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
Alan R.
June 15th, 2010
6:36 pm
So, who else voted “yes?” Raise your hand!
*raises hand*
Donna Harper
June 15th, 2010
6:50 pm
What’s the word on Johan????
Brendan
June 15th, 2010
7:05 pm
I voted for “wait-n-see.” I should explain that, I suppose. Okay, look, here’s your ‘cliff notes’ version. I don’t want to watch Todd White’s salary stay on our books past this season. Voila. I’d rather we suffer through the year with him and rid ourselves of him, once and for all, rather than having the memory linger, “Zhitnik-style.”
Alan R.
June 15th, 2010
7:11 pm
On the other hand, if we can fill that free roster spot with a more capable and more talented player, to me, it’s worth the “lingering memory’ if you will.
Rawhide
June 15th, 2010
7:11 pm
Alan R. – raising my hand, doing my best Arnold Horseshack impersonation…OOOooh, ooooh…me, ME, ME!!
Donna Harper – Last I heard was that Rick Dudley said all pending UFAs have been tendered offers to return. I would assume that includes Moose. So, we wait and see how he and the others respond.
Thrashers27
June 15th, 2010
7:12 pm
Don’t need Charmin. We have plenty of youngins who can put up as good, if not better numbers. I’d rather see Espo get a shot at White’s spot.
Thrashers27
June 15th, 2010
7:15 pm
…now that I think of it…it would be a better idea to waive him in hopes that someone will pick him up for half-price. Then you’re only paying half his salary for one year. (The remainder of his contract.)
Red Light
June 15th, 2010
7:25 pm
Todd White has been traded for an 8th round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
Alas, there are only seven rounds these days.
Smoothie
June 15th, 2010
7:27 pm
The great thing about buy-outs is you only pay him a 1/3 of his salary, I believe, in actual dollars, and the other 2/3 gets spread over two years, as a Cap hit only, on the books.
Seeing as how we have such a low “shoe-string” budget, we have plenty of room for buy-out dollars! Who else can we buy out? Oh wait, we need more players, not less.
Corollary: I could be a bit wrong w/r/t the details of how much is actually paid in a B/O sitch.
World Be Free
June 15th, 2010
7:41 pm
Cut him loose – time for both parties to move forward. Give the roster spot to a young player. That was my vote and I see I am not along. But it looks like Dudley is going to keep White, so let’s hope the thought of a new coach AND the last year of his contract may get White moving. He actually threw a few body checks near the end of the season, right after Bill’s blog that featured White in an unflattering way.
Anyone who wants to get rid of Bogosian should have their head (or heads) examined. My hockey equipment is ALOT older than Bogo, so give the kid a break for crying out loud!
Billtong, where have you been? Still got your Kovy 3rd jersey?
Smoothie
June 15th, 2010
8:39 pm
Apologies for my incorrect statement above. The buyout is only 1/3 the value of the salary for a player under the age of 26. For Todd White, it would 2/3 of the value or in his case, $1.6 M.
So yes, the waiver wire would seem like a more cost-effective measure w/r/t the Todd.
Nikita (in PA)
June 15th, 2010
8:52 pm
No. no. no. Or, more accurately, no if he plays o.k. in camp. I don’t expect White to put up numbers like two seasons ago again. But it’s not unusual for him to put up half that, and it’s also somewhat unusual for him to go negative. Given that such numbers would be appropriate to his salary and make him a fairly solid 2nd or 3rd line center, I say if he looks decent in camp, he stays.
Further, Zhitnik? Really? That’s just low.
(Also, while White was pretty awful for most of last season, he improved down the stretch. And his work ethic is decent, so I doubt he’ll sandbag his way to retirement.)
Rawhide
June 15th, 2010
8:55 pm
Todd White has been traded for an 8th round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft….Alas, there are only seven rounds these days.
Red Light – If they took him and his $2.4 mil salary..I’d do that trade!
No. no. no. Or, more accurately, no if he plays o.k. in camp.
Nikita – But if we wait for camp, then it’s too late to decide whether or not to buy out his contract…regardless how one feels on the subject.
Donna Harper – An update for you. C-Viv updated his latest blog saying that the Thrashers and Hedberg are still working on a possible deal.
Sara
June 15th, 2010
10:09 pm
He’s got one year left on his contract so really why bother? He can be the 13th forward for next season. He doesn’t deserve a buy-out when we aren’t truly desperate for the roster spot (and we aren’t – replacing Todd White is not the missing link to the 2011 Stanley Cup). And if for some reason we get so many prospects performing at overwhelming levels in training camp that the coach does decide he really wants that roster spot back, Whitey can always be waived and dumped to the Wolves. (And really a sick twisted part of me I don’t like to talk about at parties would love to rape the Wolves just once of a lot of our young talent and saddle them with our old farts – win a Calder with that beyotches.)
Tony C.
June 15th, 2010
10:34 pm
White can stay, but I don’t want to see him taking ice time away from any of the kids I expect to be called up.
Alan R.
June 15th, 2010
11:22 pm
And really a sick twisted part of me I don’t like to talk about at parties
Oh, please, tell me more!
Nikita (in PA)
June 15th, 2010
11:33 pm
*Nikita – But if we wait for camp, then it’s too late to decide whether or not to buy out his contract…regardless how one feels on the subject.*
So we waive him. There’s not a huge difference for us, and that way we aren’t presumptively cutting bait.
You know, I actually think he’ll make the roster no matter what — somebody’s got to play PK, and we’re still not sure who that will be beyond The Michigan-Canadian Kid.
Alan R.
June 16th, 2010
12:02 am
No offense, Nikita, but this is what I’m seeing: “Why go for the best when we can settle for less? And besides, there’s something we can find for him to do, right?”
That don’t work. We’ve done that on this team practically since inception, and it’s part of why we’ve chased away so many good players. Ten years of settling for less.
This is us, fans of our Atlanta Thrashers. “Take only what you need to survive” and all that. Yet, year after year, this is what the team looks like. Per Svartvadet, Uwe Krupp, Steve Rucchin, among others. “But White isn’t that bad,” you might say. However, we tried carrying specialists before — Erik Chistensen, for example. He was good for shootouts; turnovers and stone hands during regulation was his forte.
Do like what they did in Spaceballs, where they eventually dropped the baggage. We can survive without White. It’s about time we start culling the herd.
R. Stroz
June 16th, 2010
12:17 am
Charmin is done.
Frankly, for his own health, he needs to retire.
Last season, he lost a step. When combined with his lack of size and strength, he is utterly useless moving anyone off the puck in the defensive zone.
Now the key point isn’t whether to waive trade, or buy him out. The key point is whether he is able to play at a NHL level next season. The answer is most likely NO.
Twelve years ago, I had the same/similar surgery that Todd White had to repair his shoulder. The results are not pretty. The rehab is rather long and unpleasant. Most orthopaedic doctors would strongly advise against using the repaired shoulder for extreme physical contact. The shoulder is alot “looser” than it was and prone to getting messed up very easily. Getting whacked against the boards is a sure fire way to end up losing more muscle tissue and having more bone carved out.
Bill Clement had the same/similar surgery years ago, and like myself, often comments about his shoulder being “mush.”
If Todd White is smart, he will retire and preserve what is left of his shoulder unless he wants to live a life of anti-inflammatory pills. Chronic pain is not fun and it doesn’t lesson as you age.
For the sake of White and his family, I hope he has the wisdom to retire and enjoy the rest of his life without causing a bad situation with his shoulder to get worse.
Brendan
June 16th, 2010
12:41 am
Look folks, I think we’d mostly like to find a ‘quick-n-easy’ solution to the White dilemma. Waiving him might sound ideal, but really, no one is going to take him at full price. To move Todd White for “full price” means trading him. And the only way that can work is to find a team flush against the cap, who wants to jettison one of their “bad” contracts. Well, we can accommodate that, so long as they are willing to take Todd White in the exchange. I don’t have a “for instance.” We’re talking conceptually. Most of the readers of this blog already know which players have over-inflated contracts. Though, I must concede, here and now, that I’ve included Briere in that camp in the past, but his most recent playoff campaign has me eating those words. I think he missed Gretzky’s Cup Finals Series point total record by one-point. Briere didn’t disappear this year.
Alan R., you say that now. You say that nowwwww. But next year, or the year after that, when the Thrashers are strictly adhering to one of their famous “self-imposed” budgets, and get outbid for an essential player by the EXACT amount of White’s buyout, it will be one of those things that makes a person forcibly plant their open palm against their forehead, while exclaiming “D’oh!” in Homer Simpson-like fashion. Or, perhaps, in William Shatner-like fashion, “KHAAAAAAAAN!!” I find myself agreeing with Sara. Let White be the 13th man, up in the presser. If he wants to get out of the dog house, let him play better. But realistically, we’re stuck with him.
Traditionally, I go easy on Todd White. Why? What for? He blows, and we should ditch him. Well, after we got SWEPT out by the Rangers, Todd White wanted in. Nobody put a gun to his head. He committed to 4-years with the Thrashers, even after that disaster. Now, bear in mind, Hossa still had a year left, and Kovalchuk still had 3 years left, and Todd White figured he’d be the beneficiary of those linemates. Bygones.
World Be Free
June 16th, 2010
6:04 am
So I guess White will be this season’s Slava, in the sense that he will be an old guy making alotta money being past whatever prime White was considered to have had when we signed him. Somehow I accepted this alot better when it was Slava for half a season than White for an entire season.
Eklund states that Kubina wants 4 years at $4M/season. I have no issue with the $4M, but 4 years is tough to consider he’s not fleet afoot at his current age.
Sara
June 16th, 2010
7:14 am
Nikita – White wasn’t even in the top 6 among forwards for average TOI/game on the PK last season.
Stroz – I appreciate your viewpoint on White’s injury and hopefully his surgeon and the team doctors have made that point crystal clear to him.
Alan R.
June 16th, 2010
7:24 am
But next year, or the year after that, when the Thrashers are strictly adhering to one of their famous “self-imposed” budgets, and get outbid for an essential player by the EXACT amount of White’s buyout
Too perfect of a scenario. Could it happen? Sure. Is it likely to happen? That’s something we could argue until the moon turns to swiss cheese, and comes out of the sky to our living rooms to offer us a taste of such a tasty treat as dairy products from outer space.
World Be Free
June 16th, 2010
7:25 am
Brendan-I agree with your post, especially your last paragraph. Why should we be easy on anyone on this team? Good businesses make decisions to go with the best workers, their top contributors. Hockey teams should do the same and if White isn’t one of the best contributors then there’s no reason to be easy on him. These guys make alotta money, they need to earn their checks.
Zoomo
June 16th, 2010
7:43 am
I went to a good number of training camp sessions last and White looked GREAT in camp. After that…pffffffffttt.
If there’s anyway to dump him in a trade, do it.
GaVaHokie
June 16th, 2010
8:16 am
According to Eklund… Kubina is seeking 4 years $4 million per year.
Why haven’t we signed him yet?! I’m guessing we’re offering less years, and maybe a sliding scale of pay.
Smoothie
June 16th, 2010
8:42 am
I reckon Big Willy’s right about Whitey getting Zhitnik’ed. Remember, Duds must do his due diligence and try to work the Todd into a late day 2 draft trade. If that doesn’t work, Whitey is bought out.
I don’t think the money is as big a deal as some are making out as we should have a new investor later this summer, perhaps two! Yes, I am expressing optimism on that front. For that reason I think we’ll get Kubes under contract for 3 yrs as we can afford to pay him an avg of $4.5 M. He’s smart enough to change his game as he slows down. Put in a sliding scale so he only gets $4 or $3.75 M in the final year. The fact we haven’t heard much in the press from his agent is prolly a good sign.
Rawhide
June 16th, 2010
8:47 am
Do like what they did in Spaceballs, where they eventually dropped the baggage. We can survive without White. It’s about time we start culling the herd.
Alan R. – I believe you just dropped the first ‘Spaceballs’ reference in here. Well done, sir!
hip czech
June 16th, 2010
8:50 am
Isn’t there another option? Start camp with him and if someone else deserves the roster spot send him to the Wolves, isn’t that an option the Blackhawks are considering to lose some of Huet’s salary?
On another note…if a deal with the Moose is not done, why shouldn’t we go after Nittymaki? If you can’t beat him, make him join you.
glovesave29
June 16th, 2010
8:57 am
I am not sure we CAN buy him out. The CBA states that contracts for players who’s deal terminates after the player is over 35 must count 100% against the cap…this is to keep teams from signing players to contracts that go beyond their playing years in an attempt to circumvent the cap. Zhitnik turned 35 in October, he was released in the summer before that. Todd turned 35 in May. We may have no choice but to keep him on the payroll. It would be nice to find a trading partner here, but it is doubtful we can find someone to dance with. We could bury him in the minors, but his salary will still count against the Thrashers, and as we know from the Octotards (still love that name!), they will keep him here in Atlanta if we are paying him. If he must remain on the payroll, and his stills do not justify so, this would be an interesting study on how much power and influence Duds wields. To see if the quality of the team supercedes all…
R. Stroz
June 16th, 2010
9:16 am
According to the Falconer, who posted a similar article about White this morning:
If you buy out Todd White he is due 2/3rds of his final season salary and 2/3rd of his cap hit will count against the cap. The cap hit is spread out across the next two seasons
Alan R.
June 16th, 2010
9:21 am
Rawhide – There was also the picture in the link I posted above that line.
Thank you. *takes a bow.*
joedaiceman
June 16th, 2010
9:38 am
Count me in the ‘dump Todd’ camp. Across the board he does not bring anything compelling – no scoring, no defense or grit, no size – on and on it goes
Nikita (in PA)
June 16th, 2010
9:39 am
Ya’ll are killing me. For starters, I never said White played well last season. Nor do I think he’s a top-line center. But, for me, that is not the question.
I don’t agree with you, Stroz, on the shoulder surgery. My dude actually had both done, one twice, and is in a performance environment and doing fine. White could easily come back long enough to put in a productive season. I don’t think he should be offered another contract, but that’s because he’s older and smaller and as I’ve noted he’s not really capable of daily abuse for an entire season any more.
Why I think we should keep Todd White through camp, and possibly in general:
1. His contract is actually modest in current dollars and in line with other players with similar numbers.
2. No one in Thrashers management or on the team has ever indicated a problem with Todd White. In fact, the folks who are gone that you guys liked so much are on record as fans. He is someone who wants to be here, who shows up ready for camp, who does whatever he’s asked to, and his fellow players like playing with him.
3. The “whatever” factor is pretty important as we figure out what our roster will look like. He can be slotted in wherever, and on whatever special teams, and he does adequately or better.
4. Statistically, last season was rough in one regard: +/-. He had the fifth worst +/- on the team. However, he also maintained a good FO, adequate points, and so on.
5. He improved down the stretch and apparently was playing injured. So he should be better next year. Probably not 2008-09 better, but at half the points and an even or positive =/- (in line with the rest of his career) he’d still be appropriately priced.
Until we have up and comers or established talent to displace his contributions, I just don’t see the point in taking a guy who’s been dedicated and humiliating him in public. It’s just tacky and cruel for no reason. As far as I’m concerned, he’s cheap insurance against flukey kids or injured veterans. And if we don’t need the insurance, we can trade or waive him.
P.S. I find this whole Todd White beatdown really lame given how many people here have mentioned that they’d like Slava back. Really? ‘Cause, you know, we were paying him $1.5 million more for EVEN WORSE STATS while he was throwing management under the bus.
Telfo
June 16th, 2010
9:40 am
Charmin needs to be advanced on the glass rod of failures!
J-man
June 16th, 2010
9:41 am
glovesave – I think you may be wrong. If I remember correctly, the key factor in any contract is the age of the player when it is signed. That “35 years old” rule only applies to contracts signed when the player is 35 or more. As such, I believe that White could be bought out. This is one of the reasons that the NHL fumed about Marian Hossa’s contract but in the end did nothing about it. If Hossa retires prior to the end of the contract, the final years come off the cap and he will have played the vast majority of it at a cap hit much less than his actual salary. It is only when he turns 37 that the cap hit actually exceeds the salary. All this magic happens specifically because Hossa signed the contract prior to being 35 years old.
R. Stroz
June 16th, 2010
10:02 am
My dude actually had both done, one twice, and is in a performance environment and doing fine.
So your dude had acromioplasty and torn labrum tissue removed?
Does your dude get smashed into the NHL boards on a daily basis?
Let me know how your dude is when he’s 40 plus years of age.
Why endure a lifetime of pain for one extra year in the NHL?
Why tie up a roster spot, for, an at best, marginal NHL player?
I’d rather give a hungry, healthy young man a crack at the NHL.
Smoothie
June 16th, 2010
10:08 am
I’d be more worried about Todd’s knee that popped out of joint twice. At his age, knee issues are not to be trifled with. Plus, his game is predicated on speed. He’s already lost a half-step due to age and this could be catastrophic for him going forward. He won’t suddenly transform himself into a “banger” simply to stay in the NHL. The resident Accountant is just too damn nice.
Smoothie
June 16th, 2010
10:20 am
If 26 points for a supposed 2nd line C is an adequate amount of point production, then I think I could step in and give you that. Hell, Mighty Mouse Tim Stapleton would be good for at least 40 points. Or even Eric Perrin! If Todd can’t produce at least 50 points as a 2nd line player, then it’s time to move on. We need younger, hungrier guys who are willing to make more sacrifices and give up the body to keep hold of the puck. Todd White might be a serviceable 13th forward who could spark your PP from time to time, but his best days are over.
Out of Cormier, Esposito, Machacek, Klingberg, Pettersson, MacArthur, Paquette and even Crabb and Anthony Stewart, I think we can find 2 or 3 guys better equipped to round out our bottom 6. And in the case of C-Mac and “Fly” Pettersson, we should have some depth on the 2nd line. Actually, if FP’s home-town fans are right, we may just have the Swedish version of Zach Parise in our midst!
Rawhide
June 16th, 2010
10:40 am
C-Viv reports that the Thrashers have gained official permission from the Blackhawks to speak with Torchetti.
Nikita (in PA)
June 16th, 2010
10:46 am
*So your dude had acromioplasty and torn labrum tissue removed?*
Yes. Left once, right twice. Left has now lasted 15 years, while right has lasted 8 and 8 so far.
*Does your dude get smashed into the NHL boards on a daily basis?*
Nope. He does something a little less demanding, but nonetheless shoulder-shredding.
*Why endure a lifetime of pain for one extra year in the NHL?*
Why’s that anyone’s call but Todd White’s? And I really doubt that another year will cause “a lifetime of pain” when he’s already spent 20 years doing roughly the same thing. This will not be his first surgery. The issue is his performance — it’s not his well-being unless we’re talking about irreversible, debilitating, unacceptable risks like concussion syndrome.
*Why tie up a roster spot, for, an at best, marginal NHL player?*
Because he’s not marginal, and no one else is filling that spot yet. He’s decent for his salary and age, and we can easily waive him or possibly even trade him later.
*I’d rather give a hungry, healthy young man a crack at the NHL.*
I’d rather see that young man earn his crack at the NHL, rather than be thrown in because we have too lean a roster. For that matter, I’d rather see us use Todd White than simply write off the last year of his contract.
*He won’t suddenly transform himself into a “banger” simply to stay in the NHL.*
It’s not about niceness. He’s simply too small. He actually throws a decent hit, but isn’t tall enough or heavy enough to make a consistent show of it. If he stays, I think he’d do so as a 2nd or 3rd line center alternate and specialist. But I don’t see why he shouldn’t, until we have someone better.
Lee
June 16th, 2010
10:48 am
If Dudley thinks it probably won’t be a option the team will use, so be it. That probably means he’s not gonna offer him, which, obviously means he won’t be a big part of our future. Enough said.
Now, if Dudley does change his mind about signing him. I think White will be a big factor of the team. This year, White should get a fair amount of ice time since there aren’t many players he’ll be competing with. We don’t have a Kovalchuk that is out there forever, wasting his time playing bad defense. Yes, yes. I know, Antropov, Bergfors, Afinegenov (if he stays). etc. Another reason, some of our players won’t be there, unfortunatly or fortunatly, Kozlov doesn’t sound like he’ll be staying, and Afinegenov isn’t close to the current deal. So, obviously, they’ll be free space.
I read an article on AJC, oh yeah, it was “Catching up with Chris Thorburn.” He said in the article that he wanted to be bigger, stronger and faster. He wanted to work on stickhandling, ecspecially around the net and in tight corners. I don’t know about you, but I’m definetly interested in watching him this season, and not just when he drops the gloves.
Now, back to Whitey. If he practiced maybe stickhandling, shooting, passing, I’d think that little practise would help a lot….
Nikita (in PA)
June 16th, 2010
10:52 am
*Out of Cormier, Esposito, Machacek, Klingberg, Pettersson, MacArthur, Paquette and even Crabb and Anthony Stewart, I think we can find 2 or 3 guys better equipped to round out our bottom 6.*
Well…here’s me being all negative and stuff. I think you are right with regard to Machacek, Paquette, Klingberg, and FP.
But I think Crabb is an AHL lifer, and that’s from observing him in both AHL and NHL. I am hopeful, but skeptical, that Espo’s mental issues will ever totally be resolved.
And Todd White’s not going below the 3rd. My guess would be 2nd and special teams.
World Be Free
June 16th, 2010
10:56 am
Smoothie-Mighty Mouse Tim Stapelton!? Great one! I sat down low late last season, Natalie Taylor was interviewing Stapleton – he looks like a little kid!
Nikita-your point number 2
I know somebody that has met Todd White twice and said he’s a great guy. For what it’s worth, if we are going to keep Todd White ot means we will have a guy that is liked by his teammates. I’ve played on some team with good players that acted like jerks off the ice; their behavior was damaging to the team. Tood White will be here this season, whether we like it or not. Let’s hope he continues to conduct himself with the same professionalism that he has so far.
R. Stroz
June 16th, 2010
11:01 am
Pettersson reminds me of a mesquito.
GaVaHockie – After watching Pettersson on youtube, I saw similarities to Tyler Ennis.
Alan R.
June 16th, 2010
11:23 am
And Todd White’s not going below the 3rd. My guess would be 2nd and special teams.
My guess would be, if he’s even in Atlanta next year, that he will be sitting upstairs most of the time as a 13th forward. His shoulder is gone. Kaput. Finished. He would be a fool to play NHL level hockey with a bum shoulder. One good, solid check into the boards and he’s on LTIR. Book it.
Smoothie
June 16th, 2010
11:42 am
If Pettersson is as tenacious and hard-hitting as the Swedish fans say he is, then I propose that we dub him the “Thunda from Frolunda!”
GaVaHokie
June 16th, 2010
12:29 pm
GaVaHockie – After watching Pettersson on youtube, I saw similarities to Tyler Ennis.
I don’t know about that… are you busting my balls or something?
My personal thinking (for a Thrasher comparison) is he’ll be another Jon Sim/Glen Metropolit type player… a gritty pest with a scoring touch.
World Be Free
June 16th, 2010
1:00 pm
Tyler Ennis? The boy must be impressing people, he’s only been in the league a short time.
I decided we need Mike Milbury back in the league as a GM. The NHL won’t be boring, that’s for sure! Can you think of any team that would EVER employ Milbury as a GM again? I didn’t think so.
rob
June 16th, 2010
1:12 pm
Nik,
2nd line C and specialty teams???? That isn’t an easy task for someone on top of their game, let alone White. Let’s compare apples to apples here. White / Armstrong. Similar money I believe. Lot of hype when they got here about being key factors. Both flops. They both have POTENTIAL but it hasn’t come to fruition. This is a business. People get waived. Look at Pevs. Let another team claim White and show us wrong. As for Kozlov, I respect what he did for the team, but I said all last year he was a distraction and waste of space. White is too and so is Armstrong. Time to clean out, let the kids get the shot they should have had, and find out just what the future of this team holds.
As for Kubina, 4 year deal worries me, time to start thinking younger if he wants that IMO.
The Chamin Song
June 16th, 2010
1:17 pm
(To the Cadence of Are You Happy and You Know It)
If you get knocked off the puck,
You’re Todd White
If you can’t score a goal,
You’re Todd White
If you suck and you know it,
and every shift you show it,
If you’re hosing up the roster,
You’re Todd White
rob
June 16th, 2010
1:23 pm
I like the thought going on with the team, as far as some of the prospects and next season are looking. I think a lot of enthusiasm will be out there, and I think that is important. If the team is going to really change on the ice, we need a lot of younger guys who WANT to play hardnosed hockey. NOT someone who is just here for a paycheck. Put some excitement back in it. Kane showed how much we have missed that kind of reckless abandon, hit everything that moves, fast-paced hockey. We need the excitement that brings to get people back to the game here. Next season looks to me to be a start, guess we will have to wait and see though, huh?
World Be Free
June 16th, 2010
1:23 pm
Kubina- a 3 year contract with a team option for a 4th year.
rob
June 16th, 2010
1:24 pm
Hip,
check out nittymaki’s record against everyone else other than us….he isn’t the answer.
rob
June 16th, 2010
1:32 pm
WBF,
I like the 4M part, and if he would go for 3 w/ option I might be OK with that. But I would more like a 2 year deal better. I know I know, won’t happen, but that is my thought on it.
World Be Free
June 16th, 2010
1:57 pm
rob-Sabres are rumored to be the team seriously looking at Kubina if he makes it to July 1.
J.B.
June 16th, 2010
2:08 pm
WBF ~ That’s what Eklund said so I wouldn’t put to much stock into the Kubina/Sabres connection
Alan R.
June 16th, 2010
2:15 pm
You mean more people are now taking Eklund’s rumors seriously? I think he’s only been correct three times since he and his merry band of “reliable sources” have come on the scene.
Rawhide
June 16th, 2010
3:06 pm
I’ve been informed that the NHL schedule is set to come out Tuesday at noon. If I’m not mistaken, I think that’s about a month earlier than usual.
kracker
June 16th, 2010
3:25 pm
Wings sign another Filppula. Note that he’s older, hmmm.
Eklund RT @robb_himself19: Detroit Red Wings sign Ilari Filppula to a 1 year $500,000 contract. He is the older brother of Valtteri Filppula.
Nikita (in PA)
June 16th, 2010
3:47 pm
*2nd line C and specialty teams???? That isn’t an easy task for someone on top of their game, let alone White.*
What are you talking about? Last year he sucked in general — but he actually did fairly well in his specialized roles and had a high FO %. And again, if it looks like we don’t need him when we’re getting ready to put the boys on the ice, we can waive him.
Now, he should never be in a shootout. But he’s decent in his role, and will be more decent with less ice time.
*White / Armstrong. Similar money I believe. Lot of hype when they got here about being key factors. Both flops.*
Dude, really? Army’s a decade younger and a foot taller — He’s never put up the kind of numbers that are average for White. And I bet we’d keep Army if he’d stay.
*Look at Pevs.*
It’s funny you mention Pevs. He’s one of the few people this year with a worse +/- than White.
*Let another team claim White and show us wrong.*
Mmmmkay. But if we buy him out, no one can do that.
In an unrelated note: Georges Laraque — bought out!
Todd White
June 16th, 2010
4:01 pm
Nikita loves me.
Brendan
June 16th, 2010
4:13 pm
I’m fine with the $4 million part, for Kubina. I’m not so fine with the 4-years part. At 36 or 37, at $4 million, we won’t be able to offload that contract.
rob
June 16th, 2010
4:42 pm
“And Todd White’s not going below the 3rd. My guess would be 2nd and special teams”
So being a 2nd line C and PK/FO specialist is gonna be a decrease in ice time? A decrease in ice time is going to be 4th line with some time at 3rd, and we have enough 3rd and 4th liners IMO. What does Armstrong’s height/age have to do with it? Both are making similar amounts with similar expectations from them, and BOTH have been flops. This isn’t open to interpretation it’s fact. They had potential and haven’t lived up to it. As next year will be rebuilding anyway, how about making it worthwhile instead of letting White “hang on”. It will allow the youngsters to play and gain experience now.
Can’t defend Pevs +/-. As for the PK, here is your group….: Reasoner/Thorburn and Pevs/Kane.
No need for Todd White on “special teams”
rob
June 16th, 2010
4:45 pm
brendan,
exactly, if he wants 4 yrs, I say we let someone else have that issue…
kracker
June 16th, 2010
4:46 pm
Eklund, fwiw
I have to tell you, this Draft is looking more and more like a trade deadline….
….* Word is the Canadiens are listening to offers on both goalies right now, but the better offers are for Carey Price. I am talking to a source and may get some clues as to what those offers are by days end or tomorrow morning.
I doubt we’re in it but who knows.
kracker
June 16th, 2010
4:53 pm
Unless traded, if White is getting paid he will play. If he shows he’s of little value to the team then you send him down, waive him or he’s press box emergency insurance.
World Be Free
June 16th, 2010
5:14 pm
JB/Alan R.-yeah I must be bored if I am even reading Eklund.
Eklund’s Buffalo buddy Garth has the Sabres interested in Brian Campbell. Sabres won’t pay Campbell at $5M/year for 5 yrs so why would they consider Campbell’s current contract? I knew you educated bloggers would call me on this one. Hope Kubina isn’t truly lookng for 4 years, cause I don’t think anyone will give him that.
Smoothie
June 16th, 2010
5:19 pm
If y’all are thirsting for scuttlebutt, and Eklund has frustrated you one too many times, then head over to my blog for some carefully constructed innuendo: http://thrashingbirds.blogspot.com/2010/06/whats-up-with-thrashers-coaching-search.html
Nikita (in PA)
June 16th, 2010
5:32 pm
*So being a 2nd line C and PK/FO specialist is gonna be a decrease in ice time?*
TW played on the PP and PK. He also pulled more or less full ice time on his line. As an alternate in all of those roles he’ll play less minutes.
*What does Armstrong’s height/age have to do with it?*
White and Army aren’t at the same point in their careers, they don’t have the same capabilities — basically, comparing them is comparing apples to oranges or gangly young bruisers to middle-aged finesse players. Army still has plenty of potential, but has stalled out — whereas White is more or less what he appears to be.
*Both are making similar amounts with similar expectations from them, and BOTH have been flops.*
Really? a guy with 56 points is a flop?
Further, letting Todd White go at this point is just stupid. We have no idea how he’ll perform, and we’re on the hook for his salary. If he performs on average for his career (which, looking back on his career patterns, seems likely), or better, he’ll exceed the value we pay for him. If he underperforms, we waive him and he either is an asset for the Wolves or gets picked up by someone else. But if we buy him out, we’re just downgrading an asset with no return other than roster space that we haven’t demonstrated a need for.
*As next year will be rebuilding anyway, how about making it worthwhile instead of letting White “hang on”. It will allow the youngsters to play and gain experience now.*
Well, heck. Why not just quit negotiating with people like Max Afinigenov and bring up every greenhorn on the farm?
Oh, yeah. because until we have better options we do need dependable, established players.
Nikita (in PA)
June 16th, 2010
5:34 pm
Sorry — that’d be 71 points. On average he puts in 30-40.
*It will allow the youngsters to play and gain experience now.*
Yeah, that Chelios kid is just EPIC.
Smoothie
June 16th, 2010
5:44 pm
Who had 56 points for the Thrashers last year? Pevs had 55 and was saddled with having to play with Kozlov and White too often. Last year Pevs was a +16 playing with Kozlov & Army. This past season, Pevs had a revolving door of line-mates but it did not help him at all to play several games with both Kozlov and White. If White can come back from injury and put up 35-40 points, that’d be great…for another team!
We better hope to get at least 30-40 points from the likes of Clarke MacArthur who is younger, faster and has better hands. If Kaner can crack 50 points with top 6 minutes and Bergfors continues to build on his rookie season of 21 goals, then why would we really need Todd White? Thorbs, Reasoner, Slater, Pevs & Kane should be able to handle the bulk of PK minutes. Hopefully a player like Pettersson can do that as well so Kane can focus more on the PP.
I highly doubt that White can produce his avg playing 3rd or 4th line minutes. He would need 2nd line minutes and for that he is too much of a potential liability. C-Mac will earn the minutes over White if we are foolish enough to not bring in a UFA winger.
R. Stroz
June 16th, 2010
6:06 pm
WBF – What is it that your son says about having an argument with someone on a blog?
R. Stroz
June 16th, 2010
6:07 pm
Oh, yeah. because until we have better options we do need dependable, established players.
Nikita – Are you related to Waddell?
You’d make a great minor league GM.
World Be Free
June 16th, 2010
7:02 pm
Stroz- “Dad, arguing with someone on a blog is like being in the Special Olympics-even if you win, you’re still a retard”.
World Be Free
June 16th, 2010
7:10 pm
Smoothie-I sure hope MacArthur contributes more this coming seasson than he did last season. He does have pretty good hands, better than what we saw last season after the trade.
I still believe, as you do that Dudley wants both Rammer and Torchetti, the trick is how you do it.
Smoothie
June 16th, 2010
7:16 pm
WBF – indeed! On the same page again I see. And thanx 4 stopping by ATBT!
If C-Mac gets the vote of confidence he needs, I think he can pot 20-22 goals. Problem is: is he 2nd line material and will he get more than a 1 year tender to prove it?
rob
June 16th, 2010
7:21 pm
ouch! cant be part of the octotards so I will stop when I’m ahead, or behind. Nik, I respectfully agree to disagree, and will gladly cheer for the Thrashers with you and promise to cheer loud if Todd White plays and scores, even if it’s only 7 or so times! Sorry couldn’t resist that one.
World Be Free
June 16th, 2010
7:34 pm
Smoothie-I’ll be back too.
The General (Clarke) needs to play with the right linemates. He’s not big, real fast or very mean so he needs someone to open space for him. My Buffalo buddies keep calling him and AHL-caliber player and he has some tendencies that support that statement. Torchetti or Ramsay, both will help him.
Dwayne
June 16th, 2010
7:42 pm
I’m telling yall, White will get 50 points with the Thrashers. I also said he will equal he 73 he got the year before. oh well… That Charmin song should be nominated for blog song of the year.
Alan R.
June 16th, 2010
7:56 pm
Well, heck. Why not just quit negotiating with people like Max Afinigenov and bring up every greenhorn on the farm?
Afinogenov is an asset, while White is a liability.
Bad example.
R. Stroz
June 16th, 2010
10:25 pm
That Charmin song should be nominated for blog song of the year.
Dwayne – I agree, that artist is a genius.
World Be Free
June 17th, 2010
7:47 am
Lou Lam stated last night that he has no intention of trading Martin Brodeur to anyone. Who would play goalie for NJ if they traded Broduer? Why would Lou want to help the Capitals? Why would Lou trade for a moody player like Semin, other than trying to keep Kovy? Parise and Semin trying to get mega contracts at the same time (next season)? So much for the Semin to New Jersey rumors.
Smoothie
June 17th, 2010
9:59 am
Wow, quiet day today. Where is everyone? Home in bed resting up for a full day of US Open golf!!? Uhh, didn’t think so. Not much going on obviously so I think I’ll go work on my very own mock draft. Anyone here think Neiderreiter will be available at # 8?
jimbo
June 17th, 2010
9:59 am
Charmin in a lightning rod for fan frustration. Unfortunately, he is the personification of “lack of grit”. He gets knocked around and rather than retaliate or get feisty, he folds up his tent. I hope that our new coach changes the face of the Thrash to a “don’t mess with us” image. Whitey simple does not fit.
kracker
June 17th, 2010
10:03 am
Thanks for reminding me about the Open, Smoothie! Anyone think that former #1 player will make the cut??
Alan R.
June 17th, 2010
10:19 am
Home in bed resting up for a full day of US Open golf!!?
I’d rather watch the grass grow.
GaVaHokie
June 17th, 2010
10:23 am
Smoothie… hard to say about Neiderreiter… I’m thinking before #8. The Top 10 is going to be very unpredictable. I’m coming around to your line of thinking on Skinner.
I think I’ve narrowed our pick down to Johansen or Skinner. I think Etem drops to the teens and becomes a steal for someone like Anaheim.
Saw an expert say recently that “Skinner is not far off from Seguin and Hall.” I don’t see how we can pass up a guy who’s scoring 50 goals along side one of our top prospects (Morin). His skating still makes me nervous though.
World Be Free
June 17th, 2010
10:25 am
jimbo-especially when White makes $2.4M/year. Torchetti and/or Ramsay will ask more of White than he can give on the physical side.
Smoothie, just hoping the rumor mill gets going with some good juice about what might happen at the draft. The UFA pool is pretty shallow. Some teams that have trouble attracting UFAs under any conditions may be looking to trade, avoid the UFA rush and rejection. I am still on the Josh Harding kick, though I thing Dudely has other ideas.
GaVaHokie
June 17th, 2010
10:27 am
Here’s a 2010 Thrashers Draft perspective from Hockeysfuture.com…
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/12211/thrashers2010_draft_preview/
GaVaHokie
June 17th, 2010
10:42 am
If you get 10 minutes today, here’s a great video of Jeremy Morin, Jeff Skinner and Ed Pasquale game action…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USw4BjQ59AY
Smoothie
June 17th, 2010
10:47 am
Thanks Hokie! I think you have to give a long look to Jeff Skinner for the reasons you mention, but I don’t like the fact that CSS still has him projected as the 34th best player. Perhaps he is being viewed much the same way as Morin was due to his skating. If Dudley and Co. view Evander Kane as a future C, then perhaps we give stronger consideration to Emerson Etem to be his speedy compliment on the wing. I think it’s one of 5 players: Nino, RyJo, Etem, Connolly and Skinner as darkhorse.
Alan – if you like watching grass grow, there’s always the World Cup!
Put that in your vuvuzela and play it!!
rob
June 17th, 2010
10:55 am
I’d rather wait for Todd White to score his next goal, or wait for Toby Enstrom to shoot the freakin puck, then watch golf. Play golf, OK, accepted practice for hockey players in summer, but watch golf?!?! UGH!!
Alan R.
June 17th, 2010
11:11 am
Never said I like it, Smoothie. Just that if given the option of golf and grass, I’ll take the grass any day.
Smoothie
June 17th, 2010
11:15 am
Y’all don’t actually think I’m naive enough to think many of you like watching golf? You’re hockey fans for Christ’s sake! I just happen to love it and find the US Open to be the most compelling golf tourney in the world with the Masters a close second. It’s quite fun watching amazingly good golfers suffer such stress and failure as they do at the US Open. If nothing else, the last 3 majors helps fill the void during a hockey-less summer!
R. Stroz
June 17th, 2010
11:15 am
I’d rather wait for Todd White to score his next goal, or wait for Toby Enstrom to shoot the freakin puck,
I’m still waiting for Waddell to sign or re-sign a top-tier UFA.
Happy Gilmore
June 17th, 2010
11:16 am
Golf Sucks.
Alan R.
June 17th, 2010
11:34 am
Smoothie, make these golf tournaments more like Caddyshack, and you’ll be able to count me as a fan!
kracker
June 17th, 2010
11:53 am
Any major is good, Smoothie. Seeing Mick blast it out of the trees off the pine straw to within 4 feet at 13 was simply great. He missed the eagle putt but that shot propelled him to his 3rd green jacket.
Smoothie
June 17th, 2010
12:02 pm
Hokie – Morin and Skinner look pretty darn good in those YT videos. Skinner’s skating looks fine. In fact, I think he grew up figure skating a bit as his sisters got into it at an early age. Perhaps scouts are a bit concerned by his Skinner’s stature?
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.