Will Todd White ‘be a big part of our future’?
The ‘buy out’ period in the NHL began this week. Teams have until June 30 to determine if any of the players currently under contract should be dropped from their payroll…paying them a portion of what that contract is worth and sending them on their way.
The last time the Thrashers used such an option was in the summer of 2008 when Alexei Zhitnik was bought out. This happened just days after then-general manager Don Waddell stated that the defenseman would “be a big part of our future”. Since then, the organization has spent the last two years paying him $1.16 million to not play for them. However, it opened up a roster spot for another defender to fill and freed up about two mil of cap space.
The current general manager, Rick Dudley, has indicated recently that he “doesn’t think it’s an option the team will use this season”. That may be so, but I can’t help but wonder if this topic might still come up between Dudley and [insert name of yet-to-be named new head coach here] if the new coach does arrive in Thrasherville by the end of the month.
Todd White, seen here in action against the Detroit Red Wings, has scored 43 goals, 91 assists and is a -32 during 221 games with the Thrashers (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Now if …even if just for grins and giggles…the pair do sit down and over a cup of coffee share thoughts on how to allocate the soon-to-be-freed up Zhitnik Buyout Fund, don’t you think they might at least breach the topic of moving that money over to the column of another player? Someone like …oh, I don’t know…let’s say, Todd White?
The 35-year old White will be entering into the last year of his four-year contract that pays $2.4 mil per season. He was brought in by Waddell in the summer of 2007…just after the organization had made it’s one-and-only showing in the playoffs…and was sold to us as the team’s top-line center, the man who would center Ilya Kovalchuk’s line.
His stats for the three seasons played here…43 goals, 91 assists and a –32 during 221 games. He followed up a 14 goal, 37-point 2007-08 season with a very impressive 22 goal, 73-point year…a career high in overall points. But then he dropped a 7 goal, 26 point steamer on the ice of Philips just last season.
Highlighting his efforts was a 34-game goalless drought that spanned from Halloween to January 12. During this time he dished out but 12 assist and was a –11. This caused his picture to be plastered on the milk carton labeled “Missing” for several weeks.
White was a –17 in the middle of March before doctoring that stat with a +6 over the last four games he suited up for. Fellow forwards Maxim Afinogenov and Rich Peverley finished –17 and –14 respectively, but they were at least contributing on the other end of the ice with 61 and 55 points.
Now honestly, I didn’t go into last fall with any expectations that we would see a return of the 2008-09 version of Todd White. But I must admit I wasn’t expecting the abysmal showing that we witnessed in 2009-10.
So, what was the difference between the two seasons for Whitey?
Well, the simple answer could be found with his power play production. In 2008-09 he amassed 12 goals and 22 assists while the Thrashers played a man-up. Why, he even tossed in a shorty to boot. Last season, 2 goals and 8 assists came while on the power play.
Also, one could credit the strong numbers put up in in 08-09 at least in part to the play of the men skating either side of him for much of that year…Bryan Little and Slava Kozlov. Little was playing in his first full season with the Thrashers and scored 31 goals and 20 assists in 79 games. Kozlov rebounded from a disappointing, injury-riddled 07-08 season to produce 26 goals and 50 assists while playing in all 82 games.
Not to be overlooked is White’s “soft” play on both ends of the ice, specifically in the defensive zone. Not just soft…but “Charmin soft”, as some have said.
However, IMHO, the reason for last year’s “drop-off” has more to do with the fact that the numbers put up two years ago were more an exception than the rule when it comes to Todd White. I mean, answer me this… if White does return next season, do you think it’s more likely that he’ll come close to his production of two seasons ago…or last season?
While I would be surprised if his numbers resembled anything close to last year’s, I’d be absolutely shocked if he put up the type of stats he did the season prior.
Outside of a buyout, are their any trade options out there for the Thrashers to deal away White? Oh sure… sure, I suppose. But if Dudley can net anything more than a year-old swimsuit calendar featuring the ice girls from the team Todd is shipped off to, I would consider it a steal for the Thrashers.
Actually, on second thought… if Duds were only to get that for Whitey from the Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars or Chicago Blackhawks, that wouldn’t be half bad. Just sayin’…
ahem…moving right along…
I’m sure that there are those who might ague in defense of White, and they’ll no doubt point to that 2008-09 “career season” of his. “If he did it then”, one could explain, “Then it is possible he could do it again this year”.
Whitey battled through a couple of injuries last season as well…in fact, he required surgery just after the season ended.” So how much did that calculate into his play?”, some may ask.
Should the Thrashers buy out Todd White?
- Yes: Try to trade him, waive him, then buy him out! (73%, 90 Votes)
- No: He's a quality player and will rebound from last year's off season! (6%, 7 Votes)
- Wait to see what the new coach has to say before taking Charmin off the shelf in Thrasherville (21%, 27 Votes)
Total Voters: 124
Loading ...Also, while his +/- numbers have been un-good here, it can be noted that for his career White is a +21. During his four season’s in Ottawa he was a +48.
But as I stated above, we’ve had three seasons in which to observe his play…and many feel that’s enough and it’s time to move on.
In closing, allow me to add this one other observation in fairness to Todd White. It is entirely possible that he is the victim of “perception” in these parts as much as anything else.
If there is such a thing as a “poster child” for the Don Waddell era as general manager, White very well might just be it. Waddell did not/could not re-sign a player like Eric Belanger in 2007 and was unable to procure a true top-line center during that offseason. So, the Thrashers dangled $9.6 million over four seasons to White, who was 32-years of age then. Who could blame him for taking the money?
looking around the blogosphere…Uh-huh, me either.
But he was viewed as the number-one center, and that can be argured as a bit unfair to man. He came here with that label hung around his neck and was not able to fulfill the expectation.
Plus, given the way the past three seasons have played out, there has been quite a bit of blame to toss around. Certainly Todd White’s gotten quite a bit of that blame splattered on him.
The question is, does he deserve the lion’s share of it.
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148 comments Add your comment
Smoothie
June 17th, 2010
12:04 pm
kracker – agreed! Nothing beats the back nine of the Masters on Sunday. But I have a feeling this year’s US Open could be very compelling stuff. Hopefully Mick will get his first, but there should be a multitude of contenders. I know where I’ll be all weekend long!!
World Be Free
June 17th, 2010
12:12 pm
If you want real pain, watch the LPGA! Unless Jan Stephenson is playing (remember her)? We need hockey news!
rob
June 17th, 2010
12:15 pm
must be the time between the cup and draft to have golfing take over the blog here HAHAHAHA Everyone should go over to Shultz blog and vote for the Thrashers to be the next ATL team to win a championship if you are so bored you gotta talk golf
World Be Free
June 17th, 2010
12:30 pm
Interesting news-Minnesota Wild assist coach Mike Ramsey resigned today, a move that came as a complete surprise to Wild management. He has been with the club since their first season.
Ramsey and Ramsay were both teammates in Buffalo. Not sure Mike wants to move anywhere because he has 3 kids in school in Minnesota. Interesting
Brendan
June 17th, 2010
12:58 pm
WBF, if the Thrashers hire Craig Ramsay, Mike Ramsey, they might as well keep the Buffalo reunion committee together with Randy Cunneyworth, who was let go.
Brendan
June 17th, 2010
1:01 pm
R.Stroz, I’m still waiting, too.
I love the “Charmin Song.”
The fastest way to get Todd White off our books just may be to let him sit in the pressbox all year long. At least we wouldn’t have his ghost, laughing at us, in Khan-like fashion, “From my last breathe, I SPIT at thee, Thrashers,” as we watch his cap hit taint our ledgers for two more years. Let’s just suffer through it, and be OVER with Todd White.
Rawhide
June 17th, 2010
1:06 pm
C-Viv has tweeted that the Thrashers’ preseason schedule will be released later today. Look for him to post it soon.
glovesave29
June 17th, 2010
1:17 pm
John MacLean was just named coach of the Devils.
World Be Free
June 17th, 2010
1:23 pm
Brendan-still surprised they let Cunney go to begin with.
rob
June 17th, 2010
1:23 pm
As far as Ramsey’s go, Mike was an AWESOME shot blocking dman who unselfishly gave up body for the team, excellent responsible player much like Craig was. Not sure how that translates into his coaching as I hadn’t paid too much attention to it.
Still haven’t heard anything as far as Torch’s philosophy though, and I find that kinda disturbing….just would like to know what the team is thinking as they look at him, ya know?
R. Stroz
June 17th, 2010
1:25 pm
After watching a few recent Snickers commercials, I think we should start calling Charmin Betty instead, as in Betty White.
kracker
June 17th, 2010
1:30 pm
Great, we could have head coach Ramsay and asst. coach Ramsey.
Smoothie
June 17th, 2010
1:35 pm
Interesting to say the least about Mike Ramsey, but I suspect he will take a couple years off to spend time with family before re-entering coaching. I reckon at least one of his kids plays hockey in HS (don’t know how many of them are boys). But who knows? Should Craig Ramsay get the nod and do well, perhaps he’ll be around long enough to lure Mike Ramsey out of retirement. Certainly less plane travel in the East Conf!
Patches O'Houlihan
June 17th, 2010
1:39 pm
“Mike was an AWESOME shot blocking dman who unselfishly gave up body for the team…Not sure how that translates into his coaching”
This is Patches O’Houlihan saying “Take care of your balls, and they’ll take care of you.”
glovesave29
June 17th, 2010
1:49 pm
I thought that was Dr. Zillman from the Atlanta Genetal Institute…from the “Your Testicles and You” film that Johnny Dangerously showed his little brother Tommy to keep him in law school.
Red Light
June 17th, 2010
2:00 pm
From an April 27th post from yours truly…
“John MacLean will be Lemaire’s replacement. Former Devil who holds the franchise record for goals, seven years as an assistant and now coach of the Lowell Devils (AHL). Tommy Albelin will be one of his assistants as will Mario Tremblay if he isn’t chosen instead of MacLean.”
Red Light
June 17th, 2010
2:02 pm
1st puck drops at Philips Sept. 21 against the Blue Jackets at 7 pm
rob
June 17th, 2010
2:03 pm
R/L,
not sure if we should hail you or be concerned that you went back to April 27th and found your post.
Red Light
June 17th, 2010
2:06 pm
I keep ‘em handy rob
Rawhide
June 17th, 2010
2:09 pm
As promised…C-Viv has posted the 2010 Thrashers preseason schedule.
World Be Free
June 17th, 2010
2:15 pm
Smoothie-speculation on Mike Ramsey is that we wants time off for his family. He said he has been going non-stop since the ‘80 Olympics and he needs time with his family. However, you never know. He and Rammer were tight with the Sabres, so it would not shock me. He is Buffalo best defenseman EVER-he is a hockey guy.
Thrashers27
June 17th, 2010
2:21 pm
…A bit off topic, but I figure if there can be talk of golf…zzzzzzzzzz…I think we should adopt Chicago’s tradition of cheering during the National Anthem, because maybe that would drown out the dorks who still shout “KNIGHTS!”. Embarassing!
glovesave29
June 17th, 2010
2:23 pm
Yup, T27 – and damn disrespectful too. Makes me embarrased to wear anything Knights.
Rawhide
June 17th, 2010
2:55 pm
Thrashers27 – That…or everyone sing the National Anthem at the top of their lungs so that when the word “night” comes around, no one can tell.
Tony C.
June 17th, 2010
3:00 pm
Just watched “NHL Live!” and they had Chuck Fletcher as the phone-in guest (Ramsey’s boss in Minny) and he said that Ramsey resigned to be with his family-also intimated that he (Ramsey) would be available in a consultant capacity for the Wild.
Spud Webb
June 17th, 2010
3:03 pm
I don’t give a flip what it costs to buy him out, DO IT. Good flipping lord. If we’re gonna turn this around, theres a good start! Doesn’t sound like max will be back either. Fine by me for both of them.
GaVaHokie
June 17th, 2010
3:13 pm
Halak traded to the Blues… wow!
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=324934
GaVaHokie
June 17th, 2010
3:16 pm
Schultz and Lars Eller in return.
World Be Free
June 17th, 2010
3:22 pm
This means another UFA goalie, Chris Mason will be available 7.1. Surprised the Habs would make this move.
glovesave29
June 17th, 2010
3:30 pm
Got a friend in MTL right now – just hung up with him. He is busy lighting a torch and heading for the Canadiens offices. They are PISSED up there.
GaVaHokie
June 17th, 2010
3:31 pm
I thought I read something recently about Halak’s future being “uncertain” as to whether he wanted to play anymore… was trying to find it again, but can’t track it down.
Smoothie
June 17th, 2010
3:32 pm
Wow! That trade was completely out of the Blue!! Ha, ha, ha. Crickets.
Anyway, I reckon MTL did not want to deal with Allan Walsh in negotiations to re-up Halak. Loyalty to Price is very interesting.
But couldn’t have MTL gotten a lot more than 2 young prospects? I know Eller is very highly regarded, but come on. You would think they could have gotten more proven veterans. Well, at least we won’t have to face Halak anymore on a regular basis! He owned us a couple of times.
Red Light
June 17th, 2010
3:58 pm
This trade is all about the money. Habs can’t afford both goalies and are up against the Cap number. Plus, they invested $2.2 million per year including bonuses in Price in each of the past three seasons for a total of $6.6 million. Halak got a two-way deal at first and was paid less than $2.5 million total since arriving in Montreal a few years ago.
Remember, while the Habs didn’t appear to get as much as you would think, the Blues still have to re-sign him. Wonder if John Davidson will give him less than Mason’s contract of $3 million last year?
Red Light
June 17th, 2010
4:01 pm
I meant to say that the Habs will be up against the cap when they re-sign RFAs and a few UFAs.
DWTOO
June 17th, 2010
4:06 pm
Still think the Blues picked the Habs pockets.
Tony C.
June 17th, 2010
4:09 pm
Smoothie-I’m with you. You’d think that after Halak carrying his team to the Conference finals they’d get prospects AND a 2nd or 3rd round pick….
I also heard some interesting comments from Adam Kimelman while he was a guest on “NHL Live!” regarding his latest mock draft. You’ll notice that he has us taking Nino @ #8 and Kabanov @ #24.
Of course all of this guy’s recent bizarre behavior was brought up immediately by the show’s hosts-Kimelman’s response was interesting (paraphrasing here):
“Well, yah you know, there’s all these things-he quit his team, then got booted of the Russian national squad…. but I think that it can be chalked up to the fact that this kid is 17! He has million-dollar talent, I mean it’s undeniable-if this were a kid from Moose Jaw or Binghamton or Thunder Bay he’d be a top-10 pick still. ”
Billy Jaffe asked if why he thought ATL would be the club to sign Kabanov-his response to that (again paraphrased):
“You know, Rick Dudley’s such a sharp guy-he’s the smarte-he’s one of the smartest guys in the league when it comes to evaluating talent, and after I spoke with Kirill (Kabanov) at the combine where he again displayed great talent, I asked him about a lot of these issues that have been brought up-why’d he leave his junior team, what went wrong with the national squad? This kid didn’t shy away from it-he said that he came back to his Jr. team from injury and went from top6 minutes and opportunities (PP etc) to playing 3rd-line minutes at best. It seems like a case where the team had added some players in his absence due to injury and the team had gelled while he was out. He came back and indicated that he wasn’t getting the minutes he was used to and was made to feel unwelcome in the room-apparently, the other kids let him know it on the ice so he got upset and left. He also said that this was a bad idea and unfortunately it followed him to the national team where he was in the doghouse before he even got to camp. I haven’t had a chance to talk to his coach for the Russian national team, but I can tell you that a lot of what happened does seem to be attributable to the rashness of youth. But I think Dudley’s such a shrewd guy and this kid’s talent is so great that Atlanta will pick him up, and if he does turn out to be a sour apple-his talent’s enough that they’ll be able to get good value for him later on”
I don’t know about this plan, but Kabanov is nasty good. I just hope Johansen falls to us.
Midfield
June 17th, 2010
4:27 pm
Tony, the question is, does he have a rap-sheet in Russia? If he does, he is practically a shoe-in. Him and Comrie, and we need just one more delinquent to make our own Atlanta goonsday line.
World Be Free
June 17th, 2010
4:32 pm
Major move by the Blues, money or not, Halak proved his worth in the playoffs. With Halak, you need a backup that can play 15-20 games/season, cause Halak just can’t handle a huge workload. Still, he is better than Price and the Habs do not get what they need right now to take advantage of their long playoff run. Blues would not have made the trade unless they were going to sign him. Habs fans not be very happy about getting rid of Gainey after this deal.
This looks like the Keith Hernandez deal from St. Louis to the Mets.
GaVaHokie
June 17th, 2010
4:43 pm
I really don’t want Kabanov on this team… I just have a bad feeling. No more pre-madonnas.
Red Light
June 17th, 2010
4:49 pm
World: Looks like the Habs are suffering because of the contracts to Gionta and Gomez more than anything else. If the kids they acquired can play soon, and they created more potential cap room to re-sign Plekanec and a few of their RFAs, then it could be a good deal for them long term. Remember, the guy that played in Hamilton, Cedrick Desjardins, who will turn 25 in Sept. might turn into a cheap and capable back-up, and he was 29-9 with six shutouts in the A. They have a young Czech, Mayer, who played in the ECHL this season and might go to Hamilton. Even if he doesn’t, there are plenty of cheaper back-up options.
I think Montreal is on the verge of becoming a more youthful and productive team over the next 2-3 seasons.
Rusty
June 17th, 2010
4:54 pm
Ok…agreed. Take what you can get for Whitey and clear a hole for someone coming through the organIzation. Rawhide, you again noted the difficulty of signing a free agency (Belanger) who arrived not of his own volition. First, we were a start-up that no self-respecting pro wanted to go to…now, we’re a mature franchise with a rotten record, that no self-respecting pro wants to go to. They voluneer to come here only if, like Afinegenov, they face no alternatives…and as soon as we help resurrect their careers…off they go.
So, we need Duds and his soon-to-be-named coach to put together a team of home-grown guys who are hungry, aggressive and want to prove something. Only with some success can we shed the rep we have in the league and become a team that established guys want to try out. Then, we can start to use free-agency to fill holes.
We’ve got enough number ones on our roster now that our home-grown lads ought to start coming together…unless Donnie took too many twos, threes and fours instead of real number ones with our decade-long early draft positioning. Thus, we shouldn’t put too focus on free agency this year unless we want to mortgage even more of our future wtih mediocre players signed to long-term contracts at too high salaries. Transform these supposedly skilled high-draft into a hard-working team that’s competitive every night and fun-to-watch … then you get to choose whether Max, Army and the others looking for greener pastures get to stay …because they will want to.
Red Light
June 17th, 2010
4:56 pm
On the Blues beat, Andy Strickland, said the Blues offered Mason a 3-yr deal at $3.25 million but he wanted $3.75 million to get a deal done. He also reports that Halak will get close to $4 million per year because he has arbitration rights. That’s why the Habs dealt him, arbitration!!!
World Be Free
June 17th, 2010
7:06 pm
Red Light-the Gomez contract may be the worst in the entire league, when you look at his production. The Habs are paying the price for adding so many UFAs last summer. The kids theyt receieved for Halak might be good, but when you have a goaltender that is proven himself you need to get players in return that are proven as well. Habs are still wondering if they should pay Plakanec the money we will get if he goes on the open market, or find a replacement. Centers, especially a #1 or a #2 are tough to replace. I think the Habs are going to be on the defensive after this deal and it may show in their actions over the next few weeks. Panic and overpay Plaknec or let him walk. I don’t like the Habs so I am kinda lovin’ this.
In my mind, this is beyond just dollars; it all comes down to choosing between Price and Halak and the Habs took the Canadian kid. That means alot up north, believe me.
Rusty-you nailed it, trying to get players to come here is tough. That’s why I want to pay Max, cause he has been here and really wants to stay. If we let Max walk, that will be another example of the organization not ponying up for a guy who changed his M.O. when he came here, played hard and earned a new deal, a commitment. Pay the guys that want to stay here. This isn’t Chicago or Detroit, there’s no discounts to come to the Thrashers.
Yung JB from Montreal
June 17th, 2010
7:31 pm
Haha so happy to be a Thrasher fan living in Montreal, watching all my friends get so pissed ahah what a dumb trade and im sorry to say this but even DWad wouldve done better…
rob
June 17th, 2010
8:26 pm
WOW! Halak caries them into the post season, has the place buzzing louder than most any place I have heard, and POW! I know it was just one post season, but that is the time you want someone to stand up! Oh well, I don’t care for them much either, almost up there with the Bums and the Bruins…..guess it comes from cheering for the Sabres so long
Give me a few more years and the same will be true of the Bolts and Panthers…..I already dislike St. Louis (the player not the team) so I am almost there…..LOL If Nittimaki is a UFA can we send him to KHL? Ilya and Kozlov can pull some strings right? 
World Be Free
June 17th, 2010
9:26 pm
Yung-I wondered when we would get an on the scene report from you.
Spud Webb
June 18th, 2010
9:02 am
I have to think the flyers would’ve given more than that for halak. Theres not been a legit number one there in years.
Dwayne
June 20th, 2010
9:45 pm
right when its time for the idiots to holler “knights” pull, your horn out of your pants and blow it.