Afinogenov can’t get no satisfaction
Recently Maxim Afinogenov was quoted by Dmitry Chesnoklov via twitter as saying, “I wouldn’t mind staying in Atlanta but the current offers from the team are unsatisfactory”.
To date Afinogenov has been unsuccessful in getting the Atlanta Thrashers or any other NHL team to offer a deal he’s willing to accept. And even though the soon-to-be 31-year old Russian forward isn’t quite to the point of being Too Proud to Beg, he has made known he’s willing to consider re-signing with the Thrashers. But the two sides are still yet to make a Connection.
Maxim Afinogenov reacts after scoring a late-game goal against the Boston Bruins last November. A former Thrasher looks to join in the celebration (AP Photo/John Amis)
Because of that, two weeks after the beginning of UFA signing season began, Max still Can’t Find No Satisfaction.
Last season Afinogenov netted a career-high 24 goals while in Thrasher blue and his 61 overall points matched his second highest total. But if there is a knock on Max, it’s that he still has issues with doing the Dirty Work in the defensive zone as he was Down in a Hole with a –17 rating last year. Only Zach Bogosian’s –18 was worse.
However, he’s certainly not alone in that regards as most Thrashers rosters have been prone to leave goalies crying out “Gimme Shelter”!
There were many last summer who said his skills would leave us High and Dry during the campaign…that his playing style would cause us to suffer our 19th Nervous Breakdown. “Don’t Cry to Me when he spins in circles, toe drags the puck only to lose it before shooting”, they told us.
But I think he really did put together a rather solid season last year…Honest I Do.
True, there were Good Times/Bad Times last season with Max…but to me, he gave a great effort in last winter’s campaign. Many times he would come to our Emotional Rescue by scoring a goal late in the third to win a game, or tie the score and send it to overtime. His speed often has him barreling toward the goal Like a Rolling Stone where he would then position himself with the puck and Let it Loose on goal. And while the playoffs eluded this Thrashers team yet again, he helped them win some very exciting game, although sometimes were found Winning Ugly ones too.
Now the last I heard, Rick Dudley and the Thrashers had offered Afinogenov another one-year deal…the dollars and cents I do not know. So apparently what Max is looking for is a contract that spans multiple years. That doesn’t have to mean Dudley and Co. need to wrap him up for a Long Long Time necessarily… but two or three at the least wouldn’t be too much to ask.
Certainly, re-signing Max wouldn’t be the Biggest Mistake the organization has ever made.
Would you like to see Afinogenov re-sign with the Thrashers?
- YES! It's Not Easy landing a talent like that! (50%, 152 Votes)
- Maybe - As long as the Money is right (47%, 141 Votes)
- NO! It would be the Biggest Mistake Dudley could make! (3%, 9 Votes)
Total Voters: 302
Loading ...But if the Thrashers are still interested in retaining Afinogenov’s services, I hope they don’t Play with Fire by dragging their feet. If so, they could soon find themselves Out of Time and see his services Slipping Away. After all…Time Waits for No One.
So, Tell Me Thrasherville… what are your thoughts regarding bringing back Maxim Afinogenov? Is he the final piece in the Thrashers offensive puzzle and without him the lineup is left Torn and Frayed?
Is he a player who you think could help get us Down The Road Apiece… but since You Can’t Always get What You Want he could go somewhere else and it’d be OK?
Or do you think We’re Waistin’ Time discussing the matter altogether and the team is better off telling Max “You Better Move On”?
Any Way You Look at It, the Thrashers still need another top-flight winger to help round out this offense. And it stands to reason that re-signing one we’re already familiar with could be better than bringing in New Faces. I for one would love to see him continue to provide a Little T&A around Thrasherville.
Uh…that would be Tallies & Assists.
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151 comments Add your comment
Badger Bob
July 16th, 2010
6:58 pm
101st nervous breakdown…
Flames
July 16th, 2010
6:58 pm
Max or Sharpe? Max needs to come off a year or so on his counter offer. We can sign him and lose nothing except a third year. Duds isn’t going to be stuck with a multi year contract on a player. The team will have to give up a lot to get Sharpe. It is wait and see mode. The team is in the drivers seat for once. Torch wants Sharpe! Duds wants the stakes lowered for him. He isn’t giving up the kitchen sink for him. The thrashers are in a perfect position thanks to Duds.
Brendan
July 16th, 2010
7:03 pm
Anyone want to take a bet that Opening Night will arrive in the NHL with Kovalchuk still un-signed? Kovy’s agent would be telling him, “Let some team pay you the $10 million-a-year figure, prorated, in December.” I can see it now. Kovalchuk as a mid-season signing.
Putting On The Foil
July 16th, 2010
7:22 pm
Has anybody seen the bridge?
Hokey P. Clisters
July 16th, 2010
7:42 pm
Duds
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles…………………………………….
Rammer
I’d like to be
under the sea
in a octopus’ garden
in the shade
DW
You see I’ve been through the desert
on a horse with no name
it felt good to get out of the rain
In the desert they can’t remember your name
cause there ain’t no one to give you no blame
AtlFlamesFan
July 16th, 2010
8:12 pm
Worst Mistake: Drafting Patty Stefan instead of one of the Sedin twins.
As for the Thrashers relationships with the Wovles and Gwinnett, I’d love to see the Trash end their contract with Chicago, and move the Glads from the ECHL to the AHL. This way, our top prospects would be across the street from our practice facility, and more importantly, they would be played the way we want them played. However, I suspect that economics would make this cost prohibitive. With the current Chicago relationship, we only have to pay the salaries of half of an AHL roster. If the Glads were our AHL team, I think we would have to pay the salaries for a whole AHL team.
n. gwinett
July 16th, 2010
8:14 pm
after all the money they offered kovy, who is as bad defensively, they should resign even if they have to overpay a little bit. besides they won’t have to give up any players or draft picks.
rob
July 16th, 2010
8:51 pm
I’m thinking after reading all of this that the beer must have started a little too early for some. I agree with something I think Red Light put up. If we fill too many spots here, the young guys won’t have any room to move up……then they get stuck lurking in Chicago indefinitely. A lot of you moaned and groaned about how none of the Crabb, Mach, etc etc etc got no chances here, and yet you are going straight back to it. They need a chance to play here, but if we continue to sign people…….where are you gonna put them? Just my thought, but I think we are good where we are now. I know a lot of you don’t, but I see this as a hungry team who are going to be fun to watch….that should make up for true talent in heart and determination. The test will be if they get off to a slow start…..do we leave them hanging and cry wolf, or stand behind them and give them our support?
TrueBlue
July 16th, 2010
9:00 pm
Hmm…Max or Sharpe? I would say Sharpe 100 percent. Unfortunately, I really feel like we would have to give up just SO much in order to land him. Are we willing to do that? He really has so many components to his game that are beneficial. Looking back at all the trades that the B-Hawks have made, I feel that Sharpe would be the absolute highlight. I like the players that we got from them, but I think Sharpe could have been the best piece. But honestly, how much is TOO much in order to get him? Are we willing to part with some of our young talent? I would really rather not do that. Who knows though…Dudley sees and knows more then we all do.
Tony C.
July 16th, 2010
9:16 pm
I wouldn’t be against re-signing Max, it’s not like the squad we have assembled TODAY really strikes fear in opponents hearts…true there is potential, however, ifs and buts don’t normally skate in May.
Not saying that Mx alone does it, but a top-6 of Antropov, Bergfors, Byfuglien (??? really??? don’t think this guy is going to score more than 12-15 goals-I’ll be delighted to be wrong about this), Kane, Peverly & Little just doesn’t really seem to have the “oomph” needed.
There’s a lot of “ifs” out there; IF Esposito comes back healthy he has serious skills,and I see him as a legit 20 goal-a-year guy.. IF Burmistrov hits a good cycle and can maintain it over the season-IF White returns to 2K9 form…. IF Byfuglien decides to play to his abilities…..
Mad Max Fan
July 16th, 2010
10:02 pm
Please bring him back! He will make this team that much faster and better to watch. Sign him to a 2-year deal and let’s get ready to get back to Blueland!!!!!
World Be Free
July 16th, 2010
10:42 pm
Joe-always liked the Kinks cause they weren’t like anyone else. I have wobbled in Chicago too. Come to think of it, I have wobbled in many U.S. cities, a couple in Europe too. No hockey talk in this post.
World Be Free
July 16th, 2010
10:49 pm
Red Light-that happens to be my fav Kinks tune.
Sign Max, he’s free, wants to be here and he will be alot cheaper than Poni or Stepniak. Though it would be nice to sign Stepniak so there would be another Polish person in Atlanta besides me.
Tony C.
July 17th, 2010
12:09 am
Refreshing to see that I’m not the only one surprised by the lack of activity with UFAs not named Kovalchuk….somebody get Dudley his agent’s number please.
Tony C.
July 17th, 2010
12:10 am
I’m cool with either Stepniak or Max to add some scoring punch.
Badger Bob
July 17th, 2010
6:55 am
Brendan, I’ll take Thursday, October 14th as Kovy’s signing day.
That allows Kovy to: 1) avoid that pain-in-the-butt training camp thingy; and 2) stay in the limelight as long as possible.
It also allows the unlucky successful GM to: 1) claim he got Kovy at the best possible price by waiting him out; and 2) save $365,000 by not paying him for the first 3 games, yet still have him signed in time for the home opener.
glovesave29
July 17th, 2010
8:08 am
AFF – I have been advocating moving the Glads up to the AHL for years. It is just the smarth thing to do. In addition to your points, think of the personal logistics that nned not be addressed when a player is called up or sent down…no packing, finsding an apartment, situating the family, getting transportation…only thing on the players mind is hockey. And now that the Charlotte checkers have moved from the ECHL to the AHL, there are at least teams in the south to play…Charlotte, Norfold, Houston, Texas, San Antonio…
glovesave29
July 17th, 2010
8:09 am
Brendan – I say they announce that Kovy is signing with LA on Monday.
World Be Free
July 17th, 2010
8:23 am
Having the Glads be in the AHL would be great, especially for northern fans that cheered for their AHL teams when they lived in the snow. There’s a large number of Rochester American fans here in Atlanta. Having the Glads in AHL would make it alot easier for Dudley to ensure they are playing a similar styles with both the AHL and NHL teams.
Looks like Pierre LeBrun agrees with many of us concerning the NHL All Star Game-get rid of it!
Get The Puck Out
July 17th, 2010
9:35 am
I agree glovesave. I think Kovy will announce Monday. It certainly wont be $10 mil per year, but he will get somewhere around 7.5 per. And yes, do away with the all star game. It’s a joke. I’m still seeing that some predicters say the Thrashers are interested in Ruslan Fedotenko. Any thoughts?
Alan R.
July 17th, 2010
9:50 am
glovesave – While I sincerely agree with you wrt moving the Gladiators up to the AHL, there are a couple things preventing it. First, there are now 30 teams in the league. As such, there is no room for additional AHL franchises. Second, from what I understand, the Gladiators aren’t even interested in such a move. From what was posted on the blog via comment last season, the management is content with the ECHL.
I’d personally love to see the AHL establish itself in Atlanta, though, either by way of the Gladiators, or through expansion. South Atlanta is ripe for such expansion!
Not Blind
July 17th, 2010
9:56 am
Ruslan was the guy that really stood out for me back when TB won the Cup. We didn’t have Center Ice back then so I didn’t get to see his regular season play. Since we started getting CI and I get to see lots more regular season games Ruslan’s play doesn’t impress me.
I hope Buf doesn’t turn out the same way.
kracker
July 17th, 2010
12:30 pm
I see a possible Sunday late afternoon or evening time on a Kovy/Kings announcement of a deal and a 10AM Monday press conference in LA.
A while back there was the idea by someone of drawing on the old Birmingham Barons fan base and putting a Thrashers affiliated AHL franchise in Birmingham. Makes sense if the AHL adds a couple of teams.
They would be nearby for easy and fast call-ups. Also, those playing in Atlanta on two-way contracts could be sent down when the Thrashers have a few days off, thus saving the Thrashers a few dollars and keeping the kid(s) playing.
I don’t know if North Atlanta could support an AHL franchise along with the Thrashers but I really doubt anyone looking to start a new AHL franchise would to try it in Gwinnett Arena. So if the Glads aren’t interested in moving up to the AHL, Birmingham looks like the best place for a Thrashers affiliate to be located.
glovesave29
July 17th, 2010
2:05 pm
Alan…I am sure the AHL would be happy to expand to Gwinnett. Chicago would just lose their NHL affiliation. As for South Atlanta…not sure that will work – the CHL was going to move into that market about 5 years ago, and the area just showed no interest in it.
Kracker…Birmingham is certainly more attractive than Chicago, but still lacks some of the advantages that Gwinnett has. Huntsville seems to be the hockey hotbed of Alabama with UAH being NCAA division 1 and the SPHL’s Hunstville Havoc. The last couple of ventures in Birminham failed…the ECHL Bulls and the WHA2 Alabama Slammers.
Russian
July 17th, 2010
2:29 pm
This is Hillarious Video. Kovy is Funny Person on whole World. It is very embarasing to be in his Place rigth now.
Injoy the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lcTKe_EUNg&feature=player_embedded
Red Light
July 17th, 2010
4:06 pm
World Be Free: Authentic Polish food and beer is available at Gimza Polish Restaurant on Medlock Bridge Road in Norcross. The real deal and worth the trip if you’re in to what grandma used to make.
DWTOO
July 17th, 2010
4:16 pm
Great video Russian. Really makes Kovy look like a drama queen. It also beats cleaning the garage which is where I’m now heading.
Tony C.
July 17th, 2010
4:17 pm
yeah Gimza is good food
kracker
July 17th, 2010
4:17 pm
I have eaten at the Gimza, I work near there. I don’t remember the name of what I ate. It was some kind of glob cakes of potato, a leafy vegetable and some meat. It’s been open for several years so it must be doing ok buisness.
kracker
July 17th, 2010
4:19 pm
I echo DWTOO’s comments. I can’t wait for the second video of the next 15 days. The task watching the vid kept me away from is cleaning the tub/shower. Ugh, gotta go do it.
Brendan
July 17th, 2010
5:04 pm
If Kovy signs in L.A., on Monday, or whenever, he and Grossman must have come down on the price. It’s that, or Kovy got the money, and Jack Johnson and his agent said, “We’re not re-signing here in L.A.. You might as well trade me now. We’re playing out a contract, then leaving.” That still leaves Doughty, however. And still more.
I hope Badger Bob’s guess of October 14 is correct. Kovy, by no means, is sweating it out. I doubt he even has a mortgage payment on any of his properties. He’s set for life, so it really doesn’t matter when he signs. The truth is … Kovalchuk’s last paycheck was back in April. And even if he were under contract, his next payment won’t be until October. So, by not signing anywhere, he hasn’t lost a dime of income, in terms of “money owed to him” or “possibly earned by him.”
I don’t know why, exactly, but I somehow don’t want Kovy to wind up on Los Angeles. Okay, I suppose I do know why. It’s because that’s where he wants to be. Just once, dagnabit, I want to see a Tier I UFA NOT GET what he wants, WHERE he wants, in Free Agency. I want a ‘go to’ example of a marquee guy who didn’t get what he wanted when the choice of where to play became exclusively his. Let Kovy go to the Islanders. Let ‘im go to the Devils. Let ‘im let Brian Burke offer him the moon and stars to play for the Leafs! None of those places are where he wants to be. He wants Los Angeles, and he wants a cap hit higher than Ovechkin’s. I’ve said, in the past, that I don’t care what Kovy’s contract is, or where he goes, I just wish him well. I think, after this long “Brett Favre-like” indecision, I do suddenly care. My new official stance is … “Kovy can go anywhere he wants, but Los Angeles.” I want somebody to look Kovy in the eye and say, “nyet, pal. Try somewhere ELSE.”
ex-STH
July 17th, 2010
7:03 pm
The Trash need to re-sign Mad Max for 2 years @ $1.5 each. If he won’t take it, grab Poni (but you may have to pay more!) for the 2 years. ATL needs that final “established” offensive piece. And as I said before, re-sign Max and I will take the “ex” off my name!!!
glovesave29
July 17th, 2010
9:18 pm
Someones updated Ilya’s page on wikipedia and has him as a Ranger…HA!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilya_Kovalchuk
Kracker…work near Gimza too…never been there. We should grab lunch one of these days and talk hockey.
World Be Free
July 17th, 2010
11:29 pm
Red Light-thanks for the tip on Gimza; my grandparents had a Polish bar in South Buffalo near the waterfront. I know Gimza’s cooking will be close to grandmother’s. Appreciate the suggestion.
ex-STH-right on with Max and Poni-let’s see if these guys are really serious about winning.
Brendan
July 17th, 2010
11:48 pm
WBF, I don’t remember if you mentioned it or not, but I see Josh Harding got re-signed. There’s another goalie off the market.
World Be Free
July 18th, 2010
8:10 am
I saw that Brendan, he received a raise too! But it is only for one year so Harding will be back on the market next season. Looks like the 2 young goalies in Edmonton will both be signed this summer. So where does that leave The Bulin Wall?
kracker
July 18th, 2010
10:06 am
That’s great, glovesave29 ! Get my email from Rawhide and let’s do that.
kracker
July 18th, 2010
10:34 am
Bill, Please use my gmail account as my email in your records. It goes to my phone.
Greg
July 18th, 2010
11:22 am
I think ASG should pack up and leave town…..under cover of the night…..
Hockey Biltong
July 18th, 2010
12:28 pm
Lawyers, guns and money….
World Be Free
July 18th, 2010
1:49 pm
Biltong, now we are quoting Warren Zevon?
Brendan
July 18th, 2010
2:00 pm
Do my eyes deceive me, or did Joey Crabb just get picked up by the Toronto Maple Leafs a few days ago?
Brendan
July 18th, 2010
2:32 pm
Okay, as I was confirming that Joey Crabb was a Leaf, I stumbled onto this article on Ilya Kovalchuk, at the Leafs website. http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=534472. And no, Ulmer didn’t insult us. He took a slight poke though, not wanting to discuss the actual NUMBER of Thrasher fans who wanted Kovalchuk back, while jabbing Kovalchuk more than a few times about Atlanta’s $101 million offer. I think he used words to the effect of, “Imagine Snow White at the ball encountering Prince Charming, then declining his offer to dance, in favor of looking for another suitor.” He said Kovy is the type who stops paying attention on the Interstate, slams into the car in front of him, making everyone else wait behind them, for the next 2 hours.” We went through league scenarios that Kovy is potentially impacting. That the Devils will have to move players to make room for him. And that if the Los Angeles Kings don’t sign Kovy, they’ll still be in the market for a quality forward. And that the Flyers may yet be trying to move Simon Gagne and his $5.25 million. And, of course, he talked about Kaberle as a movable piece, there in the “Epicenter of the Hockey World,” that’s waiting on Kovalchuk to do something. He did something else, unexpected, in my view. He implied that Atlanta was Kovalchuk’s best option. You don’t see that much. From anyone. Much less a Toronto-based hockey writer. He told us not to buy into “looking for a contender” tripe, as he Kovy’s options include Los Angeles (which has NEVER won a Stanley Cup, and only been to a Finals once in 42 years). The Toronto-based writer says, “If it’s about lifestyle, the choice is L.A. If it’s about contendership, it’s New Jersey.” He didn’t mention the Islanders offer, however, which … let’s be honest … was Kovalchuk’s best offer. $10 million-a-year, for 10-years, equals $100 million. It bests Atlanta’s offer of $101 million over 12. Ullmer says Kovalchuk is looking to save face, having turned down “Prince Charming,” with Prince Charming being the Atlanta Thrashers offer back at the trade deadline.
Oh yes, here’s the link to the Joey Crabb signing by Toronto. http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=534442
Hockey Biltong
July 18th, 2010
2:42 pm
You betcha, WBF!!!
Badger Bob
July 18th, 2010
3:17 pm
Yep, TO has Crabb for 1 year at 525k to become their 25th highest paid forward. While he may play in Tronna, I suspect it will be with the Marlies.
Brendan
July 18th, 2010
5:49 pm
And I suspect Badger Bob is correct. But, he might see some “call up” action. Especially when Atlanta comes to town. Which is always a hoot, since the Thrashers are NOT, historically, a goon-it-up, thug-it-up type team … except then they travel to the Air Canada Centre. It must be something that triggers that. Maybe they’re treated rudely by Canadian Customs? Maybe they’re incessantly razzed by Leafs fans as they enter the building? Maybe they get a “chilly” reception at the hotel?? But WHATEVER the reason, the Thrashers come into Toronto angry, with something to prove. Hey Brendan, could it be that their media, at TSN.ca, has been running “Why NOT Canada?” expansion/relocation articles all week long at their website? And the Canadian media views the Thrashers as a logistical mistake by the league? Yeah, that could have something to do with it. I guess there’s little regular season satisfaction BETTER than going into Toronto and coming away with a win. As in, “That stupidly misplaced SE Division team beat us????” Toronto’s media has been angry with the Southeast Division ever since the Hurricanes defeated the Leafs in the Conference Finals, in 2002, to earn a berth in the Finals. Can you even begin to imagine how that car ride home went? In case anyone’s not that familiar with that series, Carolina won three of its four (3/4) games in overtime in that series, including the series clincher. Worse yet for the Leafs, two of those three OT wins came in Toronto. The goal scorers for Carolina were Niclas Wallin, Jeff O’Neill, and Martin Gelinas, with Gelinas’ tally being the final dagger in Leafs’ heart. Gelinas would go on to score several more OT winners in the coming years. Gelinas ended Game 7, in overtime, in the 2004 opening round series between Vancouver and Calgary, on the Power Play. Later in 2004, Gelinas ended Game Six of the CF vs. Detroit, to clinch the series for the Flames. Not too many players can say they scored three (3) series clinching overtime winners, but Gelinas can. There was debate whether Gelinas had clinched the Stanley Cup for Calgary in 2004, in Game Six, with a goal-line review. The replays did not conclusively show the puck entirely over the line, past Khabibulin’s skate. Marty St. Louis would end that game, in double overtime, to force Game Seven for Tampa Bay.
World Be Free
July 18th, 2010
8:21 pm
The Tronna/Thrashers rivalry will be pumped up even more this year with Colby Cheese with the Buds. Add to it all the muscle the Thrashers added this year and the games at the A/C should be fun. I have never been to the Air Canada Centre, but I did make it a few times to Maple Leaf Gardens.
The “Why Not Canada” stuff makes me sick; Quebec City and Winnepeg did not have modern facilities to support an NHL team. Hamilton is a scummy steel town; Saskatoon? Halifax? Why not Macon or Ocala?! Put a second team in Tronna, now that makes sense as long as it isn’t the Thrashers!
ben
July 18th, 2010
10:03 pm
I bet the next Commish will have to expand into the 51st state twice. Pay off TML ownership and put a second team in metro TO. This SHOULD get that craven media to STFU. Also, for the LOVE OF GAWD, PUHLEASE PUT A TEAM FROM THE 51st STATE IN THE WINTER CLASSIC EVERY YEAR! This will get them to shut up!
Tim
July 19th, 2010
12:47 am
Yes the Thrashers need to re-sign Max. At times last year he carried us on his back.
R. Stroz
July 19th, 2010
1:27 am
I think the NHL should move into a new market: Mexico, well if Mexican immigration would allow the work visas. They aren’t friendly toward foreign workers.
The team would be named the Mexican Cartels.