Addressing the Thrashers GPD (Goal Production Deficit)
As we have moved through this summer’s offseason, we’ve periodically paused to take a look at where the Thrashers roster was at that time. In the past we have use the exercise to discuss where the team was in the terms of the salary cap, but today I’d like to focus our attention to what could be the on-ice production of the players who could currently make up the Thrashers’ lineup.
Specifically speaking…goals scored.
For this exercise, I’m going to use last year’s offensive output from the players and compare those stats to last year’s overall Thrashers goal production. The record shows that Atlanta netted 234 goals in last year’s campaign, but in reality they really scored 230 times…4 were gimmick goals awarded by way of shootout wins. So for the sake of today’s discussion, I’m going use 230 goals as the comparison.
Also, I’m including in the proposed lineup the remaining Thrashers RFAs that are still likely to return. In the case of a players like Nic Bergfors and Johnny Oduya, I’m taking into consideration their entire season goal productions…both with New Jersey and Atlanta. Plus, I’m placing Patrice Cormier on the roster to bring the total number of forwards to 13. I’m doing the same on defense with Arturs Kulda.
Forwards:
Nic Antropov – 24g / 43a
Nic Antropov scored 24 goals and 43 assists for the Thrashers last season (AP photo)
Rich Peverley – 22g / 33a
Nic Bergfors – 21g / 23a
Dustin Byfuglien – 17g /17a
Andrew Ladd – 17g / 21a
Evander Kane – 14g / 12a
Bryan Little – 13g / 21a
Jim Slater – 11g / 7a
Todd White – 7g/19a
Ben Eager – 7g / 9a
Chris Thorburn – 4g / 9a
Eric Boulton – 2g / 6a
Patrice Cormier – 0g / 0a (No prior NHL experience)
Defense:
Zach Bogosian – 10g / 13a
Toby Enstrom – 6g / 44a
Ron Hainsey – 5g /21a
Johnny Oduya – 3g / 10a
Brent Sopel – 1g / 7a
Boris Valabik – 0g / 2a
Arturs Kulda – 0g / 2a
Obviously past performance is not necessarily indicative of future performance, but if you add up the goals scored last season by the players listed, you wind up with a grand total of 184 …falling 46 shy of last year’s mark. This is what I refer to as the Thrashers’ Goal Production Deficit, (GPD). This GPD can be pinned on the scoring vacancy left in the wake of Ilya Kovalchuk decade-long presence in the Thrashers lineup. But we are now officially in the post-Kovy era in Thrasherville and must find other ways to plant the puck in the net on a regular basis.
So, just where the Thrashers to find the 46 extra goals to make up the difference?
First off, if Dudley and Co. were able to bring back Maxim Afinogenov that could conceivable reduce the GPD by over half, 24. Again, this assumes a repeat of last year’s showing by the Russian winger. If so, that would leave the theoretical deficit down to a more manageable -22.
Evander Kane accounted for 14 goals and 12 assists in his rookie season last year (AP Photo/Gregory Smith)
Also, as a side note, you would be looking at a team built around the concept of “balanced” scoring. Not one of those players put in more than 24 goals last year.
But even if Max does return…and does turn in another performance as he did in 2009-10…where do you find the other 22 goals? A couple places come to mind here.
First, if you believe as I do that Bryan Little is good for 20 goals a year, then you’re no doubt expecting him to shake off last season’s sophomore slump and increase last year’s 13 goals production by at least 7.
Also, if Evander Kane can find a way to avoid that dreaded sophomore slump, then I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to see him improve on the 14 he netted in his rookie season. Let’s say he too can improve to 20 goals…6 more than last season.
That leaves us 8 goals short of last year’s total. Where do you find ten more goals?
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm…
Hey, do you think maybe …possibly… conceivably… theoretically… we could get someone like, say, Todd White to up his production by 8?
shrugs…
More than likely, 8 more goals would come by way of a 2 here, 1 there scenario from multiple players. But that’s what you need to happen in a post-Kovalchuk era…everyone else picking up the slack to close the GPD.
But What…There’s More Deficits To Discuss
While we’re at it, let’s also recognize the other deficit issue with this current crop of Thrashers…the assist totals. Last year Thrashers skaters earned a total of 411 assists, which was the 8th highest total in the NHL.
But the players listed above accounted for just 319. This produces an assists deficit disorder, (ADD), of 92. 32 of that total went with Pavel Kubina when he departed for Tampa Bay.
Returning to Afinogenov, he netted 37 assists last season…so even if the Thrashers re-signed Max, the ADP is –55. You’re gonna have to look all over the roster to address that deficit.
And Finally… I Tweet, Therefore, I Am
Those of you who know me well understand that I have been reluctant to join the twitterverse. Personally, I don’t think people need to know my every move or every thought.
However, Big Shooter of The Blueland Chronicle recently took on the task of proselytizing me into the twitter collective. Apparently he insists on knowing my every move, every thought and every idea in order to make it through the day. When I’m on my back deck, he needs a tweet from me saying so. When I am preparing dinner, he must read what I’m dishing up. When I make my way to the water closet…he must be number one or number two to know.
I resisted, of course, but when he informed me that he could not guarantee my personal safety…or that certain juicy bits of dirty laundry might make it’s way to the blogosphere…I reconsidered.
I guess that’s what I get for spending a weeking in Nashville with The Blueland Chronicle boys last winter. Ya know, Tennessee police detectives and strange women still show up at my door with pictures of BS asking if I know who this man is.
But you know what they say…what happens in Nashvegas, stays in Nashvegas.
Anywway, upon further reconsideration, I have relented…even though quite reluctantly…and have allowed myself to be assimilated into the twitter fold.
Obviously, this made Big Shooter very happy indeed.
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150 comments Add your comment
Smoothie
July 23rd, 2010
6:42 pm
Yes indeed, where’s my head?
Stroz, sincerest wishes for your wife’s speedy recovery to full health so she can wrestle those vuvuzelas out of your clenched hands! God bless!
Alan R.
July 23rd, 2010
7:08 pm
If beer drinking can enhance performance in a sport, that sport is surely bowling. At least, I think so. Those pins are a long ways down the lane. Those 12 pins look more like 15, if you’ve have a few.
You got started a little early, didn’t you?
(Psst… there’s only 10 pins)
what the puck
July 23rd, 2010
8:28 pm
Hi guys its good to finally be back on the blog. First comment I want to make is that sense your now on twitter Mr.rawhide maybe you can teach rstroz how to do that as well (hes a hold out from most things like that what a shocker huh ?). The second thing I want to say is that I hope that we resign afinogenov because it would really stink if we lost him too after losing hossa and kovy. The third thing I wanted to say was that I hope we do better overall this season and actually make it past the first round of the playoff’s. This is for two reasons, the first is that I want to see them to well because they have struggled the last few seasons. The second reason is I want more fans in the arena at games so that I can sell more pictures at the auction table.
Anyway its great to be back, and lets have a better season this year!!!! ASG make it Happen!!!! LETS GO THRASHERS
what the puck
July 23rd, 2010
8:36 pm
oh and as a after thought, the vuvuzelas that rstroz has are not really much louder than he can already scream with his bullhorn, then again maybe hes not using them right or they are just to cheap (shrugs). oh well just thought id share that lol.
Brendan
July 24th, 2010
1:23 am
Alan R., I was hoping someone would catch that. Sometimes, I don’t know how well some posts resonate. When a drunk says, “ossifer,” when pulled over by police, the other drunks in the car think it’s perfectly correct.
Alan R.
July 24th, 2010
2:00 am
+1 Brendan.
Putting On The Foil
July 24th, 2010
8:46 am
Not holding my breath on Little returning to two years ago form. Hope I’m wrong. Frolov would definitely cut the deficit at least in half. And if Toby would shoot the damn puck more, he could help out the deficit from the defensive side. As Brendan stated also, Zajac would also look nice in a Thrasher’s jersey.
Tony C.
July 24th, 2010
9:27 am
I want Todd White to have a decent-to-good first half…so we can get better return when we trade him.
Seriously, though he may see a significant rise in his production… that isn’t a troop of Smurfs that Dudley’s got going on… Should be more room for White to operate.
I don’t think he’s a bad player, but I also don’t think of him as a top-6 centRe. Yet another player mis-slotted by necessity-like Metropolit (who I’d take over White BTW). This organization’s infamous for getting lower-tier players and asking them to play over their head…. sometimes it works (see: Savard), but usually it’s painful to watch (see:every other journeyman/fizzled prospect we’ve traded for or UFA’d).
Dwayne
July 24th, 2010
10:10 am
Here is what I said about Todd White last year…….
Over on that 65 Bill, mark it down. Kovy will have a huge year with White and Antro. Here is my logic on this, Kovy is on a contract year, he will have the big “C” on his chest for all year, he asked for help, I believe he has it now. Russian talked about pride from Russian players, lets see it from start to finish. Pevs centering Little and Kozzy will be fine. To me, all 4 lines are what they need to be, its all about the “D” and Stendecs favorite goalie….Kari.
I feel like I deserve a beatdown.
rob
July 24th, 2010
10:29 am
Well Dwayne,
In your defense I would hate to see a fellow blogger beat down soooooo. Who could have predicted Kovalsux stoppage after crying he wanted Antro and getting him? They started out the season good enough until 17 decided he couldn’t go the distance. Kozzy saw the backlash coming and stood up for Kovalsux and was promptly put in his place too. Taking that into consideration, maybe you can get a pass this one time. LMAO
ben
July 24th, 2010
12:34 pm
This team will be at .500 at years end.
Bluenote
July 24th, 2010
5:55 pm
Speedy recovery and good kharma to Mrs Stroz in vuvuzela-free zone
Brendan
July 24th, 2010
8:24 pm
Any news on a restructured, non-fraudulent Kovalchuk deal? Or are they fighting this on the grounds that they want to deal to stand, “as is?”
World Be Free
July 25th, 2010
10:32 am
All this talk about Kovalchuk playing until he’s 44-does anyone really believe that Kovalchuk will play for $550,000/season at any point in his career? I didn’t think so.
Paul Mara is being suggested as a depth defenseman for the Thrash. I have never been a Mara fan, he seems to have washed out wherever he has been, Rangers, Yotes and now Habs. Maybe if you can get him cheap, but if I had the option I would bring back Schubert.
Brendan
July 25th, 2010
12:45 pm
WBF, imagine it with me. Ilya’s 42, 43, 44 … and actually telling his wife and kids, “Sorry, family. The $148 million career earnings I’ve made AREN’T enough to sustain us. I’m going to spend the next 7 to 9 months, depending on playoffs, playing for the 2010 equivalent of $269,500. And it might be less than that in 2010 dollars. Ilya Kovalchuk puts that much through his pockets in the laundry. I don’t think Ilya will pull a Favre, and not know when to quit. If he hasn’t won a cup in the first 10 years of this contract, in New Jersey, he’ll have to seek a trade to win it. For he’d be 37 years of age by then. And desperate enough to waive his NTC. Then again, who wants to pick up a 37 year old with seven years left on his contract, potentially hitting your cap? Then again, NJ may not want to trade him. If the Devils are in the tank, they at least need something to draw fans into their venue. Just a thought. But the thing can’t do … is fail to win the Cup. He’s committed too many years to NJ to realistically expect another team to pick up his contract in a trade. Unless it’s in the next few seasons.
rob
July 25th, 2010
2:38 pm
I was shopping with the family in the local Dallas Wally World last night and as we passed by the TVs, we all stopped in amazement. There on the TV was hockey!!! Top 10 plays going across the TV, we all just watched oh-ing and ah-ing. My wife says come on let’s finish so we can leave, and the kids and I in unison say Wait!!!! LMAO Not what I would have believed I would have seen at the local Dallas Wally World that is for sure!
Thrashers27
July 25th, 2010
3:17 pm
I can’t believe Eklund didn’t catch this one, but big news in Thrasherville…Natalie Taylor will not be with us for the ‘10-’11 season. She is now a reporter for the Fox affiliate in Columbus, OH.
Now, can we get somebody in that position who actually understands and appreciates the game? He, or she can be as ugly as LAC, or Stendec, just make sure they understand the game and don’t asked obviously canned questions of the players.
kracker
July 25th, 2010
3:57 pm
I echo the sentiments of all. I wish a speedy recovery for Mrs R Stroz.
kracker
July 25th, 2010
3:58 pm
Bring back Erin Andrews!
World Be Free
July 25th, 2010
4:20 pm
Thrash27-thanks for bringing up Natalie Taylor. Best of luck to Natalie in here new job. I agree that she wasn’t that good, but she’s a nice girl and I still wish her the best.
rob-all is not lost here in the ATL, Dallas included though being out there really surprised me!
Brendan, I don’t think Lou expects Kovy to play for $550,000/year. He’s doing the Zhitnik thing-pay the guys for not playing just so they can have him for a bunch of years in his prime. Then there’s what you have noted-being away from his family for “peanuts”. Does he have a NTC as well? All that $$$ and a NTC! Some folks are using Mark Recchi as a comparison, cause Reccs is playing at 42. There’s no comparison between the 2 players.
Brendan
July 25th, 2010
4:37 pm
Thrashers27, I noticed Natalie Taylor’s twitter page linked to this message board. I was about to go check it out, but your news is all I need to know. I wish her well. Sincerely. She tried her level-best, and, I think, she actually made strides of improvement this past season. I forgot where she’s from, but if it is Ohio, I hope it’s a happy homecoming for her.
WBF, the way I see the Kovy deal is simply as follows. “It’s straight-up Fraud.” There is a clear, willful misrepresentation of intent to play, both on the part of Sweet Lou and Ilya. But I certainly don’t blame them, or Grossman, for TRYING to pull it off. I’m tellin’ ya now, if this contract is upheld, John Tavares will be gone, with the Islanders only compensation being 4 ‘throw-away’ first rounders. What would stop it? I suppose … the Islanders could match the $121.25 million over 25 years, for the meager cap hit of $4.85 million. It’ll pay Tavares until he’s 45. Rubbin’ my chin, Charles Wang might actually match that offer. Actually, what am I saying? He’ll PROPOSE that contract!!!
Brendan
July 25th, 2010
4:38 pm
Rob, I saw the same highlight package in my local Wal-Mart. I was stunned, too!
World Be Free
July 25th, 2010
5:03 pm
I believe Natalie is form Ohio, so she’s going home. Good for her.
Brendan, I just didn’t think Lou would stoop so low, considering his standing in the league and his involvement with the collective bargaining negotiations. His recent actions are not in the best interests of the league.
rob
July 25th, 2010
5:28 pm
Brendan,
glad someone could back me up on that so everyone didnt think I was drunk or something!!!!
Brendan
July 25th, 2010
5:33 pm
I agree with you there, WBF. Any business that overpays for inventory is running itself quickly out of business. It’d be one thing, if the Devils ‘could’ actually see some savings from this deal. But to do that, Ilya would have to play all 17 years, and do so at a high rate of ability. And I cannot see that happening, when Kovy is 42, 43, and 44. Therefore, the Devils are NOT economizing.
It’d be another thing is the Devils and Kovalchuk could agree to $6 million-per-year. That’s getting Kovy for a savings, not only NOW, but 10 years from now. At 37, Kovalchuk will probably still be seen as a ’steal’ for $6 million. Especially, due to inflation. Has any of this happened? No!! Obviously, not. So, your valid is right on the money. This contract, as well as Hossa’s and Luongo’s, is bad for the league. I think Bettman should have interceded right from DiPietro contract, coming out of the lockout. Wang was the 1st owner to try to abuse the CBA in this fashion. But he was thinking that he had himself an $8 million-a-year goalie, who he’d only have to pay $4.5 million to … for the rest of his career. Or, at least, until DiPietro turned 40.
Mikey
July 25th, 2010
5:33 pm
Maybe they could get Rawhide to do the “keys to the game” and intermission reports?
Best wishes to your wife R. Stroz. I am sure she is being well-cared for by you.
I like the Pavelec signing. Pavs hasn’t exactly shown me that much and I’m glad Dudley brought in Mason. But $2.3 million for 2 years is a good deal.
Brendan
July 25th, 2010
5:34 pm
Rob, even if you were drunk, it’s permitted under the CBA for fans.
World Be Free
July 25th, 2010
7:36 pm
Brendan, you watch-Vancouver, New Jersey, The Islanders and few other clubs will want to make changes in future collective bargaining agreements to get relief on these long term contracts. As the contracts getting closer to the end, the clubs will want to string out the commitment for departed players like DiPietro and Kovalchuk even further, reducing their burden at the back end of these contracts. NJ will be paying for Kovalchuk when he’s playing on old-timer games.
If these contracts become more common, it will be hard for owners to cry money foul to Bettman or any future commissioner. The agents will see this too-not good for the league.
Putting On The Foil
July 25th, 2010
9:43 pm
God I miss Erin too.
Brendan
July 25th, 2010
9:50 pm
WBF, I totally agree with your position. There’s good business, and there’s bad business. Deals like Kovalchuk’s, DiPietro’s, Hossa’s, and Luongo’s … are bad business. But at least DePietro’s wasn’t complete and utter fraud. I don’t buy Hossa playing until he’s 42.
Brendan
July 25th, 2010
10:20 pm
Ya know, I wasn’t gonna do this next post. But I cannot not speak my mind on Erin Andrews. Deep breathe, awaiting slings and arrows, but I’m just about had it with Erin Andrews. Okay, look. Fine. She’s hot. I get it. I admired her beauty, too. But I didn’t download the unauthorized invasion of her privacy. And I’m kinda, sorta glad that people who did got viruses on their PC’s.
(Pause) … And it would have been “fine” … if it ended there. But it didn’t. It’s one thing to be deeply hurt, and issue a statement requesting privacy, and to evoke feelings of sympathy. That’s 100% cool with me. But then … INEXPLICABLY … weeks later, she FELT she HAD TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT.
Piqued, I naturally thought, “What’s left to ’set straight?’ She was in a hotel, with a reasonable expectation of privacy, which was clearly invaded, then made public. So, when I heard, “I gotta go on Oprah … to tell the ‘real story,’ I naturally thought I was about to hear a bombshell! Instead, what I heard was … “I was in a hotel, videotaped without my knowledge. And I feel totally violated.”
Ummmmn. O-kayyyy. And that was DIFFERENT from BEFORE, how-n-why? How was the record ’set straight?’ Who was questioning her account of the things that transpired? Well, apparently, some idiot went on to a message board to suggest she was a ‘willing participant’ in all this, and it was designed to heighten awareness of her career, or possibly be a springboard to a photoshoot with Playboy. That’s when … I just about LOST IT. Why would Erin Andrews lend credibility to a dufous on a message board? Who would even take that seriously, anyway? If you or I went onto a message board to suggest Ghandi wasn’t really fasting … that he was … INSTEAD … bulemic. People would laugh at us, and pretty mightily. And after the chuckle, they’d be OFFENDED. As in, “royally offended.”
Okay … so Erin’s on Oprah to ‘clear the air,’ AS IF it needed to be. But it’s STILLLLL not over. Erin is now suing the hotel chain for ALLOWING these conditions to have ever been present in the first place. That’s what I read, anyway. I haven’t seen the suit, obviously. Nor will I. Sigh. Isn’t this a bit much? No, really? I think it’s a terrible shame what that fine young lady endured. But, she could have just let it die. And it would have. It would have faded into the great vast nothingness. But instead, the memory lingers. And I have to ask, “why?” Does ANYBODY think the hotel TRIED to promote ‘nudie cams’ … or encourage peeping Toms? C’mon. The sign out front doesn’t say, “Some real hotties, and celebrities, are here tonight. Grab your cams! Perverts gets 25% off regular rate. Plenty of vacancy.”
I think Erin Andrews is a decent person. I think Erin Andrews is good at what she does. She’s at least ‘adequate.’ I don’t understand why she doesn’t just try to be Erin Andrews, instead of “Erin Andrews, scorned sideline reporter.” Does she really need to the “face” of the Privacy Awareness movement? Why can’t this all just fade away? It was over within days, perhaps weeks, of its happening. Does anyone agree?
Dwayne
July 25th, 2010
10:21 pm
If Recchi can play at 42, Kovy can also. It’s not hard to figure 8, hit no one, not battle for pucks, not play D and cherry pick.
Brendan
July 25th, 2010
10:26 pm
Dwayne, and Kovy would be away from his family, after earning over $145 million in his career, for seven to nine months … to collect $550,000? At that age, if he wanted to keep playing, he could a local beer league.
Dwayne
July 25th, 2010
10:29 pm
Then Erin goes on “Dancing wit da Stars” with some mighty skimpy outfits, which is ok by me, but….after all the crap she took. She is cashing in on the peeping tom thing, that is obvious. Let the sleeping dog lie, it will be quiet, keep kicking the dog an he will holler and Vick will be your best friend. Is that what you want…Erin???
Dwayne
July 25th, 2010
10:34 pm
by then Kovy would have dumped his wife and marrie some 20 something year old hottie and will need the extra income to keep her in the life style he has become accustomed too.
Dwayne
July 25th, 2010
10:35 pm
*she*
World Be Free
July 25th, 2010
10:54 pm
Brenden-especially since Hossa isn’t chasing the Cup anymore.
Brendan
July 25th, 2010
11:23 pm
WBF, the only way Hossa is still playing at 42 … is if he’s lost all his money in some real estate venture. Or, maybe, that he wants “one more Cup” before he retires. Which, I think, is Mark Recchi’s motivation. In 1992, Recchi was traded away from Pittsburgh before he could win a second-straight Cup with Mario, Jagr and the Penguins. He did win another Cup with Carolina, in 2006. But he’d probably love to go out with a third ring.
kracker
July 26th, 2010
8:21 am
Chew on this:
If Kovalchuk and Grossman really think that cap-evading contract is fairly structured, then let them reverse the payment schedule, and have K’chuk (and Grossman) earning $550K the first 5 years!
Anyone think that would ever happen??
Dwayne
July 26th, 2010
11:13 am
74 days till the puck drops for real!!!
Zombie Steve
July 26th, 2010
11:31 am
Anyone else think Buff goal projections are a little on the low side?? Keep in mind that he played a defensive D-man for a chunk of time with the Hawks last year. I can see Buff at 20-22 goals, maybe even keeping pace with Antropov’s goal numbers….
Unrelated…. of Kovie becomes a Ranger, I’m disowning him.
Brendan
July 26th, 2010
11:41 am
kracker, absolutely not. What I’d propose is that Kovalchuk be paid his actual cap hit, $6 million-per-year, for all 17 years. That seems fair. The Devils underpay Kovy through his prime years, but overpay him at the end. And if Kovy retires before his contract expires, he forfeits the $6 million-a-year he would otherwise be earning in 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027. It all still totals $102 million, if Kovy plays out those 17 years. If Kovy got an NMC, then they cannot even stash him in the minors, if he’s a flop past 40. He’d be sitting in the presser, at $6 milllion per annum.
The reason Kovalchuk would not agree to that … resides in Kovy’s desire to be, however temporarily, the “highest paid player” in the NHL. But if Ilya truly wanted to help the Devils field a decent team around him, he’d accept $6 million per year. And screw what other think of him, with comments like, “Oh, he left millions on the table with the Islanders, Thrashers, etc.” UFA’s play where they want to be. I’ll admit it, I thought Kovy wanted L.A. more. NJ is perceived to be a better contender, with recent Cups and CF appearances in their history, with a Hall of Fame GM at the helm. If Kovy wants to stay in NJ, to win Cups, I’m fine with it. It’s up to him to cut the Devils a break, financially, so that the team around him can be better. I’ve always said, “Kovy doesn’t need the first nickel of this contract. He’s already set for life.” This is just ego.
If it were just about money, I think the Islanders put forth the highest cap hit offer, at 10-years/$100 million. He didn’t take it, anymore than he’d take 12-years/$135 million from the Columbus Blue Jackets, if offered. I don’t think it’s exclusively about the money. Even if the Devils offer is upheld, he’s working essentially for peanuts in the final 5 years of the contract. Looking at the Islanders offer, they were willing to pay him $100 million for 10 years. Which means he’s going to work in NJ for $2 million over the next 7 years, compared to the Islanders deal.
Zombie Steve
July 26th, 2010
11:42 am
Bredan- concerning Erin Andrews, I got two words for you: book deal.
These days, if you make enough noise about something and enough people actually care about it, you can write 200-300 pages of nonsense about it, find a publisher, and cash in.
ben
July 26th, 2010
11:50 am
Kovy is going to play for the Devs, TO, MTL, no one else can afford him. If Kovy were to land in a market where people came out in droves to see 1 player, then it makes all the sense in the world to ink the man to a front-loaded, max-cap deal. This is a big-market Canadian team or a northeastern team. There is no way Minny could afford him.
In other news, I would be totally shocked if this team made the playoffs next year. Having said that, I think this team is in much better shape than last year. We at last have a legit front-line goalie. That’ll make a world of difference.
Zombie Steve
July 26th, 2010
11:52 am
Ben…. the team last year nearly made the playoffs. This year’s team is going to be a drastic improvement. Why would you be totally shocked if we made the playoffs?? (let forget about the fact that we’ve only made them once in our 10 year history) =D
Midfield
July 26th, 2010
11:59 am
What I hope will really makes a difference is coaching. I’m totally with Kozlov on this: Anderson and his crew were a “bunch of amatures” (courtesy Walter Sobchuck).
In other news, Poppy’s a little sloppy:
http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/espn-report-shows-food-578595.html
World Be Free
July 26th, 2010
12:10 pm
Zombie-I think Buff will have a slow start, then become a force.
Everybody better remember him slammin’ Pronger in the finals last season.
Rawhide
July 26th, 2010
12:25 pm
I hope everyone had a great wekend…but a new week brings with it a new blog.
Brendan
July 26th, 2010
12:52 pm
Zombie Steve, I’m not buyin’ that book. I don’t even care if Erin included copyrighted ’still frame’ images of her selfish from the unauthorized video. I want to reaffirm that I like Erin Andrews. But she’s taken this from beyond mere ‘victimization.’
I honestly would have that book collects dust on the shelves. I don’t want to use the phrase, “she doth protest too much,” as I’m not entirely sure it’s applicable. But if this event was as troubling as it initially appeared for her, why would be CAUSING more attention to be brought to it? Something doesn’t add up, on that count.
I wish Erin Andrews nothing but the best for her life and career. I just wish she’d let this story die already.
Zombie Steve
July 26th, 2010
1:38 pm
agreed