Bad night for Kovalchuk and vuvuzelas
So, what do Ilya Kovalchuk and a vuvuzela have in common? What’s that you say…they both have made themselves out to be an annoying nuisance this summer?
No, no, no…that’s not the answer I was looking for. What I was getting at was both of them got B-slapped in the NHL community Tuesday night.
League Says No-No To Kovy’s Contract
In the case of Kovy, the league office nixed his newly inked 17-year, $102 million contract with the New Jersey Devils. As TSN reports, the league rejected the deal saying that it circumvented the salary cap rules.
Under the contract, Kovalchuk was to earn $10 million per season over the next eight years, $7.5 million for the following two seasons then one mil per year throughout the course of the final seven years.
I guess The Great Kovy Signing Saga of 2010 continues.
No Vuvuzela For You, Sir!
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…the Atlanta Thrashers banned the use of vuvuselas in Philips Arena. In case you don’t already know, vuvuzelas are those obnoxious sounding long stadium horns that gained notoriety during the recent World Cup tournament that was held in South Africa.
The horns were fashioned after a kudu horn, which was used to call out to surrounding villagers to gather for community events. But they sounded like giant bees swarming overhead while watching an otherwise very entertaining tournament that ended in Spain hoisting the World Cup trophy for the very first time.
They made such an “impression” in the wide, wide world of sports that the Thrashers organization are now telling Thrashers fans, “No vuvuzela for you”!
The banning of vuvuzelas at Thrashers games is...
- A good idea (81%, 152 Votes)
- A bad idea (19%, 35 Votes)
Total Voters: 187
Loading ...Located under the Fan Conduct heading on the Thrashers web site, fans are provided a list of items that will not be allowed inside Philips Arena for Thrashers game. The seventh bullet item down reads, “Prohibited entry items such as containers, food & beverage, airhorns, vuvuzelas, weapons and laser pointers. Cameras, video cameras and audio recorders are prohibited when posted for certain events”.
Some may disagree with me on this subject, but I for one welcome the news. It’s one thing for thousands of fanatic soccer fans…excuse me, football fans…gather in a large outdoor stadium and blast the bloody things for two hours or more. But it’s quite another to have these things buzzing your eardrums inside an enclosed hockey arena.
So, giving vuvuzelas the boot from Thrasherville is a good thing, in my humble opinion. And I think it’s something the NHL league office could support as well.
You know, unlike the Kovalchuk deal with the Devils.
And Finally…
Hey guys, you ever ask a young lady out on a date only to have her respond, “Yeah…when donkeys fly!” Well…here ya go.
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190 comments Add your comment
Thrashy Thrashy
July 20th, 2010
11:17 pm
I think Lou got a double vuvuzela box to the ears tonight. Funny situation in Jersey.
J(Z)
July 20th, 2010
11:20 pm
Bravo on both accounts! The Kovy contract was a farce! I’d love to see him sign elsewhere now! Like, let’s say, Russia?
R. Stroz
July 20th, 2010
11:24 pm
I thought the Luongo and Pronger contracts had pushed the boundries too far, the Hossa contract should have been voided as the terms clearly were “not in the spirit” of the CBA.
As a result of the Hossa contract being allowed, Nasty Lou and scumball Grossman pushed the boundries even further, to the point of absurdity, so action had to be taken.
I’m glad to see Bettman “grew a pair” and put a stop to the insanity.
I guess the Devil was in the details.
jeff97
July 20th, 2010
11:30 pm
You gotta love it. How this plays out now could get very interesting. Does Lou try and reach a deal now at all costs to try and save face? Even if it means to the detriment of his teams future? if they were simply to shave off 4 years on the contract with the same money, you would end up with an 8 million per year cap hit.
For Kovy, that must feel like he was about to take his first bite of a great meal and someone pulled the plate off his table….ouch
Blueland Warrior
July 20th, 2010
11:34 pm
Kovy tried to pull a Hossa… LMAO!
slaughter_rule
July 20th, 2010
11:45 pm
Hossas’s deal is front loaded but not as insulting as the Kovy deal. Hossa never makes under a $1 mil/yr according to capgeek.com where kovy’s deal puts the last 6 years of it under $1 mil/yr
kracker
July 20th, 2010
11:52 pm
Thanks, Rawhide, for the new info. I had the contract details wrong per information that circulated yesterday. This contract structure, while still being pretty bad, isn’t quite as offensive (to me) as what was first thought to be the payout over the contract life. Yesterday’s numbers had Kovalchuk earning the league minimum for the last 5 years and just $200K over league minimum for the year before that. One million a year is still ridiculous but it is a seven figure salary.
It must have been the 17 year length of the contract, along with the final seven years of low salary, where Betteman drew the line. And it’s about time, I say.
Alan R.
July 20th, 2010
11:52 pm
As per Capgeek:
In order to retain status as a certified agent … each agent shall annually certify he has not violated CBA Article 26 (no circumvention).
I think some agent out there just grossman’d in his pants.
Cory
July 20th, 2010
11:53 pm
@slaughter_rule Hossa makes 750k in the final two years of his deal.
Tom
July 20th, 2010
11:56 pm
It will be interesting to see what the NHLPA does for the grievance. Do they fight for Kovy’s deal or do they call BS on it.
I am thinking they will fight for it as it allows other players on the Devils to earn more as the team goes max cap each year.
Alan R.
July 20th, 2010
11:58 pm
I’m almost certain the NHLPA will file a grievance. However, the contract is dead until an arbitrator rules otherwise.
Tom
July 21st, 2010
12:04 am
Our old friends Custances take on the Kovy fiasco http://bit.ly/bGUDXG
Soup Nazi
July 21st, 2010
12:04 am
Grossman, no soup for you
Nasty Lou, no soup for you
Kovy, no money for you
Thrashers27
July 21st, 2010
12:14 am
Wow! I’m laughing out loud to myself right now. Just found out about the Kovy deal being stricken down. That is very amusing!
Does this mean L.A. is back in the mix? This is the most hilarious soap opera ever.
Alan R.
July 21st, 2010
12:16 am
T27 – If the NHLPA files a grievance, and the arbitrator rules in favor of the NHL, then yes.
If the NHLPA chooses not to file a grievance, then LAK are already in the mix. Again. If the reported remarks by Lombardi regarding Atlanta are true, then we’re back in the mix as well.
Brendan
July 21st, 2010
12:56 am
I still am amused, somewhat, at Toronto Maple Leaf site blogger Ulman’s comments prior to the Kovalchuk signing, where he suggested that Kovalchuk heard his best offer from the Atlanta Thrashers and never should have looked passed it. Then he cited “Imagine Cinderella passing on Prince Charming at the ball, to find another suitor.” Hard to believe anyone in the hockey media, much less Toronto, would suggest Atlanta was Kovalchuk’s best longterm option.
On to those kuzus, ‘cuz that’s what I call them, I’m thrilled they’ve been banned. I think R.Stroz is free and clear with his bullhorn, though. Good! We need the bullhorn!!
Thrashers27
July 21st, 2010
12:58 am
Sorry, Alan, but that ship has sailed.
It would be a PR nightmare to bring Kovy back to Atlanta. The true fanbase would take it as a slap in the face.
The only way bringing Kovy back to Atlanta would be seen as a success is if Ilya were to survive through six months of relentless booing and trumpeting vuvuzelas at every home game only to score 170 goals and lead the team to the SCF to win in a sweep over the much maligned New York Rangers who had, for some reason been temporarily moved to the Western Conference for the 2010/11 season. That Rangers team would still be coached by the widely despised John Torterella and the lineup would magically contain Sean Avery, Dan Carcillo, Scott Hartnell, Donald Brashear, Ty Domi, Cindy Crotchby, Milan Lucic and the dreaded Antero Nittymonkey and any other player whom we collectively despise.
In the process of beating the Rangers “17″ to nothing for every game of the final round, Kovy would have to call a bank a shot off the cross bar, off Torterella’s forehead and back into the basket for the game winner in all four games.
Then and only then would bringing Kovy back to Atlanta be a stroke of genious.
Let the soap opera continue.
Alan R.
July 21st, 2010
1:05 am
Sorry, Alan, but that ship has sailed.
It would be a PR nightmare to bring Kovy back to Atlanta. The true fanbase would take it as a slap in the face.
T27 – I know. All I’m doing is saying Atlanta was in it til the very end.
After the way we played without him last year, I’m happier without him. I’m pretty certain I’ve commented to that effect in the past.
Brendan
July 21st, 2010
1:06 am
Here’s a short solution to the Kovalchuk contract situation. Just pay Kovalchuk his $6.0 million every year, for 17 years. Who can argue with that? And if Kovalchuk retires early, he sacrifices $24 million between the age of 41 to 44. $30 million, if he annuls the final 5 years. It would still seem like a ‘great deal’ for the Devils for the first 12 years, or so. Kovalchuk would be 39, twelve years from now. And potentially still worth $6 million, given the nature of inflation in the future.
I’ll tell you why Kovalchuk and his agent won’t agree to that. Pride. It’s exactly the same $102 million, it’s just that a $6.0 million-a-year contract doesn’t “wow” anyone. It’s not more than Crosby or Ovechkin. Or Lecavalier or Iginla. Or Drury, Briere, Gomez, or Vanek. It’s not some $10 million salary or cap hit. It lacks “oomph.” But if Ilya would agree to it, the NHL would probably agree to it, too. Let’s face some concepts here. If Ilya wants to play in NJ, then that’s his choice. And if he’d agree to $6 million-a-year, from now on, his Devils could afford to do a lot of things. And at the end of the day, if he honors his contract by playing all 17 seasons, the money will be the same. Which leads me to this: “Ilya Kovalchuk never needed dime # 1 of this contract.” This is about ego, while landing on a contender.
Hockey Biltong爽
July 21st, 2010
1:18 am
Who cares about Kovy?
He’s gone, no matter what.
I want my vuvuzelas.
Sitting alone last season my lungs were exhausted.
This is the aid I need to fill the empty arena with sound.
I will smuggle them in and tell the usher it is a new food being served at Philips.
Alan R.
July 21st, 2010
1:30 am
If you use a vuvuzela correctly, it doesn’t make that buzzing noise.
Sharon
July 21st, 2010
1:53 am
Two days ago I was really annoyed with the Kovalchuk drama, but now I find it really entertaining. Pass the popcorn!
Thrashers27
July 21st, 2010
2:36 am
Blow it out your “vuvuzela”!
In all honesty, I have a “vuvu” that breaks down to half size and I think it could be easily smuggled into a game, but they are really obnoxious and are ultimately for soccer crowds. I may be in the minority here, I think soccer is the most lame sport ever invented and hockey should maintain it’s own rituals and traditions. Save the vuvu noise for “futbol”.
I’m glad they have been banned from Thrashers games…if only we could ban people from yelling “KNIGHTS!”
World Be Free
July 21st, 2010
5:50 am
The real loser here is Lou – one of the most respected hockey and sports executives until this fiasco. I think the level of respect Lou once commanded has diminished somewhat because of his failed attempt to skate around the salary cap.
If you want a player like Kovalchuk, you gotta pay for him. That simple.
ThrasherFan13
July 21st, 2010
6:04 am
I for one think Kovalchuk got just what he deserves. He’s a liar and a cheat. He lied to Atlanta and got away with it……that is right up to the point that they made the 10/102 offer to him. He has spoken on numerous occasions about what a first-class operation the NJD are…..bitch-slapping Atlanta and it’s fans all the way. He’s going to lie again when this goes to arbitration and makes his claim that the barainng was in good faith and they did not intend to circumvent the spirit of the CBA.
I would have had a whole lot more respect for the man and his game if he had the guts to stand up and say “Thank you for the offer Atlanta, but I not only want to take are of my family, I want to win and I don’t believe that we can do it her, with the Thrashers.
I hope he chokes on his contract and I hope the the NJD mortgages their future for the next 12 years to keep a primadonna winger who hangs out on the blue line and refuses toget his hands dirty.
Atlanta is better off without him.
Oh, and by the way…..true fans will go out of their way on December 18 t buy tickets to the ATL v. NJD game and let Mr. Clusterchuck exactly how we feel about his sorry ass.
I’ll be there…….will you?
Red Light
July 21st, 2010
6:05 am
Not sure Atlanta and Prince Charming is an apt reference, but I can see how with a wave of his wand and a chant of “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo” that fairy godfather Lou will turn the pumpkin into a marvelous coach by re-working the deal for 13 years and a cap hit of $7.923 million per year. All they have to do is take the last four years of the deal and roll that money into the final two years of the contract.
Interesting that the so-called flurry of activity expected after “the signing” has yet to happen and I’m amazed that Shaone Morrisonn and so many others are still on the market.
World Be Free
July 21st, 2010
7:48 am
I go back to my earlier post-
Management/ownership in hockey often cries that they are losing money, they can’t make money in hockey. With the players, they create a system to attempt to control and manage salaries, their largest expense. So what does management do? They devise sleezy contracts to beat their own system, undermining the very mechanism put in place to control costs-they destabilize themselves.
I don’t “blame” Grossman or Kovalchuk, because they are both scumbags that will do anything to get their money. The blame here is squarely on Lou, who sunk to the level of an agent and a lying player. This is what’s wrong with hockey and it shouldn’t take a veto from Bettman for people to see this situation for what it is.
Red Light-yeah Morrisson is Smoothie’s pick, I like him too as a safe pick.
But I think the priority here is to get our RFAs signed long term. No short term deals to get our RFAs to free agency like Armstrong. Sign these guys to 3 year contracts; it is time for some real commitment from management to show they are in this form the long term, regardless of the labor situation. Dudley’s work is far from being done.
Dwayne
July 21st, 2010
8:12 am
So Simon and his contract are gone from Philly, does Philly get in the mix for Kovy?
rob
July 21st, 2010
8:15 am
AHHHHHH HAAAAAAA HAAAAAAA HAAAAAAA HAAAAAAA! too funny! the people driving around me must have wondered when I heard on the radio the deal was denied by Bettman. Now the best scenario is him going to Russia! There I am done w #17. I hope the rest of the league now moves on and gets the rest of the UFA pool signed.
R. Stroz
July 21st, 2010
8:29 am
Grossman isn’t tweeting again.
Don’t you just hate it for him.
Baron
July 21st, 2010
8:30 am
Thrasher27 – Why do you have a problem with KNIGHTS!?
Sara
July 21st, 2010
8:44 am
TF13 – how would *you* compare an organization that excels at drafting and player retention, makes the play-offs every season, and has won 3 Stanley Cups over the last 15 seasons with one that has watched 4 star players walk away, made the play-offs once, and routinely finds itself in lottery draft position? Kovy has only ever had nice things to say about the city of Atlanta, the Thrasher fans, and his former teammates. That’s certainly a far cry from Heatley’s “It’s nice to finally be able to play in a real hockey city with knowledgeable fans.” It’s ridiculous to get ticked off at a player for tacitly insinuating opinions Thrasher fans have been espousing on blogs and message boards for years.
All Grossman and Lou need to do is shave off the last two years on that contract, take it down to $101M/15 and there won’t be any argument the League can make. That puts Kovy at 42 when the contract expires – same as Hossa’s deal – and DiPietro has already set the precedent for a 15 year contract. It bumps the cap hit up a bit to $6.7M but the Devils will just have to get over that and take those lumps.
rob
July 21st, 2010
8:53 am
Baron,
I think the overall issue is the screaming during the national anthem. Disrespectful IMO Wear your Knights and Flames jerseys to show your support of former Atlanta hockey teams, we all know what you’re supporting by doing so.
Dwayne
July 21st, 2010
8:59 am
Yep, the KNIGHTS thing is silly. But, you pay your money, do what you want. I wonder how the players feel, or do they care.
ben
July 21st, 2010
9:03 am
what a strange end to a bezarre saga. As a person who’s researched Russia, I can tell you that it’s no paradise. Alcohol related deaths are the norm there. Education isn’t near what it is hear. And then, there are the kidnappings for profit. I have never met the man or his family, but I hope he keeps all that in mind as he picks where he’ll live and work.
Given all that we know about this situation, especially, that now we can see he didn’t want to sign here I have one question. Why wasn’t he traded a year or two ago. I keep reading that in truth Waddel is no idiot, so then why wasn’t he traded?
The team will survive this. No hockey isn’t big here, but hockey isn’t huge in a lot of places in the US. All the Thrashers need is a deep-pocketed investor and the crowds will get bigger. This town doesn’t support losers not named UGA. Also, as the fan base broadens slowly, I think the anger will lessen. We need to understand that this team is in a better position long-term w/o Kovy. His next four or five years will see a parade of goals and (phantom) assists. But after that, father time will catch up and the Thrashers will be stuck with an unmoveable contract.
kracker
July 21st, 2010
9:04 am
New players in Atlanta probably wonder why the heck are these people yelling during the national anthem? After they find out, then it’s just background noise to them.
glovesave29
July 21st, 2010
9:07 am
Baron – as a person who has lost family and friends in the defense of this nation, it sickens me that people show our anthem such disrespect.
Here’s an interesting quote from Lou about the rejected contract…
“I would agree we shouldn’t have these (types of contracts),” Lamoriello told Tom Gulitti of the Bergen Record. When asked why he would sign a player to such a deal, he said, “You’d have to speak to ownership about that.”
Oooooh, the plot thickens……
Ken
July 21st, 2010
9:10 am
I totally agree with the yelling out during the national anthem. Not only is it totallly disrespectful, especially to veterans, but it is stupid and corny. As for Kovy, what does it say about a player that has scored more goals since 2001 than anyone, yet only 3 teams (LA, NJ and NYI) were interested in him? He doesnt play hockey the right way. He doesnt back check, play defense, has a huge career minus (plus/minus) rating and is not a natural leader in the locker room. That doesnt deserve 8.5mm a year. NJ are idiots if they sign him to a long term deal and Kovy and his agent are getting what greedy people deserve – a far less deal than was offered to him in Atlanta. Atlanta is much better off without him – we dodged a bullet when he turned down Waddell’s 12/100mm deal.
Badger Bob
July 21st, 2010
9:12 am
“They devise sleezy contracts to beat their own system, undermining the very mechanism put in place to control costs-they destabilize themselves” – exactly. Unfortunately, I expect Lou will just rework it to be a 15 year contract. That makes Kovy younger than Hossa at the contract expiration, so to void it then would be a double standard. The main problem is there is no standard. There is sure to be one in the next CBA.
While I’d love to see Grossman slapped for violating the intent of the CBA (actually love to see him imprisoned for it), that would be a hard case when there’s no real boundary established. Yes, they took it further than Pronger/Luongo/Hossa, but how far is too far? Expect the emergence of a very complicated contract evaluation formula, far worst that the offer sheet compensation or buyout provisions. The capgeek calculators wil get even more popular.
kracker
July 21st, 2010
9:13 am
Interesting, glovesave. I was hooting it up last night at “Sleazy” Lou. That term is probably unwarranted. I let the emotion get a little too high. Lou certainly had his part in the deal and how he really felt about the whole situation I will never know. But he did OK a deal to get Kovalchuk for an artificially low cap hit. That part he has to live with. That part is sleazy.
National Hockey League Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly
July 21st, 2010
9:20 am
“The Atlanta Thrashers vuvuzela ban has been rejected by the League as a circumvention of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Although the CBA in no way addresses vuvuzelas, air horns, or “collapsable bullhorns”, this ban clearly does not uphold the spirit of the CBA. The League will have no further comment on this matter pending further developments.”
SiCkOfThIs
July 21st, 2010
9:21 am
Kudos to the league for not letting Hockey turn out like basketball.
Badger Bob
July 21st, 2010
9:26 am
My guess of October 14 for Kovy signing day is alive again!!!
SiCkOfThIs
July 21st, 2010
9:31 am
…and yes, screaming KNIGHTS during the anthem IS stupid. Yes I was here when they played at the Omni and yes I was at the game when they won the Turner Cup but we’re in the big show now. Time to move on.
DB
July 21st, 2010
9:31 am
I’m going to be the contrarian and disagree about voiding the contract. Kovy’s contract is no worse than Pronger’s or Hossa’s yet the league let those pass. I have to imagine that the NHLPA will fight for Kovy. Although I think it does circumvent the cap, both sides are just twiddling their collective thumbs when the agreement needs tweaking.
Zombie Steve
July 21st, 2010
9:32 am
I don’t think yelling “Knights!” at Thrasher games is directly intended to be disrespectful to the anthem, our nation, or the people who’ve defended it.
It’s a celebration of Atlanta and it’s a celebration of what little hockey history we have as a city. Furthermore, it’s one of the few things that is truly unique to the Thrashers and Philips Arena.
I, for one, have no issue with it.
kracker
July 21st, 2010
9:42 am
I’m still seeing tweets and blogs referring to Kovy getting $550 per for the last 5 years of the nixed deal.
da' boomer
July 21st, 2010
9:44 am
The “Knights” thing is stupid…it’s the same morons that yell “get in the hole!” every time Tiger hits a shot. It’s annoying & disrespectful. I enjoyed the Knights, too…but it is a little retarded.
Glad to see The 3 Stooges – Lou, Jay & Ilya – get their collective hands slapped by Gary B.
Alan R.
July 21st, 2010
9:46 am
Badger Bob – the league stance on player agents involved in a circumvention is something I posted above. However, I am sure this all hinges on whether this whole thing stands, or if the Devils and Kovalchuk re-work the deal.
While Sara is right, in regards to what the Devils need to do to make this deal work, I am still wholly against the sort of deals that allows for the circumvention of the salary cap. The league could have avoided this mess by voiding unrealistic contracts as early as 2007 (Kipper, iirc). With precedence, its a very sticky situation for all involved.
glovesave29
July 21st, 2010
9:46 am
DB – I think Koy’s contract is different because…
Hossa cap number – $5.23M…highest salary – $7.9M…$2.67M difference
Pronger cap number – $4.91M…highest salary – $7.6M…$2.69M difference
Kovalchuk cap number – $6M – highest salary – $11M…$5.5M difference
Then add the final years of his contract are ak $550K.
NHL has to draw the line somewhere. I think this contract DEFINATELY violated the spirit of the CBA. I think Daly and Bettman were right to step in here.
Joe Friday
July 21st, 2010
9:47 am
“All Grossman and Lou need to do is shave off the last two years on that contract, take it down to $101M/15 and there won’t be any argument the League can make. That puts Kovy at 42 when the contract expires – same as Hossa’s deal – and DiPietro has already set the precedent for a 15 year contract. It bumps the cap hit up a bit to $6.7M but the Devils will just have to get over that and take those lumps.”
yep, this is precisely what will happen, unless the arbitrator rules in favor of the contract and against the NHL, which is quite possible. I completely agree that the contract was a farce and he obviously was just going to retire at 39 or whatever, but the precedent had already been set with Hossa, Pronger, Luongo, was it Datsyuk’s also that was similar? The NHL can’t have it both ways, they can’t allow some of those and shoot this one down. This is a might big hole they’ve dug for themselves by already allowing some of these ridiculous contracts to pass.
So, do we call the vavuzela ruling, the “Stroz Rule”, now?
Joe Friday
July 21st, 2010
9:49 am
Trixie!
Viking
July 21st, 2010
9:49 am
I wondered why Kovy only got 6 million the first two years and then top pay. Obviously they do not think he is going to be more valuable after a couple of more years.
Apparently the initial salary is to enable the rediculous end of the contract years. There is some NHL clause regarding drop in salary based on the two first years. Even if the contract is within the parameters for what was dictated after the lock out, this is another thing showing that it was constructed in a fashion to circumvent the cap.
It blows me away that they did not foresee this to happen when they instituted the NHL parameters without mathematical holes and instead ultimately rely on an iffy “maybe we will allow it” – policy.
Trixie (Rawhide's Secretary)
July 21st, 2010
9:55 am
Mr. Joe Friday – Your 9:47am has been freed from Blog Purgatory.
Russ
July 21st, 2010
10:03 am
I think a pretty simple solution to this in the next CBA would be to just make the team still take the cap hit for the contract even if the player retires and the money still left on the contract after retirement can go into the pool for revenue sharing for smaller market/less revenue generating teams. If you wanted to take it one step further you could also require all contracts and extensions to have a consistent amount to be paid out per season and not allow any fluctuations. That’s my two cents worth.
Monkey
July 21st, 2010
10:04 am
You guys must really hate Chicago where everyone is screaming throughout the anthem. I didn’t know they did that there until I went to the Winter Classic at Wrigley. I was like WTF?!? I really like it and find it a celebration of our country, not disrespectful at all. But to each his own.
glovesave29
July 21st, 2010
10:06 am
I was here for the Flames and the Knights. I am deep into Atlanta hockey history. I wore the flaming A as a memeber of the Junior Flames all over Canada when I was a kid. I was coached by members of the Flames. I bleed hockey and as an Atlanta resident for over 34 years, I care deeply about this city.
Want to remember the past? Raise a banner for the Flames…retire a number or two (30, 12 and Boom Boom). Put a Knights TC banner up. Have an old timers game with all the Atlanta alumni….I am all for embracing our history, but the screaming over the anthem is just disrespectful.
R. Stroz
July 21st, 2010
10:08 am
My first amendment rights are being trampled by the ASG.
Besides, I re-upped my tickets before the rule was put in place.
Also, I have a “collapsable bullhorn”. I’ll wait for them to try and operationally define a vuvuzela.
SiCkOfThIs
July 21st, 2010
10:08 am
Word!
Russ
July 21st, 2010
10:14 am
Monkey – I’m sure some of the Chicago fans are just drunk and stupid when they do that, but I believe they usually have service men or women out on the ice that they are honoring when they sing the anthem. I believe they still do this, not sure, but I know that is how the tradition of cheering during the anthem started.
Alan R.
July 21st, 2010
10:22 am
was it Datsyuk’s also that was similar?
Zetterberg.
Contracts like these are horrible, but the one Kovalchuk signed went too far. It was genius how it was structured, but it went above and beyond contracts in the past.
The NHL finally had enough, and drew their line in the sand. It’s obvious these sort of deals will be an issue brought up as the next CBA is negotiated.
Grossman is going to want this settled between him, Kovalchuk, and the team. His career as a NHL player agent is in jeopardy if the NHLPA appeals and the NHL wins against the arbitrator.
h
July 21st, 2010
10:24 am
I believe the cheering during the national anthem started during the first Gulf War. I do not remember it happening before that time.
Badger Bob
July 21st, 2010
10:30 am
Before that time, in the old Chicago Stadium, it was just plain drunk and rowdy in there.
glovesave29
July 21st, 2010
10:32 am
Another way to look at the contract…
Of the total $102M value…$98.5M (96.5%) of the moneys will be paid over the first 11 years of the the 17 year contract (64% of the term).
How do you fix it? Simple. Whatever the player is paid in that particular year, then that is the hit against the cap. No more cost averages.
Mikey
July 21st, 2010
10:40 am
Keep those God awful stupid horns out of Philips! Glad they wised up and decided to ban those horrendous things before any found there way into the buidling.
If you need a horn to blow in order to make yourself heard, you’re not fan enough to be at a hockey game anyway! Stick to soccer.
Joe Friday
July 21st, 2010
10:40 am
“I believe the cheering during the national anthem started during the first Gulf War. I do not remember it happening before that time.”
Nope. While it probably gained more fame when the All Star Game was held in Chicago during the first Gulf War (find the YouTube of the anthem for that All Star game, if you don’t have goosebumps all over your body and want to go kick some terrorist’s rear by the time that’s over, you just ain’t an American, son), the practice of cheering during the anthem goes way back. My earliest memory is about 1970 when by dad took me the game and I was scared when everyone started cheering during the first stanza. But we learned quickly “if you ain’t hoarse by the time the anthem is over, you aren’t cheering loud enough”.
In Chicago it’s 100% about respect for our flag and love for our (once) great nation (and will be again soon). Yelling Knights during the anthem here is just plain idiotic.
fes
July 21st, 2010
10:43 am
As has been said before, shouting during the anthem is disrespectful to those that serve for our country. It is especially annoying that the shouting is for a defunct minor league team. If it were something related to the lost Flames, pro-level team, it would be a bit more understandable (but still disrespectful). I have to disagree with Zombie Steve, in that I don’t see how that is “unique” to the Thrashers or Philips. The Knights were in no way affiliated with either.
Back to Kovywatch…I’m still laughing at the smackdown from the league. Here’s to hoping Lou will just walk away now. Go west or to the motherland Ilya!
you're still minor league
July 21st, 2010
10:46 am
That you all still yell “knights” during the national anthem is proof you’re still a minor league hockey town. and you probably should be able to bring in those vuvuzellas because it’s the only way you can make it sound like there is more than 3 thousand people in the place.
Alan R.
July 21st, 2010
10:51 am
you’re still minor league – Get back under your bridge.
barry
July 21st, 2010
10:52 am
You know I’m glad Kovy’s deal got rejected. A 17 year deal is just retarded anyway. Hopefully this will finally be a reality check to Grossman that “hey Kovy is not worth more than any other player in the league because he’s not the best all around player in the league.” Ovechkin and Crosby are better than Kovy and they aren’t getting this kind of deal. When will Grossman and Kovy realize that 10 years at 8mil a year is reasonable?
WM
July 21st, 2010
10:54 am
Just curious if anyone see the bigger picture regarding the Kovy deal. I truly believe that the outcome of the artbitration hearing will have a direct impact of the CBA talks/agreement going into the 2011 season. The league, as we know, loathes these long term deals as they feel it hurts the spirit of the current CBA. The players want more money (in some cases rightfully so) and the GM’s (a majority of them) want to be able to “give them the checkbook” so to speak and sign them. I say bigger picture because I see the one of the talking points of the new CBA will be exactly this. Teams will be forced to ask for a raise in the salary cap (by way of the NHLPA), which the league may be reluctant to do in order to keep prices down for us fans and keep the steady growth of interest in the sport (at a pro level) going. But keep in mind the NHLPA does have possession of the wild card here…they can threaten a strike which could lead to another lock-out. Obviously, that’s the worst case scenario, but still the question remains. Is the NHL prepared to raise the cap and allow these obnoxious contracts to continue, leading to sub-par players to demand these deals solely to collect a paycheck, or are they going to risk another work stoppage and alienation of fans and stand their ground? Just curious as to what the group thinks.
And Mr. Glovesave love the idea of the banners, but doesn’t Calgary “own” the A Flames logo and history? Wouldn’t the case the same for the group that moved the Knights to Ottawa?
World Be Free
July 21st, 2010
10:58 am
I have no issue with yelling Knights-what I have an issue with at both hockey and basketball games, is that very few people actually sing the national anthem. Some people stare at the waving flag on the scoreboard with their arms folded. Others talk it up, catching up on the day’s events. Not signing the national anthem is far worse than yelling “Knights”. So does everyone know the words? Canadian anthem too?
Finally, we need Keith singing the national anthem at all Thrashers games. The rest of the amateurs can take a seat and listen to how it’s done.
Jack
July 21st, 2010
10:59 am
” If the reported remarks by Lombardi regarding Atlanta are true, then we’re back in the mix as well.”
What marks about Atlanta did Lombardi say?
I will follow-up that question saying I do not want Kchoke anywhere around here. Totally hilarious that his contract got nixed.
The Joker
July 21st, 2010
11:15 am
Which is worse, 10 years of listening to noise from Don Waddell or a vuvuzela?
Dwayne
July 21st, 2010
11:20 am
to H.E. DOUBLE HOCKEY Sticks with koastalchuk. I am going to buy a program at the home opener, roll it up in the shape of a vuvu and make all the noise I can with it. Will they take my program away from me? Will they kick me out?
Alan R.
July 21st, 2010
11:24 am
Jack: We apparently made an offer for between four and five years at a cap hit of somewhere around $8m/yr:
“Atlanta had put out a four- or five-year deal with an average of $7.5 or $8 million. There’s no way we can fold in that AAV, but they can, because it’s only Bogosian and Kane there. So there’s not that issue coming up, backdoor, like we have. We’ve got one issue with a Norris Trophy candidate. In New Jersey’s case, they’ve got an issue with Parise, but it’s not the same volume of young players coming. So the things they’re able to do are different from ours, which are different from Atlanta.”
http://lakingsinsider.com/2010/07/19/lombardi-quotes-part-i/
Viking
July 21st, 2010
11:26 am
Since there is a conversation about the anthem and patriotic feelings, I would like to contribute with a little story from the past and an insight how it can be in some other countries besides USA and Norway and maybe some other places in the world…
Back in 1957, the final of the World Hockey Championships was held outdoors in Moscow, Soviet Repuplic. (By the way the record in Hockey attendance until this year (?)) For whatever reason there was no National Anthems being played and instead the players were supposed to sing their respective National Anthem – this year the Gold Medal Finalists were Sweden and Soviet.
This posed a problem for the Swedish players, since few of them knew the words of the Swedish Anthem, but they instead aggreed to perform a very popular Swedish drinking song;
Helan går, sjung Hopp Fadderallan Rallan Lej….
The content is about singing and that you would not be given the next drink unless you can handle your first.
And you guys are worrying about the Knights…
Virginia Flowers
July 21st, 2010
11:32 am
I know ONE guy who brings a horn. He blows it to get the “Let’s go Thrashers” chant going. You’d think they’d encourage anything that would get fans going. Heck if it would get more people to go to a game, they could give the things away.
rob
July 21st, 2010
11:38 am
WM,
one of the best things about the game is the fact that in times past, most of the players were actually very down to earth and approachable. As the players expect more and more in terms of salary, I no doubt think this will also mean distancing themselves from fans. Another lockout will be disasterous for the game IMO. Greed eventually ruins most things, the owners and players need to find a way to agree how they can all get paid without alienating us.
glovesave29
July 21st, 2010
11:41 am
WM – not sure who owns the flaming A. Reason says that it probably is the Calgary Flames. I cannot see how they would argue with it being used down here for a number retirement banner.
I’d love to see the Thrashers wear the old Flames unis when CGY comes to town. Raise the banners that night…have an old timers game. Have some fun with that whole evening.
rob
July 21st, 2010
11:49 am
VF,
I have stated quite a bit they need a better person in charge of getting the crowd motivated. Poor selection of music, they start the Lets Go Thrashers and then devolve into a basspumping cant cheer to it monsterosity. I wonder if they have attended other out of town hockey games to get ideas. Chants, cheers, crowd involvment is one of the things about seeing a live hockey game. But I dont know if I want a building full of vuvuelas……cheer, clap, stomp your feet on the metal steps down low, cow bell, and the like should be enough. A quality team will hopefully bring back enough fans to make it loud enough.
Zombie Steve
July 21st, 2010
11:58 am
Agree with WBF – someone on their cell phone during the anthem is far more disrepectful that those who yell “Knights!”…. at least they show homage to their country by paying attention and getting involved.
fes- Where else do they yell KNIGHTS during the anthem?? It’s not hard to see that this is unique to Philips Arena. Should I draw a picture?
fes
July 21st, 2010
12:00 pm
You were implying that there is some connection between them and there’s not. Of course it’s not yelled in other venues. Because it’s STUPID and DISRESPECTFUL. And yes, talking amongst others or on a cell is just as bad.
Baron
July 21st, 2010
12:06 pm
Disrespectful ? Nobody sings! That is Disrespectful
Alan R.
July 21st, 2010
12:09 pm
Via Twitter:
@DarrenDreger Kovalchuk’s agent, Jay Grossman will be issuing a statement shortly, says his office representative. Stay tuned.
Jay Grossman
July 21st, 2010
12:26 pm
Ban the vuvuzela!
Baron
July 21st, 2010
12:58 pm
So would singing in another language be unacceptable?
Tony C.
July 21st, 2010
12:59 pm
Yeah I’d worry about getting more people to actually sing the anthem before I got my panties in a wad over which words were emphasized…. I notice no-one complains about how Atlantans also emphasize/interject “Braves” at the end of the anthem….
As for the vuvuzelas-I was looking forward to using one whenever we were on the PK…. as much flak as we get for being a “dead quiet” crowd, you’d think the ASG would be all over anything that generates crowd-noise. I do understand the health concerns vis-a-vis the vuvuzela….120dB is really f’n loud, and it will damage your hearing…..I would like to see us do something unique as far as cheering….but that’d mean getting an actual crowd, and that means winning.
We’re still somehow in talks with #17&Co.? Look unless dude is committed to playing all 3 zones, I just don’t think there’s a place for him here.
Monkey
July 21st, 2010
12:59 pm
I like the idea of a Flames night. I too attended Flames games back in the day with my dad. Got autographs from Jiggs and Boom Boom. Dad even got me a Bouchard stick that I promptly destroyed playing street hockey. (DOH!!!) I was a season ticket holder with the Knights. I don’t like the yelling of Knights during the anthem…unless we are on the road
. And also, I love Keith! Bring him back for good.
hockeymom92
July 21st, 2010
1:11 pm
First, I must confess that I am a lurker – there I said it and I hope there is a 12 step program somewhere for those of us with this addiction. I really enjoy reading everyone’s comments, well except for a few. That said, my youngest tax exemption plays for the Atlanta Fire team and they wanted to use the old Flames logo for their jerseys, but were told it belongs to Calgary and cannot be used. I found this odd, since we wanted to use it with an A and they use duh a C, but apparently the rights to the “flame” part of the logo in any form belongs to Calgary. At least this is what we were told.
R. Stroz
July 21st, 2010
1:14 pm
I guess Thrash’s mic’ed up drum should be banned too.
It’s really loud.
I guess the bam-bams should be banned as well, because they are really loud when the person behind you hits them together.
IT’S A SPORTS EVENT FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, YOU’RE SUPPOSSED TO BE LOUD.
or does the asg think we should behave like a bunch of tea sipping pansies at a tennis game.
Alan R.
July 21st, 2010
1:14 pm
Holy WTF. The arbitrator awarded MacArthur a 2.4mil salary award.
We have done the smart thing and walked away from that deal.
Just… wow!
Alan R.
July 21st, 2010
1:15 pm
Stroz: Pardon me, good sir, but would you please pass the biscuits? Boy, it’s a might bit chilly inside this arena.
Brendan
July 21st, 2010
1:18 pm
Welcome to comments section, hockeymom92. Post early. Post often. And yes, the logo is owned by the Calgary franchise. The flaming “A” is actually part of the uniform for the assistant captains on the Calgary Flames.
Don’t be a stranger.
Jack
July 21st, 2010
1:20 pm
Was the arbitrator Macarthurs father. Give me a break. thats like saying kozlov is worth 6 million.
Brendan
July 21st, 2010
1:23 pm
Alan R., thanks for the link. $2.4 million for Clarke MacArthur? Wow. Wonder how they arrived at that figure. As you’ve said, Atlanta has done the wise thing to walk away. Now, I don’t think it’d be a horrible idea to re-engage at $1.5 million, and see if MacArthur even gets offers in that range. I’m not anti-MacArthur Park. I’m just against overpaying him. If we can find better, I’m in favor of that, as well. I see the Thrashers as embarking on a “depth strategy” this season, so … we need to fill the roster with as many 15 to 20-goal scorers as we can. Ideally, at a fair price.
Zombie Steve
July 21st, 2010
1:25 pm
fes- there’s nothing to imply- it simply IS unique to the venue and the team, regardless of your opinion about it.
Alan R.
July 21st, 2010
1:28 pm
The NHLPA has issued their statement regarding the Kovalchuk contract issue:
TORONTO (July 21, 2010) – The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) released the following statement today regarding the rejection of Ilya Kovalchuk’s contract with the New Jersey Devils by the National Hockey League (NHL):
“The NHLPA is currently analyzing the basis upon which the NHL rejected the contract between the New Jersey Devils and Ilya Kovalchuk. We are evaluating the options available to us under the terms established in the CBA. The NHLPA will have no further comment at this time.” – Jonathan Weatherdon, NHLPA Spokesperson
rob
July 21st, 2010
1:30 pm
Was the arbitrator named Grossman????
R. Stroz
July 21st, 2010
1:35 pm
The arbitrator must have awarded that amount based on the contract Waddell gave to Todd White several years ago.
They are both so so soft….
rob
July 21st, 2010
1:36 pm
Stroz,
I was 2nd row aisle behind the goal for the Fla game after the olympic break. You remember the very loud obnoxious one? After we scored I banged on the glass (not overly hard or anything and as several others were doing and as they do whenever play is along the glass in a lot of places). Afterward the usher came up and told me I could NOT do that!!!! Seriously! Oh and pass the tea this way too please. How about a cow bell? Always liked those things. Rochester Americans had a great number of them the few games I got to see them play.
R. Stroz
July 21st, 2010
1:54 pm
If adjustments are being made to the Fan Conduct Code, I think any fan wearing the opposing teams’ jersey should be banned from entry, as they aren’t Thrasher fans.
Since fans who support the other team can be extremely offensive, they should be banned as well until they prove their allegience to the Thrasher organization.
And the insanity continues….
Tony C.
July 21st, 2010
1:59 pm
Stroz: Now THERE is an idea!
Of course that’d take ASG’s biggest nights from le Thrash away-no more deadwings and buffaslug fans to prop up the gate…..my gosh they’d be forced to ICE A WINNING TEAM in to get butts in the bleachers!
D@mn son, I think you just fixed three problems in one!
ChippersLoveChild
July 21st, 2010
1:59 pm
Not to rehash old arguments on here… but to those complaining about Kovy calling the Devils a first class organization and that being a slap in the face to the Thrashers… can someone please explain to me how the Thrashers are a first class organization again? It’s not a shot at the fans, everyone supports the fans that DO come out, but we never sell out games, this city does suck as a market in general. There are fair weather fans that support winners, but if you aren’t winning you aren’t selling in Atlanta, and even then it doesn’t matter always, see the Braves the last few years of their division title run…. We aren’t a good sports town, that isn’t a shot at the real fans, it’s a shot at the people who don’t come out… and we, the Thrashers, are certainly not a first class organization. We have won nothing, every player walks, our owners are stuck in court battles, and they have no money… How, how, are we anything but what all these players say about us?
ChippersLoveChild
July 21st, 2010
2:03 pm
Ken,
“As for Kovy, what does it say about a player that has scored more goals since 2001 than anyone, yet only 3 teams (LA, NJ and NYI) were interested in him?”
It says that they are the only ones who can remotely afford to pay him the money he wants… if he came down off his high salary demands and said he’d play for 6 million a season or so, every team in the NHL not up against the cap would go after him.
Red Light
July 21st, 2010
2:12 pm
“Since fans who support the other team can be extremely offensive, they should be banned as well until they prove their allegiance to the Thrasher organization.”
RStroz: But, then, there would be only 412 of us in attendance Mon-Thurs.
Red Light
July 21st, 2010
2:14 pm
ChippersLC: You are correct sir. Valid point about the $6 million tag!
Rawhide
July 21st, 2010
2:30 pm
MacArthur awarded $2.4 million? really…I mean….REALLY??
I will remind you all of my words from yesterday’s blog….
“Now, that sum might sound like a pretty heft amount to keep a third or fourth-line winger around, but put yourself in Clarke’s skates for a moment. I mean, shouldn’t your 16 goals, 19 assists and -16 rating be worth at least $2 million if Todd White’s 7 goals, 19 assist and -11 showing is still worth $2.4 mil to keep around?”
Good luck finding that money elsewhere C-Mac.
hockeymom92 – On behalf of myself and all of the Rawhide’s Rowdies, please allow me to welcome you to the fray. Please do chime in more often.
As for any 12-step program to help with this “addiction”…well, I for one would like to think that this is an addiction that is worthwhile to have
World Be Free
July 21st, 2010
2:31 pm
MacArthur is gone, good money saved for Max, another UFA or to keep the RFAs we have long term.
Alan R.
July 21st, 2010
2:34 pm
At the end of the day, if Grossman loses his certification due to this contract dispute, he can pick up Waddell’s port-a-potty business.
Badger Bob
July 21st, 2010
2:48 pm
Interesting that the Thrashers “declined” the arbitration award some two weeks before the had to declare one way or another. Are they sending a message? Something like, not only are you not close to being worth $2.4M, you aren’t even worth keeping in limbo while we try to arrange a sign and trade deal. Hopefully, arbitrators recalibrate their mysterious award calculators once they see CMac get less than 3/4 of that award.
ChippersLoveChild
July 21st, 2010
2:52 pm
So Ladd will get about 3 mill?
Badger Bob
July 21st, 2010
2:54 pm
In the category of 20-20 hindsight, I’m again wishing we’d been sellers rather than buyers at the 2010 trade deadline. Keep the CMac and R2 bounties, move Army and Moose and, heck, even Kubina in perfect hind sight. We’d look a lot better right now had Octo and Waddudleyson not taken the ultra-short term view of things.
Badger Bob
July 21st, 2010
2:55 pm
CLC – Ladd was going to be over $3M based upon Army’s contract alone.
ChippersLoveChild
July 21st, 2010
2:56 pm
Somewhere Rich Peverly is kicking himself for signing the deal he did….
Badger Bob
July 21st, 2010
2:58 pm
Stan Bowman: “I saw Sharpy in the office (Monday); he stopped by. I told him he can relax. He’s not going anywhere. He’s a big part of this. He means a lot to us on the ice and off the ice.” per Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun Times. So we can stop the Sharp speculation. If a GM can be believed.
ChippersLoveChild
July 21st, 2010
2:59 pm
Badger Bob,
We should have sold with Army and Kubina, but we weren’t exactly buyers. I’m pleased with the return we got for Kovy, that alone makes the trade deadline a win from last year in my book.
Red Light
July 21st, 2010
3:01 pm
MacArthur simply exercised his right to seek arbitration. Who wouldn’t knowing you were going to get at least $400k more than you last contract. You can’t harbor ill will toward him! It’s the system that is in place and we all know that system is broken. So, if he finds a club to pay him higher than his qualifying offer, didn’t him filing for arbitration work? If he can’t find a deal, then the system failed him.
But, if he was awarded $2.4 million, just imagine what Andrew Ladd’s hit is going to be. I’ll say a minimum of $3.5 million for Ladd and $1.6 for Eager.
Anyone else?
Badger Bob
July 21st, 2010
3:14 pm
Arbitration award considerations (CBA Section 12.9(g)):
The evidence that can be used in arbitration cases:
•The player’s “overall performance” including statistics in all previous seasons.
•Injuries, illnesses and the number of games played.
•The player’s length of service with the team and in the NHL.
•The player’s “overall contribution” to the team’s success or failure.
•The player’s “special qualities of leadership or public appeal.”
•The performance and salary of any player alleged to be “comparable” to the player in the dispute.
Evidence that is not admissible:
•The salary and performance of a “comparable” player who signed a contract as an unrestricted free agent.
•Testimonials, video and media reports.
•The financial state of the team.
•The salary cap and the state of the team’s payroll.
So, strike my earlier statement about Army’s contract affecting Ladd’s. Otherwise, the $2.4M remains a deep mystery to me. Perhaps one of our stat masters like RL or Smoothie want to take a crack at the secret arbitration formula.
Badger Bob
July 21st, 2010
3:18 pm
RL – I certainly don’t blame CMac for going that route. But it certainly doesn’t endear me to the player, especially when he’s skating out on the ice beside a guy like Pevs. Your numbers for Ladd and Eager sound right, and if we’re smart we’ll settle those contracts before arbitration. Otherwise, it’s welcome to the team, now here’s why we think you suck.
World Be Free
July 21st, 2010
3:39 pm
Any news about Arty?
kracker
July 21st, 2010
3:42 pm
Mac is now a FA so he can negotiate again with Atlanta, right?
Matt Miller
July 21st, 2010
3:49 pm
We do not have the anthem played before a movie or a rock concert. Why play it before a regular season game?
Badger Bob
July 21st, 2010
4:13 pm
kracker, I just don’t see how that negotiation goes. We’ve just had to stand before an arbitrator, CMac and his agent and say why he’s not worth nearly what he thinks he’s worth. That’s hard on any player. We then exercise our walk away rights immediately, when we’ve potentially got two more weeks to think about it. No way CMac talks to us any more.
Hockey Biltong
July 21st, 2010
4:14 pm
Lets not get our Nationalism confused with our passion for sport.
The two should be held at arms length from each other for perspective.
Rawhide
July 21st, 2010
4:30 pm
Regarding the playing of the national anthem prior to sporting events…the way I understand it MLB started doing so during WWII. After the war they just kept it up and it bacame tradition. As for hockey, football, basketball and college sports, I don’t know when they picked it up.
But I like the tradition and would never want to see it end.
Just my two cents.
swede
July 21st, 2010
4:48 pm
Why do you like the vuvuzelas so much? It´s awful to listen at. Real fans doesn´t use it, sing instead….
singing in nhl isnt so usual I guess. The only thing that fans scream is” Let´s go bla bla bla”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvzNcYNWRh0. Sing with regularity. The players gets pumped by singing, not by honking vuvuzela sound.
Sry for my bad english.
The Smooth Spark
July 21st, 2010
4:52 pm
Yes, please stop yelling “Knights” during the anthem. It’s childish and stupid as the word is “night”, not plural. It’s disrespectful and immature. But so is getting drunk and yelling obscenities which I’ve been guilty of doing. But hey, at least I don’t take the SSB in vain!
Anyway, as for the arb ruling, good riddance Clarke with a useless ‘e’. Didn’t like that trade when it happened and I’d rather see Pettersson, Klingberg and Cormier get their shots to make the team. There is no way C-Mac will earn anything close to $2.4 M with someone else. Watch him go back to Buffalo for $1.6 M per. Actually, I could see NYI paying him closer to $2 M to help get over the cap floor.
As for Ladd, please, please, please give him the 3rd year if he wants it in lieu of a little less salary. Get him locked up. We need character guys like him locked up and ready to lead by example for our young guys. That would give us Antro and Ladd until 2013 or until after the next lockout. I’m guessing something like $6.4 M over 2 years or hopefully $9 M and change over 3 years. Luckily, Laddy has never scored more than 20 goals and perhaps his arbiter won’t be stoned when he gives his verdict. Then again, I don’t want it to even get to that point.
Also, I would suspect Perron’s 2 year deal worth $4.3 M will be used as a comparable for negotiating Little’s and Bergfors’ RFA deals. I’m thinking an AAV of $2.3-ish for Lits and $2.1-$2.25 for Bergie unless we somehow lock them up long-term.
The Joker
July 21st, 2010
5:14 pm
A present for Don Waddell in consideration for his ten years as the Thrashers GM.
http://auction.nhl.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=127035527&prmenbr=12717464&aunbr=127382237
Diego from Lilburn
July 21st, 2010
5:15 pm
hahaha! “arbitrator named Grossman” and “They are both so soft…” had me laughing out loud!
I wonder if the Lebron James/Dwayne Wade nonsense has made every professional athlete suddenly think he’s worth 2-3 times what he is really capable of?
I think Kovy has… ummm… “peaked too soon”? I think folks are realizing that paying someone 10 mil a year to skate figure 8s at the blueline while your teammates struggle against the boards to retain the puck is probably not the smartest purchase.
Brendan
July 21st, 2010
5:29 pm
Here’s a list of players who played past 40. It needs to be updated to reflect Chris Chelios, with Atlanta, at age 48. Enjoy! http://www.hockey-reference.com/play-index/psl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=single&year_min=1918&year_max=2009&season_start=1&season_end=-1&age_min=40&age_max=99&birth_country=&franch_id=&is_active=&is_hof=&pos=&handed=&c1stat=&c1comp=gt&c1val=&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=age&order_by_asc=&offset=0
Brendan
July 21st, 2010
6:12 pm
Re: Yelling Knights, I’ll be perfectly honest, as I always am. I wasn’t here when the Knights won the Turner Cup. I came for the very next season. I yelled “Knights!” at the Knights games. Proudly. When the Thrashers came to town, I continued the practice until the 2001-02 season. I cannot rightly tell you when I stopped yelling Knights! It might have been the Fall. It could have been the Winter. Shoot, it might have even been the Spring of 2002. But once I had the epiphany that what I was doing was “passe,” I stopped doing it. The Knights were gone in 1997. It was admittedly fun to continue the practice as a means of identifying other fellow Knights fans, from the time they were here. But really, these days, we have fans yelling “Knights!” who were never even here … or attended ANY games, and in some cases, weren’t even born yet in 1997! (If you were born in 1998, and are now 12 years old, and are yelling Knights! during the anthem, this would pertain to you.)
I know it seems a bit hypocritical to call for the stoppage of “Knights!” yelling, when I did it myself. But I at least had the good sense to realize that I needed to stop doing it. At least eight (8) years ago. Several of the players don’t like it (Hainsey, Exelby, Savard quotes come to mind). Don Waddell asked fans to stop doing it. It was once a “tradition” to yell Knights … when the tradition was to attend games at the Omni, for IHL games, in support of minor league hockey. There is nothing about the Atlanta Thrashers that would call for this tradition to continue, other than a cynical view that the team is a minor league club, masquerading as an NHL franchise. As Glovesave29 says, if you want to prove your longstanding hockey ties in this region, wear an Atlanta Flames jersey. Wear a Knights jersey or cap.” But there’s no reason to yell “Knights!” anymore. Especially, if you didn’t live here, attend games here, watch the Knights on TV, or weren’t even born yet. On what basis are you yelling “Knights!,” except that you fall into the category of “monkey see, monkey do.”
I dearly loved the Atlanta Knights. Stan Drulia was my favorite. Tyler Moss was my favorite goalie. And well, even if she played but one game, Mannon Rheaume will always be a favorite of mine, too. I had a nice ticket package with the Knights. Unfortunately, I did miss out on the 1994 Championship season. I would have truly loved to have been there for that. But what’s done is done. The time to move away from traditions that pertain to a defunct IHL club was 1999. Or soon thereafter. It carries no meaning for the players, coaches, GM’s, scouts, or members of the media for the Atlanta Thrashers. It’d be like singing the Washington Redskins fight song at the Super Dome in New Orleans, watching the Saints play the Seattle Seahawks. Just like with Kovalchuk, it’s time to cut the cord. However difficult it might be. I want you to know, however, that I’ve not softened my position on the 1st Amendment. I still think it’s free country, where FREEDOM of EXPRESSION reigns Supreme. I just ask you to examine why would want/need to continue this practice. If your answer truly is, “Because I want the Thrashers to relocate and a minor league team not named Gladiators, but instead named Knights to take its place, here in Atlanta,” then I think you’re doing the right thing for your cause. If not, I think you should ask yourself who you’re yelling “Knights!” for. Is it for you? ‘Cuz if it is, you can get a recording of the national anthem and play it in your house, your car, download it to your ipod, and yell Knights to your very heart’s delight. Pretty much, whenever you want. For as long as you want. If you’re yelling “Knights!”for your fellow Thrasher fans, did you ever stop to ask them if they want you to yell this? Once this very thought occurred to me, I did stop doing it. If you’re doing it for the players, I don’t think they much care for it. If you’re doing it for the visiting announcers, in hopes that they’ll recognize that a minor league team named Knights once played here, I don’t even think that’s happening. Not really. Many visiting team’s broadcasts outright skip the anthems.
fes
July 21st, 2010
6:22 pm
well said brendan. thanks for the hockey reference link too. i’ve been looking for a site like that for stats. it could come in handy for fantasy season. i’m going for the 3peat this year.
Acer
July 21st, 2010
6:49 pm
Hey Rawhide, vuvuzelas have very little to do with the great sport of football/ soccer. The use of them was purely a South African thing. Most stadiums and arena’s operators in Europe will ban them as well. I doubt that you’ll hear that sound on the American continent, either.
Alan R.
July 21st, 2010
8:31 pm
I doubt that you’ll hear that sound on the American continent, either.
You should pay more attention to the Washington Capitals, Vancouver Canucks, and Montreal Canadiens.
The horns are not widely used; however, they have been used in those home arenas in the past (not yet the present, as this season hasn’t started). The one who uses it in Washington is referred to as “The Horn Guy.” And guess what? If used correctly, it does not buzz.
It’s a novel concept that seems to have escaped quite a few people.
Rawhide
July 21st, 2010
8:39 pm
Acer – Point taken. I’ve watch soccer, (football), since I was 10 years old. Back in the ’70s I lived in Tampa Bay and followed the NASL Rowdies down there…saw many of the great stars of the day. I’ve been a big fan of the German and English leagues, so I can attest to your observation.
I’ve never noticed the use of those horns in such large numbers before the World Cup and was hoping it was not going to be something that carried over to league play in the future…so your news that they’ve been widely in Europe come as very welcome news indeed!
Alan R. – Your observations are correct as well…however that’s something other teams have decided to allow. The Thrashers organization and Philips Arena has every right to decide differently…and I fully support and approve of that decision.
My worry is not that one or two might enter the building and would be used by conscientious vuvuselians. My concern is that hundrends of them would infiltrate the arena, bringing with it greater possibility of misuse. I’m sure the Thrashers are taking preemptive action here to avoid a situation where a slightly “hydrated” Thrashers fan takes retalitory action against an obnoxious [insert name of visiting team here] fan by blasting that horn 4″ from behind his ear.
Words are then exchanged…feeling hurts…punches thrown…
You get the picture.
Plus, well…just gotta be honest here. I don’t want one of those damn things going off two-three rows behind me all night long. Simple as that.
Yes…they are a cool items. So bring them to tailgate parties, toot them outside…then put ‘em away before entering.
Alan R.
July 21st, 2010
9:25 pm
My concern is that hundrends of them would infiltrate the arena, bringing with it greater possibility of misuse.
I get what you’re saying, but that’s putting the cart before the horse. We have no idea whether or not such a slippery slope will occur. It hasn’t in the other NHL markets where these horns are in use. There’s no precedence, just a heavy-handed judgment.
It is the right of the organization to make this judgment, don’t get me wrong. However, I’m not so sure I agree with the notion that these horns are a nuisance (why else would they be “banned?”), and I certainly don’t subscribe to the slippery slope presented in your argument.
waffleboy
July 21st, 2010
9:34 pm
Devils are saying that they knew the deal was going to be voided by the league. But if that’s the case, what’s Lou’s play here? Did he want the deal to get voided to help in the negotiations? And if so, the only solution I would see would be shortening the deal, because Kovy has made it clear he’s not taking less money. This would heighten the cap hit on an already cap-strapped team.
As well, I’ve looked at the the CBA and think the NHL is going to lose if this goes to arbitration. Nowhere does it say one has to abide by the spirit of the cap. They’re going to have to show where this contract SPECIFICALLY violates the CBA, not how it’s a slap in the face of the salary cap. Wouldn’t it be great if Lou made the offer because he thought the deal would get voided and he had another play, but instead he has to honor it because the arbitrator upholds it? Couldn’t happen to a nicer a bunch of guys.
Rawhide
July 21st, 2010
10:08 pm
Alan R. – That’s cool…we can agree to disagree on vuvuzelas
World Be Free
July 21st, 2010
10:22 pm
Lou was a key negotiator for the NHL in the last collective bargaining agreement with the union. Ironic that he would now damage the same league that he has “led” from a management standpoint for the last 20 years. It’s not too brilliant to screw the league who has paid your salary and made you famous for the last 20 years.
I am not trying to be too dramatic here folks, I just expected more from Lou, a guy who many people in the league used as a role model. Many of the same people will now loathe him and for good reasons. It’s not solely because of the contract, add to it his belief that the league would toss it out anyhow. It’s kinda like urinating in your own Cherrios and your neighbors while you are at it. In this case, Kovy and Grossman are just Curly and Larry to Lou’s Moe.
Now we have to bring in an arbitrator, on the eve of Donald Fehr’s involvement with the union and the collective bargaining agreement’s negotiations in the near future. Arbitration will only serve to agitate the situation further. I am just looking at the big picture here folks.
Who would have thought that a hockey negotiation could pale Joe Johnson’s max contract.
Curly
July 21st, 2010
10:42 pm
WBF- Thanks for the reference.
Brendan – Great post (6:12 pm). I agree 100%.
R. Stroz
July 21st, 2010
11:14 pm
Time to play devil’s advocate, lets change a few words and look at the results:
My worry is not that one or two opposing teams fans might enter the building and behave in a conscientious manner. My concern is that hundrends of them would infiltrate the arena, bringing with it a greater possibility of inflammatory behavior. I’m sure the Thrashers should take preemptive action here to avoid a situation where a slightly “hydrated” Thrasher fan takes retaliatory action against an obnoxious [insert name of visiting team here] fan by blasting “if you don’t like it here, Delta is ready when you are” 4″ from behind his ear.
Words are then exchanged…feeling hurts…punches thrown…
You get the picture.
Plus, well…just gotta be honest here. I don’t want one of those damn opposing teams fans going off two-three rows behind me all night long.
Simple as that.
BTW, just because the fun loving people of Africa showed up in mass with vuvuzelas doesn’t mean the fun loving people of Atlanta would do the same.
Rawhide – We will agree to disagree on the vuvuzela issue. But wouldn’t it be nice to go to a Thrashers vs. Sabres games without hearing Let’s Go Buffalo, or a Thrashers vs. Canadians games without O’LE O’LE-O’LE-O’LE?
My opinion is the Thrashers put the cart before the horse with a pre-emptive strike against a non-existant threat. If a few games into the season, the vuvuzelas became a problem, the issue could be addressed at that time.
Oh well, the arena will continue to resemble a morgue until a more “fan fun” environment is permitted as it was back in the days the Flames were in Atlanta…flags waving, banging on the glass(thinking of you rob)…etc
Hokey P. Clisters
July 21st, 2010
11:30 pm
My friend, Elrod is very pleased with most of the new Thrashers on team. He is really excited about the upcoming season. However he is upset about one of the new guys. I asked him who that was. He said its that vuvuzela guy. I tried to explain to Elrod that vuvuzela does not play for the team. Elrod got mad at me …..then told me I was acting like a know-it-all and I should quit tooting my own horn.
Brendan
July 21st, 2010
11:37 pm
Thanks Curly. Thanks fes. It’s just what I feel in my heart. I’m glad some others agree.
Brendan
July 21st, 2010
11:46 pm
Have we traded Todd White, in a package deal, for Travis Zajac yet? Well, what are we waiting for. Lou will need to clear more space if Kovy’s cap hit will be more like $7.5 to $8.0 million.
Acer
July 22nd, 2010
5:17 am
Alan R: The decibel level of a running jet engine is comparable to a correctly used vuvuzela. Other horns are not that loud.
Rawhide: I also love football because of the atmosphere. Chanting and singing is always fun and sometimes it doesn’t matter what the score is, especially on the road.
World Be Free
July 22nd, 2010
6:04 am
Stroz – you really have given this some thought? Bring trumpets instead, replace cowbells with trumpets in sec 222 and turn your section into a brass emsemble. Start the season on a winning streak and the Buffalo fans will stay home cause they will stink next season anyhow.
Curly-referring to you predecessor but thanks for the heads up.
Badger Bob
July 22nd, 2010
7:02 am
“I’ve looked at the the CBA and think the NHL is going to lose if this goes to arbitration. Nowhere does it say one has to abide by the spirit of the cap.”
waffleboy – look at the CBA again. Section 26.3(a) addresses salary cap circumvention and says teams and players may not enter a contract that “is intended to or has the effect of defeating or Circumventing the provisions of this Agreement”. The only purpose of the last years of Kovy’s contract is to lower the cap hit, or circumvent the cap. I’m betting on NHL for the win here, though it won’t get that far. The deal will be reworked to be no less ridiculous than Luongo/Hossa. Time for a new CBA, please.
Badger Bob
July 22nd, 2010
7:03 am
Trixie – comment release alert!
Trixie (Rawhide's Secretary)
July 22nd, 2010
7:11 am
Mr. Badger Bob – Your 7:02 am post has been freed from Blog Purgatory. If you will now excuse me, I now must go get Mr. Rawhide his coffee.
R. Stroz
July 22nd, 2010
7:41 am
WBF – I just think the Thrashers organization jumped the gun with the new vuvuzela rule or as Joe Bob Friday calls it, the “Stroz Rule.”
A couple of years ago, fans said they were going to come out in mass to protest the way the team was being run. On that date, only a few fans had the guts to follow through.
When Kovy was traded, fans said they were going to light Waddell up at the Towne Hall Meeting, and once again, only a few individuals confronted Waddell concerning his tenure as GM.
In other words, I’ve yet to see Thrasher fans really follow through with anything that is rather attention drawing.
I would have preferred for the ASG to wait and see if the “mass vuvuzela invasion” really happened before creating a rule to prevent a few fans from bringing them into the arena.
Oh well, I guess we continue to be a “proper” arena.
Will someone please pass the tea and crumpets?
kracker
July 22nd, 2010
7:53 am
Badger Bob, thanks for your answer. I was only seeking a clarification that C Mac’s FA status included Atlanta….that the arbitor’s $2.4M award applied only during the arbatration process and now the parties could talk again if they wished about a contract for other than the awarded amount.
Like you, I don’t expect, or particularly want, that to happen but who can say how things will look in a few days or weeks?
rob
July 22nd, 2010
8:23 am
only thing I can see the place banning vuvu’s for is this. you are sitting there, cheering as loud as you can and enjoying the game when the guy behind you suddenly blows this thing in your ear, and just like that your hearing is damaged. what happens next? well the team, building etc get sued because they have the deep pockets. so the team is protecting itself from this by being proactive. is it right? well if it means by doing this they wont have to raise ticket prices even more to cover the cost of a lawsuit…..they can raise them to pay for C-Mac’s 2.4!!!! hahaha
World Be Free
July 22nd, 2010
8:28 am
Stroz, we need to define what “en masse” means to the Thrashers’ fan base because this is still as small fan base by any other comparison. The fan base has shrunk to the point that even if we all showed up to protest an issue, our numbers would be barely enough to fill an IHOP.
You have been the one constant that I have seen when it comes to speaking your mind as we do on this blog. Please keep it up even after the management transition to Rick Dudley. Knowing Dudley, I think he will welcome your approach.
This team must rebuild the fan base to where they were in the first 4 years of the franchise’s existence. We also need direct access to Dudley, through a column or radio show. These guys have to know that the fans our here, they just have to reach out to them. Dudley has been a plus, but overall there’s still alotta work to do here.
Smoothie
July 22nd, 2010
8:50 am
WBF – right on. And if Kincade is our only hope on the radio in terms of drumming up support or a “buzz”, then we are in it alone. I’d prefer our games get carried by an oldies stn on FM. The Thrashers will get treated even less fairly now that Dickey Broadcasting has the Hawks’ rights. Have we signed our RFA’s yet? Sheeesh!
World Be Free
July 22nd, 2010
9:02 am
Smoothie-this team will get more press if it starts winning AND the stands are filled. Right now we are a novelty to many people in metro Atlanta, even with many of the northern fans that only show up when their team is in town. Could you imagine if 1/2 the Sabres’ fans converted over to being Thrasher fans like us? How many more people would be calling into local radio stations to talk hockey or show up at games to cheer the Thrashers? The numbers in the seats would be enough that hockey could no longer be igniored by the media. We are barely a demographic.
The work is far from being done folks; the recent trades are just a start.
J.B.
July 22nd, 2010
9:13 am
Birdwatchers Anonymous is reporting Ondrej Pavelec has signed.
Smoothie
July 22nd, 2010
9:20 am
JB – well that’s good if they have a valid source as opposed to the bogus rumor they posted last night in which we traded Ladd for Backlund to CGY.
WBF – I agree with you for the most part but the radio stns in this mkt do a horrible job of helping the fan develop its voice in an untapped market.
Rawhide
July 22nd, 2010
9:24 am
Opie re-signs for 2 years at $2.3 mil per.
Zombie Steve
July 22nd, 2010
9:27 am
Brendan – Thanks for sharing your input on the whole “Knights!!” debate. It’s given me a new perspective to consider.
Red Light
July 22nd, 2010
9:32 am
If the Thrashers wanted to avoid in-arena annoyances, they should start by changing the ridiculous stoppage-of-play promotions that we’ve seen for the past 10 years. I guess, people still like the tired old Kiss Cam segments, but Fan Feud, canned, “humorous” player interviews and the like should be given the same “flight” pattern as the Dough-Dough bird (no, that’s not a Kovy reference).
Personally, I’d like to see greatest moments in Thrashers history on the video screen during stoppages of play. By my calculations, those would last for a few games in October and then we’d actually be able to converse with our friends for the other 37-38 games rather than being incessantly “entertained.”
World Be Free
July 22nd, 2010
9:35 am
Smoothie-listen to ATL sports radio stations
On an average, 1 hour consists of-
40 minutes Georgia and SEC football
10 minutes Braves talk
5 minutes Georia TEch
5 minutes Hawks
We can discuss the numbers, but I think I am pretty close.
Red Light
July 22nd, 2010
9:37 am
Lost in Space Trixie!
Tom
July 22nd, 2010
9:38 am
World B Free – When I first moved to ATL from NY I was a Mets fan. Fortunately I arrived in 1991 just as the Braves took off. I still remember going to the games “just” for the novelty of moving down to dugout level for the price of cheap seats.
Once they started winning I was hooked and have cheered for the Braves ever since.
I truly believe it will take winning to expand the fan base outside of the diehards. I just wish ownership understood that.
Alan R.
July 22nd, 2010
9:58 am
Great news, Bill!
hockeymom92
July 22nd, 2010
9:58 am
WBF – I believe you are spot on with the sports radio analysis. I promise you it is not easy being a Tech fan in this state (much less this city) and expect any kind of equal air time with UGA. I have totally given up expecting anyone in radio to talk intelligently about hockey. It has been this way forever and since I have lived here my entire life, I don’t see it changing. Though one could always dream.
World Be Free
July 22nd, 2010
10:16 am
Tom- I think bringing in Dudley is a step in the right direction. But there’s a long way to go. As for winning, look what winning has done to Braves’ attendence this season.
H-mom-It is really no different in most big cities-the coverage is slanted to the sports and teams that draw the most fans and most revenue dollars. Georgia Football games always sell out and always will, that’s where the money is. We have to get people in the stands and calling before we will be heard.
The Smooth Spark
July 22nd, 2010
10:41 am
Good to see Pavelec was a bit humbled by his erratic performance last season. He obviously has a great deal of talent, but having a guy like Mason coming in will certainly help him elevate his work ethic and hopefully performance. Not to say there was anything wrong with his work ethic, but the presence of a guy like Mason will push him to be better as Mace seems like the ultimate team guy. Getting Pavs for 2 years at a TOTAL of $2.3 M is a great deal for both parties, but especially great for Le Thrash.
DWTOO
July 22nd, 2010
10:45 am
R/L – Don’t forget the Home Depot challenge!
As for local radio – haven’t listened in four years since I signed up for XM. Real hockey radio. One of the best moves I ever made. After the inital costs of the radio, instal, etc. it’s about $10/month. Was forced to listed to the fan a few months ago and there was a caller who wanted to talk hockey and the two afternoon pukes blew him off for the NFL combine. So I blew them off. AND THIS IS THE FLAGSHIP STATION!
And I want a vuvuzela choir in the rafters behind the 300 Level.
DWTOO
July 22nd, 2010
10:47 am
HM 92 – It was the radio that helped us become Tech fans when we moved here. It’s always Dawgs this Dawgs that – got so tired of hearing it we automatically started cheering for the Jackets. We like the underdog. Any jackass can cheer for a front runner.
Red Light
July 22nd, 2010
10:47 am
Suggestion: The next time the Thrashers make a newsworthy signing or trade, get a group of 10-20 together and call 680 at 3:00 pm when Buck and Kincade are on. You know Matt and Chuck won’t talk it, but Kincade will when prompted. That’s the lone way anything will get done on a regular basis when the producers and management understand that people will talk hockey if their station will give it the ample amount of time.
Dwayne
July 22nd, 2010
11:18 am
OK, no vuvu’s, how about the cardboard tube that is left over after using a roll of extra soft todd “charmin” white toilet tissue?
The Smooth Spark
July 22nd, 2010
11:18 am
R/L – Kincade will reluctantly talk hockey because he is a fan of the sport, but even the other day, after the interview of Chris Mason, Kincade shifted gears so quickly you would have thought their ratings had imploded in the 10 mins they actually afforded to Mason and Thrashers hockey. No follow-up discussion, no calls taken until later in the show after pissed-off hockey fans probably switched over to Sean Hannity or even Mike Bell and Pollack!
Dwayne
July 22nd, 2010
11:18 am
honk honk
Archie
July 22nd, 2010
11:30 am
They can take my vuvuzela away from me… but they can never take my Blackberry Vuvuzela App away from me!
Charlton Heston
July 22nd, 2010
11:53 am
You can pry my vuvuzela from my cold dead hands!
World Be Free
July 22nd, 2010
12:00 pm
Red Light-do you have Buck and Kinncade’s call in number?
The Smooth Spark
July 22nd, 2010
12:04 pm
404 – 231 – 1680 I believe is the number to call if you want to have Kincade treat you like a child and admonish you for making a valid point about our hockey team.
Alan R.
July 22nd, 2010
12:40 pm
I’m about ready to give 680 both middle fingers and get Sirius/XM, myself. They’ve even released an Android application, so I can listen to XM on my phone, from anywhere I get signal. I can even listen on my computer. On the other hand, I can’t even get 680 in Jonesboro.
And the worst part about it is, those folks don’t care. I don’t want someone reluctant to talk about hockey, I want someone who is enthusiastic about hockey. I don’t care if they talk about football, basketball, or what have you. Just devote some time to the great sport of hockey. And by “some time,” I don’t mean a couple minutes a day.
I remember when the NHL went with 790 for the all-star game back in 2008. 680 felt quite snubbed by that. I can see now why the NHL did it. If the people at 680 really give a damn about the sport, they sure do have a funny way of showing it.
Why did the Thrashers re-up with 680, again?
Dwayne
July 22nd, 2010
12:58 pm
XM RADIO IS THE WAY TO GO, SUBSCRIBER SINCE 2007
Jack
July 22nd, 2010
1:07 pm
Kincaid needs to be abonished. Too bad he can’t go back to Philly. He is a joke, how people still call in and get ridiculed on air is unbelievable
Adam
July 22nd, 2010
1:11 pm
This lineup is just by natural position and dollars…
I used a worst case for Ladd & high end for the rest of the RFA’s (Little may get a bit more)
FORWARDS
Andrew Ladd ($3.500m) / Todd White ($2.375m) / Nikolai Antropov ($4.062m)
Evander Kane ($3.100m) / Rich Peverley ($1.325m) / Dustin Byfuglien ($3.000m)
Ben Eager ($1.200m) / Patrice Cormier ($0.845m) / Nicklas Bergfors ($2.000m)
Eric Boulton ($0.650m) / Jim Slater ($1.000m) / Bryan Little ($1.800m)
/ / Chris Thorburn ($0.660m)
DEFENSEMEN
Ron Hainsey ($4.500m) / Tobias Enstrom ($3.750m)
Johnny Oduya ($3.500m) / Zach Bogosian ($3.375m)
Brent Sopel ($2.333m) / Paul Postma ($0.875m)
/ Boris Valabik ($0.762m)
GOALTENDERS
Chris Mason ($1.850m) /Ondrej Pavelec ($1.150m)
(these totals are compiled using the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $59,400,000; CAP PAYROLL: $47,614,166; BONUSES: $4,700,000
CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $16,240,834
So does this roster give you the warm & fuzzies?
Other than the obvious, Charmin, who goes to make room for an UFA or trade?
Jack
July 22nd, 2010
1:13 pm
Need a defensemen and high power forward
Brendan
July 22nd, 2010
1:22 pm
Zombie Steve, you’re welcome. That’s all I ever asked. I try to provide some perspective.
Brendan
July 22nd, 2010
1:26 pm
Yay! Pavelec is back. 2-year dealie, right? He’s still restricted at the end of it?
World Be Free
July 22nd, 2010
1:31 pm
Thanks for the numbers Adam-good show
Smoothie-we need to all acll in a agroup and make these guys feel like the idiots that they are, as suggested earlier
World Be Free
July 22nd, 2010
1:31 pm
Use spell check next time
ChippersLoveChild
July 22nd, 2010
1:34 pm
I try to call and discuss hockey, specifically the Thrashers, on 680 from time to time… 90% of the time I get “We aren’t discussing hockey right now. Might want to try back a little later.” Very nice from the station that broadcasts their games. It’s sad… but really, what insight can Belue offer you anyway? He is a joke.
The Smooth Spark
July 22nd, 2010
1:44 pm
How many UGA fans read this blog? Can I ask y’all a question?
Do you really tune into 680 the Fan because Buck Belue is one of the featured talking heads? Does he really mean that much to you? Do you feel he provides real insight and cutting edge opinions? Does he inform you of things you might otherwise not know as an avid fan / graduate of the University of Georgia?
Just wonderin’.
Rawhide
July 22nd, 2010
1:46 pm
OK…I think we’ve successfully kicked Kovy’s Contract Confusion around enough…as well as blown the great vuvusela situation out of proportion significantly. Let’s return to discussing the Thrashers and the upcoming season.