Buff with Cup in Thrasher blue – Bad karma or good omen?
First off, I’m going to say up front that today’s topic probably is much ado about nothing…mountains vs. molehills and all that. But seeing that we are still in the middle of August – we are still awaiting the latest chapter in “As The Kovalchuk Turns” – it seems as though this summer’s version of the “Will Tomas Kaberle Be Traded?” game will end up like last year’s – and, let’s face it, we have just done possible Thrashers lineups to-freakin’-death…I figured what the heck.
Dustin Byfuglien sports his new Thrashers jersey while spending his day with the Stanley Cup (TwitPix/Ben Hankinson)
Anywhoooo…have you seen these photos of Dustin Byfuglien spending his day with the Stanley Cup in his hometown of Roseau, Minnee-SOH-Tah. His agent Ben Hankinson posted them recently via TwitPic.
Nice shots. But at first glance at these photographs, something just didn’t seem ’right’ to me.
An NHL player…with the Stanley Cup…wearing a Thrashers jersey.
If nothing else, it certainly makes for an interesting visual.
Like so many others, I followed Byfuglien closely last spring when he and the Chicago Blackhawks made their successful push through the playoffs. And when my crackberry lit up in June informing me that he and a couple other Hawks had been traded for by Atlanta, I was thrilled.
But since that time, whenever I pictured Byfuglien in my mind…the mental image painted still had him in that classic red jersey of the Chicago Blackhawks. So having the first image of Buff in Thrashers blue being one of him holding Lord Stanley’s Cup triumphantly over his head was indeed eye-catching.
Also, I have to admit it’s nice to see that D-Buff is more than willing to sport his new colors during his special day with the Cup. I suppose one could take away from this the fact that he’s taking kindly to the thought of playing in Atlanta. Of course, knowing that so many of his Stanley Cup-winning teammates will be on hand to help him through any transition period has to be comforting.
Byfuglien's wearing of Thrasher blue while with the Stanley Cup is...
- Good omen: Makes for a good picture of future possibilities (47%, 136 Votes)
- Bad karma: It just isn't 'right' (22%, 65 Votes)
- What was that you said about mountains and molehills? (31%, 88 Votes)
Total Voters: 289
Loading ...Because of this maybe, just maybe, to some the sight of Buff with the Cup in Thrasher blue is good thing…a good omen, as it were. I mean, a player hoisting the Cup in an Atlanta jersey isn’t exactly something we in Thrasherville are accustomed to, if ya get my drift?
Uh-huh, maybe. But at the risk of sounding too much like a curmudgeon, let me tell you why these pictures have me reaching for some salt to toss over my left shoulder.
To me, there is something not quite ‘kosher’ about seeing your team’s jersey on a player lifting the Cup when he won it with another team. This is especially true when your team has never actually won the Cup. More correctly stated… never even been within sniffing distance of the Cup.
Now, I’m not really “superstitious” mind you. Oh sure, I may never wash my jersey when the Thrashers are playing well. And even when I do it’s the only item in the washer, it’s hung up to dry with the crest facing north toward the hockey Mecca of the NHL Hall of Fame in Toronto. Also, I only eat at the Chick-Fil-A at CNN Center before home games. Oh yeah, and I must…MUST…MUST salute he The Blueland Chronicle boys when passing by their perch in section 317 on way to my ‘far closer to the ice than theirs’ seat. Plus, I may be prone to switching places on the couch if the Thrashers are not playing well during a road game. Oh, and if I wear a new item of clothing to a game and the Thrashers lose not only do I never wear it there again, it actually gets sent to Goodwill or The Salvation Army. That is, of course, if I don’t actually sacrifice it as a burn offering upon the alter to the hockey gods constructed in my back yard.
But I am NOT superstitious.
What I am, however, is a person who believes that there is something to this whole “karma” business. As such, I don’t like messing with it. And seeing this photo of Buff in a Thrashers jersey with the Stanley Cup… well, let’s just say I felt a disturbance in the force. The karma force.
…shudders…
Plus, I’m just not so sure this will sit well with the hockey gods. And since I can’t burn Byfuglien’s new #33 sweater on an altar to counter this possible breach of hockey etiquette, I would suggest that he and/or his agent send a few cases of Moosehead beer to them for appeasement purposes.
You know, just to be on the safe side.
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282 comments Add your comment
Willie Dixon
August 16th, 2010
4:03 pm
Ain’t superstitious
Black cat crossed my trail
I ain’t superstitious
But a black cat crossed my trail
Bad luck ain’t got me so far
And I won’t let it stop me now
I can only be good kharma if Big Buff wants to sport a Thrashers jersey
Don’t think so hard
glovesave29
August 16th, 2010
4:09 pm
As a goalie – I AM SUPERSTITIOUS…and I love this photo!!! He won the right to touch the grail, and that he did it in Atlanta blue is FANTASTIC!
No one FORCED him to wear it. He’s proud to wear the colors – which is something I could get used to around here.
Thrashers27
August 16th, 2010
4:13 pm
He can do whatever he wants when he wins the cup as a Thrasher…If only he’ll wear his ballcap straight, instead of cocked to the side like one of the millions of punk-a$$, little, douchebag kids in the world. It’s hockey Dustin, not basketball.
Darth Vader
August 16th, 2010
4:14 pm
I, too, felt a disturbance in the force.
Russ
August 16th, 2010
4:46 pm
The following is taken directly from C-Viv’s current article on DW:
Waddell is still involved in the team’s day-to-day operations and roster moves. He said he works with Dudley and assistant general manager Larry Simmons, with all three bringing their individual strengths to the process.
“Rick … is the best at player development. That’s why I hired him two years ago,” Waddell said. “My strengths compliment Rick’s strengths. Rick and I are side-by-side as we are making decisions. Rick doesn’t have to worry about the business side, the contracts, the budgets … because he knows I’ll handle it. When a decision has to be made, he and I sit down and make decisions that we feel are best for the long term of this franchise.”
I feel like throwing up every time I hear something like that.
glovesave29
August 16th, 2010
4:54 pm
Alan Muir has us ranked #16 in the pre season power poll.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/allan_muir/08/13/offseason.rankings/index.html
Zombie Steve
August 16th, 2010
4:55 pm
It is what it is….at least his nose in now in the books and out of talent aquisition.
Buzzeng
August 16th, 2010
5:00 pm
Happy to see it…heck, I’m happy to see any player that’s proud to be a Thrasher! I think it speaks to his character, too, embracing the changes that are inherent with playing in the league – your team is your team and you should embrace it as no other. I can’t help but think there are a lot of people in the Chicago area who are now aware that there is a Thrasher franchise.
Go Thrashers!!
P.S. Bill – don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. He’s on our team and he’s already wearing the jersey and hat. Don’t go looking for trouble!
FormerIslesFan
August 16th, 2010
5:00 pm
Here is a good shot of Buff from the back wearing the Thrasher Blue and carrying the cup over his head: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/hockey/blackhawks/chi-100617-stanley-cup-tour-pictures,0,1199475.photogallery If it doesn’t link directly to the photo in question, click on photo number 7.
volgrad1985
August 16th, 2010
5:45 pm
In the words of Michael Scott, “I’m not superstitious…..but I AM a little stitious.”
Lord Stanley
August 16th, 2010
5:49 pm
GS 29. Thanks not sure if I agree with Carolina being ahead of us in the power rankings. We shall see.
MB
August 16th, 2010
5:58 pm
Forget about the jersey, Rawhide…maybe it’s YOUR traditions that need changing. Let’s face, if you’ve been taking these same actions for years and, well, we know the results, maybe it’s time to change some of your rituals. Isn’t one of the most overused (and most inaccurate, for that matter) blog comments something about doing the same thing and expecting different results the definition of insanity? What the heck…couldn’t hurt to change things a little.
As for Buff in an Ed Hardy t-shirt…wouldn’t that make him a d-bag?
Better to keep him in the Thrashers jersey.
R. Stroz
August 16th, 2010
6:08 pm
GO THRASHAWKS!
Lord Stanley
August 16th, 2010
6:32 pm
Flames I agree with you. Surprised no oneI has mentioned that part. After all if your ex-girlfriend bought you a shirt that wasn’t your favorite would you wear it after the break up?
I would be interested to know what the old hawks new thrashers have to say, but I am with Buff on this one. This was not a mistake, but maybe a way to reach out to the Thrasher fans that he has not met, or a motivational tool.
.So with that said Flames, any news?
Hokie P. Clisters
August 16th, 2010
6:42 pm
Man, its great to see a Thrasher hoisting the SC. If only he was on top of Brasstown Bald…then that would have been perfect. My “sources” tell me that the photo was actually taken in Hall County and not Minnesota. Elrod swears that its his truck next to Buff in photo. Unfortunately, the photo fails to show Elrod’s elaborate signature gun rack. Elrod is now dealing with a little superstition since the rack was left out. Oh well, you can’t have it all…………….
Flames
August 16th, 2010
7:06 pm
Lord Stanley- Nothing to report yet. I hoping something happens soon.
Sage of Bluesland
August 16th, 2010
7:10 pm
I’m sitting here in stunned silence after reading that tripe posted by our esteemed beat-writer (who needs to learn the difference between ‘complement’ and ‘compliment’–one of my favorite wordsmithing errors; but, then again, I don’t expect too much from the local, umm, “coverage”).
Simply stunned.
It’s a shame there is no ‘comment’ feature.
Whoever wonders why we are where we are, then look no further than this insult of a “story”…Whoever pays for this fraudulent clown and his minions–well, don’t ever cry about the results…
KM
August 16th, 2010
7:24 pm
Its great to see Sage back with his Emmy Award nominated comments.
Lord Stanley
August 16th, 2010
7:27 pm
Thanks Flames, I feel the same way. Also like many of I hope Kchuk soap opera ends soons. Definetly not award winning.
Cliff Fletcher
August 16th, 2010
7:51 pm
Reading Sage is like being forced to watch “Momma’s Family” repeats over and over again.
“Subsidize the stupidity”
Get over it Sage and move on!
World Be Free
August 16th, 2010
7:58 pm
I remember when the trade was made, how many fans were not psyched about having Buff in Atlanta. Now it sounds like everyone has come around to the force this guy can be in a Thrashers’ jersey. We still need more depth at center, you wonder if things will start to happen now that the Kaberle circus is over. I really hate the Leafs. So has anyone gone out and bought a Buff jersey? Do we know what number he’s wearing?
How about Todd White carrying the Stanley Cup?
Lord Stanley
August 16th, 2010
8:05 pm
Kaberle circus over? was there a trade?
DWTOO
August 16th, 2010
8:12 pm
Kaberle’s NTC kicked back in yesterday. There was only a small window where the Leaf’s could move him. And Burke was quoted as having 20 offers.
Did anyone catch the Thrashers GM rating on NHL Center Ice this PM? First I heard was Chicago’s.
Lord Stanley
August 16th, 2010
8:16 pm
Thanks DW was unaware. Sorry did not see the gm power ratings
SomaAtl95
August 16th, 2010
10:28 pm
Cliff Fletcher – Never thought I would say this, but don’t be that hard on “Mama’s Family”. What did Vickie Lawrence ever do to you?
Brendan
August 16th, 2010
10:51 pm
Re: the Waddell story … did everyone read about how “involved” Waddell is with respect to decision-making and roster? His role is much MORE than just budgetary oversight. I still don’t understand what has changed, other than offices and titles … and perhaps semantics. If Rick Dudley isn’t handling the contracts, like the article intimates, and Larry Simmons is working on a ’strategic vision,’ leaving Dudley to principally handle ‘player development,’ what CHANGED from last year??? Don Waddell just told Chris Vivlamore that he and Dudley make the roster decisions. In short, Don Waddell is still the GM. He makes the contracts. He makes the roster decisions. While Dudley, just like he did as “Associate GM,” works on ‘player development’ while Larry Simmons (Assistant GM) does whatever it is that Larry Simmons does.
Either Don Waddell is utterly fibbing about what his role with this team is, or nothing has changed. You decide. I don’t personally believe Waddell, alone, could have pulled off the Devils and/or Blackhawks trades. I suspect that was Dudley’s doing, with Waddell’s acquiescence. To Waddell’s credit, he stayed out of the way. But with Boulton and Slater re-signed, that smells like Waddell to me, with Dudley “acquiescence.” I’ll never really know, of course. Who could?
What bothers me the most is … this notion or insinuation that Rick Dudley doesn’t KNOW HOW to negotiate contracts, therefore, he needs Waddell’s assistance. What kind of ‘non-sense’ is that? Rick Dudley has been a GM before. He’s drafted players before … and signed them (while understanding the dynamics of the NHL price structure and free market) … and traded them. Long, long before he set foot inside the offices of the Atlanta Spirit, LLC. Rick Dudley is not an ‘incapable,’ whose hands needs to be held, and carefully stroked, to be sure the franchise is moving in a BETTER direction. (I’d say ‘moving in the right direction,’ but that’s copyrighted by Bruce Levenson and Don Waddell, 2004-present, and I’m not paying them a royalty.)
NYC
August 16th, 2010
11:17 pm
Ask yourself this: What if he had worn his Blackhawks sweater for these photos? Would it’ve been wrong? Would you feel….jilted? Bad mojo, good mojo – whatever, I think it’s cool as sh*t he’s embracing the Thrash. I’m pschyed he’s one of ours!
Badger Bob
August 17th, 2010
12:18 am
Trolling, trolling, trolling
With his ego swollen
Watch that Sagebrush trolling
Rawhide
Repetitive, not clever
End his boycott? “Never”
Whining that DW lied and lied
Move ‘em on, head’ em up
Head ‘em up, move’ em on
Move ‘em on, head’ em up
Rawhide
Cut ‘em out, ride ‘em in
Ride ‘em in, cut ‘em out
Call ‘em out, ride ‘em in
Rawhide
Badger Bob
August 17th, 2010
12:33 am
WBF, Buff will keep his #33.
Former Thrasher #33’s include: Ondrej Pavelec (2007-08), Adam Berkhoel (2005-06), Milan Hnilicka (2000-01 to 2002-03) and Maxim Galanov (1999-00).
Cliff Fletcher
August 17th, 2010
5:51 am
Soma ATL-Vicki Lawrence was pretty hot in the gray wig. Just a younger Carol Burnett.
Putting On The Foil
August 17th, 2010
7:21 am
Can you guys not see the life being sucked out of the Blackhawks via the cup into the Thrashers? Nobody sees that whisp of cold air in the pic but me?
kracker
August 17th, 2010
8:00 am
Hey Cliff, “Momma’s Family” was a good show! In addition to the regulars, Rue McClanahan and Betty White would pop in. We even had Eunice and Ed (Carol Burnett & Harvey Korman) on a few times. That was some good, funny and clean programming.
Befuddled
August 17th, 2010
8:05 am
Great stuff Badger Bob! Even Sage should get a chuckle out of that.
Spud Webb
August 17th, 2010
8:26 am
I think it’s great…even if it’s nothing other than a giant middle finger to the hawks!!! ahahahah
kracker
August 17th, 2010
8:38 am
It’s about another month until the rookies report to camp. Now is the hardest time of the year. This is when I get to thinking that I may expire. Buff and his Cup pictures, RH and his blogs are helping to get us thru.
glovesave29
August 17th, 2010
9:13 am
NYC – I would have been hard to fault Buff for wearing the Hawks jersey when he had his day with the cup. He did win it with them, after all. That he chose to wear his new duds is pretty damn cool.
Mama’s Family – HA! I totally forgot that piece of tripe! Sure, had some big stars on the show, but they have to put food on the table too. I cannot imagine guest starring on “Mama’s Family” is at the top of their resume. Everyone makes mistakes…look at Grace Slick. She wrote a timeless rock anthem in “White Rabbit” AND she wrote the worst song in the history of recorded music – “We Built This City”. So Grace and Vikki get buy on the OVERALL quality of their work, and in some specific instances – FAILED.
Since I will be there opening night – this is for you Sage – baaaaa, baaaaa, baaaaa AND PROUD OF IT. We are going the right direction. As an Atlantan on that dark spring day in 1980 when the selfish moron Tom Cousins sold our team to Calgary – I will do what I can to keep NHL hockey here in Atlanta.
kracker
August 17th, 2010
9:17 am
I wonder if Sage liked Mama’s Family?
SomaAtl95
August 17th, 2010
9:23 am
GS29 – Glad to see you wear your sheeple pride!
Here is a link of interest for those of you who want a quick fix to get through the rest of the month -
http://phoenix.fanster.com/2010/08/17/ea-sports-releases-nhl-11-demo-today/
SomaAtl95
August 17th, 2010
9:23 am
Oh and BAAAAHHHHHHHHH! BBBAAAAHHHHHHHH!!! BBBBAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!! Baa baa Bluesheep!
World Be Free
August 17th, 2010
9:59 am
Sage doesn’t laugh
Badger Bob-real good stuff-like the trolling part, all it needed was a reference to another 5 year plan.
Glovesave – Grace Slick reference. The original Jefferson Airplane members all laughed at “We Build This City” as a piece of commercial garbage. Great band that turned into garbage when Mickey Thomas joined and Grace rejoined looking for some bucks.
Still hoping Dudley has the upper hand in the player transactions, though I still would like to know what the team’s internal cap is.
Joe Friday
August 17th, 2010
10:31 am
“Re: the Waddell story … did everyone read about how “involved” Waddell is with respect to decision-making and roster? His role is much MORE than just budgetary oversight. I still don’t understand what has changed, other than offices and titles … and perhaps semantics. If Rick Dudley isn’t handling the contracts, like the article intimates, and Larry Simmons is working on a ’strategic vision,’ leaving Dudley to principally handle ‘player development,’ what CHANGED from last year??? Don Waddell just told Chris Vivlamore that he and Dudley make the roster decisions. In short, Don Waddell is still the GM. He makes the contracts. He makes the roster decisions. While Dudley, just like he did as “Associate GM,” works on ‘player development’ while Larry Simmons (Assistant GM) does whatever it is that Larry Simmons does.”
Russ and Brendan both get it, I’ve known it was a sham all along, but “it is what it is” (man, I hate that worthless saying). All that changed this summer was the titles on the doors and it was done to simply appease the boycotters. The big change was 2 years ago when Dudley was hired, not this past year. And Dudley has helped Waddell make better decisions. But the facts are Don Waddell’s hands are still all over the players and the day to day operations of the club, and we’ll continue to suffer for it until one day the Spirit and he are both gone.
I was very pleasantly surprised to see Buff wearing his Thrashers’ sweater on his Cup day. Good stuff.
SomaAtl95
August 17th, 2010
10:45 am
Re: D-Wad – Take it with a grain of salt guys – how much of what he has said in the past decade have you guys honestly believed? Why choose to believe what he says now?
Get The Puck Out
August 17th, 2010
10:52 am
Maybe next time we see Buff in a photo he’ll be wearing a Braves jersey instead of a Cubs jersey.
glovesave29
August 17th, 2010
10:58 am
JF – I just cannot see Duds taking a job where he has to run everything by DW. He doesn’t seem like that kinda guy, and he has earned the status where he should not have to.
Thrashers27
August 17th, 2010
10:59 am
I just noticed that our most hated nemesis goalie, “Nitty-Monkey” is now a member of the San Jose Sharks. Nice to know we won’t be seeing him much this season. You know he’ll get the start when our Thrashers roll into SJ though.
Lord Stanley
August 17th, 2010
10:59 am
If waddell is truly still in decison making why is dudley title not agm or puppet master. Seriously I think Dudley is making more decsions than Donny is portraying. Besides would Waddell really trade for good players and not give up that much. Also would waddell really trade away White?
Lord Stanley
August 17th, 2010
11:01 am
I think Chris V needs to ask Donny What in detail is your roll in player decsions especially when free agency and trades come into play.
Lord Stanley
August 17th, 2010
11:05 am
thrashers27 now if kchoke could go to the west coast or in Vodkaville
Midfield
August 17th, 2010
11:25 am
Brendan, ever since the all-star events in Atlanta, I’ve heard rumors from within that Waddel has a penchant for self-aggrandizing. So, hopefully his “my strengths” comment does not mean much more beyond an opportunity for him to shine on the back page of AJC on a slow news day. But it is still a problem, since other people in the organization dislike this habit of his.
Matt
August 17th, 2010
11:26 am
DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMED!