A look at where Thrashers are prior to UFA season
It is said that one cannot know where they are going unless you first know where you have been…or even where you are now. With that in mind, let’s take a look-see at exactly where the Thrashers are right now before we embark on our trip to the NHL’s UFA talent pool later this week.
Given the players that Atlanta has currently under contract as well as RFAs that have received qualifying offers, I’ve put together a possible lineup that Craig Ramsay could skate out on the ice. Next to each player, I’ve placed their salaries… basing the information on numbers listed on gapgeek.com.
Since I do not yet know what the RFAs have been offered, I have listed their salaries from last year’s contracts…though certainly those will be adjusted once we gain an appreciation of their new offers.
Nic Bergfors, Bryan Little and Nik Antropov should be back o celebrate more goals together. But who else could Rick Dudley bring in to join them? (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Forwards:
Bergfors – RFA ($800,000)
Antropov – $4,062,500
Byfuglien – $3,000,000
Kane – $3,100,000
Peverley – $1,325,000
Little – RFA ($900,000)
MacArthur – RFA ($1,400,000)
Slater – $1,000,000
White – $2,375,000
Eager – RFA ($1,000,000)
Cormier – $845,833
Thorburn – $660,000
Press Box: Kingberg – $790,000/ Machacek – $858,333
Defense:
Hainsey – $4,500,000
Enstrom – $3,750,000
Oduya – $3,500,000
Sopel – $2,333,333
Bogosian – $3,375,000
Kulda – $516,000
PB: Valabik – $762,500
Goal:
Pavelec – RFA ($1,400,000) / Mannino $500,000
Considering the roster listed above, the salaries of those currently under contract totals $37,253,499 and the RFA numbers from last season come to $5,500,000. This would bring the estimated total to $42,753,499…leaving the team with about $16.5 million in cap space.
Should so chose to do so, other players that could be mixed and matched above are…
Forward Anthony Stewart – RFA ($600,000)
Forward Angelo Esposito – $916,667
Defense Ivan Vishnevskiy – $821,667
F.orward Fredrik Pettersson – $615,000
Defense Paul Postma – $875,000
Either way you would put the team together, it can be safe to assume this will not be the lineup we see in three months. But this at least gives a decent snapshot of where we are at the beginning of our journey.
Could Boris Valabik find himself fighting for another NHL team next season if Pavel Kubina re-signs with the Thrashers? (AP Photo/John Amis)
Now, looking forward…where might Rick Dudley look to improve upon what he has to work with at this time?
In goal, I would be stunned if we see a Pavelec/Mannino tandem. I’d also me very, very concerned. But if Hedberg is to be re-signed, then Mannino heads back to the AHL Wolves and we see a return of last season’s pairing between the pipes.
Hedberg made about $1.1 million last season…so his return would elevate the payroll about half a mil or so if he replaces Mannino.
The other options here are a UFA or trade.
On defense, most of us are hoping to see Dudley and Co. bring Pavel Kubina back into the fold. To that measure, Dudley has said the two parties are still a little ways apart and Ramsay hopes the veteran defenseman is will to accept a “hometown discount”.
Kubina seems to like the Thrashers’ decision to hire Ramsey saying, “I like the direction of the team and I really like Rammer. He’s a great teacher”.
If Kubina does return…adding $3-4 million to the payoll…then that alters the makeup of the Thrashers’ blueline. My take would be that he’d replace Valabik on the roster…making Boris expendable for trade. It’s either that or Dudley keeps Kulda in Chicago. But personally, if a choice had to be made between the two, I’d rather see Kulda in a Thrashers jersey than Valabik this season.
Mark Popovic and Christoph Schubert are slated to be UFAs Thursday morning. Dudley has said that they expect the two to take a dip in the UFA pool this week.
Up front…I would love to see the Thrashers come to terms with Maxim Afinogenov. The 24-goal scorer from last season had indicated he’d be willing to play here again, however I can’t blame him at all for turning his nose up at a contract that spans only one season. Personally, I’d have given him at least two years, possibly three given what he did here.
What part of the Thrashers roster concerns you most?
- Offense (30%, 43 Votes)
- Defense (2%, 3 Votes)
- Goal (48%, 68 Votes)
- All Three (20%, 27 Votes)
Total Voters: 141
Loading ...But it looks more and more likely that Max will seek employment elsewhere come Thursday morning. As Dudley recently told Chris Vivlamore, “We’ve talked to Afinogenov, although it would seem now that Max will test the free-agent market. We’ve made him an offer”.
Colby Armstrong, Eric Boulton and Evgeny Artyukhin are also pending free agents. Bolts is mulling over an offer from the Thrashers while Army and Arty will more than likely seek employment elsewhere.
Dudley has indicated he would like to add a 15-goal scorer. To get one, he could test the waters in the UFA pool, of course…or take a Valabik and/or Todd White, package them up with picks/prospects and go on a little shopping spree.
As far as cap issues are concerned, an apples-for-apples type of deal involving those two would be offset by a player that earns somewhere in the neighborhood of $3-3.25 million. While that seems like a lot of money to shell out for a 15-goal scorer, keep in mind that that level of production would more than double White’s output of last season.
And for only about a mil more. Just sayin’….
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227 comments Add your comment
Jack
June 29th, 2010
12:59 pm
Good Read
MattyJ
June 29th, 2010
1:00 pm
First
Smoothie
June 29th, 2010
1:08 pm
15 – 20 goal scoring options for Thrashers:
Lombardi – prolly too expensive, but I think would be a perfect fit
Whitney – prolly wants one year too many, but has couple years left
Ponikarovsky – former roomie of Antropov…may be the right fit in terms of salary and term
Jokinen – risky but could gel very nicely with Kaner and Buff on 2nd line thus allowing Pevs to play pivot for Antro and Bergie?
O’Sullivan – skilled but small, might be available at 1/2 price on re-entry waivers
Moreau – another Oilers’ waiver victim could be good leadership in the room for a very good price…but honestly I don’t get excited by him
Versteeg via trade? – I hope not as he is, in my estimation, a less talented version of Bergfors; we need Little to rebound and be our Versteeg with upside
Dwayne
June 29th, 2010
1:14 pm
O’Sullivan….. a minus 35, would fit in nicely with the Thrashers. PASS…
Do you take a chance on Olli??? Like we did with Max last year?
I agree that Little must rebound, Zach too. Steady year from Pevs, Kane and Bergie is much needed…
Easy to state the obvious isn’t it??
Joe Friday
June 29th, 2010
1:20 pm
What are the chances that we take that $16m in cap room and fix all three problem areas via free agency? What I’d do if it was my checkbook and decisions is to sign Frolov, Kubina, and Nabokov and have a little cap room left over for a deadline move. I know, not gonna happen with the cheap cheap group, but mabye we can get 2 of those 3 done?
The Real Thrash
June 29th, 2010
1:21 pm
16.5 BELOW THE CAP, AGAIN!
World Be Free
June 29th, 2010
1:22 pm
Aaron Asham-goals, toughness too
Former AIZ-er JD
June 29th, 2010
1:25 pm
Good article Bill.
Say we re-sign Kubina at 5 million a year… Wow that’s a lot of money tied up in d-men. Does any team in the league have all 6 of their top d men making over 2.3 mill a year? Don’t think Kubina will be back. As great as he was last season, rather spend that money up front.
Wish Max was a part of the team next season.
TableHockey
June 29th, 2010
1:29 pm
Good write up Bill – based on that math we are about a million under the floor right?
Good list Smoothie – would Frolov be a possiblility as well? He’s goals dropped last season but still a 50 pointer. Not to mention we are lacking for LW.
Rawhide
June 29th, 2010
1:30 pm
Jack, Former AIZ-er JD & TableHockey - Thank you.
What are the chances that we take that $16m in cap room and fix all three problem areas via free agency?
Joe Friday – I guess that all depends on how much the Great Octocluster will allow Dudley to go over the cap floor to fulfill the “Win Now” mission they have given him…shrugs…
16.5 BELOW THE CAP, AGAIN!
The Real Thrash – Again…this is where the organization finds itself now. I will wait to see where they are and who they have acquired before passing judgement.
Smoothie
June 29th, 2010
1:39 pm
Yikes! -35!! Should’ve checked that before posting. Oh well, that may have been an anomaly since he’s never been higher than a -8 in his career. Moreau is big and tough, but too old. Nevermind. I’d rather go after Peterri Nokelainen for some depth and PK mins off the bench.
glovesave29
June 29th, 2010
1:40 pm
Modano scored 14 in 59 games last year. Translates out to a 20 goal scorer. He was told by the Stars his services are no longer required.
I’m just sayin’….
Russian
June 29th, 2010
1:42 pm
QUESTION:
Are you comfortable to see this Roster at October 8 2010 in Phillips Arena???
I am saying. NO!!!!
Let’s build a lines.
Little-Antro-Berg
Kane-Pevs-Buff
Mac-Jimmy-Eager
Comrie-White-Trambon
Wow. I am scared already.
We have very Expencive D-men on this year. Will they play good?
Hainsey – Oduaya
Tobi – Sopel
Bogus – Kulda
I am not going to talk about our Goalies. They are out of Number One.
Zoomo
June 29th, 2010
1:44 pm
So right now we are probably looking at something like this, which may not be too far off from how we start the season:
Byfuglien Peverley Kane
Bergfors Antropov Little
MacArthur White Cormier/Machachek
Eager Slater Thorburn
That 3rd line looks weak. I’d expect we deal one or more of those guys for a 20 goal scorer if available. Maybe Burmistrov challenges for a spot there.
I think the D is set except for Kubina in or Kubina out.
Moose or a UFA (Dan Eliis maybe?) + Pavs in goal.
On paper, that’s not a team that gets me too excited. I hope I’m wrong, and/or we get more change on Thursday.
World Be Free
June 29th, 2010
1:47 pm
Do we have any idea of what the internal salary cap will be for the Thrashers? That’s a good question for Dudley, to know how much money we have to spend. On the positive side, $16.5M under is better than being up close to the cap and having bad teams like Calgary and Tronna.
I would estimate our internal cap at $50M. Any other guesses on the number? That’s what it is, just a guess.
Rawhide
June 29th, 2010
1:53 pm
MacArthur White Cormier/Machachek…That 3rd line looks weak.
Zoomo – Here, let me fix it for you….
MacArthur – Cormier – Machachek.
Better?
Lee
June 29th, 2010
1:53 pm
I’m a little worried for the Thrashers this season….
Zoomo
June 29th, 2010
1:53 pm
Ahahahah!~
Zoomo
June 29th, 2010
1:54 pm
Whitey loves you, Bill
Smoothie
June 29th, 2010
1:58 pm
Looks like Arty isn’t giving up on Atlanta just yet…
http://www.sportsdaily.ru…yil-tak-i-ostalsya-37643
Russian, care to translate and summarize for us? Thanks!
kracker
June 29th, 2010
2:04 pm
TWITTER CraigCustance Piggybacking off @kausatoday thoughts, Dan Ellis is interested in ATL, among others. “They’ve made some good moves,” he told me today.
Ellis is interested!
TrueBlue
June 29th, 2010
2:06 pm
Smoothie, just go to google translate and copy and past it. I did it earlier, and he is basically saying that the KHL is a huge mess right now and that he would like to stay in Atlanta if they make a little better of an offer. He also said he disappointed he was when he was not truly given a shot at the World Championships a few months back. He said that when Malkin got there, he was pretty much brushed aside and forgotten.
Sara
June 29th, 2010
2:06 pm
IMO the only two things we need is a top-6 LW and another goalie. I’d rather bring up Kulda and start getting him some NHL action than go chasing a UFA on D – even Kubina.
Personally I’d go for Poni and Dan Ellis and call it a day. Give it a season, see how the kids continue to develop, see what Ramsey’s system generates, then tinker a bit more. I sure don’t want to clog up the roster pipeline with more over-priced UFAs (y’all forgetting about Todd White already??). The kids are where it needs to be at with this team right now and we have enough to fill the roster holes except at LW and in goal (I’m not willing to rush another goalie prospect personally).
Smoothie
June 29th, 2010
2:07 pm
Thanks kracker! Just saw that and I asked Custance what are chances are in his opinion? Dudley needs to get serious about Ellis as his presence gives us insurance at an affordable price. Plus he’s a hard-worker who will push Pavelec to get better just like Moose. The difference though is about 7 years and this team is certainly moving in that direction.
Smoothie
June 29th, 2010
2:10 pm
True – I would have but I’m on a very unreliable connection as I’m not home on my own computer. Thanks for that…just figured Russian could help confirm and perhaps pick up on some nuances that are only detectable as a native Russian speaker / reader. Hidden meaning that is.
I say give him a contract and let him, Eager and Cormier beat the living hell out of people. He can even step up and play 3rd line minutes given the right line-mates. Plus, perhaps Rammer will make him a smarter player when it comes to decision-making that has typically led to bad, ill-timed penalties.
TrueBlue
June 29th, 2010
2:12 pm
I completely agree. I really liked his game and feel that he is actually better than Thorburn. That could be an excellent 4th line.
Sage of Bluesland
June 29th, 2010
2:13 pm
I’m actually looking forward to seeing what Donnie and “Duds” will do and how they’ll spin what they’ve constructed…and what their estimated timetable is.
I’m thinking it’s a “Five Year Plan”.
I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling that sense of deja-vu all over again…
rob
June 29th, 2010
2:13 pm
Is it Bill Tiller….or Rawhide, someone even called you Iceman on last blog?!
thing is….it isn’t Oct 8th yet. And until this is solidified….no use getting too upset.
Yogi Berra
June 29th, 2010
2:19 pm
SoB – Funny you mention deja-vu, because anytime I read anything of yours it’s like deja-vu all over again.
Russian
June 29th, 2010
2:28 pm
**To Smoothie and TrueBlue**
Arti said nothing interesting on his Intereview. He wants to stay in Atlanta. He likes a team and city. He does not want to go to KHL. Rest of interview is all about KHL and last World Cup. I think Dudley and Ramsey will make dessision about Arti.
Dwayne
June 29th, 2010
2:28 pm
Ellis wants to be here? Cool!! Do not here that often.
Modano in Atl. would be a boost for the young guns we have. Would he be a better version of Mellanby?
World Be Free
June 29th, 2010
2:29 pm
I’ll let you know my feeling around July 7th.
puckedup
June 29th, 2010
2:29 pm
before people get all hot and bothered about the octocluster spending money . . . They lost $20 million on the Hawks. Anyone have any ideas what they lost on the Thrashers? That might bear in mind any decisions on getting anyone.
Would really be happy if they could get some more investors. This basement-warping payroll crap is getting old.
glovesave29
June 29th, 2010
2:36 pm
Be careful with on line translations…you can get the “gist” of what is said, but I can tell you as a person fluent in Portuguese (Brasilian), that the google translation is often wrong – especially going from English to whatever you want translated.
How can you call this another 5 year plan when we are trading picks and prospects for current NHLers? Both Kubina and Ellis have gone on the record as saying they like what Atlanta is doing…find something new to complain about, Sage – cause you are way off (as usual) on this one.
Sign Ellis first. Other UFA players will see now that we are solid in the goal, that we have a solid D and a young core of forwards. Players will be interested in playing in Atlanta. I am cautiously optomistic.
World Be Free
June 29th, 2010
2:53 pm
Great call on the goaltender Glovesave talked about Ellis weeks ago.
He wants to be a #1 again. I’d like to get Kubina back too. We shall see, like I said, I’ll be ready to react more on July 7th or so after we have some factual information.
Jack
June 29th, 2010
2:59 pm
Dont know alot about Ellis, but looks like his numbers are 2nd to Moose. Would he be there just in case moose doesn’t sign or take him over moose? At least he would like to be here.
Russ
June 29th, 2010
3:05 pm
Wow, talk about inexperienced forwards. Antropov is the only proven, consistent point producer at the NHL level. That being said, I am cautiously optimistic Little will have a bounce-back season and Bergfors/Kane/Peverly will keep improving. This team is only an upgrade in goal and a re-signing of Kubina away from me giving them the kiss of death and picking them for a playoff spot next season.
Joe Friday
June 29th, 2010
3:06 pm
Please raise your sights from Ellis, there’s a reason he rode the pine behind a weak goalie in Nashvegas . . .he is NOT our #1, Moose would be a better option than Ellis. Raise the bar, we need to improve from the net out, we especially not a stud goalie as Ramsay is going to push the dmen up ice
Rawhide
June 29th, 2010
3:20 pm
Regarding Dan Ellis…if nothing else he seems very consistent. Consider his 3 years in Nashville…
07-08: 44 games – 2.34 GAA, .924 SV% & 6 SO
08-09: 35 games – 2.93 GAA, .900 SV% & 3 SO
09-10: 31 games – 2.69 GAA, .909 SV% & 1 SO
In the 2008 playoffs, he posted a 2.52 GAA and .938 SV% against the eventual Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings.
For his career, he has a 2.64 GAA and .912 SV%.
Moose’s numbers are 2.93 and .900 while Opie’s is 3.33 and .902.
He’s coming off a contract that paid $1.75 million.
R. Stroz
June 29th, 2010
3:21 pm
I say give him a contract and let him, Eager and Cormier beat the living hell out of people.
Smoothie – I agree. Dudley needs to pony up and re-sign the A-Train. With Big Buff, the A-Train, and Antro, our offense will finally have some meat to push other teams around.
And, while we’re at it, get rid of Charmin.
World Be Free
June 29th, 2010
3:23 pm
Ellis is not the stud, but he may be what we end up with when all is said I done. Joe-I know you are a Nabokov fan, but I don’t thionk he’s coming here. I favored Ellis because I thought he was the guy we’d end up with when all was said and done. Ellis is eitht years younger than Moose; trying to get another great season out of Moose may be too tall an order.
We could go back to Minny and get Harding.
Adam
June 29th, 2010
3:31 pm
JF- I know you’re high on Nabokov but would you mind seeing Mason signing here?
Not Blind
June 29th, 2010
3:33 pm
I can’t help but feel that the whole ‘lost $20M on the Hawks’ and ‘lost $xxM on the Thrashers’ is a shellgame. Tell us what the profit or loss numbers are on the Hawks, Thrashers AND Phillips arena combined. I can’t see any group of millionaires truly throwing away money like that. They are making money or they would get out ASAP. They wouldn’t be putting a happy face on it like they are now.
glovesave29
June 29th, 2010
3:43 pm
Rawhide – to expound upon your stats…lets not forget who Nashville has to play on a regular basis. His stats are superior to Moose, AND he plays in the tougher Western Conference.
I am not going to trash Moose…he gave us one heluva season last year. He is a tireless worker and good leader. If I was more confident in Opies ability to stop overcommiting all the time, I’d say get Johan for one last season. But I see Ellis as an opportunity to get a quality goalie for the next 3 – 4 years. I’d split time 60/40 with Pavalec to keep the wear and tear to a minimum. If Pavs then turns outto be more that I think he will be, you have a nice piece to trade with.
Harding is a good young goalie…but we’d have to trade to get him, and I cannot see Minny going for a combo of Valabik and Charmin. We need to gain with out subtraction…that’s why I go for Ellis.
World Be Free
June 29th, 2010
3:53 pm
I target Ellis cause this is the guy that I think we can attract at this time. He is alot like what Antropov was to us last season, in the sense that both players are tier 2 free agents. I think he’s the best we can attract at this time. I also believe he’d be an upgrade on Moose, in both the short and long terms.
KLS1
June 29th, 2010
3:57 pm
You guys didn’t have any lines with Burmistov in them. Appears they intend to give him every chance to make the team.
Rawhide
June 29th, 2010
4:00 pm
KLS1 – Burmistrov isn’t yet under contract. Once he is we can throw him into the mix.
I’m sure the team is going to give this kid every chance to make the squad…but IMHO he’s gonna need to bulk up a bit.
LAC
June 29th, 2010
4:25 pm
Note to Bill, Back home, been tough past couple weeks+. Will let you know later on train ride, Just lucky to be around after that wreck… Thanks for your email, Wife let me know in Hospital.
Rawhide
June 29th, 2010
4:31 pm
LAC – Great to hear from you and glad you are doing better!!!
World Be Free
June 29th, 2010
4:47 pm
LAC-good to have you back on board again.
Bobby Lalond
June 29th, 2010
4:58 pm
Klingberg or Petterson WILL have a permanent spot on the roster.
Alan R.
June 29th, 2010
5:11 pm
Glad you’re safe, LAC.
Joe Friday
June 29th, 2010
5:11 pm
Nabokov’s the only UFA that I’d want as an upgrade, otherwise go with Moose again. Mabye we can trade for one. Didn’t some info leak that Dudley was trying to get in on the Halak deal, that would have been nice. Who else has a goalie to trade (and no I don’t want Huet).
Joe Friday
June 29th, 2010
5:12 pm
LAC, did Bruce Levenson finally catch up with you?!?
Zoomo
June 29th, 2010
5:14 pm
I’d tenf to think Klingberg is a year away and Petterson was signed for AHL depth. No?
World Be Free
June 29th, 2010
5:16 pm
Joe-what’s your thoughts on Harding?
I agree that Nabakov would be an upgrade and there’s not anyone else available in his class.
Thomas Magnum
June 29th, 2010
5:37 pm
If I’m a GM then I try to sign Nabokov (which probably won’t happen) and then I immediately go for Ellis who is the 2nd best option in my opinion and could probably be had for around 2 mil a year and sign him for 2 years. Then I go out and do whatever I can to sign a 20plus goal scorer. If you get those two things then this team looks pretty decent and could compete for a playoff spot. Without them….yikes! It could be a long season with so many young guys.
R. Stroz
June 29th, 2010
6:27 pm
The Habs acquire rights to goalie Dan Ellis for Sergei Kostitsyn.
kracker
June 29th, 2010
6:35 pm
twitter kausatoday The Habs acquire rights to goalie Dan Ellis for Sergei Kostitsyn. They’ll try to sign him to play with Price. Dustin Boyd joins Montreal.
Lowballed in Lanta
June 29th, 2010
6:54 pm
Ellis’ rights traded to Montreal.
World Be Free
June 29th, 2010
7:25 pm
Looks like we better up the offer to Moose and keep him here. Don’t know why Ellis would want to sign in Montreal, knowing he’s going to be a backup again. Strange days.
Jack
June 29th, 2010
7:29 pm
oh well. What does dudley have against resigning his own players. He has made great moves so far, but WTH???? You have plenty of money to spend and money you need to spend to get over the minimum.
Can we say COME ON DUDLEY
Brendan
June 29th, 2010
7:47 pm
LAC, welcome back. Hope you are making a full recovery.
Rawhide, we are spoiled, sir. Spoiled to have you in our midst. What a great, and timely read. Well, we know they must at least spend to the FLOOR of the cap, right? I’m guess our budget will be around $55 million this year, including bonuses for Bogosian, Kane, maybe even Burmistrov, assuming he signs his capped entry-level contract. It’d be nice to get Kubina back, but I don’t want longer than a 3-year deal for the 32 year old. I hope we at least stay in the bidding for Kubina on July 1.
I voted for goaltending, in the poll. If Moose isn’t back, and he may not be, then I hope we do invest some money in netminding. I’m sure these owners don’t WANT to miss the playoffs. But if they do, they might regret not fully addressing the goaltending situation in July. We can’t just count on some miraculous waiver claim to fall into our laps.
TrueBlue
June 29th, 2010
7:56 pm
WBF, technically Ellis hasn’t signed anything. Each team got rid of a player that they did not want or need. Ellis could still be on the table. I agree though, why go there to be a backup goalie?
Red Light
June 29th, 2010
8:07 pm
I’ve been hearing a lot of negativity about Price off the ice. Also heard Chad Denny is one of his buddies, so that can’t be a good sign. If Ellis signs in Montreal, it won’t be for less money than he made in Nashville IMO. I say he gets 1-3 years at a minimum of $2.25 million. Dustin Boyd looked decent in the games I saw late in the season, and Sergei Kostitsyn needs to find an identity. He should get a lot of opportunity to do so if he sticks with Nashville.
Erik Christensen turned down a two-year deal with NYR. Thank goodness!
Alan R.
June 29th, 2010
8:08 pm
and Petterson was signed for AHL depth. No?
No. He did sign a two-way contract, that would see him making ~500k/yr in the NHL (~65k/yr AHL). He’s gotta tryout for the team, and if he sticks, that’s awesome. However, he’s not a “depth” signing.
Red Light
June 29th, 2010
8:10 pm
Floating, floating, floating in cyberspace. Release me Fair Mistress of the Keyboard! Thanks in advance Trixie.
World Be Free
June 29th, 2010
8:30 pm
True Blue-agreed, would have been nice if we were proactive enough to have traded for his rights, if he is our #1 goaltending target and he might want to play here. He is 29 years old, his prime earning years and we know Price is the man in Montreal. So I doubt he is going to sign in Montreal to be a backup. I looked at Biron as the #2 guy in Montreal. Look for Buffalo to possibly resign Lalime for 1 year, moving Biron towards Montreal. Sabres are too cheap and Darcy Regier is an idiot.
Curly
June 29th, 2010
9:57 pm
Here’s Dud’s UFA 15-20 goal scorer…. Raffi Torres
https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=2123
Trixie (Rawhide's Secretary)
June 29th, 2010
9:58 pm
Mr. Red Light, Kracker, R.Stroz & Brendan – I have freed your comments from Blog Purgatory. If I didn’t know any better, I would think you gentlemen conspired to deliberately clog up the spam filter.
Am I not paying enough attention to you boys?
Joe Friday
June 29th, 2010
10:00 pm
Guys, see Montreal also sees Ellis as a backup, he’s not a #1. From reading Ellis’ Twitter he’s pretty excited. Nabokov? Trade for tim Thomas? He’s damaged goods but he’s also a he’LL of a Goalie if healthy
Rawhide
June 29th, 2010
10:03 pm
Well…looks like we have an unhappy Moose when it comes to what Dudley and Co. offered him.
Joe Friday
June 29th, 2010
10:13 pm
Tring to get Moose to take a hometown discount in an effort to spend whatever hard cap they have on a scorer? Not a sound stratgery…need to upgrade goal, d, and a scorer, is our hope now just 1 of those 3?
R. Stroz
June 29th, 2010
10:31 pm
I hear a little birdy chirping…the ASG is CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP
Our team identity maybe materializing…the barely legal team.
Jack
June 29th, 2010
10:38 pm
What is this Raffi Torres you speak of?
Smoothie
June 29th, 2010
10:43 pm
I wouldn’t be surprised if we end up signing either Alexie Ponikarovsky or even Ruslan Fedotenko. One has a strong connection and friendship with Antropov and the other played for and won his first Cup with Craig Ramsay. He’s been averaging right around 15-18 goals / season for the last 4 or 5 years so there you go. Ruslan struggled a bit last season, but might thrive playing for Rammer again with younger, speedier guys in ATL.
Just throwin’ it out there for discussion…anyone?
Jack
June 29th, 2010
10:46 pm
I like it Smoothie, what about goalie
Smoothie
June 29th, 2010
10:57 pm
Hmmm, a goalie? With Ellis possibly signing in MTL, I would say either Biron or Nittymaki as a #1b goalie with Pavs. Perhaps Minny’s Harding if we can persuade them to take MacArthur in return.
We qualified C-Mac but I think we may be dangling him as trade-bait. Now that the draft is over and considering some teams won’t be able to get what they want in UFA, I think we’ll have a little more leverage in a trade. Just can’t believe we didn’t buy-out White…how’s it sound Stroz?? Cheep, cheep, cheep!
Well, Dudley’s a dealer and I fully expect him to make a couple more moves by training camp.
IDWT
World Be Free
June 30th, 2010
5:42 am
Torres-always been a big fan, plays physical and scores. Had a good season in Columbus last year then got traded to BUF at the deadline and totally bombed. He couldn’t find his niche with the Sabres. Good player, high draft pick with the Islanders has played for 4 teams. Tronna native that is supposedly headed to the Leafs as a UFA with our buddy Colby. Don’t know how affordable he would be but the Leafs love to overpay for hometown boys.
Smitty
June 30th, 2010
7:03 am
I was listening to Jeff Marek on HNIC radio last night and he spoke very highly of Kumitsov during an interview with Dudley. They both feel he has a chance of being on the roster this fall. Dudley said he has bulked up some but still needs to add a little more. I think we had this type of conversation last year concerning Kane and that turned out OK.
As for Kubina, someone mentioned we have a lot of money tied up with the defense. I would like to make a pitch for Hamhuis if Pittsburg does not sign him and maybe offer Enstrom and White in a trade package to get some more help up front.
Badger Bob
June 30th, 2010
7:08 am
Okay, I’m more down now that I was after the 2005 Draft Recap Blog…
Smoothie – I think Duds had something in mind when he changed his tune from “20 goal scorer” clearly stated in his post-trade presser to “15 goal scorer” more recently, and perhaps that’s ’cause he went back and looked at Fedotenko’s numbers.
Looking at our line up I’m concerned about where the goals come from. Assuming we need at least 230 in order to compete for a playoff spot, try breaking that down to individual goal scorers and you’ll be concerned too. Consider we’ve subtracted 3 of our top 5 goal scorers (yes, Colby cheese was our No. 5!). So Bergfors replaces Max’s scoring and Buff replaces (or hopefully improves upon) Colby’s, we’re still down 40+ goals. We need improved Kane output in the dreaded sophamore year, Bergie to maintain, Little to rebound to 25+, Pevs to return to previous form and Antro to put up career best numbers again… a lot of ifs…
A solution? Sign Max for 2 – 3 years. Perhaps they’ve offered and he wants 4, but he is important. And sign Arti! His 5 goals in 17 games translated to 24 goals over a season. There’s your 20-goal UFA, Duds. You traded for him, but won’t resign him after a good showing here? Unless Arti is asking $2M plus, I don’t see why we haven’t signed him. You can’t tell me MacA is worth $1.4M and Arti is not worth whatever he is asking (probably <$1.4M).
I agree with the depth strategy, but we've got to get 40 – 50 goals from the third line and I just don't see it.
Red Light
June 30th, 2010
7:24 am
A very interesting piece by Tarik El-Bashir of the Washington Post. Although the Caps have disappointed in the playoffs, their roster moves are focused first and foremost on bringing guys up through the system. Hershey, their AHL affiliate, won the Calder Cup and GM McPhee says that rather than give out a deal they don’t like for 3-4 years, they’d rather wait on guys in the system to develop. Must be nice to have that luxury.
Seems to me that despite their postseason misgivings, the Caps are still head and shoulders above the other four teams in the Southeast Division, which means at worst, they’ll be the No. 3 seed next April in the Eastern Conference.
Neuvirth, who will be part of the goaltending tandem with Varlamov, is 30-6 with five shutouts in the AHL playoffs during the last two seasons and both guys are only 22 years old.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalsinsider/mcphee-caps-to-proceed-prudent.html#more
Red Light
June 30th, 2010
7:27 am
Smitty: Hamhuis might cost you more than Kubina and certainly for a longer term. He is no “Blue Light” special. All top-4 defensemen on the UFA ledger will be expensive to sign tomorrow.
Smitty
June 30th, 2010
7:54 am
Red Light: I agree Hamhuis will cost more and for a lot longer. He is only 27 or 28. His cost could be offset by Kubina leaving and Enstrom or Hainsey being traded.
World Be Free
June 30th, 2010
8:13 am
Red Light-did you get a chance to watch Hershey Bears in the playoffs on NHL Netowrk? Pretty good team, Neuvirth was as solid as your numbers would indicate. There’s some symmetry between the Bears and Capitals from a system standpoint, a characteristic of how successful NHL teams work with their minor league affiliates.
Badger Bob
June 30th, 2010
8:16 am
In looking at our lineup and considering where goals will come from, I may be more depressed now than after Rawhide’s 2005 Draft post.
Say we need 230 goals again in order to have a shot at the playoffs (we had 230 last year, and averaged 231 over the past 4 seasons). To get there we need 25 goal seasons from:
Anrto (another carrer high year);
Pevs (needs to return to form);
Bergie (no sophamore slump allowed);
Little (also a return to form); and
Buff (a career high year).
Then, assuming 20 goals from Kaner, 30 from our Dmen (we had 33 last year, including Pasha’s 6, playing an offensively aggresive style) and 10 from our 4th line, we need each and every 3rd line player to score 15.
So that’s 5 or 6 ifs on our top two lines, and a HUGE question on our third line. Consider only 5 guys scored 15 or more goals in a Thrashers uniform last year, and only two of them look to return. Yikes!
I’d say we need to sign Max or his replacement (Lombardi or Poni) and NEED to sign Arti. Dudley confuses me on Arti – his 5 goals in 17 games with ATL translate to 24 goals in a full season, so Duds 15 or 20 goal scorer is under his nose, drafted by and traded for by Dudley, no less.
Number 1 need is certainly goalie. But number 2 need is goals. All you “sign Kubes” guys better also be “trade Hainsey or Toby for a true top 6 forward” guys.
glovesave29
June 30th, 2010
8:25 am
JF – Montreal did not bring in Ellis for the sole purpose of being Price’s backup. First of all, he is an insurance policy…a co- number one brought in as Price is erratic, both in his play and between the ears. He is one bad week away from the entire city of Montreal turning on him (most have already!)They traded away a player who was (although very talented) lazy and did not fit the system or in the locker room. This is no different than the Hamuis summer tour 2010…trade a lesser pick, or a lesser player for the opportunity to sign him prior to 1 July. Trying to get a good deal before the prices start to escalate drastically. And of course he’s going to say nice things…who trashes a potential boss in the interview process? He’s also putting a good face forward to all who may want to sign him. He’s playing politics…and good for him for doing so. Show’s he is a smart guy…and he certainly has the ability to be a starter in this league.
TableHockey
June 30th, 2010
8:37 am
Geez Badger – that’s some depressing math.
I too am baffled by the feet dragging that’s happening with our UFAs. Is Dudley looking to clean house? I would like to think he looks several moves ahead as opposed to DW who seemed more reactive but we need to sign some scorers and unless Max and Arty are just asking for too much, they would combine for 40 goals easily.
Bummed to hear about Ellis’ rights going to MTL especially considering the recent news from Chris V about Hedberg not being happy with his offer. I think, based on how many shots our goalies were facing last season on a nightly basis, there is no way Turco or Nabokov comes to ATL. I think Ellis would definitely be willing to come to ATL and would be a good back-up if Pavs gets shaky during the season.
Red Light
June 30th, 2010
8:44 am
100 percent on target glovesave29.
BB- Excellent recap. Concerning the Arty saga – in my mind is quite simple really. He made $1 million last year and while he contributed nicely while he was here, I personally believe no player that averages less than 10 minutes per game and has less than 200 NHL games under his belt is worth $1.2 million (with a raise) unless there is an upside, particularly for a third- or fourth liner. I don’t care if he is the meanest SOB in league, which he isn’t, I wouldn’t pay that kind of money for him. If Slater is worth $1 million, then Arty isn’t worth $1.2 million plus because you can run Slater out on the penalty kill’s 2nd unit. Of course, that’s just my opinion, but I think entry level guys can do as much as Arty. This is purely a budget move in my mind and can’t fault Dudley’s thinking on this one. I’m thinking Arty asked for more than $1.2 million.
I don’t think Hainsey or Toby is on the market. I could be wrong, but even though Hainsey was overpaid to come here, he logs lots of minutes and with the right partner like Oduya, I think he will continue to be valuable. Enstrom takes a lot of heat on this blog from some people, but while small and a bit timid about shooting, he leads Thrashers d-men in time of possession, which simply means when the puck is on his stick, the other team can’t score.
As Ramsay said, he wants four or five players on the attack and both Hainsey and Enstrom are excellent in joining the rush. Bogo is too. I think Kubina’s money is better spent on a guy like Paul Martin or Volchenkov, or even Willie Mitchell, who are solid shutdown defenders. You pair Oduya and one of those with Hainsey or Enstrom and you have complementary pairs.
What do you think about that concept?
World Be Free
June 30th, 2010
9:01 am
I took a look at the current list of UFAs; seems like most teams are doing what we are doing, playing the waiting game with their UFAs. I had a top 40 UFA list published a few weeks back; of the top 40, only 4 are signed. All is this is fine with me, as long as we have a plan for goaltending, since we will need a backup plan if someone steps up and signs Moose to the type of deal (money and term) that he is looking for.
Glovesave-a buddy of mine that’s a Habs fan sez the same thing you do about Ellis going to Montreal, which brings up the question of why the Habs would have traded Halak if they knew Price had head issues. This was clear last year when Price lost his #1 job to Halak. Now the Habs are going to pay good money to a backup / insurance man when you could have invested that money in Halak, a guy who proved his worth last season. Price has a little Jeff George in him and that is not good for the Habs.
Badger Bob
June 30th, 2010
9:07 am
Great points as usual, RL. You’ve turned me around on Arty. And I’m 100% with you on retaining Toby and Hainsey – I was giving a reality check to the keep Kubina crowd. With the Octo budget, we can’t tie up over $20M in Dmen, so I think we have to keep our top 5 as is and add Vish/Kulda/Boris. Spend the $4M on a forward or a goalie.
How can Octo be willing to pay $101M to Kovy and not a few M to these other guys? C’mon, lock up Moose for 1-2 years. He’s as good as anyone out there, and we don’t need a younger goalie because the future is Pavs et al.
kracker
June 30th, 2010
9:11 am
Why is everyone so sure our various ufa/rfa have been low-balled? Have you seen the offer sheets? Potential FAs will either accept a reasonable offer from the current team’s perspective (the HD) or they will go for big bucks July 1. Perhaps they get what they want elsewhere, perhaps they will eventually resign with the current team.
If Dudley has offered each potential signee what he feels they are worth and a length of term he feels is proper for that player on this team, again, exactly how is it low-balling if a player wants more money and/or more years. It’s called the free agency system, folks.
If all our FAs had been signed two weeks ago the same would likely be complaining that Dudley had to grossly overpay to get them to forego testing free agency.
Criticism where warranted is just fine. Carping, at this point, is simply carping for the sake of doing it.
J.B.
June 30th, 2010
9:27 am
i think it’s important to note, and i’m sure someone already has, that ellis could still be available. if i was a free agent only a day away from multiple offers guaranteed, i’d be inclined to hold off signing with MTL for 24 hours just to see what’s out there and how valuable I am. if he does sign with the Canadiens, there are other options in goal that wouldn’t be the end of the world by any means.
I would be ok with Ponikarovsky coming here. I think he’s more talented than his playoff results showed.
I don’t think a high priced d-man is on Duds’ radar for tomorrow, but if i’m wrong the one to enter a bidding war for is Volchenkov.
I believe I know how most people will respond to this but would it be worth a 1 year league minimum contract to Cheechoo just to see if the guy needs a change of scenery? I know he’s been in steep decline, but I just can’t get past he’s a Richard Rocket winner.
kracker
June 30th, 2010
9:37 am
Cheechoo is this season’s Max??? Probably less likely to happen with Cheech but I’d certainly be OK with him coming to camp on a tryout basis, the same as Max did.
J.B.
June 30th, 2010
9:44 am
kracker – yep. forgot to write that part… i meant on a tryout basis first and then a 1 year league minimum contract if he performs. thanks for the correction.
Smoothie
June 30th, 2010
9:45 am
Great discussion folks. So many options, so little time!
I like the idea of trying to lure in a Paul Martin or Volchenkov. In my opinion, those guys are worth over-paying for. Going forward, it should be all about defense and keeping teams from denting the back of our net. Ramsay’s teams have always made big-time improvement in GAA and not just because of the goaltending. However, it would be nice to get a Khabibulin of our own, but I’m just not sure if any of the veteran guys outside of Nabakov are worth more than $4 M +.
Martin was Oduya’s partner for at least a year, no? Perhaps Johnny can help put the full-court press on Martin and get him here for between $4.5 and $5 M? We paid Kubina $5 M last year; why not lock up a younger, shut-down guy for 4 years @ $4.5 M per? Martin is only 28 and should have some very productive years left. He’s just the kind of D-man you want to help your team keep the puck out of your own zone.
Lastly, “NHL Sources Say” tweeted that we’re targeting Pavol Demitra in UFA…wrong “Pavol” if you ask me. But then again, Demitra could be had for an incentive-laden deal with a fairly small base eh? He’s 35 right?
Badger Bob
June 30th, 2010
9:47 am
JB – Cheech is a strange situation. He was never a true 50-goal scorer (he did that in the first year post-lock out, when the new clutch and grab rules were in play and all scoring was inflated, and was being fed by Marleau and THornton, who had career highs for assists that year), but his decline is amazing. If we are to experiment with a cast off, I’d take Modano and his leadership over Cheech.
Rawhide
June 30th, 2010
9:51 am
kracker – I have to agree with your 9:11 am post. I’ve heard a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth around here about Dudley “low-balling” or “dragging his feet” in regards to UFAs. Fact is, he has extended offers to all free agents that he seeks to retain…at the price he is willing to pay for their services. The ball is in their court now.
As I’ve said before…I”ll wait to judge the product as a whole when we see what team has been assembled and try to refrain from judging parts and pieces as the process plays out.
J.B.
June 30th, 2010
9:53 am
Modano is going to cost ALOT more than Cheech. Modano will likely have offers tomorrow… Cheechoo will not. Also, there’s no way in hell Modano will sign anywhere on the cheap. Cheechoo would likely agree to come in on a tryout basis. I see what you’re saying though…
Smoothie
June 30th, 2010
10:02 am
Mark Recchi is more productive than Mike Modano right now and he’s 2 years older. I think Modano would be foolish to think he can get more than a cool mill and some incentives built in. But you never know. They don’t call it the free-agent frenzy for nothing. Not this year tho IMO.
Badger Bob
June 30th, 2010
10:09 am
Since signing Kubes, Martin or Volchenkov means tying up 40-45% of our salary in 6 positions, one of two things would need to happen that I’d like to hear addressed:
We move one of our other top 5 D, or
We convince Octo to up the budget to $55M+ and we join only the Laffs among teams with two $2M-plus Dmen in their third pair (and there’s a team you want to be compared to with respect to D!).
If we are going to play GM in our Dmen signings, then let’s address the whole team picture wrt budget. Or if we are just talking fantasy, then sign Nabby, Volchenkov and Kovy, while we’re at it.
Joe Friday
June 30th, 2010
10:21 am
“JF – Montreal did not bring in Ellis for the sole purpose of being Price’s backup. First of all, he is an insurance policy…a co- number one brought in as Price is erratic, both in his play and between the ears. He is one bad week away from the entire city of Montreal turning on him (most have already!)They traded away a player who was (although very talented) lazy and did not fit the system or in the locker room.”
glovesave, why the heck would the Habs trade away Halak, who carried them in the playoffs? Because they decided to run with Price and wanted him to have the confidence that he’s the man in the room. That’s why they want to sign Ellis as the backup, he’s obviously the backup but competent enough to step in if Price craps the bed, but it shows Price the puck is his to take.
And I have to lol a bit at your goalie not fitting the system comment. I know you’re a goalie and all so don’t take it personal but goalies are notorious head cases, what system do they have to fit in? (ok boys, I make the pass to the left half boards and I’ll sprint right up the middle and hit me quick and I’ll look for the RW on to step into the slot as I go up the middle!). Come on, the only system the guys in the room need to know about the goalie is to stay out of his way as he goes through his routine (favorite under armour on, check, two sticks of juicyfruit, check, tap stick on locker 3 times, check, don’t step on blue line when going to the crease, check)
Russ
June 30th, 2010
10:25 am
My first choice on D would be for Kubina to be re-signed. I would have no problem with $4-5 mil for 3 years to make sure he stays. If he doesn’t bite, the only suitable alternative UFA’s are Paul Martin and Kim Johnsson (with a clean bill of health). Martin is young enough you could offer him the same per season as Kubina for 5 seasons. If the Thrashers don’t re-sign Kubina or get one of the replacements above I think you are forced to give some combination of Bogo/Hainsey/Enstrom/Oduya more minutes than they are capable of or are ready for. I’m OK with the young group of forwards, but I think you need a little more experience on defense, as d-men usually take longer to develop. Obviously, I would love to add the 20 goal scorer that Dudley is talking about, but I am trying to be realistic in how much money will be spent. I would still like to see an upgrade in goal and the signing of one of the top available d-men as mentioned above. If these two things can be accomplished without losing anything from the current roster I think the Thrashers will be playoff bound.
Smoothie
June 30th, 2010
10:27 am
From Mike Russo’s “Russo’s Rants” blog yesterday:
5. “John Torchetti appears close to going from Chicago to Atlanta as an assistant. He’s just reviewing the contracts. If he didn’t go to Atlanta, the Wild would have been very interested in him coming to Minnesota as an assistant to Todd Richards.”
Why in the hell can’t we get an update on this from our own media? Why is everyone so scared to call up Torchetti or his agent or even Duds to ask why this is dragging on so long? Or at least ask him to verify or deny the rumor about Torchetti getting hired?
Garrioch from the Canadian press says we’re interested in Volchenkov. So you can bet we won’t be signing Volchenkov. How about Tallinder?
I’d say he could be the bargain steal of the whole UFA “frenzy”.
glovesave29
June 30th, 2010
10:30 am
Halak was sent away because we are in the salary cap era. No other way to look at it. He was going to command top $$$$ – perhaps $4 – $4.5M. Ellis will likely go in the $3M range. No other way to look at it.
I’d keep Pavel for a myriad (oooh, good word!) of reasons. First of all is familiarity. He’s been here…he knows the city, the team, the new coaches. Huge advantages all. He offers more offense than a Volchenkov or a Martin, and should come at a better price. At 33, he’s been through the wars, and the Thrash already have enough youth on the blue line. Kurtis Foster (yup, the same) also offers points from the blue line. With the new weight and toughness added last week, this is more important than ever. There are going to be more opportunities to score from the defense than there ever has been.
Cheechoo is a tough one. He was brilliant 4 years ago. He’d come cheap. I have not problem signing him to a two-way contract.
Resign Max…continuity. He gave us waaaay more last season than many who were paid much more. You repay that. Show some loyalty.
Modano…depends on the price. We do need some veteran leadership.
Anyone out there think that Frolov will have to take a pay cut, and has huge upside potential?
Red Light
June 30th, 2010
10:38 am
Ooh, that hurts Badger Bob! As you correctly point out, this ain’t fantasy hockey, but as I have said all along, you tie up money with those guys you can keep for 3-5 years, who you know will compose your core players. If we use that as a basis, then my list of core players is as follows:
F: Kane, Antropov, Bergfors, Byfuglien, Eager and Peverley
D: Oduya, Enstrom, Hainsey and Bogosian
G: Pavelec
That’s 11 players who I believe you can go to battle with for the next three seasons. All others in my mind are replaceable parts. That’s not to say that someone on the above list can’t be dealt, it just means that if you do, you have to get someone of equal or higher value.
On the fringe of the list is the post December Slater, the 2008-09 version of Bryan Little and the 2009-10 playoff version of Brent Sopel. Certainly, willing to replace Pav if you can get a bonafide No. 1 goalie, but don’t want to overpay.
Now, if you think Kubina is a core guy and you can sign him for the same amount as last season, some will say do it. I wouldn’t only because he doesn’t fit the up-tempo style Ramsay wants to play IMO.
I like the idea of signing guys for a four-year term and none higher than $5 million per year a la David Poile in Nashville. There can be exceptions to that rule, but they had better be guys you know will fit the team concept and care about the other 19 guys. That means greedy Russians simply don’t and will never fit. Volchenkov is too expensive right now, so I’ll pass on him too.
Joe Friday
June 30th, 2010
10:38 am
“he leads Thrashers d-men in time of possession, which simply means he’s logged far too many minutes on our d which is one of the main reasons we’re so pitiful on defense”
Hey RedLight, I fixed your typo for you!
I agree that we have too much money tied up in d right now and not enough in goal or offense. If hands are being tied by the budget, then I’d like to see Enstrom moved for some offensive help in a trade and then have Kubina signed and whatever budget is left over needs to be spent on bringing Nabokov or trade for a Tim Thomas.
I fear we’re set at d as it stands now and that we’re going to see a Theodore signing and some 3rd tier UFA forward signed such as Fedotenko.
However, I am going to be very hopeful that there’s a some solid method behind the current madness we’re seeing of lowballing Kubina, Moose, et al and there’s some real help coming that will improve the club. We’ll know where we stand in 48 hours.
Speaking of that, I’m very interested in seeing where Kovy signs and for how much, will it be WBF’s $.65 on the dollar or will he hit the jackpot in the next couple of days. My prediction from our guesses last summer stands about when he signs, that its July 2nd with another club, and it’ll be a large payday.
Joe Friday
June 30th, 2010
10:39 am
“No other way to look at it.”
Okie dokie. lol.
Joe Friday
June 30th, 2010
10:43 am
“Anyone out there think that Frolov will have to take a pay cut, and has huge upside potential?”
Yep, he’s my free agent pickup at LW on the blog Rawhide let me write. He’d be a great pickup and I’d lol if we swap LWs with the Kings in free agency (if they pick up Kovy).
J.B.
June 30th, 2010
10:47 am
I believe KHL is pushing for Frolov pretty hard right behind Kovy. much like my other comments, I can’t remember where i read that. sorry y’all.
glovesave29
June 30th, 2010
10:51 am
JF – just because you cannot see it sitting up in the stands or on TV does not mean that it does not exist. To think any goalie can fit into any system is silly. Sometimes you have to trust people that know more about a subject than you do. Having been between the pipes for over 35 years give me an insight you just do not have. I see things you dont. I by no means want to trash the opinions here of anyone who has never played the game. But to say that those of us who have played the game (and for a long time and at a high level) have insights that those who have not played do not have…is absolutely true.
PS – not really a Juicy Fruit guy…prefer Jujyfruits or Mikes & Ikes on the ride to the rink. Plus theres no locker to tap…dressing rooms have stalls at every rink I have ever played at. Are we nuts?…hell yes! No sane person lets a person fire rock hard pucks at their heads at 90mph. But then again, I am left handed, play first base in baseball and kicked field goals back in HS football…let’s just say I am a glutton for punishment!!
Rawhide
June 30th, 2010
10:51 am
Does anyone else find it interesting that of the 120 votes casts in the fan poll so far, only 3 cite that defense is their main area of concern with the Thrashers? Even if you count the 26 that have voted “all of the above”, that means only 24.2% of you think the blueline is in whole or in part a concern.
In contrast, 75.8% are concerned more with the forward lines or goaltending than the defense of the Thrashers.
I find that interesting because defense has ALWAYS been the main area of concern with this team during its first decade of play.
Smoothie
June 30th, 2010
10:52 am
Funny how everyone assumes we’re going to play “up-tempo” under Ramsay just because he said we’re gonna be “aggressive”. You can beat the hell out of the other team in an aggressive fashion without taking uneccessary risks on the ice. Under Ramsay, I reckon we will pinch when the situation warrants and not recklessley just because that’s what the system calls for. Do y’all not remember playing against the B’s last year? They were aggressive fore-checking and battling for the puck. They did not pinch in aggressively all the time just for the sake of pinching in or trying to force the other team into mistakes. We will be the ones counter-attacking under Ramsay. Therefore, we still need another proven stud D-men to stop the other team from scoring. If you tell yourself otherwise, you’re being delusional or not understanding the new philosophy we will employ under Ramsay / Duds.
Smoothie
June 30th, 2010
10:56 am
Thanks Bill for pointing that out. I seem to be one of the 3 person minority who feels defense is still our biggest need. I explained why right above. Yes we need a goaltender but he will be a back-up / insurance and there are plenty of Birons and Nittys to go around. We need another D-man before we need another defensively-irresponsible scoring winger. Perhaps why we might be expressing interest in Demitra, who hasn’t had a minus season since 1995-96.
Red Light
June 30th, 2010
10:59 am
Bill: Salient point. Almost poignant I’d say.
Smoothie: Ramsay’s philosophy is quite simple: If you can keep the puck on the other side of the red line away from your goal, the other team can’t score. But, that means the six guys you do send out to man your blue line damn well better to be able to skate. Hence, you must address defense first to play the system. Listened at length to him discuss his philosophy and there is no question he needs another key defender. If Enstrom was dropped to your third unit, how cool would that be?
Smoothie
June 30th, 2010
11:05 am
R/L – agreed. Enstrom would dominate on the 3rd pairing and as a PP specialist. Can’t afford to have him getting pushed around on the PK and at full-strength. Having the right partner is key though. I like the Swedish Tallinder as his partner.
Hainsey / Oduya
Bogo / Kulda / Vlabs
Enstrom / Hank T
Actually, I think Tobes and Hank could dominate as the 2nd pairing and give Bogo more time to build his confidence playing against 3rd and 4th line competition. Just think of how much that would help Zach!
Joe Friday
June 30th, 2010
11:06 am
“To think any goalie can fit into any system is silly. Sometimes you have to trust people that know more about a subject than you do.”
Oh, I absolutely trust people that know more about a subject than I, but you’re making me dizzy here. Please educate me here because I’m listening to you but you’ve told me in the past hour that they got rid of Halak and brought in Ellis because:
1)Price is erratic, both in his play and between the ears
or is it because
2)They traded away a player-Halak-who was (although very talented) lazy
or is it because
3)Halak did not fit the system or in the locker room.
or is it because
4)Halak was sent away because we are in the salary cap era.
Methinks that despite your protestations, Ellis is simply a backup as he was in Nashville and will be in Montreal, and that the Habs decided to go with Price as their guy, jettisoned Halak as you can’t have two #1s, and hope to sign Ellis as a backup to Price.
Joe Friday
June 30th, 2010
11:09 am
“If Enstrom was dropped to your third unit, how cool would that be?”
“Enstrom would dominate on the 3rd pairing and as a PP specialist. Can’t afford to have him getting pushed around on the PK and at full-strength.”
Now you guys are seeing the light! He doesn’t need to go to 3rd pair though, Enstrom would be quite effective as a 3/4 guy. It’s when he’s on the top pair that we get hurt by the opposing forwards manhandling him on their way to our net rush after rush.
Put me in the camp also that says we need to upgrade our D (I voted all 3 slots, but goal is my #1, then D, then the scoring).
TableHockey
June 30th, 2010
11:13 am
glovesave29 and Joe Friday – I would love to see us sign Frolov. His last season worries me a bit but the drop in his performance should reduce his price. It is a weak Free Agency pool though – a have a feeling a lot of players are going to get overpaid.
Kevin Allen (USA Today) reported yesterday that Atlanta has interest in Dan Ellis. Since he seems to have the inside scoop for Atlanta I suspect Ellis will be the first goalie we make an offer to if we can’t come to terms with Moose.
I would love to know what the spread is between the Thrasher’s offer and what Kubina feels is a “fair offer”.
No surprise on the rumors that Max is leaning towards the KHL – doesn’t his girlfriend live in Russia?
Nate
June 30th, 2010
11:16 am
Rawhide – It’s not the defensemen that are solely responsible for the defensive statistics. The players currently on the roster are fully capable of allowing fewer goals and always have been. I think that’s why Ramsay is the head coach now and Anderson is not. Add that to the fact we’ve lost a 40-50 goal scorer and lowballed the next highest (Max)…then put goaltending hopes on a 37 year-old backup and 22 year-old sophomore…the poll results are not surprising to me at all. Like a couple of posters have already pointed out. Goal scoring will be tough to come by with the current roster. Keeping the puck out of the net is about coaching and holding players accountable. IMHO it’s much easier to teach guys positioning to block pucks and move the puck quickly than how to put the puck in the net. That’s a skill some players just don’t have.
World Be Free
June 30th, 2010
11:24 am
Joe-$.65 on the dollar – remember, based on Kovy talking about winning a Stanley Cup and playing for a contender. No contender could afford the kind of $$$ we offered him, field a competitive team and stay under the Cap. It will be higher if he goes to LA, probably .80/dollar. No matter where he goes, if Kovy stays in the NHL he will have left money on the table in comparison to what he could have earned in ATL.
Smoothie
June 30th, 2010
11:29 am
Still think Kovy will be lucky to get $8 – $8.5 M from some sucker in free agency. Kings will probably get him for $7.5 M per on avg. He may get more money up front in the first 2 or 3 years but I expect an avg of $7.5 over 7 or 8 years. I’ll go on record with 8 yrs / $60 M.
Rawhide
June 30th, 2010
11:30 am
Nate – Good points!
Everyone – Trixie and I have gotta go make preparations for tomorrow’s UFA annual talent pool party. I’ll leave you all to continue this spirited, lively and very entertaining conversation….
TableHockey
June 30th, 2010
11:32 am
Smoothie – 8yrs at 60M sounds about right – and I fully agree that he ends up with the Kings
World Be Free
June 30th, 2010
11:34 am
Table-that leaves $40M on the table compared to the ATL offer. Alotta dough
Rawhide-a pool party?
glovesave29
June 30th, 2010
11:38 am
JF – the Canadiens traded Kostitsyn for those reasons…not Halak. He was purely a salary move…
Let us not forget that Ellis and Price share the same agent…Mike Luit. I would be shocked if Mike doesn’t try to get him a starting gig (from day 1) elsewhere.
Smoothie
June 30th, 2010
11:43 am
David Clarkson and his 40 goals in 200 + games just managed to steal an avg of $2.33 M per season for the next 3 years from New Jersey. If a 3rd line grinder like Clarkson can get that, then what will we end up paying Little and Bergfors. I still think Bergie gets $2.5 – 2.75 M and Little somewhere in the realm of $2 M per.
TableHockey
June 30th, 2010
11:49 am
WBF – it sure is – wonder if he will get any tough questions about it? I suppose there is always the possibility that someone gets into a bidding war with the Kings and the price goes up – but no where near what ATL offered him.
R. Stroz
June 30th, 2010
11:55 am
Here’s an unwanted reality check.
Last year, before the season started, at the first Towne Hall Meeting, Waddell, Dudley, and Anderson all agreed that this team was the best Thrasher team to ever hit the ice.
So, I pose this question, if that team was so good, why are they letting so many players go from that team?
Were Waddell, Dudley, and Anderson all wrong?
Red Light
June 30th, 2010
12:14 pm
The Blue Jackets just saved the Oilers $1.75 million by picking up Ethan Moreau off waivers.
J.B.
June 30th, 2010
12:15 pm
no, they were right. it was the best thrashers team to hit the ice… but it still wasn’t good enough to get the job done.
Red Light
June 30th, 2010
12:16 pm
Actually, Moreau’s cap hit was $2 million. Tambellini must be pinching himself.
World Be Free
June 30th, 2010
12:17 pm
Smoothie-that’s alotta $$$ for Clarkson, I am surprised.
Table-what disturbs me about the Kovy situation is that this is a guy that was supposed to be the face of the franchise. He was the captain and poster boy that was “willing” to commit long term to the team. Six mos later he is turning down a mega contract, heading out of town and destined to sign a contract a lot less than the $103M we offered, for a team that is supposedly so cheap. Do you think other teams might take that into considering when negotiating a long term deal with him? Maybe, maybe not but the word commitment is required for ANY long term deal.
Russian
June 30th, 2010
12:26 pm
I heard A CRAZY RUMOR and Kovy.
He is going to Capitals or Pittsburgh only for one year. He is going to for same money or even drop his salary. He wants to win a Cup and make long term Contract. I do not want to see him with Ovy together. It will be bad fot us. They will kill us.
Smoothie
June 30th, 2010
12:28 pm
Russian, they’d have to move Semin first wouldn’t they? Doubt that’s gonna happen, but I wouldn’t put it past Kovy and his slime-ball agent. They kill us anyway, might as well give Big Buff 6 chances to put Kovy thru the glass on a check.
Rawhide
June 30th, 2010
12:29 pm
…taking a break from helping Trixie set up UFA talent pool party, sticking my head back into the blog room…
In case you all haven’t heard, the Thrashers have re-signed defenseman Noah Welch.
**And everyone exclaimed…”The Cup is ours”!**
WBF – Yeah, pool party. Be back here tomorrow morning and bring your trunks.
(Please, no speedos).
RStroz & J.B. – I would actually contend the best team the Thrashers ever iced was the one in 2005-06…the one that came within one “Mike Dunham Cluster-Flop” game of making the playoffs.
If there is ever a season that highlights the need for depth in goal…there it was.
…heading back out to the pool where Trixie awaits my return…
Red Light
June 30th, 2010
12:30 pm
Don’t forget your drink with an umbrella in it Bill!
TableHockey
June 30th, 2010
12:31 pm
WBF – yeah I think it will come into play for sure. I doubt anyone will offer him 10 years. 7 to 8 max I think.
Darren
June 30th, 2010
12:31 pm
Maybe Duds is lowballing our potential free agents right now because we’re getting Kovy back. That would be the biggest ruse in history if Kovy, Duds, and Waddell planned that. I can only dream
Red Light
June 30th, 2010
12:36 pm
Attention Mr. Dudley: Go get me forechecker extraordinaire Nigel Dawes for $850k from Calgary off waiver wire. Strong numbers in just 66 games for the Flames. Only 25 years old. Bring em here!
kracker
June 30th, 2010
12:42 pm
A POOL PARTY?!!! I’m there!
World Be Free
June 30th, 2010
12:44 pm
R/L – Dawes is another gritty player that Rangers gave up on. Surprised Calgary has done the same, no idea what the Flames are doing these days. People question the Thrashers’ moves, I cannot make any sense of what is going on in Calgary.
Red Light
June 30th, 2010
12:46 pm
Calgary thinking of changing mascot from Flames to the Flickers
TableHockey
June 30th, 2010
12:47 pm
Red Light – wouldn’t be a bad addition – we are a bit thin on 3rd and 4th if all those players rumored to want to test FA are as good as gone unless Cormier and Petersson pan out
Jack
June 30th, 2010
12:49 pm
Any thoughts on Noach Welch resigning.
BG33Brown
June 30th, 2010
12:51 pm
Custance is reporting us having interest in Demitra as a 2nd line center.
I have the feeling that Dudley doesn’t think Peverely is the answer there and i can’t say i disagree with him. But I don’t know if Demitra is the one we want to replace him.
I would rather add a LW and a goalie.
My preference order would be…..at left wing
1)Frolov
2)Poni
3) Another center-possible demitra
at goalie
1)Mason
2)Ellis (assuming he doesn’t sign in MTL)
3)Turko
4)Moose
J.B.
June 30th, 2010
12:55 pm
my initial reaction upon seeing dawes was on waivers was that dudley would grab him.
Red Light
June 30th, 2010
12:57 pm
Welch: Career AHL type. Could be wrong but I don’t think so.
Jack
June 30th, 2010
12:57 pm
Isn’t Demitra around 37. If that is the case what makes him a good fit.
Smoothie
June 30th, 2010
1:00 pm
Doesn’t Demitra play more RW than C?
With respect to the Flames and their decision to cut Dawes loose, I to am wondering what in god’s name Sutter is doing up there! Perhaps they are going to throw a bunch of money to try to lure Lombardi back while promoting 3 or 4 players from Abbotsford. Now that would be something. If they want cap space, please call Rick Dudley and offer Mr. Iginla!
Red Light
June 30th, 2010
1:02 pm
Thinking that there are as many as five teams, four of them in the SE, that would be interested in Dawes, and that would pave the way for a potential trade if more than one team claims him. Calgary simply gauging interest?
BG33Brown
June 30th, 2010
1:03 pm
Jack, he’s 35 and scored a whopping 3G and 13A last year. Although he only appeared in 28 games last year. The year before he played in 69games and was 20/33 for 53 pts.
R. Stroz
June 30th, 2010
1:04 pm
In the words of Joe Bob Friday, we’re back to “dumpster diving.”
R. Stroz
June 30th, 2010
1:06 pm
Demitra, at 35, is a normal Waddell, oops Dudley, pickup.
BG33Brown
June 30th, 2010
1:06 pm
Here’s a clip from Yahoo’s Canucks report re: Demitra.
Most Disappointing Player: For most of the season, Pavol Demitra was the forgotten man, missing the first 57 games as he recovered from double shoulder surgery—once at the end of the previous season and again in October after continuing to experience pain during a frustratingly long rehabilitation process. But hopes the slick Slovakian winger might yet earn the $4 million the Canucks were paying him were raised when Demitra played like a man possessed at the 2010 Winter Olympics, leading the tournament in scoring with 10 points in just seven games and being named to the all-star team after leading the overmatched Slovaks to the medal round. Like Demitra himself, those hopes quickly disappeared in the playoffs as the soft winger got harder to find the tougher the play got, even sitting out Game 4 of the second round as a healthy scratch.
Joe Friday
June 30th, 2010
1:07 pm
“Please, no speedos”
Great, now I have to go shopping. Thanks for nuthin, Rawhide.
Guys, think about this re. Kovy. Forward pool is very weak this year in UFA. Kovy is 26 yrs old and is a 40 goal scorer, guaranteed, mabye 50. Has anyone ever hit free agency at 26 with his skills? Not in my memory. He will get paid. The only way this contract isn’t huge is if he pulls a Hossa like Russian said and takes a one yr. deal with someone like the Caps at whatever fits them under the Cap to try to win a Cup. But then you’re taking a huge risk of blowing out a knee and ending a career. Don’t see it happening, I think it’s a huge payday for him. Kings sounds right, I just don’t know their ownership situation, they like to spend big money? Frolov gone frees up $4m for them, right?
Freddy Krueger
June 30th, 2010
1:13 pm
If Ramsey tries to pass himself off as me during Holloween I’ll slice him up!!!
World Be Free
June 30th, 2010
1:19 pm
Joe-I think we are all just comparing Kovy’s next contract to the one he passed up here in Atlanta. Just looking at it from a money perspective, since I cannot remember a hockey player passing up these kind of numbers for any alternative situation. As a player, he has unique skills and will improve most teams he joins, for whatever term of contract. But there will always be the money and some fool like me calculating what he gave up compared to what he will ultimately get. I promise not to bring it up again-at least for 24 hours.
Smoothie
June 30th, 2010
1:22 pm
Joe F – I understand what you’re saying but this is going to be a funny market since there aren’t many teams who can actually make a bid for Kovy’s services. Looking at cap numbers as they stand on capgeek.com, there are only about 4 or 5 teams who could realistically afford him at more than $8 M per. Those teams are: LAK, TOR, EDM, COL, NYI and perhaps NJ, but I don’t see Luscious Lou spending beyond $7 – 7.5 M for him.
There are other teams with cap space, but either have restrictive internal budgets (DAL, CAR, TB etc) or still need to sign 5 o 6 guys to ice a full roster. Now LA, TOR and say COL could get into a bidding war, but I just don’t see it happening because teams seem to be moving towards younger, cheaper rosters with more flexibility. COL, PHX and NSH have already proven you don’t have to spend a fortune to make the playoffs and even make some noise while there.
Red Light
June 30th, 2010
1:26 pm
Here’s my report on Demitra: Anyone who has 768 points in 847 NHL games is worth a look right? 2 years until a prospect is ready to go? Represented by Matt Keator, Ron Hainsey’s agent. Like moving Pevs down to third line, and if Jokinen or Lombardi, etc aren’t available, he’s a logical option and his career numbers are shockingly consistent. More worried about his injury and price tag than his capabilities.
Just asking, “has anyone ever confirmed that the Thrashers offer to Kovy was what it was reported to have been?”
Alan R.
June 30th, 2010
1:30 pm
Well, this is peculiar… (from Twitter)
Real_ESPNLeBrun
Ah _ important update on O’Sullivan/Vandermeer: traded for each other but both players then bought out according to a source. Strange.
TableHockey
June 30th, 2010
1:37 pm
I saw that Alan – it does not compute for me unless Edmonton is getting something else in return. Bob McKenzie speculates that Edmonton may play Vandermeer – but like your post says – I heard they bought him out already. Very strange…
Rawhide
June 30th, 2010
1:37 pm
…passing through again from helping set up for pool party tomorrow…
Red Light – Just passing through to get some peach ice tea for Trixie, but to answer your question…yes. The deal was $101 million over 12 years or $10 mil per season for either 3, 5 or 7 years.
…heading back out to pool…
Red Light
June 30th, 2010
1:55 pm
OK, here’s a quick, informal poll. Which of these 10 coveted UFA’s signing will be announced first tomorrow?
Your choices:
Kovalchuk
Volechenkov
Hamhuis
P. Martin
Gonchar
Nabokov
Turco
Torres
Kubina
Morrisonn
kracker
June 30th, 2010
1:55 pm
More on the O’Sullivan/Vandermeer swap….
TSNBobMcKenzie OK, Oil are keeping Vandermeer to play him. Makes sense now. PHX saves money on buyout (O’Sullivan cheaper than Vandermeer).
Jack
June 30th, 2010
1:56 pm
Thank you for the info, just wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing anything…
BG33Brown
June 30th, 2010
2:01 pm
RL-good points. And as some have said previously, maybe a smaller player like Demitra can operate better with some of the bigger bodies we have been bringing in.
glovesave29
June 30th, 2010
2:02 pm
RL – I say Turco in Philly. They are dying for solid keeping.
R. Stroz
June 30th, 2010
2:03 pm
I’m curious to see if the Thrashers bring Exelby or Colin Stuart back. Both are UFAs.
glovesave29
June 30th, 2010
2:04 pm
Jeez Stroz…talk about dumpster diving! Why not add Mandy Sutton to that?
TableHockey
June 30th, 2010
2:06 pm
RL – along the lines of glovesave but I was thinking Nabakov would be the first to be announced
R. Stroz
June 30th, 2010
2:07 pm
glovesave29 – I stated curious.
glovesave29
June 30th, 2010
2:15 pm
Yeah, but now its in print. Just the sight of that makes me physically ill!
Joe Friday
June 30th, 2010
2:20 pm
“Looking at cap numbers as they stand on capgeek.com, there are only about 4 or 5 teams who could realistically afford him at more than $8 M per.”
It’s important to remember that the Cap rule isn’t that you can’t ever go over the Cap, just that you have to be under the Cap at x date. So, any club could sign him tomorrow or Friday at whatever price, and then move signed players via trade to get back under the cap.
“COL, PHX and NSH have already proven you don’t have to spend a fortune to make the playoffs and even make some noise while there.”
They got to the playoffs but how much noise did they really make? None were Cup contenders in my view. My Hawks just proved that going out and paying for talent wins you a Cup. He’s gonna get paid, the wish that he turned down out $8.4m and now he’s not going to get near that is just not going to happen, barring the Hossa type one yr deal he did with Detroit to try to win a Cup, this contract is going to be huge and long term. He’s 26!
Joe Friday
June 30th, 2010
2:23 pm
“I’m curious to see if the Thrashers bring Exelby or Colin Stuart back.”
I hear ya, all the warning signs are there, aren’t they? Torchetti, Kubina, Max, Hedberg. Let’s just hope they allay our fears over the next 48 hours and show they’re ready to start getting real.
Joe Friday
June 30th, 2010
2:28 pm
Red Light, I think Colby Armstrong is the first one signed, back to the Pens, how bout that?
I really have no idea but it makes me think of one thing I’ve always suspected. Does anyone really believe that no UFA player or agent has been contacted yet by teams interested in them? The rule is that each UFA is under contract to their current club until noon tomorrow, right? Meaning Kubina is ours until noon tomorrow and no one could talk to him. Anyone think that really happens or are these guy’s agents talking already to potential suitors? I’ve always suspected that they are negotiating ahead of time as you have contracts being signed and announced within the 1st hour of free agency, why they heck would a guy wait for years in free agency and then go ahead and make up his mind who to sign with in the first hour, does not compute.
kracker
June 30th, 2010
2:48 pm
gee thanks Stroz….it’s stuck in my head again
Well you came and you gave without taking
but I sent you away, oh Mandy
well you kissed me and stopped me from shaking
And I need you today, oh Mandy
Smoothie
June 30th, 2010
2:48 pm
Joe F – I’ve always wondered the same thing about the first hour or so of free-agency. How does so much happen so fast without tampering?
But I still disagree with you on Kovy and the salary cap. Also, you’re being unfair in diminishing the accomplishments of those three teams, two of which nearly won their series with one against the eventual Cup winners. You’re telling me that half the league (the have nots) are not jealous as hell of what they have or are not attempting to copy them?
There will probably be two or three stupid GM’s who will prove me wrong by driving up Ilya’s price-tag, but even Glen Sather has said “hell no!” in a text msg to Pierre Lebrun. I just don’t see it. Times are a changin’ and this 5% increase in the cap is a temporary thing. I have a feeling things will be adjusted downward at the next CBA just to keep things from getting out of hand…that is, barring some miracle turn-around in the economy. Oh yeah, how’s that stock market doing? Consumer confidence? Strength of the Euro? Bwa ha ha ha
Oh yeah, last thing: I predict at least 4 NBA franchises will fold before 2015.
kracker
June 30th, 2010
2:49 pm
I guess that should be gee thanks Stroz and Glove
Dwayne
June 30th, 2010
3:05 pm
Mandy and Doris, our 3rd d pairing, the big wussy line.
Rawhide
June 30th, 2010
3:08 pm
OK Dammit…who put on a Barry Manilow record?!? Kracker…was that you?
We will have NONE of THAT around here!
Dwayne
June 30th, 2010
3:10 pm
Buff: What the hell are yall wearing?
Mandy:Their called Kilts
Bolts: Did yall have to wear matching ones?
Doris: I didn’t know he was wearing his Thrasher blue one today
glovesave29
June 30th, 2010
3:13 pm
Smoothie – You bring up an interesting point…the future CBA. The NHLPA has enlisted the services of one Don Fehr. I am afraid we are heading for another work stoppage. He and Bettman are going to get into one huge pissing contest, and the only losers will be the fans. Oh, and I hope that the ENTIRE NBA folds. I hate basketball. I think of the Blackhawks winning the cup, and all they can think of is holding the grail and celebrating with their teammates. The a week later, the NBA Lakers are also celebrating their triumph…by almost every player searching out the TV cameras to yap in front of. Basketball sucks.
JF – cant answer your question. I can be pollyann-ish and say no it never happens, but I am pretty confident in saying that it has happened in past. But what if a GM talks early to a player – and that player signs elsewhere? Kinda leaves that GM hanging in the wind as to if the player will say something to his new employer or a league official. I can’t image an agent approaching a team early and risk losing his license to be a player rep just for one contract.
GaVaHokie
June 30th, 2010
3:25 pm
I always love looking at this list from Fourth Period each summer…
http://www.thefourthperiod.com/freeagents/top30ufas.html
Looks like we’ve been added to the huge list of players seeking Volchenkov… perhaps we’ll throw the Kubina money his way?
I like the idea of Stempniak… he could do some good damage on a line with Peverley, IMO.
J.B.
June 30th, 2010
3:32 pm
TFP does always get a good list up for free agency. I don’t recall Atlanta ever being so well represtented on it as we are this year. One huge issue with it… i’d be SHOCKED if Belanger was even remotely interested in coming back here. I thought I remembered him saying he wasn’t happy playing in Atlanta at all.
kracker
June 30th, 2010
3:33 pm
twitter RealKyper Scratch one goalie off the UFA list. Sportsnet has learned Michael Leighton has come to terms on short term 2 year/ 3.1M with the Flyers.
Red Light
June 30th, 2010
3:34 pm
Brind’amour retires. Frees up more Cap space for Canes. Rutherford is another laying in the weeds with plenty of cap space.
Leighton re-ups with Flyers on a 2-year, $3.1 million deal.
Smoothie
June 30th, 2010
3:39 pm
Okay, market for average goaltenders has been set! Sportsnet.ca is reporting that the Flyers and Leighton have agreed to terms: 2 years worth $3.1 M or $1.55 M cap hit.
I reckon guys like Biron, Toskala, Lalime, Harding and even Nittymaki will do as well if not slightly better in some cases.
If WSH does something foolish like sign Kovy or overspend on a couple of other pieces, Duds should swoop in and slap an offer-sheet on Michal Neuvirth. To hell with making / keeping friends within the division.
Hockey Steve
June 30th, 2010
3:44 pm
Russian – I heard a similar rumor. No way PIT has the cap space for Kovie….Washington, however, could realistically pull it off (read this on a blog over at SB Nation).
The thought of Kovalchuck and Ovechkin on the same line(hell even the same team) is downright terrifying.
GaVaHokie
June 30th, 2010
3:50 pm
Going after a guy like Volchenkov brings back memories of Atlanta going after another emerging, physical Russian defenseman… Vitaly Vishnevski.
http://thrashers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=433933
GaVaHokie
June 30th, 2010
3:51 pm
… to clarify… that didn’t work out too well.
Hockey Steve
June 30th, 2010
3:53 pm
Russians play defense?? =)
R. Stroz
June 30th, 2010
3:59 pm
From C-Viv’s most recent article:
This is the advantage. [President] Don [Waddell] has done a good job of keeping our money in line and now we have a little money to spend on the right part. My job is to get the right part.
A little money? Currently, the Thrashers are going to have to spend a little money just to get to the salary floor.
Cheap, Cheap, Cheap
Smoothie
June 30th, 2010
3:59 pm
Fedor “Rootin” Tyutin, don’t call me Putin does!!
R. Stroz
June 30th, 2010
4:03 pm
Why didn’t the Thrashers re-sign Brunnette, Staios…well because they weren’t offered a fair market value contract. Sound familiar?
Red Light
June 30th, 2010
4:08 pm
The sagacious Smoothie knows his hockey. Great call on Tyutin. One of the saddest days ever for me when he was dealt to Columbus.
Jack
June 30th, 2010
4:09 pm
This is the advantage. [President] Don [Waddell] has done a good job of keeping our money in line and now we have a little money to spend on the right part. My job is to get the right part
WTH? translation: has done a great job of not spending any money
Jack
June 30th, 2010
4:17 pm
From the link From GVH, how could the top teams(pitt,wash, det) have interest in a player (kozlov) that could not even get minutes on the Thrashers. Thanks for the link, very interesting who is considering who.
Smoothie
June 30th, 2010
4:32 pm
Thanks Red Light! How about this for sagacious advice? Sign Jay McKee if we’re looking for a cheap-o 3rd liner? Guy is a shot-blocking machine (137) and only gave away the puck 10 times in 62 games. At around $1 – 1.5 M, the Thrashers’ cheap-a$$ ownership should be knocking down his door!
kracker
June 30th, 2010
4:39 pm
“….how could the top teams(pitt,wash, det) have interest in a player (kozlov) that could not even get minutes on the Thrashers…”
I’d hate to think so but maybe Kozzie flipped his switch to ‘off’ when Kovy did. Maybe that was about the same time when JA wasn’t listening to him and Kovy, who knows.
Red Light
June 30th, 2010
4:42 pm
Jack: Power play, shoot-out and he’ll come cheap. He’s one year and a coach that didn’t appreciate his candor away from a 26-goal,
50 assist season. At the age of 38, he can offer the right team something.
Smoothie: I’d rather have Martin Skoula for $600k
DWTOO
June 30th, 2010
4:44 pm
Semi-surprising that Max isn’t generating much interest. Maybe the Thrasher offer will look better tomorrow. Still hope we resign him.
Badger Bob
June 30th, 2010
4:45 pm
I’ll take Volchenkov as first UFA signing.
Smoothie
June 30th, 2010
4:47 pm
How about Mike Weaver then at $800 k? Blocks almost as many shots and does not turn the puck over very much either.
Lastly, correction of thinking on the Tallinder proclamation: NEVERMIND! Looking at his blocked shots, hits etc, I’ve come to the conclusion he’s too soft. Lydman seems to be a tougher, grittier guy.
At any rate, here are my new favorites: Morrisonn, McKee, Leopold, Weaver, Clark (if he comes down off his $3.5 M price-tag).
Red Light
June 30th, 2010
4:55 pm
Morrisonn for $2.75 million per year. Book it.
World Be Free
June 30th, 2010
5:01 pm
DWTOO-Max had a great year with us, but he also carries a decade-old rep that’s hard to hide from. But you never know, I think we will have alot to talk about this weekend on the Rawhide blog.
Tony C.
June 30th, 2010
5:52 pm
I’d like to see Morrison here… he’s dependable and a pretty nifty playmaker when he has space-who was setting Semin up last seasaon? Granted we don’t have a sniper of that caliber signed, but he’s the type of guy who makes others look good.
If we don’t get Kubina, I’d be pleased with either Martin, Volchenkov or Hamhuis-however, I think Pasha gives us a nice blend of D and O as well as maintaining continuity in the room (which is no small thing).
On Kozlov: This guy is one of the smartest players in the league, keeps himself in great-to-exceptional shape…clearly was #17’s “uncle” and yeah he checked out just like Kovy did once it became apparent #17 was on the way out. Buuuut. That feller over there has his name on The Cup, still owns one of the better snapshot wristers in the game, if allowed to run a line (or PP) is very effective-ask Little & White-and is MONEY in the shootout (which is on the rise-one of you stat guys back me up here). Too bad he won’t be here, one of my all-time favorite Thrashers (will never forget the “rally hat” movement).
On forwards-it’s simple guys we need a 20-goal scorer and those don’t come cheap. Be it through trade or UFA, it’s going to cost. I truly hope Octotards are willing to cough up.
I think interesting developments are right around the corner…. I expect Ellis or Mason signed around 2:30 tomorrow-by us.
R. Stroz
June 30th, 2010
6:41 pm
Would you like to know why the Thrashers low-balled the UFAs and appear to be near the payroll floor?
Here’s why:
When the Hawks meet with Joe Johnson in Los Angeles soon after the start of the free-agency negotiating period at 12:01 Thursday they will offer him a six-year contract for the maximum amount allowed, according to people with knowledge of their plans.
The exact amount of maximum contracts won’t be determined until a league audit is completed over the next week, but it’s expected to total about $119 million for a player with Johnson’s experience.
Pissed yet?
Smoothie
June 30th, 2010
6:48 pm
Well Stroz, if they are stupid enough to invest that kind of loot in a jump shooter who can barely jump, then they deserve every bad financial consequence that is bestowed upon them. It’s one thing to offer a huge contract to one of the best 20 players in the NHL, but I’m not even sure JJ is the best player on his own team!! I fail to see the difference between him and Jamal Crawford.
But that’s besides the point, if they are more concerned with the basketball side of the operation, what can we do? We can only hope they find a majority investor who will help them go to max cap or close to it for hockey. Till then, we’re gonna have to hope that Dudley can build this thing with a restricted budget and hope our young guys really flourish over the next couple of years.
Jack
June 30th, 2010
6:49 pm
ASG ARE CRACK ADDICTS. Joe don’t take it go someplace you can win. Maybe when he declines, Dudley could then spend it. Doubt it but you never know
World Be Free
June 30th, 2010
7:37 pm
Joe Johnson is considered the face of the Hawks’ franchise and it has been long considered a given that the Hawks would offer him the max. They could sign and trade Joe, for a player or players of equal value which is a common practice in the NBA under the current collective bargaining agreement and the salary cap structure. Remember guys, ASG offered a max contract to Kovy last year, only to have him turn it down.
Smoothie-I think we can both agree that skill is not a requirement in the NBA these days. Back in the day, you had to play defense and offsense, as well as hit the jump shot regardless of your height. Example-Bob McAdoo
I have mentioned all along that I will hold my review of the Thrashers’ situation until approx July 7. I’ll give credit if it is deserved, or call out the powers that be if we have fallen short. I still think we will spend about $50M on salaries this season, about $7M above the cap and $9M below the max.
World Be Free
June 30th, 2010
7:39 pm
That’s $7M above the bottom of the cap/basement
World Be Free
June 30th, 2010
7:49 pm
Jose Theodore is looming out there. He still thinks he is a starter and will look for a place where he can be a number one. Moose may end up as a 2-3 year backup for one of the many teams he stoned last season. GMs have a long memory when it comes to goaltenders that steal points. Just look at Curtis Joseph who continued playing long after his good years had passed him.
Jack
June 30th, 2010
8:01 pm
theoodore would be a good pick. good enough to fight for the starting position, while putting Pav into another gear. that is if Pav has another Gear
jimbo
June 30th, 2010
8:30 pm
Somebody posted a suggestion for Aaron Asham. He’d be the perfect 15-20 goal scorer, tough and very dependable defensively. Perfect choice but he won’t come here.
World Be Free
June 30th, 2010
9:10 pm
Jimbo-yeah I suggested Asham, as I did a few weeks back. Not sure where he fits in Philly, but he would be perfect here. I was a fan when he was in Montreal.
kracker
June 30th, 2010
9:29 pm
twitter scottywazz My five-star pick– Nabokov to the ATL. YEAAAAAAHH!!!
25 minutes ago via TweetDeck
Retweeted by SpectorsHockey
I only posted this because spector retweeted it
Smoothie
June 30th, 2010
10:59 pm
Versteeg traded!!!
For details, click here: http://thrashingbirds.blogspot.com/2010/06/and-so-it-begins.html
R. Stroz
June 30th, 2010
11:17 pm
WBF – If I remember correctly, the ASG didn’t offer Kovy the max cap hit per year, although the offer was close. Much like Kovy, Johnson doesn’t like to play both ends of the playing surface. Much like Kovy, Johnson is in the top twenty in the league, but definitely not in the top five. Moreover, I’ve seen Johnson play with little or no heart in the clutch for years.
My problem is this: the ASG treats the Thrashers like a red-headed step-child, yet Thrasher fans pay more for the same seat than Hawks fans.
I’ll try to “wait and see” however another year of the Thrashers failing to retain key players, being in the bottom 10% of NHL team payrolls, and finishing the season with less than 80 points will stretch the remaining Thrasher fans to the breaking point.
There is a limit to everyone’s patience.
Brendan
July 1st, 2010
1:41 am
Red Light, my guess is Nabokov is the first UFA contract announced. Is there a contest? If so, I hope I win!
Rawhide, Joe Friday: I like Frolov at LW. But I’m still a little leery of Russian players. The memory of Radulov still lingers for me.
General Comment: My guess is that Atlanta is embarking on a “depth strategy.” So, I look for Tier II types, capable of potting 16-22 goals, paid between 2.0 and 3.3 milllion dollars apiece. Let’s see what happens.
World Be Free
July 1st, 2010
6:28 am
Stroz-I am in total agreement. I am just trying to give this situation a couple days to play out and then we can go from here. Right now, the Thrashers are an improved team before we get to free agency. We have a few more spots to fill and more money to spent. I think you and I want to see that money spent.
World Be Free
July 1st, 2010
6:38 am
Quote from the Buffalo News-
“Colorado, St. Louis, Atlanta and the New York Islanders have $30 million or more in salary room, according to CapGeek.com, so there are millions of reasons to expect them to be busy today.”
They know something we don’t know?
GaVaHokie
July 1st, 2010
8:12 am
That was a nice deal by Toronto… Phil Kessel playing with Versteeg? That will be nice to watch.
GaVaHokie
July 1st, 2010
8:14 am
Pierre Lebrun and others are tweeting that Atlanta has interest in Andrew Ladd.
Chicago is at a $59 million cap hit and needs to move a few more contracts in order to sign Niemi and Hjalmarsson.
GaVaHokie
July 1st, 2010
8:15 am
Dudley said he was seeking another 15 goal scorer, which is down from his 30 goal scorer… I’d say Ladd fits that bill.
Brendan
July 1st, 2010
9:09 am
GaVaHokie, I also saw that tweet. Ladd is okay. I won’t scream. What a deflection he had in the Cup Clinching game for Chicago. One of the best tip-in goals all year.
Hockey Biltong爽
July 1st, 2010
9:45 am
I vote AAsham as well.