn’t aggitate enough for me, but wtf do I know! Your time has been served her colby, go play with EC somewhere. Two guys I couldn’t care less about!!!!!!!!!!
I cannot believe how slow the Sharks look vs Chicago. Hawks look pretty flipping good.
Tony C.
May 22nd, 2010
8:46 am
TAcky of me; my apologies to Matt, Rawhide &Russian. yall’re some proud papas I’m sure-and for those who haven’t met him, Matt’s a great guy-Congratulations fellas!
World Be Free
May 22nd, 2010
8:56 am
Spud, the Sharks fastest guy is Marleau, who is up for a fat contract on July 1. They are a big team, but don’t play big enough.
five_hole – I am afraid you are correct!
I think the organization is ready to move on from Colby and he from Atlanta. You wonder if Dudley’s arrival and the selection of the new coach will have any impact on his decision.
Savannah Blueland Fan
May 22nd, 2010
10:25 am
GO CHICAGO! GO CHICAGO! GO CHICAGO!
Blackhawks over the Flyers in 5 games……….write it down!
World Be Free
May 22nd, 2010
10:29 am
Interesting to see Hossa and Heatley struggle in the playoffs, in the sense that neither really has stepped up to make a difference. Both wanted out of Atlanta so they would have a chance to play for a winner. To play for one is one thing, to contribute to winning a championship is another.
rob
May 22nd, 2010
1:22 pm
Spud,
Agree on the Hwaks speed, they look really good at the right time, not just a line or two, but all of them. I was watching last night and listening to the morons call the game. Nabakov looked like he was fighting the puck to me, a lot of drops, and the Sharks, other than a few flurries, were on their heels most of the night. Hawks were just everywhere it seemed. Niemi looked a little out of place a few times early but settled down nicely. Can’t see Mary Anne not getting his name on the Cup….dam the luck.
WBF,
that will be my only good thing about Mary Anne getting a shot at it is, other than that OT goal he scored when he in fact should have been out of the game for his hit, he hasn’t done much at all. I don’t know what the situation is with him there, but watching the playoffs, if they dump some high end players, I would look at him 1st, then Versteeg, just based on the play I have seen.
Tom
May 22nd, 2010
1:38 pm
Hossa and Heatley are good to great regular season players when the game is called tightly and they have room to move around.
But playoffs are won in the corners. It is why some players do so much better in the playoffs than the regular season. They are willing to pay the price, not pull up from the hit, and change the dynamic.
The NHL’s rules change for the Stanley Cup playoffs. Hits that are instant penalties in the regular season are now great plays. Neither Heatley or Hossa can create the space needed in these games, nor do they have the heart to fight for that space. They need people to back off to get the room they need to succeed.
It is a shame. They both have the skill and the size to succeed. They just do not have the heart.
Dwayne
May 22nd, 2010
3:18 pm
since everyone is talking about their children graduating, my last tax exemption graduates next Saturday night, So congrates to all Mom, Dads, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles etc… …Go Flyers
goose
May 22nd, 2010
3:52 pm
I think Kubina will resign with us because of the fact that his family is in Tampa. I think Max should get about 2M for three years. As for Colby I think he will wind up with the Pens, Leafs or Flames.
World Be Free
May 22nd, 2010
4:20 pm
rob-not sure what’s up with Mary Anne, other than maybe he’s not getting enough ice time or he’s having issues with who he’s playing with. That contract may be tough to dump.
Heatley is just Heatley — a scum bag.
Dwayne
May 22nd, 2010
5:13 pm
Flyers up 2-0. In the famous words of Curly Howard..knukknukknuk
Savannah Blueland Fan
May 22nd, 2010
6:13 pm
Poor Montreal! Poor, poor Habs! And I’m sure that sand in the tunnels which affected only the Flyers’ skates was just a coincidence. Yeah, that’s it…a coincidence. Last night was “Beach Night” at the arena.
“Avec! Je’ nois le liqueur! J’ammoux vou alou d’junge aveoux l’mounge!”
That’s French-Canadian for “Look! A liquor store! Let’s bust all the windows and burn the place down”
Brendan
May 22nd, 2010
6:52 pm
http://blogs.ajc.com/iceman-thrashers-blog/2010/05/14/who-needs-home-ice-advantage-flyers-complete-amazing-comeback/#comment-28137
I repeat, 36.1-percent of the time since 1974 … the Flyers have been in the CF. If the Flyers can win one more game this postseason, they will make their eigth (8th) trip to the Stanley Cup finals. (1974, 1975, 1976, 1980, 1985, 1987, 1997, and 2010.) If Philly advances, it will be 22.2-percent of the time to be in the Cup Finals, since 1974. That averages out to a trip to the Finals just better than every 5th season.
Stop. I refer you to Don Waddell comments. No scratch that, Bruce Levenson comments, where Bruce pontificates that the Thrashers were 20-points better than the Flyers were in 2007, when they made their stunning drive to the CF, in a loss to Pittsburgh. Hmmn, does this mean the Thrashers will go to the CF next year, with all the progress they’ve made? All I can say is … if they can re-ink Kubina and Max Afinogenov, that’ll be a step towards “player retention” and “commitment.”
Remember something, folks. Chicago was a pretty bleak for most of the time that the Thrashers have been in the league. Only four times in the past ten (4/10) seasons have the Blackhawks been over .500. This is Chicago’s third (3rd) playoff year during the Thrashers existence. The proof that Chicago had turned the corner and become committed to winning the Cup was when it began attracting coveted free agents to their market, like Brian Campbell, Martin Havlat, John Madden, and Marian Hossa. Draft picks during the Thrashers existence for Chicago include: Duncan Keith (54), Brent Seabrook (14), Troy Brouwer (214), Dustin Byfuglien (245), Dave Bolland (32), Cam Barker (3), Niklas HJalmarsson (108), Jonathan Toews (3), Patrick Kane (1), Kyle Beach (11), and Jack Skille (7). But maybe the most compelling evidence of all, was the simultaneous announcement of the contract extensions of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Duncan Keith. Chicago has arrived. And if they win the West, up 3-0, they will be the FAVORITES to hoist the Cup. Let’s also not forget the Stan Bowman, GM, and Scotty Bowman, consultant, are a part of Chicago’s organization. That all happened when Chicago got NEW OWNERSHIP (!!).
Scotty Bowman tried to come here, but Bruce Levenson wouldn’t return his phone calls. (That’s a joke. I’m kidding. I do that, sometimes.)
alex
May 22nd, 2010
7:58 pm
yes brendan levenson and waddell big experts in this game. if somebody believe that they going to believe that my name not alex but einstein. like i said before atlanta cursed with this morons and no light ahead
Sage of Bluesland
May 22nd, 2010
8:27 pm
Brendan–I thought it was Waddell’s comments a couple of years ago, stating that we were ahead of Philadelphia’s progress when they went from tank to playoffs…
Regardless, this organization is nothing but a bad joke. To continue to keep that buffoon Waddell employed is an insult to Atlanta. This ownership is an abomination.
Not a single dollar more–as it’s nothing but wasted with these clowns…
(and then to have to put up with the sheep and their ridiculously unfounded optimism! Great…here we go again…)
World Be Free
May 23rd, 2010
9:18 am
Savannah-if the folks of Montreal are so proud of their city, then why do they trash it every time the Habs so SOMETHING? I worked near Montreal for 2 years, I have to say I am much more impressed with Toronto.
Nice work Brendan-again.
One of keys to Philly’s continued success is the style for which they are identified. Philly teams always work hard and they play physical. You don’t see a Flyer player dogging it like Kovalchuk did, because they stay away from those players in drafts and FA signings. We all dissed Philly for giving 4 number ones for Pronger last year, then gave him an expension. Now look at Chris, he is the best defenseman left in the playoffs by far.
The players come and go, but Philly has been Philly for the last 40 years, their style never changes. Any comparisons of Philly and the Thrashers have no point, since after 10 years, we have nothing that identifies us other than losing.
Will Dudley have the tools to build a competitive team? These are questions that still need to be answered.
World Be Free
May 23rd, 2010
9:33 am
Interesting when you read individual fan web sites, how upset other fans are about the current status of their teams. While few people are “happy” most see how teams that struggle can make it to conference finals by adding a key player or 2 or 5. Montreal is a great example making making the conference finals by adding guys like Gill, Moore, Cammy, Spacho and Moen for nothing. I remember pushing to sign Moore last summer as a replacement to Slater, only to be repelled by most of the bloggers on this site. Each of these UFAs has made a difference, complimenting the current roster.
The more I read on Chicago, seems like the Hawks are keen on keeping Sharp and big Buff and trading Versteeg for picks/prospects. Duds has Dale Tallon, another former Hawk employee to compete with for the Hawks’ talents. I think the draft and the time leading up to July 1 is going to be fun to watch.
Red Light
May 23rd, 2010
11:51 am
I just love it when another former Ranger goes to a team in its own division and makes an impact. Now, Blair Betts won’t be confused with Bobby Clarke, but his contributions have been very solid for Philadelphia. I met Betts early in October and asked him why he didn’t re-sign with the Rangers. His response: “They never even called me.” That’s my boy Sather for you, 20 years past his prime making personnel decisions and still employed. Eerily similar to Atlanta, although at least Sather had a prime.
Looks the Cup Finals will start a bit earlier than we expected.
Brendan
May 23rd, 2010
12:05 pm
Sage, you have have been right. I tried to find Bruce’s quote from 2008 on Google and came up blank. Maybe it was Waddell who said it, after all. Looking back on it, I think it was just a case of the wheels falling off the Flyers in 2007. They weren’t that bad in 2006; they had 101-points. They lost to Buffalo in the opening round of the 2006 playoffs. Then, they inexplicably tank down to 56-points, last in the NHL, and lose the draft lottery to Chicago, who selected Patrick Kane, while the Flyers took James vanRiemsdyk, 2nd overall.
Segue, so here we are! It’s three years later, since the infamous 2007 draft. Chicago went 1st overall. Philadelphia 2nd overall. And now, these “bottom feeder” lottery draft teams ‘could’ be playing each other for the Cup. If the Flyers win, this sort of thing isn’t exactly unprecedented. In 2001, the Tampa Bay Lightning finished DEAD LAST, just like the 2007 Flyers did. And like the Flyers, they lost the draft lottery to another team (Atlanta). Three years later, Tampa Bay won the Cup. In 2003, the Carolina Hurricanes finished DEAD LAST in the NHL, lost the draft lottery to Florida, picked Eric Staal at #2 overall, but won the Cup three years later, in 2006. So, will the Flyers be the ‘next DEAD LAST’ team in the NHL to lose a draft lottery, but still produce a title just three years later?? Stay tuned. We’ll find out if the Flyers can wrap up the Prince of Wales Trophy on Monday night. By the way, the Flyers put up 95-points in 2008, when they lost the CF to Pittsburgh. And in 2009, the Flyers got to 99-points, but against their season ended at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
WBF, I think the bigger benefit to the league would be a Flyers Cup win. Let me explain why. When a fan’s team squeaks in at 7th or 8th, there’s a sigh of relief that they got in, but really, such fans know what the statistical odds are of a 7th or 8th seed in the playoffs. They go. They cheer. They ‘try to believe’ that it COULD happen. But it never does. The closest such seeds have come were the 1994 Vancouver Canucks (7th seed), bowing out in Game Seven, as the final seconds ticked down vs. the Rangers, and the 2006 Edmonton Oilers (8th seed), who rallied from down, 3-1, to force Game Seven, which ended in defeat to Carolina. Now, I still say, ‘that’s one heckuva ride’ and a great season for those clubs. But the bottom line is … they didn’t win. The 1999 Buffalo Sabres, a 7th seed, lost in triple overtime of Game Six to the Dallas Stars. Unless you’re from Buffalo, where you say ‘there was NO DECISION that year.’ The 2003 Anaheim Ducks were a 6th seeded longshot, who lost in Game Seven to New Jersey. The 2004 Calgary Flames were a sixth-seeded longshot that reached the Finals, only to lose to TB, in Game Seven. Even Gretzky’s L.A. Kings were a sixth seed that failed in the 1993 Finals, vs. Montreal. WBF, they never do seem to end up with that Cup. But if Philly does it … fans will point to 2010 and say, “I know it’s happened ONCE. In 2010. And not only did the Flyers win the Cup from a 7th seed, they also overcame a 3-0 series deficit to do it.” That’s, maybe, the greatest story ever told. Now, I hear ya. It’s not too bad of a story for the Blackhawks to get off the schneid, Cupless since 1961, either. Theirs is a fabulous story, as well. New ownership. The Bowmans arrive on the scene. Patrick Kane is selected 1st overall. Toews is a 3rd overall. Latter round picks like Brouwver, Bolland, Byfuglien, and Hjalmarrson bear fruit. An “original-six” market is saved and restored to prosperity. That’s a ‘feel good’ story, too. I do hope it’s the Flyers vs. the Blackhawks, for ’someone has to win,’ and therefore get off the schneid. Last Flyer Cup was 1975, over Buffalo.
World Be Free
May 23rd, 2010
12:09 pm
Blair Betts and Nigel Dawes
Sather has had an unlimited supply of $$$ to build a winner for years and has come up empty. We’d still be yelling “1940″ if the Rangers hadn’t gone out and BOUGHT a Stanley Cup in 1994.
Alan R.
May 23rd, 2010
12:21 pm
(and then to have to put up with the sheep and their ridiculously unfounded optimism! Great…here we go again…)
What happened to becoming a Sharks fan? Is it because Chicago is beating them like red-headed stepchildren, you’ve curbed that bandwagoning optimism?
Baaa.
Brendan
May 23rd, 2010
1:48 pm
Red Light & WBF, Sather is definitely surviving on reputation, rather than tangible results. The NY Rangers have not been mistaken for a Stanley Cup contender is more than a decade. But let’s not forget something. When Sather ceased COACHING the NY Rangers in 2004, to become the GM, the team started to do better. I credit the salary cap a bit more than Sather for that, however. Which is in line with what you’re saying about him. His attempts to buy championships were halted by the salary constraints. In 1997, the NY Rangers, with Gretzky I believe, lost the Conference Finals to the Flyers. From 1998 to 2004 marked seven (7!!) seasons without a playoff berth, despite one of the highest payrolls in the NHL. It was the very definition of failure. But the NY Rangers, up until this very season, made the playoffs every year, post Lockout. After seven years’ worth of futility, that starts to sound “nice.” The NY Rangers 2007 series sweep of Atlanta marked the first time, since 1997, that the Rangers won a playoff series. They’d win another in 2008, over New Jersey. In 2009, the Rangers blew a 3-1 series lead to Washington, and really haven’t been anything resembling a contending team, ever since. And yes, they missed the playoffs this season when Jokinen failed to score on Boucher, in Game 82, vs. the Flyers. Jokinen was the third Ranger shooter, after Giroux had tallied for Philadelphia, on the Flyers’ third attend, on Lundqvist.
The point? Well, it’s that Sather, as a GM, has at least kept the Rangers in the “hunt” for the Cup, post-lockout. Atlanta hasn’t even managed to do that much, in a league were 53% of all teams taste the playoffs.
Sage of Bluesland
May 23rd, 2010
5:38 pm
Sweet, sweet poetic “justice” (if you will)…Heatley’s penalty leads to a go-ahead goal with almost 6 minutes left in the 3rd period.
I can’t stand Heatley and will pull against him at any level or team he’s associated with.
The Blackhawks have shown how to build a team the right way; a real “Five-Year Plan”…Compare/contrast that with the annual excuses and bluster given forth by the lisping idiot of a GM we’ve had since day-one.
The sheep should be ashamed of yourselves–if you had any, that is…You know who you are, too…
kracker
May 23rd, 2010
5:43 pm
Well, not to be too sour, but what happened to the refs letting the players decide a possible elimination game?
R. Stroz
May 23rd, 2010
5:49 pm
I predict the Hawks will beat the Sharks.
Savannah Blueland Fan
May 23rd, 2010
6:18 pm
Thank you Danny Heatley! Chicago over the Flyers in 5 games…..I’m sticking with it.
BTW–WBF, I don’t know why Montrealians (or whatever) trash their own city. That was my point—I was just being mean.
World Be Free
May 23rd, 2010
6:26 pm
Savannah – agree on both counts
I don’t understand it either, cause they are so smug about everything else.
And to add to Sage’s post, Heatley will not be available tomorrow. He’s headed to the farm to be fitted for his goat horns. Nice lazy penalty for a lazy, loser, selfish scumbag. I don’t use hate much, but I have to say that I hate Dany Scumbag.
Scatch Nabakov as our future #1.
Brendan
May 23rd, 2010
6:35 pm
Savannah Blueland Fan, I think they’re called “Montrealers.” I know. It sounds funny. People from Quebec are called “Quebecers.”
Heeeeat-ley! Heeeat-ley!! Heeeat-ley, Time to request another trade!!! You watch. Hey, don’t blame Patrick Marleau, this time around. Marleau didn’t disappear. Jumbo Joe was something like a -10 in this series. That’s not how to lead. Sharks should keep Marleau. Knowing Heatley, he’d sit there and say, “Well, I know you want to re-sign, but you can’t, because of my cap hit. So, I’m open to a trade … to some other Cup contender.” I wouldn’t put it past him. He’s utterly without shame. And yet, there’ll be those to ‘rush to his defense’ that requesting a trade out of San Jose is “A-okay behavior.”
Well, Hossa, since leaving Atlanta at the 2008 trade deadline, will be making his THIRD trip to the Finals. This time, he’ll get his ring. He lost with the Penguins, in 2008. He lost with the Red Wings, in 2009. But he’ll win it all with the Blackhawks in 2010. But, let’s not count the Flyers out. Each and every series, people thought they’d lose. Well, I took the Flyers this time. I can only hope they close out Montreal. I took Chicago in the other series, so I am 8-5, through 13 completed series.
Red Light and Rawhide, how are your picks looking? My coin flips had Philly vs. SJ meeting for the Cup. So, I pick up a game on the coin flips. Against the coin flips, I am 3-3-7, through 13 completed series.
Yung JB
May 23rd, 2010
8:56 pm
Savannah- That doesnt not mean half of what you said. And you probably are pissed that we get our party on after a win. I’m a Thrasher Fan but I hate ignorant Americans like you who don’t know their hockey. Pis ferme tayeule parce que t’es une femme pis ue esti de salope.
Cliff Fletcher
May 23rd, 2010
9:47 pm
I wonder if Obama knows the Black Hawks are in the Stanley Cup finals? He’s too focused on getting Lebron to Chicago.
President Idiot can focus on the tattooed gangsters cause the Hawks aren’t his favorites!
Alan R.
May 24th, 2010
12:37 am
I wonder if Obama knows the Black Hawks are in the Stanley Cup finals?
Who gives a damn? Seriously?
Cliff Fletcher
May 24th, 2010
7:30 am
Alan R. I just thought it was interesting that a team in Obama old district made the finals of their sport and he didn’t even notice; spending too much time forcusing on gangster basketball.
R. Stroz
May 24th, 2010
7:30 am
Speaking of Obama, shouldn’t he give, pardon me, redistribute, a couple of wins to the Sharks?
The series would have lasted longer that way.
Savannah Blueland Fan
May 24th, 2010
8:54 am
Yung JB—it’s called a joke…..look it up sometime. As for hating me, you’ll get over it.
Red Light
May 24th, 2010
9:33 am
Brendan: I need a Montreal comeback. Had the Hawks in 5 or 6. According to whowins.com, the Flyers have a 90.6 percent probability of winning the series now that they lead 3-to-1. And, “when leading a best-of-7 NHL playoff series 3-games-1, the Philadelphia Flyers have an 18-2 series record and a 13-7 Game 5 record. When trailing a best-of-7 NHL playoff series 3-games-1, the Montreal Canadiens have a 2-13 series record and a 7-8 Game 5 record. I’ll not hold my breath on another Habs’ comeback!
May I comment on Hossa’s perceived lack of production in the playoffs? While he only contributed 2 goals and 9 assists in 16 games, his contributions all over the ice are still felt. He’s a great two-way forward and is +8, tied for the team lead with Seabrook. He has the second most shots on the Hawks, he just hasn’t converted on many, but he still has made a huge impact for the Hawks.
Spud Webb
May 24th, 2010
9:54 am
Heatly is a fraud, getting exposed for sure.
Joe Friday
May 24th, 2010
10:00 am
“Scatch Nabakov as our future #1″
Why?
I am so looking forward to the Finals so my favorite club, the Philthy, err, Flyers, or my real favorite team, Les Habs, can dismantle those frauds wearing the Indian Head. I mean how lucky can they get with that basketball player they have getting all those lucky deflections?!? No goalie, bad coaching, horrible fans. Chicago is due a beat down in the Finals by the real talent coming out of the East.
Thrashers27
May 24th, 2010
10:43 am
Looks like Hossa finally picked the right team. Three different cup final teams in three years. Wonder if that’s ever been done before.
World Be Free
May 24th, 2010
10:48 am
Well Joe, I knew I would be hearing from as soon as I typed that post.
After yesterday’s game, most of the analysts (who happened to be former players) noted that Nabokov failed to make the big saves to keep his team even. This was especially noted on the NHL network after the game. The Ladd goal in game 2 was a joke, a wrist shot from a 3rd liner from 10’ inside the blueline? Nabokov has had a history of not coming up big in the big games, which was an issue in this series. Safe to say you can pin that label on the entire team, except Marleau who had a very good series. Niemi clearly outplayed Nabokov.
The guy has been around the block long enough. What you see is what you get and at almost 35 years of age, it’s time to look elsewhere for a number one. You like his “numbers”, I’d like a guy that can win a big game here and there and Nabokov, for the $5M+ it would take to get him, he’s not worth it.