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.

 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.